Robert F. Ellenbecker

Robert F. Ellenbecker, age 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 25, at his home with his loving wife, Mary, by his side.

The memorial gathering will be at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Hartford on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at the church on Friday at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Rick Stoffel officiating. Inurnment will be at St Lawrence Cemetery.

Bob was born on March 1, 1944, in Long Beach, California, to Arnold and Frances (Paiser) Ellenbecker. On October 14, 1967, he married Mary Ellen Van Schyndel at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Oneida, Wisconsin. Bob worked for a number of years for the Milwaukee Road in Illinois. He later transferred to A. O. Smith/Tower Automotive in Milwaukee, and built a home in Slinger, Wisconsin, where he and Mary Ellen raised their family. In 2001, Bob retired, and they returned to Oneida to enjoy their retirement. Throughout his life, Bob found great joy in maintaining his gardens. He and several friends helped establish the Oneida Farmers Market, which has continued to grow and evolve over the years. Bob also enjoyed winemaking, snowmobiling, and riding ATVs and was a member of the Oneida Swamp Stompers Snowmobile Clubs. Bob was a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Lawrence Saints. He proudly served as a volunteer firefighter in St. Lawrence for many years. In 2023, Bob and Mary Ellen moved to Beaver Dam to be closer to their family.

Robert is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; children, Chris (Trina), Jim, Bobbie (Charles) Watry, and Dan (Michele); grandchildren, Jacob (Lindsay), Luke (Alison), Andy (Stacie), Matt (Katarina), Callie (Andrew) Yeoman, Dryden (Kayla) Watry, and Ben; great grandchildren, Kaitlynn, Ariella, Bentley, Waylon, and Amelia; siblings, Carol Conroy, Ray (Joan), Paul, Larry (Donna), and Theresa Weinecke; loyal furry friend, Ginger; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Laurie; and daughter-in-law, Judy.

The family thanks Generations Hospice, especially nurse Lori, for the exceptional care that was given to Bob. Also, thank you to all the staff and special friends at Prairie Ridge that have made Bob and Mary Ellen feel at home.