OSCAR RAYMOND HESER

Oscar Raymond Heser
1925 Tomah High School
(Photo by U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-1999)

Oscar Raymond Heser gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. December 17, 1905 in LaGrange Township, Monroe County, WI
D. July 23, 1979 in Libertyville, Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: George Heser born April 26, 1863 in Monroe County, WI, son of Frederick Heser (1925-1875) and Barbara (Silverhorn) (Heser) Boehm (1837-1916); married Eva Aurelia Dickinson on August 27, 1893; George died October 15, 1916 in Monroe County, WI; buried in LaGrange Cemetery, Tomah, Monroe County, WI

According to the Tomah Journal (Tomah WI) October 20, 1916:

“George Heser was born in the Town of La Grange, Oct. 15, 1916, age 53 years, 5 months, and 19 days.  On Aug. 27, 1893, he married Miss Eva Dickenson, and to them nine children were born, eight of whom, with the wife, two sisters and two brothers, survive him.  For the past two years he has been ailing, but it was only recently that his physical condition was such as to become alarming to his friends.  Skillful nursing and the best medical science were unable to prolong life, and the end came about noon on Sunday last, the immediate cause of death being heart failure.  The deceased was well known thruout this section of the county, his entire life having been spent in this community, where he was engage in farming.  He was held in high esteem in the community and was one of the leading citizens of his town; having been for several years a member of the town board.  For a number of years past he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and of the Modern Woodmen of American.  The funeral services, which were conducted by Rev. L. E. Hoisington from the La Grange Methodist church Wednesday afternoon, were attended by a large number of neighbors and friends.  The Knights of Pythias of Tomah took charge of the burial, which occurred at the La Grange cemetery.”

  • Mother: Eva Aurelia (Dickinson) Heser born April 25, 1874 in Greenfield Township, Monroe County, WI, daughter of Albert Dickinson (1847-1923) and Mary Elizabeth (Purdy) Dickinson (1850-1922); Eva died January 4, 1924 in Monroe County, WI; buried in LaGrange Cemetery, Tomah, Monroe County, WI

According to the Tomah Monitor Herald (Tomah WI) January 11, 1924:

“Mrs. Geo. Heser
Eva Dickinson was born in the town of Greenfield, Monroe county, Wisconsin, April 27, 1874, and departed this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Archy Moseley, on January 4, 1924, after a lingering illness of nearly four years.  She was united in marriage to Geo. Heser, August 29, 1893, and they settled on the farm in the town of La Grange that has since been their home.  To this union were born nine children: Mrs. Archie Mosely of Warrens, Mr. Albert Heser of Sparta; Wallace, Leon, Oscar, Aryls, Vila and Doris, who live on the home farm.  One daughter, Laura, preceded her mother in death at the age of 11 in 1909.  Her husband departed this life on October 15, 1916, a terrible bereavement, as it left her with a large family of small children, the youngest not a year old.  Mrs. Heser was taken some years with a nervous trouble, which deepened into a slow paralysis, from which she was a great sufferer.  Besides her children, she leaves to mourn her loss, four grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Bert Whiting of Fond du Lac and Mrs. Frank Lamb of Tomah; two brothers, Ernest and Charles Dickinson, both of the town of La Grange; besides other relatives, and a host of friends.  She was a kind and loving mother, a patient sufferer, and held in high esteem by all who knew her.  Funeral services, conducted by Rev. G. H. Willett, were held at Kirby church, the afternoon of January 7, and interment was made at La Grange cemetery.”

  • Wife: Veora Caroline (Vroman) Heser born April 7, 1912 in Warrens, Grante Township, Monroe County, WI, daughter of William Henry “Will” Vroman (1870-1949) and Estella Belle (Lamb) Vroman (1875-1944); eloped and married Oscar Raymond Heser on March 29, 1930 in Winona, Winona County, MN; Veora died December 4, 2000 in Libertyville, Lake County, IL (See section pertaining to Veora Caroline (Vroman) Heser buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Children:
  1. Donald Keith “Don” Heser born August 22, 1932 in Tomah, Monroe County, WI; U.S. Army Veteran; married Evelyn Motl on December 1, 1956 in Grayslake, Lake County, IL; Donald died March 6, 1984 in Stetsonville, Taylor County, WI; buried in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Medford, Taylor County, WI

