Eldon George Rumppe, 89, of Cashton passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby.
Eldon was born April 6, 1925, to Henry and Ada Rumppe in La Crosse. He was baptized Nov. 4, 1958, at Bethany Lutheran Church (Sandhill). Eldon attended Gallagher Grade School on Irish Ridge outside of Cashton and was a graduate of Ontario High School. On July 31, 1948, he married Lillian Evelyn Benrud. On this special day, they were united in marriage in a double wedding with Lyla Benrud and Virgil Major.
Eldon and Lillian made their home on the Rumppe homestead on Irish Ridge until 1988, when they retired from farming and moved to Cashton. Eldon was an exquisite carpenter. He and Lillian built the home where they live in Cashton. While Eldon farmed, he also worked in the insurance business, an occupation he did for 25 years. For several years, he also worked at the hardware store.
When Eldon was first out of high school, he played city basketball and softball and helped run the roller skating rink in Cashton. He was a master when it came to making crafts, especially woodworking projects. Eldon made doll furniture for the company American Girl Dolls for many years.
Eldon is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lillian of Cashton; his children, Richard Dean (Patty Terpstra) Rumppe of Edina, Minn., Diane Marie (Richard) Gylling of Palatine, Ill., and Donna Cathleen Harris and Jack Pierce of Victoria, Minn.; his grandchildren, Stephanie Gylling (Brandon) Smith, Erik Rumppe, Natalie Gylling (Jason) Gonzales, Amanda (Gabe) Rumppe Coler, Kristin Harris (Dustin) Abanto, Gregory Gylling, and Ryan Harris; one great-grandchild, Colin Smith, and the Abantos are expecting another great-granddaughter soon; his sister, Ella Mary (Jack) Poore of Marana, Ariz.; along with many other relatives and countless dear friends within the community.
Eldon was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday, March 2, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cashton. Pastor Amanda Schultz officiated. Burial will be held at a later date in the Hilltop Rest Cemetery in Ontario.
The Torkelson Funeral Home of Cashton assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
