Roger Jerome Haarklau

LODI- Roger Jerome Haarklau peacefully passed away in his sleep on Thursday, April 7, 2016 after an extended illness. He was born on May 4, 1935, the youngest sibling of ten, to John and Anna (Lunde) Haarklau, at home on the Lee farm in Leeds, WI. Roger graduated from Oregon High School in 1953 and played football his senior year which led him to become a huge Packer and Badger fanatic the rest of his life. He loved all sports, especially participating. Roger enjoyed playing fast pitch softball and in 1961, at Breese Stevens Field, Roger pitched a "no hitter", just one of his many accomplishments. Roger started working with Oscar Mayer in 1953 and retired in 1995 after 42 years of service, of which he was very proud of.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1957 through 1959.  Roger always joked he was only on two cruises in his life, one on the way to Germany and the other on his way back to the States. He married the love of his life, Ellen Ann Litschauer on Sept. 2, 1961.  They were married 53 wonderful years. Roger never got over the heart break after Ellen passed away in Feb. 2015. He was a very talented wood worker and stone mason, which his family and friends had benefited for several years. Roger lived life to its fullest, making the most of his home in their six acres of woods where he loved the sound of a Stihl chainsaw and the smell of an oak fire in the wood burner. He was so proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, four generations strong. Survivors include his son Kevin (Kathy); daughter, Kathy (Todd Warczak); grandsons, Roger M. (Denise) and Tyler (Kim); great grandchildren Keaton, Kadence, and a great-granddaughter on the way; his sister Joan Kojo; sister-in-law, Mary Haarklau; and brother-in-law, Les Vale. In addition to his wife Ellen, he was preceded in death by his grandson Justin Haarklau; parents; brothers, Arthur, Oscar, Jerome, Howard, and Oliver;  sisters, Ruby, Alma, and Irene, sisters-in-law, Penny Haarklau and Arlene Haarklau and brothers-in-law, Herman Annen and Waino Kojo. Funeral services will be held at the HAMRE GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME, 157 S Main St., on Sat., April 16, 2016 at 11am with Rev. Sandra Schieble presiding. Burial will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sat. at the funeral home from 9:30a until the time of service. "Dad, may your gentle soul now rest on angels wings. We Love you and will always miss you. Thanks for being a great role model!"     Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.