Obituary: Robert Conrad Roisum - Class of 1950

PARDEEVILLE/ MADISON - Colonel Robert "Bob" Conrad Roisum, U.S. Army Reserve, retired, age 71, of Marshfield, Mo., and formerly of the Pardeeville area, died on Sunday, May 9, 2004, at his home. He was born in Madison on Nov. 12, 1932, to Herman and Blanche (Harvey) Roisum. He graduated from Central High School in Madison, in 1950. On Oct. 7, 1954, Bob married Audrey Wendlandt in Pecatonica, Ill. They lived in the Portage area for several years and Bob was a full time employee of the U.S. Army Reserve, assigned to the 44th General Hospital, in Madison. He obtained the rank of Colonel and was assigned to the 30th Hospital Center in Chicago when declining health forced his retirement. It was at that time he and Audrey moved to Missouri. His leadership led to the 44th General Hospital being considered one of the finest hospital units in the country. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marshfield, Mo. Bob is survived by his wife, Audrey of Marshfield, Mo.; a daughter, Debra (Ron) Thompson of Portage; three sons, Dave (Jane) Rosium of Neenah, Dale Roisum and special friend, Renee of Pardeeville, and Daniel Rosium of Marshfield, Mo.; six grandchildren, Amanda (Chad) Steinle, Becky and Tanya Thompson, and Zach and Angie and Heather Roisum; a great-grandson, Hayden Steinle; a brother, Donald of Menomonie; a sister, Lorraine (Bob) Hover of La Mirada, Calif.; two sisters-in-law, Ardis Roisum of Keene, N.H., and Ruth Roisum of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; other relatives; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wayne Roisum and Bryant Roisum; and two sisters, Connie Roisum and Connie Maxwell. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2004, at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH in Portage, with Pastor John Mackowiak officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Portage with military rites by Portage Area Veterans. Friends may call at the church after 10 a.m. on Saturday. The Thorson Funeral Home of Viroqua (800-657-6741) is serving the family.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 25, 2004