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Terry F. Kaber

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Terry F. Kaber passed away at his home away from home, Brookdale Memory Care in LaCrosse, Wis., on July 22.  Terry was born on Sept. 21, 1938, in Prairie du Chien, Wis., to Clifford F. Kaber and Orpha V. (Valley) Kaber. His elementary school years were concluded at St. John’s Catholic School; he graduated from Prairie du Chien High School in 1956 and Wisconsin State College (now UW LaCrosse) in 1961. He worked at Ohio Chemical in Madison and then joined his brother as co-owner of Kaber’s Supper Club in Prairie du Chien, which was started in 1932 by their grandparents, Henry and Emma Kaber.

 

He married Roberta Burroughs and they have two children, Craig and Shelly. They later divorced. In 1972, he married Suzanne Lovig and they have a daughter, Ashley.  

 

In 1976, Terry and Suzanne built Kaber’s Steak House in Lancaster, Wis., and operated it until 1994 when it was closed due to fire. Terry was a terrific chef and hand-cut all the steaks and made homemade soup daily for the restaurant.  He did nearly all of the cooking for his family and took pride in sharing wonderful family recipes. When Terry entered a room, if he didn’t know you, he certainly would before he left. He had a knack for talking to anyone and was happiest when he was around people. If you were lucky enough to be a family member, friend or loyal customer of Terry’s, you can bet he had a quirky nickname for you. Later in life, Terry also drove a medical van for Coulee Transport, taking the elderly to medical appointments.  He was a great advocate for them and often sang 1940s and 50s songs to them to cheer them. 

 

Being a history buff, Terry was proud of the fact that he met and had conversations with several historical figures, including John F. Kennedy, Charles Kurault and Bill Veeck,  and he obtained several Packers’ autographs including that of Vince Lombardi in 1967. He always cheered his beloved Badgers, Brewers, Packers and Bucks and followed them even in his last days.

 

Terry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Suzanne; his children, Craig Kaber of Marquette, Shelly Park of LaMesa, Calif., and Ashley (Bradley) Kittoe of Mount Horeb, Wis.;  as well as grandchildren Paige and Brett Kaber, Jonas and Esmé Kittoe and Henry and Kate Park; his sister, Sally White and sister-in-law, Joan Kaber Satter, both of Prairie du Chien, and brother-in-law Paul Benz of Anacortes, Wash., and special cousins Dr. Jan and Deanie Kieser,  Jerry Riness and Pete and Georgia (Valley) Jimenez along with many nieces and nephews.

 

Preceding him in death were his parents, his brother Rex Kaber, his sister Jill Owl McCorkle and brothers-in-law Thomas White, Larry Owl and Loren McCorkle and sister-in-law Claudette (Lovig) Benz and his mother and father-in-law Conrad and Gertrude Lovig.

 

There will be a graveside service at the Giard Cemetery (rural Farmersburg Township) at 11 a.m. on Sept. 25, and following his burial, a celebration of life from noon to 4 p.m. for friends and relatives at The Blackhawk (formerly Kaber’s), 225 W. Blackhawk Ave. in Prairie du Chien, Wis.

 

In lieu of flowers and knowing how Terry loved Prairie du Chien history and animals, the family asks that you consider donating to the Prairie du Chien Historical Society or the Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter in Prairie du Chien.

 

The family wishes to thank Gundersen Hospital LaCrosse and the Crossing Rivers Hospital employees for the care Terry was given after his fall on Jan. 4 and subsequent stay, the Great River Care Center in McGregor and the awesome staff at Brookdale Memory Care in La Crosse for their kindness and fun-loving ways that they added to Terry’s remaining days of life at Brookdale. The staff was like a large extended family for him, and we will forever be grateful to each one of them who took Terry under their care and loved him.

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