Gordon E. Rabe

Gordon E. Rabe, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home on March 9, 2017.
Gordon was born in Eldorado, Wisconsin on December 5, 1923. Gordon married Barbara J. Gruse on June 12, 1954; they were married 62 years.

Gordon worked on the family farm in Eldorado until 1954 and then as a truck driver for Steffke Freight, Spector Freight and Advance Freight for 34 years.

He was known for his delightful sense of humor and his uncanny skill at Sheepshead. Gordon enjoyed frequent trips to Florida and other travels enjoying the scenic mountains, woods and shores. Gardening and tinkering were his passions. Teasing his grandchildren and humbly fulfilling the needs of his family, friends and neighbors gave him great joy. Gordon was known for his preferences of corner slices of cake for the extra frosting, chocolate, a.k.a vitamins, and walking miles for vanilla ice cream.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons, Jeffrey (Susan), Thomas (Colleen) and Peter (Sharon); grandchildren, Jacquelyn Olson (Lars), Justin Rabe, Chelsea Miller (David), Nicholas Rabe (Cassandra) and Dhyana Rabe; step-grandchildren Rebecca Wennlund (Jennifer Wagner), Melissa Wennlund, and Jennifer Kristan (Stephen); two great grandchildren, Alyson and Damien Olson; and three step-great grandchildren Alabama, Lulu and Sonny Kristan.
He is also survived by his sisters, Dorothy Wendt and Bernice Hollander (Donald) and sister and brother-in-laws Richard and Joan Hall, William and Sharon Frailing, James and Beverly Cahill, Robert and Sandra Robertson as well as many nieces and nephews.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie and Meta Rabe; sister and husband, Lucille and Harold Bean, brother and wife, Monroe and Doris, brother and wife, Eugene and Barbara I. and brother-in-law, Robert Wendt.

The funeral service will be held at 6 PM, March 16, 2017 at Bethlehem Ev. Lutheran Church (1206 Ontario St.) with Pastor Paul Lidtke officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 PM until the time of the service. Burial will be at Lake View Memorial Park at 9 AM, Friday, March 17, 2017.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Bethlehem Ev. Lutheran Church or Make-a-Wish Wisconsin (100 W College Ave. Suite 50E Appleton, WI 54911) in Gordon’s name.
Gordon’s family wishes to thank the staff of Aurora at Home Hospice Care for their care and support.