According to the Marshfield News-Herald (Marshfield WI) Wednesday, March 7, 1984, page 1-2:

“Medford man
killed in
auto crash

   STETSONVILLE – Donald K. Heser, 51, of 829 S. Gibson Ave., Medford, died of suffocation Tuesday morning after the car he was driving flipped over, pinning him underneath.
   The accident happened about 5:35 a.m. Tuesday on Highway 13, about 1 1/4 miles south of Stetsonville.  Heser was on his way to work in Colby at the time of the accident.
   According to Taylor County deputies, Heser was driving south on the highway when his car hit a patch of ice and went out of control.  The car traveled to the left side of the road and skidded 112 feet along the shoulder and ditch before rolling 2 1/2 times.  Deputies said that on the last roll, Heser was through the car’s sun roof.  The car then came to rest on top of him.
   The accident was discovered about 6:20 a.m.  Heser was pronounced dead at scene.  The car sustained little damage, deputies said.
   Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford.  The Rev. Brendan Kunda will officiate.  The body will be cremated.
   Visitation at the Hemer Funeral Home, Medford, will be from 4-9 p.m. today, where there will be a prayer vigil service at 7 p.m.
   He was born Aug. 22, 1932 in Tomah, to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar (Veora Vroman) Heser.  He received his education in Tomah and  Round Lake, Ill. area schools.  He married Evelyn Motld Dec. 1, 1956 in Grayslake, Ill.  She survives.
   After their marriage they lived in Grayslake for a number of years and in 1970 moved to Medford.  He was employed at Liberty Homes in Spencer.  Since 1972 he was employed as a maintenance machinists specialist at Packaging Corp. of America in Colby.
   A member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Heser is also survived by his mother, Veora Heser of Grayslake, Ill.; six children, Mrs. Arthur (Susan) Walls of Colby, John Heser, Michael Heser, and Mary Hahn, all of Medford, Margaret Heser of Shakopee, Minn. and Kenneth Heser at home; six grandchidlren; a brother, Eugene Heser of Round Lake, Ill.; and a sister, Diane Morse of Snohomish, Wash.
   He was predeceased by his father and a brother.”

  1. Richard Arlen “Dick” Heser born March 19, 1939 in Tomah, Monroe County, WI; Richard died September 18, 1951 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL (See section pertaining to Richard Arlen “Dick” Heser buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  2. Diana Rae (Heser) Morse born December 31, 1941 in Sparta, Monroe County, WI; married (1) Grady Milton Young (1941-1996) on December 21, 1963 in Grayslake, Lake County, IL and divorced November 22, 1967 married (2) Thomas Cleveland “Tom” Morse on February 7, 1976 in Seattle, King County, WA, son of George Oscar Morse and Madeline Elsie (Murrie) Morse
  3. Eugene Paul “Butch” Heser born June 13, 1948 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL; Army Veteran, Korea; Eugene died June 3, 2015 in Kenosha, Kenosha County, WI (See section pertaining to Eugene Paul “Butch” Heser buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Siblings:
    • Hazel Irene (Heser) Moseley born July 18, 1894 in LaGrange Township, Monroe County, WI; married Archie Fulton Moseley (1889-1968) on April 8, 1914; Archie married (2) Gladice I. Hilliker in 1928; Hazel died May 21, 1925 in Delafield, Waukesha County, WI; Hazel and Archie are buried in Warren Mills Cemetery, Warrens, Monroe County, WI

According to the Tomah Journal (Tomah WI) May 29, 1925, page 8:

