OBITUARY: Ralph “Porkie” Haberland

Ralph “Porkie” Haberland, age 79, of Brillion, passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay.

Ralph was born on March 13, 1941 in Sheboygan, son of the late Raymond and Aleta (Rosin) Haberland. He was a graduate of Manitowoc Lincoln High School, class of 1960. Ralph worked for a bit before enlisting in the United States Navy in 1962. He served our country from 1962 – 1966. On August 2, 1969, he married Sandra “Sandy” Martin at Grace Lutheran Church in Green Bay. Ralph worked at the Brillion Iron Works as a furnace operator for over 40 years, retiring in 2005. He was a born leader, and this was evident in his position of President of the United Steel Workers Local 2-475. Ralph had a dedication to education, and this was demonstrated by his commitment as President of the Brillion School Board as well as serving on the CESA Board, the Fox Valley Technical College Board, the Board of Regents, and volunteering in the classrooms at the public school. He also drove school bus for Horn Brothers, Sonnabend Buses, and most recently Westlund Buses II. Ralph was a member at St. Bartholomew Lutheran Church where he held many volunteer positions. Ralph especially loved his family and spending time with them.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sandy of Brillion; their children: Jody (Todd) Lau of Chilton and Rev. Rick Haberland of DePere; his amazing granddaughter: Amber Lau; siblings and in-laws: Phyllis (Dennis) Seidl and Roger Haberland, Gary (Sue) Martin, all of Green Bay; step siblings: John (Gloria) Pischke of NC and Diane Pischke of CA; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother: Marcella Martin; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Earl and Bernice Martin; one infant sister; another sister: Myrna Seidl; and one sister-in-law: Jean Haberland.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at St. Bartholomew Lutheran Church in Brillion. Officiating will be Rev. Mark Krueger. Military Rites will be accorded by the Becker, Bloedorn, Jensen Post 126 of Brillion. Entombment will be at Knollwood Mausoleum, town of Kossuth.

Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to keep everyone safe, the family requests that everyone please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Online condolences may be made.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Brillion Ambulance Service & Aurora Bay Care Green Bay 3rd floor ICU staff for their care and compassion shown toward Ralph.

The Pielhop Wieting Funeral Homes of Brillion & Reedsville assisted the family with funeral arrangements.