Robert D. Nueske, ‘Bob’, was born February 22, 1947, in Wausau, Wisconsin, to Robert C. and Marie(Kobs) Nueske. In October 1966, Bob was drafted into the military. He served as a medic in Gelnhausen, Germany, until 1968, in the 3rd Armor Division of the US Army.
On May 17, 1969 he married Darlene Draheim. Together they made their home in Wittenberg, Wisconsin. They have three children, Tanya (Derrik Satterfield) of Crystal Lake, IL, Justin (special friend, Carole Artus) of Wittenberg and Nathan (Amber) of Redondo Beach, Ca and one grandson, Conner Satterfield.
Bob was owner and President of Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats. He enjoyed building the small family business in to a nationally recognized Nueske brand. Bob was recently nominated to the Wisconsin Meat Industry Hall of Fame and will be inducted in May. Bob served on the board for the Associated Bank.
He also served on the board of the Brian LaViolette Foundation. Bob loved traveling to Pilsen, Czech Republic, to present the Scholarship of Honor. The Czech people have remained very appreciative of their liberation because of the American military help. Each year they celebrate their liberation in May. Bob attended this each year.
Bob was very community minded and wanted to help and promote our home town. About 5 years ago he and his wife, Darlene, started Applewood Lane Alpacas in Wittenberg with both suri and huacaya alpacas. He had a great time designing a “state of the art” barn on the farm. Bob’s other interest was beginning a collection of collector cars. His newest venture was becoming a lodge owner when he purchased the Liberty Lodge in Sister Bay, Wisconsin, a little more than a year ago. Bob spent much of last summer there as he truly enjoyed visiting with all the guests. He enjoyed traveling both in the United States and Europe with his wife, his children, extended family and friends.
Bob loved God, his family, his friends, his business and life itself. His death comes as a shock with complications following knee replacement surgery. Surgery was January 5 and he died January 12, 2015. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his only brother, James.
The funeral service will be held at 2pm, Saturday, January 17, 2015 at the Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School Gymnasium, Wittenberg. Robert Eberhardt, Stanley March and Bonita Kleeb will officiate. Military rites will be conducted by the Bloecher-Johnson American Legion Post #502, Wittenberg. Interment will be in Forest Home Cemetery, Wittenberg. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9am until the time of service at the high school. Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family as a memorial fund will be established.