“This community was deeply grieved when word was received from Statesan, Wis., of the death of Mrs. Archie Mosely, which occurred at that place on May 21st.  Mrs. Moseley’s first indications of failing healthy appeared in June 1923, and on May 18, 1924, she entered the sanitorium where she was taking treatments in order that she might regain her health.  She has made some progress towards recovery and had planned on returning to her home and family for a short period of time, but complications developed which caused her unexpected death.  Everything that doctors and nurses could do was done for her there and by her relatives and friends from her neighborhood, for her comfort.  Hazel Irene Heser was born in the Township of LaGrange on July 18, 1894, and passed away at Statesan on May 23, 1925, at the age of 30 years, 11 months and 21 days.  On April 8, 1914, she was united in marriage to Archie F. Moseley and to this union two sons were born: Virgil aged 10 years, and Lyle aged 6 years.  Her married life was spent on a farm in this vicinity.  In 1924 she made an expression of her faith in Jesus Christ and accepted Him as her personal Saviour, and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, Waukesha, Wis.  She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, two sons, four brothers and three sisters, viz: Albert of Sparta; Wallace, Leon, Oscar, Arlys, Vila, Doris, all on the home farm in the township of La Grange; besides a large concourse of friends.  The funeral was held from the Legion Hall on Sunday, May 24, Rev. G. H. Willett of the Methodist church, Tomah, and Rev. Johnson, of the Baptist church of this place, officiated in the Warrens cemetery.  From this vicinity a kind and loving mother and neighbor has been called away to eternal rest.”

    • Laura M. Heser born November 22, 1896 in Monroe County, WI; Laura died August 13, 1908 in Monroe County, WI; buried in LaGrange Cemetery, Tomah, Monroe County, WI
    • Albert Gayland Heser born April 5, 1898 in LaGrane Township, Monroe County, WI; married Leita Green; Albert died September 17, 1953 in Tomah, Monroe County, WI; buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta, Monroe County, WI

According to the LaCrosse Tribune (LaCrosse WI) September 19, 1953, page 8:

“Albert Heser
Sparta,Wis. (special) Albert G. Heser, 55, Sparta, a fireman at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital at Tomah died of a hear attack while at work Thursday afternoon.
   Funeral services will be conducted at Lanham’s Mortuary Monday at 2 p.m., the Rev. A.E. Frederck officiating.  Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Mortuary Sunday afternoon and evening.
   Heser the son of George and Evie (Dickinson) Heser, was born in the Town of La Grange April 5, 1898.  He married Leita Green, who with three sons survive.  They are Ruland at home, Robert, a student at the Palmer School of Chiropractic at Davenport, Iowa, and Ronald at Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, Texas.
   A daughter Phyllis, 12 died in 1944.”

    • Wallace Henry Heser born March 13, 1901 in Tomah, Monroe County, WI; married Mayme Marguerita Connor (1901-1996) in 1924, daughter of James C. Connor (1865-1935) and Ellen (Griffin) Connor (1872-1945): Wallace died January 25, 1965 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ; Wallace and Mayme are buried in Saint Francis Cemetery, Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ

According to the Arizona Republic (Phoenix AZ) Wednesday, January 27, 1965, page 67:

“Wallace H. Heser, 63, a retired dairy farmer who lived in Phoenix 21 years, died Monday in Phoenix.  Rosary will be recited at 8:30 p.m. today in Hansen Mortuary, 8314 N. Seventh St.  Requiem Mass will be said at 9:15 a.m. tomorrow in Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 8620 N. Seventh St.  Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery.  Mr. Heser, 8841 N. Sixth St. moved here from his native Tomah, Wis.  He is survived by his wife, Mayme; two sons, George and James and three daughters, Mrs. Sally Catero, Mrs. Patsey Ramsey, and Mrs. Colleen Santopietro, all of Phoenix; two brothers and three sister, all out of state; and 14 grandchildren.”

    • Leon W. Heser born March 11, 1904 in Wisconsin; married Mildred Lucille Rowan (1905-1990), daughter of Thomas I. Rowan (1863-1941) and Ida M. Rowan (1873-1960); Leon died January 28, 1970 in Kirby, Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI; Leon and Mildred are buried in Warren Mills Cemetery, Warrens, Monroe County, WI

According to the LaCrosse Tribune (LaCrosse WI) Thursday, January 29, 1970, page 21:

“LEON HESSER
   TOMAH, Wis. – Leon Heser, 65, of the Kirby area North of Tomah, died Wednesday, Jan, 28, at his home after a brief illness.
   Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ninneman Funeral Home in Tomah, the Rev. Thomas Jarrell officiating, and burial will be in the Warrens Cemetery.  Friends may call Friday afternoon and evening and Saturday until the service.
   Mr. Heser is survived by his widow, Mildred: one brother, Oscar of Grays Lake, Ill.; and three sisters, Mrs. Arlis Streeter of Tomah, and Mrs. Van Evans of Camp Douglas and Mrs. James Graves of Steger, Ill.”

