Howard Urban

Howard W. Urban, age 90, formerly of the Town of Oakfield and City of Waupun, passed away peacefully at HOPE Health and Rehabilitation, Lomira, WI on April 13, 2025, with his four children at his side.

Howard was born on February 18, 1935, in the Town of Lamartine, the second son of the late Francis and LeOra (Tank) Urban. He was a 1953 graduate of Rosendale High School and served as President of his graduating class. On September 29, 1956 he was united in marriage to Irene C. Schraufnagel at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in LeRoy. Together, they raised four wonderful children.

Howard was in the Air Force Reserves from 1951-1953 and the US Army from 1954-1956. He was stationed in Korea, but saw many beautiful areas of the world. He especially enjoyed his time in Austria.

HI-Ledge Acres, in the Town of Oakfield, was where he and Irene settled and farmed together for 39 years. He often talked about how much he enjoyed plowing his fields late into the evenings. Howard served on the Board of Directors of Independent Milk Producers, Slinger, WI for many years, including his role as Board Secretary. Howard played baseball in the Rock River League and was a member of the Brownsville, Oakfield and Mayville teams as a pitcher and outfielder. He loved participating in and watching all sports – but he was a loyal Brewers fan. After retiring from the farm full time, Howard and Irene moved to Waupun and he worked for Jacobson Farmers Supply. When the farm was sold and he retired from Jacobson, he and Irene worked side-by-side again at the National Bank of Waupun from 2001-2008. He was a faithful member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where he was proud to be a member of the choir. He appreciated his church family and friends of St. Joe’s. Howard also had a sense of humor and a wit about him that was unmatched…and he always ensured the people around him would laugh and have a good time. He also wrote poetry, especially to and about Irene and he was proud to have 13 of his poems published.

Howard is survived by his four children and the families each of them created; Julie (Mick) Marks, Joan (Don) Wiese, Jacqueline (Dan Drinkwine) Martin and John (Vicki) Urban. He was blessed with ten wonderful grandchildren, Kevin (Katherine) Marks, Kelly (Vic) Sunderland, Kathryn (Kurt) Hintz, Carrie (Nick) Tibbott, Colleen (Andy) Giese, Jenna (Alex Patoka) Yadro, Kimberly (Steve Wierzchowski) Urban, Tyler (Emmalee) Urban and Jay Urban. Howard appreciated the spunk and creativity of his sixteen great-grandchildren. Howard is further survived by his brother Henry Urban and sister, Mary Beier. He is also survived by his sister-in-laws Janice Urban and Florence Wagner as well as many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

In addition to his parents and Irene (July 21, 2020), Howard was preceded in death by his grandson Joshua L. Martin, his in-laws, Anton and Clara (Theisen) Schraufnagel, his brother Edwin Urban, his sister-in-law Rosalie Urban, brother-in-law Louis (Barbara) Schraufnagel and brother-in-laws Orville Ruplinger and Benno Wagner.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Howard will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waupun with Fr. Thomas Naidu officiating. Entombment will follow at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Fond du Lac, WI. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at the church from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Howard’s family has requested memorials be directed in his name to St. Joseph’s Church, Waupun, WI.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff of Hope Health and Rehabilitation for the 3.5 years he was a resident there. The family is also grateful to SSM Hospice for the loving, compassionate, attentive care they provided Howard in his final days.