Obituary of Jack Morgan Hebbe

Jack Morgan Hebbe, age 91, of Jefferson, Wisconsin formerly of Fort Atkinson, passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at Sylvan Crossings in Jefferson. Jack was born on September 16, 1924, the son of Alfred and Meta (Wegner) Hebbe. As a young 10 year old boy, Jack injured his left hip and a bone infection set in. They didn't have antibiotics at that time and this left him walking on crutches with a brace on his leg all through high school and two years into college. He graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1943 and Milton College in 1948. During high school and two years into college Jack wrote sports and sent bowling scores to the Janesville Gazette. He also wrote a bowling column "Down the Polished Drive" for the weekly Jefferson County Union. His first job after graduating from Milton College was as a cost accountant at the W. R. Arthur Co. in Janesville. He then worked at the old Fort Atkinson Savings Bank. He later ran and was elected Clerk of Circuit Court for Jefferson County. After four years he was appointed Jefferson City Clerk. He then worked as bookkeeper-abstractor for the Jefferson County Abstract Company, and was on their board of directors as treasurer. Then after five years, Jack worked for The Farmers & Merchants Bank of Jefferson (now First Merit Bank) from where he retired after 42 years as vice president. While living in Fort Atkinson, Jack was a member of Friedens United Church of Christ and served on its church council as recording secretary. He was also treasurer of the Red Cross. Jack was always interested in sports and served as scorekeeper and then business manager of the Fort Merchants Baseball team. The team was then incorporated and the name changed to the Fort Black Hawks baseball team. He then headed a drive to get the first baseball lights at Jones Park at a cost of $10,000. The city of Fort Atkinson gave the team $6,000 and $4,000 was raised by selling $100 notes. Jack was also president of the Central Wisconsin Baseball League for two years. He was appointed City Clerk of Jefferson and then moved to Jefferson. On September 20, 1952 he married Elaine Luedtke. Jack then joined St. John's Lutheran Church in Jefferson and served on their church council for two terms, once as recording secretary and then as financial secretary. Jack was also active in many other organizations: He was elected to the Jefferson School Board, was appointed by the circuit court judges of Jefferson County to serve as jury commissioner, was also appointed by the judges to serve on the condemnation commission where he served for 35 years, served as secretary/treasurer of Greenwood Cemetery Board, was appointed to the Jefferson Housing Authority where he served for 13 years, the last 10 years as chairman and served as Treasurer of the Madison Institution Ministries Board for 20 years. In 1968 he was presented the "Gallantry Award" from the National Easter Seal Society for "valiant spirit and determination exhibited in building a normal, successful life". He graduated from Milton College in 1948 and served on their Alumni Association for 15 years and 2 years as its president. Because of his support for the college and especially the athletic program he received several awards: in 1965 the Athletic Award, in 1977 the Lawrence Dickhoff Memorial Award, and in 1989 the Alumni Pillar of Milton Award for the many years of his support to the college and also for his involvement in local community affairs In 1992 he received the Ray Fischer Outstanding Citizen Award from the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. He also was a supporter of Lakeside Lutheran High School and was a member of its Board of Regents. In 1988 when he retired he became a member of "The Thursday Morning Breakfast Club" and was its only officer, serving as treasurer. Jack enjoyed playing golf for many years and liked helping other people. He was interested in government and never missed voting in a single election since he became eligible to vote. He liked working in his yard. He greatly enjoyed his family and especially his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. Jack is survived by two children: Linda (Richard) Sherratt and Joel (Lori) Hebbe both of Fort Atkinson, WI, Grandchildren: Elizabeth (James) Small, Michael (Emily) Hebbe, Christopher (Angel) Hebbe, and Alyse Hebbe, Great-grandchildren: Thomas Small, Anna Small, Sidney, Dominic, and Lauren Hebbe, and Grace Roth. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elaine in 2013, a brother Lloyd and a sister Lucille. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 11:00AM at St. John�s Ev. Lutheran Church 232 E. Church Street, Jefferson, WI with Rev. Matthew Krenke officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Atkinson, WI. Visitation will be from 10-11AM on Saturday at the church until the time of the service. The Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson, WI is assisting the family.