KENNETH GENE “REDBONE” HACKEL
KENNETH GENE “REDBONE” HACKEL
Kenneth Gene “ Redbone” Hackel, 75, of Neillsville, passed away peacefully Sept. 25, 2025, surrounded by his family under the tender care of Compassus Hospice.
A funeral service will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, at Maurina- Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. Please join the family for visitation at the funeral home beginning at 1 p.m. until the time of service.
Honorary casket bearers are Tyler Robida, Trevor Robida, Noah Robida, Nathaniel Robida, Kadin Hackel-Doyen, Eric Ehlert, Dakota Ehlert, Logan Ehlert, Robert Voelker and Joshua Ewers.
The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
A celebration of life will also be held Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at the Unity Memorial Hall from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The beloved son of William and Helen (Bischop) Hackel, Ken was born March 18, 1950, in Marshfield, WI. He graduated from Colby High School and went on to take over the family farm—a calling he embraced wholeheartedly.
Ken devoted his life to farming, nurturing both the land and the values passed down through generations. He especially enjoyed custom field work alongside his girlfriend, Pam. Ken also had a lifelong admiration for John Deere equipment.
A huntsman at heart, when not in the fields farming, you’d find Ken in the woods with his beloved hunting dogs and buddies, fishing or shooting pool. He had a deep passion for the outdoors and was an experienced hunter of fox, bear, deer, raccoon and coyote. Ken belonged to the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association.
Ken will be remembered as an easygoing, kind-hearted man who loved to joke and make people laugh. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Ken is survived by his soul mate of 30 years, Pam Hass; five children, Kim (Kurt) Robida, Jeremy (Helen) Hackel, Sommer (Kerry) Weiland, Robert (Tami) Voelker and Melissa (Brad) Carpenter; 16 grandchildren, Tyler, Trevor (Leesha), Noah (Carli) and Nathaniel Robida, Ezra Sanchez, Aaron (Erin) Galindo, Kadin Hackel-Doyen, Angel Bertolano, Kiersten (Dylan) Teumer, Jorja and Addisyn Weiland, Tiana and Jada Voelker and Eric, Dakota and Logan Ehlert; and seven great-grandchildren. He is further survived by six siblings, Imogene (Jean) Apfelbeck, Ronald Hackel, Eleanor (Dale) Chambers, Larry Hackel, Ralph Hackel and Dolly (Greg) Mertens and many nieces, nephews and hunting buddies.
Ken is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers and three sister, Joseph Hackel, William Hackel, Marilyn Hackel, Naomi Smith, Bernard Hackel, Nancy Murray and Ervin Hackel; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.