Emil Kouba
Emil Kouba legacy
Emil was born May 24, 1930, in the Town of Rome of Bohemian Settlement, now Sand Valley property to Mary and Frank Kouba. He attended Barnum School through 8th grade and helped the family farm the land. In 1944 Mary and Frank moved the home and barn to a site on Highway 13. Emil graduated from Adams-Friendship High School in 1949. He began working at Adams Columbia Electric Cooperative per recommendation from principal at Adams-Friendship High. In 1951 he started working at Nekoosa Papers, but later that year was drafted into the army and served 2 years in active duty and 6 years in the Standby Reserves. In the army, he spent 1 year in South Korea working in the tank unit.
In 1953, he returned home and married Donabelle Christine Petersen on May 9, 1953. They were married 62 years before Donabelle passed at home with Alzheimers in 2015. He was a loving caretaker for her for 12 years and had her home until death. Emil and Donabelle lived in Wisconsin Rapids, WI from 1953-1954. They built a house in the town of Rome in 1954 and began a family. They had 4 children (Donald Emil, Brenda Renee, Thomas Holger, and Teresa Lynn). He continued to work at Nekoosa Papers for 44 years.
Emil was active in his community. He served on the Chester School Board. He served as Constable for 1 year in the Town of Rome, of which he served 17 years. He was a fire inspector for the State and served in the Southwest counties of the state of Wisconsin. For one year he served as the President of the Fire Inspectors and another year as secretary. Emil worked as a state certified building inspector for the Town of Rome for 20 years. He was a member of Exceptional Citizens for many years and involved in Special Olympics with his son. Emil was active in his church. Baptized after marriage, was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and served on the church council for 3 terms. He was also on the Niebull Cemetery committee from 1955-2006.
Emil had many activities of interests growing up. He played catcher for Town of Rome Baseball League. (Never had a knee replaced!) He was on a bowling league with his wife at Nekoosa Evergreen Bowling Alleys. Emil loved going to polka dances, snowmobiling with his family and friends, deer hunting (taught grandchildren to shoot, clean out, and cut up venison), fishing, playing on horseshoe leagues, handy man of all trades, gardening, canning, making sauerkraut, Russian Dill Pickles, and his garden of plenty was passed out to many. He spent adventures in Florida with his wife and son, Tom, going to Florida at their 4 weeks of timeshares. His 112-10 HP John Deere tractor bought in 1969 was his second love used to pull floats in parades, snowplow, cultivate garden, pick up firewood, cut grass, give rides with grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart, Donabelle Christine Petersen of 62 years; two beautiful sons: Donald Emil Kouba and Thomas Holger Kouba; parents: Mary (Urs) and Frank Kouba, siblings: Rose Hendricksen (James), Ella Peterson (Jim), Joe Kouba (Lorraine), Frank Kouba (Mildred), and Bessie Kouba. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Brenda Renee Kizewski (Jim), Teresa Harvey-Beversdorf (Thomas Beversdorf), and daughter-in-law Cindy Kouba. He has 9 grandchildren, Father Justin Kizewski, Melissa Saeland (Joshua), Jamie Gries (Tony), Jessica Bradly (Daniel), Shane Harvey (Elizabeth), Jenna Lynch (Jimmy), Jillian McElroy (Joseph), Terra Warino (Dustin) and Shad Harvey (Amanda). He has 22 great grandchildren: Claire Sandra Gries, Jude Leonard Lynch, Caeli Marie Gries, Mara Johanna Lynch, Makayla Marie Bradley, Kateri Rose Gries, Cecelia Renee Lynch, Mason Daniel Bradley, Simon James Lynch, Ethan Joshua Saeland, Anthony James Gries, Emery Marie Warino, Keldyn Terence Harvey-Wright, Miles Joseph McElroy, Eli Dereck Saeland, Lenora Isabel Harvey-Wright, Josephine Renee McElroy, Ellie Marie Warino, Lucia Agnes McElroy, and his last armful hold of Kolbe Joseph Lynch stating, “you can sleep all you want, you will be awake a long long time, and I think I’ll keep him!”.
