Roger J. Ebert

     Roger James Ebert, 84, of Sparta, died Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. He was born and raised on the home farm on August 3, 1934 to William and Anna Ebert, Sparta, WI. 

     Roger graduated from Sparta High School.  After graduation, he continued to farm with his dad. In 1955, he married his sweet heart Ellie. Roger and Eleanor “Ellie” Juen were married June 18, 1955 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, La Crosse, WI.  Roger and Ellie celebrated their 60th Anniversary in June, 2015.  Roger and Ellie had a very strong Catholic faith, they prayed together at every meal and said their nightly prayers.  If you ever had a chance to spend the night at their house, and if you were quiet enough you could hear them pray for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren before they went to bed.  Their faith was very important to them, and it showed throughout their life.

     Roger was a proud farmer.  He worked side by side with his wife, Ellie, and their five children. He was on the Board of Directors of the Sparta Coop Oil and of the Sparta Volunteer Fire Department.  He was involved in the Cataract Sportsmen Club, Bush Prairie 4-H Leader, Bush Prairie Neighbor 500 Club, Senior Citizen Club member, Equity Card Club, and Sparta Rod and Gun 500 Card Club.

     Roger loved to play a good game of cards of any sorts, visiting with family and friends.  He loved when all of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and neighbors would come to visit and play games.  He loved to fix things.  He enjoyed woodworking, sharing his garden produce, hunting, watching his birds, and driving his tractor and his 4 wheeler around his farm.

     They were blessed with five children, Jim (Cindy) of Sparta, Tom (Roseanne) of Black River Falls, Sue (Rob) of Sparta, Doug of Norwalk, and Sally of Sparta; 14 grandchildren, Anna, Joe, Abe, Jake, Jess, Kristy, Mandy, Sarah, Brian, Ben, Jason, Stacey, Kyle, and Nicole; 19 great grandchildren; two brothers, Harvey (Lorraine) of Mequon and Merlin (Ruth) of Sparta; one sister, Annabelle Sharp of Sparta; two brother-in-laws, Bill Hayes of Pewaukee and Don (Lois) Juen of La Crosse; four sister-in-laws, MaryAnn Juen of La Crosse, Ruth Juen of La Crosse, Charlene Juen of La Crosse, and Virginia Juen of La Crosse; and many nieces and nephews. 

     He is preceded in death by his wife, Ellie, his  parents, William and Anna Ebert; father and mother in-law, Oscar and Mabel Juen; one brother, Robert Ebert; one sister, Arleen Hayes; three sister-in-laws, Mary Ebert, Mary Jane Hackett, and Darlene; six brother-in-laws, Richard Sharp, Gary Haines, Jerry Juen, Kenny Juen, Duane Juen, and Richard Juen.

     A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Monsignor Delbert Malin officiating. Burial will be at a later time in the church cemetery.

     Family and friends are invited to call from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, with a 6:45 p.m. rosary. Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. until time of services on Saturday at the church. 

     The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements. 

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