Harlan Weber of Sheboygan Falls passed away on Thursday, March 14 at the age of 71
following a three-year journey with prostate cancer.
He was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin to Claude and Elizabeth Weber. He grew up in
Auburndale and attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where
he met the love of his life, Sandy Rauwald, to whom he was happily married for
nearly 49 years. Together they had two children, Nikki and Brad.
When he completed his education degree at UW-SP, Harlan and Sandy moved to
Sheboygan. Early in his career he earned a master’s degree in math, and went on to
teach at Sheboygan South High School for 30 years. During that time, he was very
active and held many positions with the SEA; he served as the advisor for mock trial,
which won back-to-back state tournaments and also went to nationals; and he
traveled the country for Texas Instruments to educate teachers on how to use
graphing calculators. In 1999, he went to Washington DC to accept the Presidential
Award for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching.
Later in his career, Harlan received another master’s degree, in administration, and
moved into an administrative leadership position with the Sheboygan Area School
District. There, he was the grade level chairperson coordinator for math, science,
gifted and talented, and health; the district ATOD steering committee chair; and the
NCAA district contact person. He served in this administrative capacity for 10 more
years before retiring with significant accolades in 2009.
While he had an impressive career, which he loved, by far the most important thing in
Harlan’s life was time spent with family and friends. Since his retirement, Harlan and
Sandy were able to spend part of each winter in either Florida or Arizona. Aside from
regular family gatherings — which were much cherished — Harlan made every
Christmas extra special by creating and executing a family scavenger hunt. It was a
hit with his own children and became a beloved tradition for his grandchildren … even
though they had to work for their gifts! Harlan’s family is grateful to have had one
last big gathering just a few weeks ago in Wisconsin Dells where he was able to spend
immeasurably important time with Sandy, their children and their grandchildren.
Harlan was a dedicated Wisconsin Badger fan, especially when it came to basketball
and football, for which he was a happy season ticket holder. He also loved to golf,
anywhere but especially at Autumn Ridge in Valders, and enjoyed a standing Tuesday
golf date with his neighbor. Harlan was also an avid reader, too — even reading the
whole Harry Potter series like several of his grandchildren. While he loved and
enjoyed these hobbies, he was also a dedicated volunteer for Meals on Wheels for
more than 15 years.
Harlan is survived by his loving family including his wife, Sandy; his daughter Nikki
(Eric) Cook and son Brad (Stacie) Weber; grandson Braeden Bertz; granddaughters
Zoe, Lila and Thea Cook; and grandsons Owen, Jay and Davis Weber. He is further
survived by his sister Carol (John) Raschke; brother Lee Weber (Patti Mitchell); sister
Claudine (Marvin) Konrardy; and brother Gerry (Dawn) Weber; in-laws Jack Rauwald
(Robin Ebert); Jill (Gary Southcott); and Jeff Rauwald, as well as many cousins,
nieces, nephews and close friends.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Harlan’s
arrangements.
A celebration of Harlan’s life will be held Friday, March 22 at Blessed
Trinity Catholic Church, 327 Giddings Avenue, Sheboygan Falls. A visitation will begin
at 9am with a mass to follow at 11am.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center for their
ongoing care, especially his nurse Aggie, nurse navigator Debbie and oncologist Dr.
Kumar. The staff at Sharon Richardson Hospice helped to make Harlan’s final days as
peaceful and comfortable as possible. The family would also like to thank all the
friends and family members who provided so much care, comfort, and support
throughout Harlan’s cancer journey, especially Harlan’s close friend Joe Sheehan.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Harlan’s memory can be made to Sheboygan County
Cancer Care Fund, 1621 N. Taylor Drive, Sheboygan, WI 53081.
“What mattered most of all was the dash between the years.” – Thank you, Dad, for
teaching us it’s the dash that counts.
