Sebstead, Arthur R.

Art Sebstead was always proud to call himself “a true Son of the Soil” He was born, and happily lived and died on the family farm, just east of Fremont. Art and his twin brother, Arden, were born to Frank and Ada (Rich) Sebstead on August 21, 1917. There were ten children in the family. Art worked off of the farm for a time in the defense plant in Clintonville, at the Pitts filling station, and helped manage the Brasch farm in the Town of Hatton. Upon his father’s death in 1946, Art came home full-time and worked with the family to grow the farm in both output and acreage. One day Art’s Chevy broke down and he went to make a phone call. “I found a cute redhead!” On March 19, 1949, Art married that red-head, Ellen Pribbernow, at Ellen’s church, Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Zittau. The congregation “adopted” him and he eventually served as congregation president. Together, they raised their children; daughter, Jane, and three sons, Douglas, Lee and Mark, in the faith. Meadow Lane Farms became a Grade A dairy farm with about 150 livestock and 136 acres. The Sebstead brothers also made a living brokering potatoes and onions in the region. The farm became known as a family place for pick-your-own strawberries and pumpkins, and later for maple syrup, which was harvested from its beautiful woods. Art always loved the farm’s transformation each fall into Pumpkin World, when he delighted in families coming to claim a perfect pumpkin for each child. Art was proud of recovering from tough times, which included fires that took the barn and, a few years later, the homestead, back in the 50’s. They rebuilt and especially cherished the bonds they have with the community that helped them. “My heart is in this land”, he would say. He finally left it with his passing on Saturday, September 22, 2012. Art is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ellen; and their children, Douglas (Arlene), Fremont; and their children, Vicki (Chris) Jensen, David (Mary) Wilke, Douglas (Lisa) Wilke, and Tricia (David) Miller; Lee, Larsen; and his children, Rachel and Nicole Sebstead; Mark (Kathy), Oshkosh; and their children, David, Lori (Nick) Olsen, and Emily Sebstead and Jane Sebstead, and her children, Patrick Sebstead, Scott Veeser, Kimberly and Cody Barnard. There are also “dozens” of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and a brother-in-law,Neil Pergande, Fremont; he is also survived by his “right-hand man”, Duane (Pat) Koplien, of Weyauwega; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by all of his siblings. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 9077 North Rd., Fremont. Rev. Mark Kinney will officiate. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Fremont. Visitation was held on Wednesday, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Lewin Funeral Home, Fremont. A memorial fund has been established for Immanuel Lutheran Church, and the Fremont Area Historical Society. Art’s family would like to extend a special Thank You to Heartland Hospice for all of their loving and compassionate care.