Rueben L. Grabhorn

Rueben L. Grabhorn, 93, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2025 in West Salem, WI. Rueben was born to Oscar and Emma (Kendhammer) Grabhorn on October 12, 1931 in La Crosse. He was a great cement mason and loved laying block and finishing floors. People still praise his work, which has withstood the test of time. For many years he also worked at Norplex 2nd shift after laying block all morning.

 Rueben married Helen (DeGarmo) Ristow in 1963. They enjoyed making music together. Rueben would play the guitar, and Helen would play the accordion, banjo, or piano while everyone else sang along and danced. They build two homes together in Chipmunk coulee in Vernon County. Rueben enjoyed fishing, hunting, and dancing. He even got a “clogging” certificate. He always had a smile on his face, and he had a joke ready to tell you to put a smile on yours.

 Rueben raised several kinds of birds including geese, ducks, chickens, pigeons and quail. He loved all animals, and he always has his dog Daisy by his side. He was a very honest, hardworking, fun guy. 

 He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen, brothers, Cal Grabhorn, and Albert (Eunice) Grabhorn, sisters, Millie (Ralph) Johnston, Mertle (Robert) Knobloch, Irene (Glenn) Stahl, and Leona (Kenneth) Johnson, and stepson Rodney Ristow. He is survived by a sister-in-law Mary Grabhorn, stepchildren, Tamara Ristow, Terral (Tara) Ristow, Rhonda (Rick) White, Carla (Jim) Liberda, Lois (Lee) Johnson, and Anita (Rod) Sand, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and step-grand and great-grandchildren. 

 A time of remembrance for Rueben will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 with a visitation from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM and memorial service at 1:00 PM, all at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of Onalaska, 907 Sand Lake Road. A luncheon will follow at the Onalaska American Legion. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Coulee Region Humane Society, 911 Critter Court, Onalaska, WI 54650.