Roger A. Sabota

Roger’s love of hunting and fishing developed at a young age while he was growing up in Wisconsin Rapids. During family vacations to the Chippewa Flowage, Roger’s Father, Tuffy (Vanda) Sabota of Wisconsin Rapids, introduced him to musky fishing which quickly became his passion. His uncles taught him to hunt, and deer hunting also grew into one of his favorite activities. Roger claims that when he was an alter boy, he once served Mass in his hip boots so he could go duck hunting immediately following the service! After finishing high school Roger worked in a paper mill for a short time and decided to attend UW-Stout to pursue a teaching degree as that would allow him to find a job where he could hunt and fish every day. He graduated from UW-Stout with an undergraduate degree in industrial technology and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling. He started his teaching career at Horace Mann Middle School in Wausau. Roger married the love of his life, Judy Norton of Gladstone, Mich., in 1965. They have three children: Craig (Natalie) Sabota of Appleton, Marcia Sabota of Bloomer, and Tammy (Kyle) Schroeder of Somerset. In 1968 Roger and Judy moved to Rhinelander, and Roger began working at Nicolet College. During his years of service at Nicolet, Roger held the positions of administrator, guidance counselor, and math instructor. Roger retired from Nicolet after 30 years of service in 1998. He also had a construction/guiding business that kept him “busy” in the summer months, and beyond. He wrote a weekly outdoor article for the local newspaper entitled, “Northwoods Notebook,” as well as writing articles about fishing and hunting for several magazines.  

Roger’s favorite title was “Grandpa” to his seven grandchildren: Kelsey (Logan) Rozeboom (Arneson), Jack Sabota, Gretchen (Justin) Arneson, William Schroeder, Mason Sabota, Katherine Schroeder, and John Schroeder. Grandpa always had tears running down his cheeks when he talked about any one of his grandchildren, as he was so very proud of each of them, and loved to brag about them to anyone who would listen! Roger has one sister, Nancy (Harris) Timm of Wisconsin Rapids.

Roger had always dreamed of having a deer camp. In 1990 he bought 40 acres in the Monico area and established the C & R Spike Camp. It started with an old mobile home, affectionately known as “The Shack” and grew over the years! Roger considered the countless hours he spent creating a Northwoods hunting cabin his “Labor of Love.”

Roger and Judy enjoyed traveling after retiring. They had a deep love of the national parks as they could watch all of the beautiful wildlife and scenery. They also spent some time in Texas during the winter months, fishing, of course, with “The Osseo Jinx,” (Tom and Rosemary Twesme), Roger and Judy’s lifelong friends.  

Roger impacted so many people in so many different ways in his 83 years of life. He had a very compassionate heart and loved to help people, especially young people. 

Roger passed on Thursday, May 29 at Friendly Village Nursing Home in Rhinelander, with his wife and his family by his side, after fighting a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He defied the disease for many, many years and continued doing all of the things that he loved with the unconditional love and support of Judy.

Visitation and funeral will be held on Wednesday, June 4 from 11 to 1 p.m., with the funeral to follow at 1 p.m., at Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church, 125 E. King St., Rhinelander. A celebration of life will follow the service until 4 p.m. at Lakeside Center Commons at Nicolet College, 5364 College Drive, Rhinelander.  

In lieu of flowers, Roger’s family requests that you consider donating toward a scholarship in Roger’s memory at Nicolet College. Donations can be made payable to Nicolet College Foundation and mailed to PO Box 518, Rhinelander, WI 54501.