    • Arlys Evaline (Heser) Streeter born May 30, 1909 in Monroe County, WI; married LaVern Ivan Streeter (1913-1966) in 1933; Arlys died December 26, 1973 in Tomah, Monroe County, WI; Arlys and LaVern are buried in LaGrange Cemetery, Tomah, Monroe County, WI

According to the LaCrosse Tribune (LaCrosse WI) Thursday, December 27, 1973, page 5:

“MRS. ARLYS STREETER
   TOMAH, Wis, – Mrs. Arlys Streeter, 64, Tomah, died Wednesday, Dece. 26, in a local hospital.
   Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the First United Methodist Church.  Rev. Arnold Nielsen officiating, and burial will be in the La Grange Cemetery.
   Friends may call after 3 p.m. Thursday at the White Funeral Home.
   Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. LaVerna Dowdy of Tomah; two sisters, Mrs. James Graves of Stager, Ill., and Mrs. Van Evans of Camp Douglas; one brother, Oscar Heser of Grayslake, Ill., and seven grandchildren.”

    • Vila Margarette (Heser) Evans born April 25, 1911 in Monroe County, WI; married Van Francis Evans (1906-1988), son of Avery Ray Evans (1882-1960) and Belle Evans (1884-1972); Vila died April 28, 2002 in Tomah, Monroe County, WI; Vila and Van are buried in LaGrange Cemetery, Tomah, Monroe County, WI

According to the LaCrosse Tribune (LaCrosse WI) Monday, April 29, 2002, page 27:

“Vila M. Evans
   TOMAH, Wis.- Vila M. Evans, 91, of Tomah passed away Sunday, April 28, 2002, at the Tomah Memorial Hospital.  Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at the Torkelson Funeral home, Tomah.  Burial will follow in La Grange Cemetery, township of La Grange.  Visitation will be held 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, and one hour prior to services at the funeral home.”

    • Doris Ardale (Heser) Graves born June 10, 1916 in Monroe County, WI; married James Orson Graves (1917-1992) in 1939, son of Orson Rolla Graves (1881-1918) and Bertha Ann (Francis) Graves (1886-1978); Doris died June 27, 1992 in Sparta, Monroe County, WI; Doris and James are buried in LaGrange Cemetery, Tomah, Monroe County, WI

According to an unnamed newspaper:

“DORIS A. GRAVES
   Doris A. Graves, 77, formerly of Chicago Heights, Ill., died on Sat. June 27, 1992, in St. Mary’s Hospital in Sparta.  She was born Jan. 10, 1915, in Monroe County, to George and Eva (Dickenson) Heser.  In her earlier years, she worked as a housekeeper in Sparta.  She married James O. Graves in Jackson, Missouri on May 31, 1939.  They then moved to the Chicago area.  To this union two children were born and they were her main goal in life.  Doris and Jim moved to Rolling Hills Nursing Home in Sparta on May 4, 1992.  Jim passed away on May 16, 1992.
   She is survived by two daughters, Judy Eastham of Chicago Heights, Ill. and Carolyn Kempf of Country Club Hills, Ill.; one sister, Vila (Van) Evans of Tomah; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
   In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Laura Heser, Hazel Moseley and Arlys Street, and four brothers, Albert, Oscar, Wallace and Leon.
   Funeral services will be held Wed., July 1, 1992, at noon, in the Ninneman-Steele Funeral Home.  The Rev. Wesley Schirmer will officiate.  Burial will be in the Town of LaGrange Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until time of services.”

Additional Information:

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Lagrange Town, Monroe County, WI, the household members were:

“George Heser, head, age 47, married once for 17 years, born in Wisconsin, parents born in Germany, occupation: farmer – general farm; Eva Heser, wife, age 36, married once for 17 years, 7 children born, 6 children living, born in Wisconsin, father born in Wisconsin, mother born in New York; Hazel Heser, daughter, age 16, single, born in Wisconsin; Albert Heser, son, age 12, single, born in Wisconsin; Wallace Heser, son, age 9, single, born in Wisconsin; Leon Heser, son, age 6, single, born in Wisconsin; Oscar Heser, son, age 4, single, born in in Wisconsin; Arlys Heser, daughter, age 10/12, single, born in Wisconsin, William Webster, visitor, age 49, widowed, born in Wisconsin, father born in New Hampshire, mother born in Pennsylvania, occupation: agent – accident insurance; Wes Albert, visitor, age 19, single, born in Wisconsin, parents born in U.S., occupation: laborer – odd jobs”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI, the household members were:

“Mrs. Effa O. Heser (sic), head, age 45, widowed, born in Wisconsin, father born in U.S., mother born in Wisconsin, occupation: farmer – general farm; Albert G. Heser, son, age 21, single, born in Wisconsin, occupation: laborer – home farm; Leon W. Heser, son, age 15, single, born in Wisconsin; Oscar R. Heser, son, age 14, single, born in Wisconsin; Arlis E. Heser, daughter, age 10, single, born in Wisconsin; Vila M. Heser, daughter, age 8, single, born in Wisconsin; Doris A. Heser, daughter, age 3 11/12, single, born in Wisconsin”

(NOTE: Veora Heser was listed with her parents, William B. Vroman and Estella B. Vroman according to the 1930 U.S. Census)

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Tomah City, Monroe County, WI living at 529 Hollister Avenue, the household members were:

“Oscar Heser, head, age 33, married, highest grade completed: H-4, born in Wisconsin, lived in the same place in 1935, occupation: highway patrolman – state highway; Veora Heser, wife, age 28, married, highest grade completed: H-3, born in Wisconsin, lived in same place in 1935; Donald Heser, son, age 7, single, born in Wisconsin, lived in same place in 1935; Richard Heser, son, age 1, single, born in Wisconsin”

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: Oscar Raymond Heser; Address: 529 Holister Ave, Tomah, Monroe, Wis (also noted Round Lake, Ill.); Telephone: 130R; Age in Years: 33; Date of Birth: Dec. 17, 1906; Place of Birth: LaGrange, Wisconsin, U.S.A.; Name of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. Veora Caroline Heser; Relationship of That Person: Wife; Address of That Person; 529 Hollister Ave, Tomah, Monroe County, Wis; Employer’s Name: Monroe County Highway Dept.; Place of Employment: Sparta, Monroe County, Wis; Race: White; Height: 6′ 1″; Weight: 160#; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Brown; Complexion: Light; Signed: October 16, 1940”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Round Lake Village, Avon Township, Lake County, IL living on Route 134, the household members were:

“Oscar R. Heser, husband, age 43, married born in Wisconsin, Occupation: Carpenter – Maintenance; Veora C. heser, wife, age 37, married, born in Wisconsin; Donald K Heser, son, age 17, never married, born in Wisconsin; Richard A. Heser, son, age 11, never married, born in Wisconsin, Was he living in this same house a year ago? Yes, What country were his father and mother born in?: U.S., what is the highest grade of school that he has attended?: S5, Did he finish this grade?: No; Diana R. Heser, daughter, age 6, never married, born in Wisconsin; Eugene P. Heser, son, age 1, never married, born in Illinois”

 According to the U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1:

“Name: Oscar R Heser (Oscar Heser); Residence Date: 1974; Phone Number: 223-4409; Address: 326 Highland Rd; Residence: Grayslake, IL; Postal Code: 60030-1229; Second Residence Date: 1990; Second Phone Number: 223-4409; Second Address: 22 Hawley St Apt 104; Second Residence: Grayslake, IL; Second Postal Code: 60030-1479”

According to an obituary from tomahfamilies.com website for “Descendants of John Savage I”:

“Funeral services for Oscar Heser, 73 of Grayslake, formerly of Round Lake are pending for Thursday, July 26, at Strang Funeral Chapel, Grayslake.  Mr. Heser died July 23 at Condell Memorial Hospital following a hear attack.  He had been in ill health for some time.  He had lived in the Grayslake and Round Lake area for the past 30 years. He was employed by the Milwaukee Road retiring in 1970.
   Survivors are his widow, Veora; one daughter, Mrs. Tom (Diana) Morse of Seattle, Wash.; two sons, Donald of Medford, Wis. And Eugene of Round Lake Beach; seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Van (Vila) Evans of Tomah, Wis. And Mrs. James (Doris) Graves of South Chicago.  He was preceded in death by a son, Richard Arlen in 1951; and by three brothers and three sisters.
   The interment will be in Fort Hill Cemetery, Round Lake.”