Ending years of life were full of wonderful VA caregivers and staff, watching: Gunsmoke, Andy Griffith Show; doing exercises recommended by VA PT, church service Sundays, enjoying the birds, deer from patio door, enjoying communication with anyone who visited and sharing stories of life. And while watching nature from his patio door he yearned to see the love of his life again!
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Big Flats, Wisconsin. Pastor Brad Lindberg will officiate. Interment will be at the Niebull Cemetery, Town of Big Flats, Adams County, Wisconsin. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2023, at Roseberry’s Funeral Home and again from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at church on Saturday.
Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.
Emil—If the rest of the world were like you, this entire planet would be a great place to live. One of the best people I’ve known–top of the list without a doubt. Condolences to the family and God bless you and Emil.
Dear Terry and Tom, I am so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was the sweetest, most caring man. I admired him so much, for how he took care of your mom, as my grandfather did the same for my grandmother, and that takes a very special person to take that on. When I taught aerobics at the town hall, sometimes he would come in, and I would catch him, out of the corner of my eye, trying to do some if the dance with us! He was so much fun! I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you.
Brenda and Terry – My heart hurts for you and your family. Your Dad brought much joy to mine in his last years. Praying for all of you.
He was clearly part of that “greatest generation”. Looks like he lived life to its fullest.
Sorry for your loss.
Sending prayers to the family. Such a good man. Hugs
So sorry for yours and your family’s loss Terri… He loved his family and so many more people through his acts of kindness… He was both blessed and a blessing…🙏🏼💕🤗
Sorry for your loss.
Terri, Brenda and your families,
You have loved him during life, he will not be forgotten in death.
May eternal rest be granted unto Emil, (Dad). And let perpetual light shine upon him, Donnabelle, Don and Tom as they rest in peace. Be at peace and take comfort in knowing it is in dying-that we are born to eternal life. Or, on a lighter note as Diana Ross would say, “Some sweet day, we’ll be together again. Yes we will, yes we will. Say, someday, we’ll be together Some sweet day.”
I’m sorry for your loss
Dear Terri and Tom,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know you both have been there for your dad which made his life full. Sending hugs and prayers for you and your family.
Thinking of all of you in these troubled times. He will be missed by many. It sounds like he had a good life. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Thinking of all of you in these troubled times. He will be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
A long life well lived serving others. Sincerest sympathy to Emil’s family & friends.
Remember the good times.
Sorry for your loss. Prayers to the family 🙏
It was an honor to know Emil. Greg and I enjoyed his stories and will miss him at church. I always appreciated the corn stalks your dad dropped off, he always thought of me in the fall. Our sympathy to all of you. Prayers.
What a great man! He and my father were very close. As my Father aged Emil was aways willing
to help him with projects around my father’s house. He would always stop by the house and drop off food from his garden. I always enjoyed seeing him at the Rome Fire Department’s annual dinner.
God bless him!
So sorry for your loss, my prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Sending our condolences to Emil’s entire family. Rob and I enjoyed our talks with him. He had a special kindness and gentle spirit mixed in with just the right amount of humor and stubborn strength. He will be missed! You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our sympathies on the passing of your dad, grandfather. How wonderful for you all to have all these great memories. My Dad and Emil worked together in the mill. Dad always enjoyed their friendship.
Our condolences. Dale, Crystal (Moore) and Adam Weis
Emil was such a wonderful man. Joe and I both loved talking to him and listening to his stories. He will be truly missed.
So sorry for your family’s loss.
Emil was a wonderful man, full of love and kindness. He will be miss by everyone he every knew. Prayers to his family and his church family.
Emil was such a special and kind friend. He did so much for Zion Church We will miss him.
Our condolences to Terry and her family. Wonderful memories.
So very sorry on your family loss. God bless
So sorry for your family’s loss..
A life well lived; what a nice tribute!
He is with Donnabelle and his sons again.
Thinking of you all.