Robert "Bob" Von Haden

Robert D. Von Haden, 86, Wrightstown, passed away on Friday, March 25, 2016 at Wayside Parkview Estates. He was born on October 1, 1929 in Tomah to the late Leo and Thelma (Alderman) Von Haden. Robert married Betty Ann Ott on February 26, 1972 in Forest Junction, and she preceded him in death on January 26, 2004 after 32 year of marriage. He received his Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota after attending UW-River Falls and taught Agriculture for 32 years at Wrightstown High School, where he was always proud to see the accomplishments of his many students. He was very involved in the Wrightstown High School F.F.A., the Brown County Fair and the Cattle Fat Stock Show. Robert’s hobbies included gardening, baking, making rosettes, picking strawberries and hickory nuts, spending Sundays watching the Packers with family, playing games like eucker, sheepshead, sequence and having bean bag tournaments. He was well known as trickster, and loved playing pranks on people and making up new games. Survivors include his daughter, Cheri (Troy) Van Rossum of Wrightstown, sisters and brother: Margaret (Marlin) Wagner, Roland (Lois) Von Haden and Helen (Dean) Handy, all of Tomah; sisters-in-law: Leona Von Haden of Tomah, Jean Schmidt of Menasha, Adeline Ott of Menasha and Helen Krasniewski of Appleton; as well as many special nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to his wife, Betty Ann and parents, Robert was preceded in death by a brother Donald Von Haden; sister Jeanette Kaltsukis; three brothers-in-law: Silas Ott, James Schmidt and Cal Kaltsukis. Family and friends may visit at St. Clare Catholic Parish-St. Paul site, 437 Main St., Wrightstown on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 from 9:00am until 12:45pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Robert at 1:00pm at the church with Fr. Carl Meulemans officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Catholic Cemetery- Wrightstown. A full obituary will appear in the Sunday edition. Cotter Funeral Homes and Crematory is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established. God looked around his garden, and found an empty space. Then he looked down from Heaven and saw my tired face. He put His arms around me and lifted me to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful for He only takes the best. He knew that I was suffering; He knew I was in pain. He saw the road was getting rough, and steps were hard to climb. So he closed my weary eyelids and whispered “peace be thine.” It broke my heart to leave you all, but I knew I wouldn’t be alone. A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands now rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best. Robert’s family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Wayside Parkview Estates for their loving care and compassion.