Henry R. Umstadt Jr.

Henry R. Umstadt, Jr. passed away in his sleep on March 26, 2024.  Henry was born on June 13, 1932 to Henry and Katherine Umstadt in Plymouth, WI.   He grew up on the family farm and was a farmer to the end.  He made hay the summer before moving to the Bay at Elkhart Lake assisted living in 2022.   While a resident at the Bay, Henry enjoyed feeding the squirrels, geese, ducks and deer.

Henry and the former Marilyn Hinz were united in marriage at Immanuel E & R Church in the Town of Herman on June 4, 1955.  She proceeded him in death on July 4, 2003.  Together they had three children, Annette, David and Pamela.  Henry and Marilyn farmed together on her family farm in the Town of Herman until moving to his family’s farm in the Town of Rhine in 1989.

Henry was a builder.   He designed and constructed three additions to the dairy barn in the Town of Herman as well as a beautiful new home in the Town of Rhine.  All of these structures were built with lumber that he logged from the farms.  Henry loved going to auctions and on occasion purchased broken equipment at a discount because he knew he could fix it.   Henry also loved animals.  After he “retired” from dairy farming, he purchased a pair of goats to control the grass in hard to mow places.  The pair become a herd which he shared with his grandchildren, Susie and Dale.  This renewed his love for 4-H as he became a supporter of the Blue Ribbon Small Animal Sale and the goat project.  In 2022, the Sheboygan County 4-H Alumni Association awarded Henry its lifetime achievement award.

Henry was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ where he had served as a Deacon and an usher.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 and was stationed in Germany.  This allowed him to meet grandmother and extended family.  He was a former Assistant Chef of the Franklin Fire Department.   Henry also enjoyed polka music and was a member of the We Love to Dance Club.

Above all, Henry loved his family and tried to be a great husband, father, and grandfather.  He will be missed by his son David (Cindi) Umstadt, daughter Pamela (David) Hodgson, grandchildren Susan (Fikru Tesema) Hodgson and Dale (Erika) Hodgson, great grandson, Henry, nieces and nephews.   Besides his parents and his wife, Marilyn, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Annette, brothers and sisters-in-law, Helen Caywood, George (Deloris) Hinz, Mildred (Robert) Huibregtse, and Carol (Dominic) Sanfelippo.  

A memorial service for Henry R. Umstadt will be held at Immanuel United Church of Christ on Saturday, April 6 at 12:30 pm.  The family will greet visitor from 11:00 am until the time of the service.  If you are unable to join the family for Henry’s service it will be livestreamed on his obituary page on the funeral home website.

The family wishes to thank the staff and residents at the Bay at Elkhart Lake for their kindness, friendship, and care for Henry.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel United Church of Christ, the Sheboygan County 4-H Alumni Association or a charity of your choice.