Robert J. Mathre, 57, of Bloomington, Wisconsin died Saturday, September 5 at 5:49 p.m. at UW-Madison Hospital of severe head trauma, sustained in a fall while working Friday.
Bob was born in Aurora, Illinois on January 13, 1958 to John and Virginia (Vesta) Mathre of Newark, Illinois. After graduation from Newark High School in 1976, he continued to farm with his dad. He was also a member of the Pork Producers and Helmar Lutheran Church. He was united in marriage with Susan Faircloth on March 2, 1984 in Aurora, Illinois. After the death of his dad in 1990, Bob moved Sue and their three young children to Bear Creek, Wisconsin and continued raising hogs. Due to the drop in the hog market, he scaled back and held an auction. He worked for Michel’s Pipeline for almost five months, Fox Utilities for three months, then Elmstar Electric in Kaukauna from 2000-2008. It was then that he went to Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wisconsin to receive his Journeyman Electrician’s License. It was through Elmstar that he started doing the electrical work for the Farm Technology Days in 2004, which he subcontracted after moving his family to Bloomington, Wisconsin in 2008. With the help of his children, he completed 12th successful show. He loved the work and meeting new people from counties around the state. He was truly a people person dedicated to selfless service.
Bob had been a River Ridge School Board member for three years, a Trustee at Faith Evangelical Free Church, a member of the West Grant Lions Club and involved in the FFA Alumni. He enjoyed farm auctions, tractor pulling, tractor rides, grilling out, camping, backyard bonfires, Christian and Country music, and socializing with everyone he met. Bob never hesitated to go out of his way to help others and was ready to meet new challenges. His faith was important to him. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior when he was 20, sitting in his combine out in the middle of the field. He was active in every church that he was a member of throughout the years.
Bob is survived by his wife, Sue, of 31 ½ years; his children Joel of Jacksonville, North Carolina; Jason of Bloomington; Megan (Nick) Weber of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas; Heather (fiancé Cody Saylor) and Mike of Bloomington. Also by mother, Virginia of Newark, Illinois; his brothers, Ron (Cheryl), Dave, Don (Jean), Rick (Jeanette); his sister, Patti (Bob) Chandler and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, John of Newark, Illinois in June of 1990.
The visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 9th from 4-8 p.m. and also on Thursday, September 10 from 2-3 p.m. with the Celebration of Life to follow at 3 p.m. All events will be held at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given in Bob’s name to his family who will divide it between various organizations.