Franklin Paul "Frank" Haberland

MIDDLETON - Franklin Paul “Frank” Haberland passed away peacefully on November 19, 2024, surrounded by his family. He is survived by three daughters, Mary (Jim Hengelbrok), Annie (Doug Cloutier) and Catherine; grandchildren, Ken Hanway, David Hengelbrok, Tim Hengelbrok, Michael Hengelbrok, Lara Hengelbrok, Elizabeth Haberland-Ervin, Caroline Haberland-Ervin, Sean (Andrea) Cloutier and Jake Cloutier; brother, Martin Haberland; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Sue Green and their children; and cousin, Kathleen Hilgers. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Ruth Ann (Green) Haberland; and his parents, Martin C. and Verna (Hilgers) Haberland.

Frank was born February 15, 1933, in Madison, Wis. After graduating from Middleton High School, he attended UW-Madison, where he attained both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In between his degrees Frank served for two years in the United States Army. From his earliest days Frank hoped to work for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and in 1961 he started his career as a forest ranger. In 1963, Frank moved his family to Shell Lake, Wis., where he worked for seven years as a game manager out of the DNR’s Spooner office. Although he loved the north woods and the friends they made in Shell Lake, the family returned to Middleton in 1969, where they rejoined relatives and longtime friends in the town that supported many generations of their family. Frank later became the DNR’s big game (deer and bear) specialist. He was honored for his work managing Wisconsin’s deer population, including receiving the award for “Wildlife Conservationist of the Year” in 1990 from the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. Frank was an avid reader, hunter, and fisherman. He enjoyed bicycling and would often take long rides with his daughters and grandchildren. Additionally, he shared his beautiful baritone voice for many years as a member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church choir in Middleton.

After his retirement in 1989, Frank and his wife, Ruth Ann, enjoyed traveling to national parks and to many states and countries, including Alaska, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and South Africa. They loved spending time with their daughters and their families, and treated them to a memorable vacation in Hawaii to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Frank also treated his daughters and son-in-law to a river cruise on the Danube, and when he was nearly 80, he went with Catherine on a multi-country tour of East Africa. He loved his trips to Africa, where he was able to observe the diversity of animals in their natural environment and learn more about the cultures and people who live there.

Frank had a great, unique sense of humor and managed to find a way to make us laugh often and have fun. He was a kind and loving father, husband, grandfather, brother, and son. We will greatly miss him. A private gathering to remember and honor Frank will take place on a later date.

If you care to contribute to one of his preferred charities, please consider the Middleton Area Historical Society, the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, or the Historic First Lutheran Church in Middleton. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761