Theodor Habel, MD

Theodor (Theo/Ted) Habel, MD, 85, of La Crosse, WI, died peacefully surrounded by his family. He was born May 24, 1939, to Oswald and Maria (Fick) Habel in Siegen, Germany. He emigrated to America January 27, 1953 with his parents and 6 siblings.

After high school, he served a four-year apprenticeship in tool and die making and concurrently attended the University of Wisconsin and received a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1966. He was awarded the Peter Antaramian award for character and scholastic achievement and a four-year March of Dimes medical scholarship.

He was united in marriage to Ruth L. Lotz on August 7, 1965 in Viroqua, Wis. 

After finishing his medical training, he enlisted in the U.S. Public Health Service and served two years in the Philippines, achieving the rank of “Surgeon” i.e., Lieutenant Commander.

Dr. Habel practiced general medicine for five years in Antigo, Wis. In 1974 the family moved to Westby, WI and Dr. Habel joined the medical staff of St. Francis Hospital (Mayo) where he worked in Emergency and Urgent Care. They moved to La Crosse in 1988. 

Theo and Ruth were involved in starting Living Waters Bible Camp in the Westby area and they were instrumental in constructing a (State of the Art) Planetarium at the Adventure Learning Center in the Bahamas. Together they served six years as missionaries, including 17 months as Medical Officer and VIP host on Operation Mobilization mission ships. 

Dr. Habel was actively involved in Christian camping and church work all of his adult life. He was a lay preacher and enjoyed Bible teaching. At the age of twelve he committed his life to Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and gratefully rejoiced in the assurance of eternal life in Christ. He loved and enjoyed his family and led by word and example, emphasizing the importance of Christian values and purposeful living. 

After retiring from medical practice at the age of seventy-nine, Dr. Habel and his wife Ruth continued helping at Bible Camp and with Bible teaching as well as enjoying some traveling.

He is survived by Ruth, his wife of 59 years and by his children: Ramon T. in Colorado Springs, CO, Thomas N. of La Crosse and TJ. (Kristen) of Columbia Falls, MT. Five grandchildren: Lorenzo Ceballos, Alyssa (Josh) Enger, Elias Habel, Emerson Habel and Corin Habel, and several foster children. A brother: Bert (Gisela) Habel of Kenosha, WI, Lore Habel of Gurnee, IL, Eileen Habel of Kenosha, WI. He was preceded in in death by his parents Oswald and Maria (Fick) Habel, by brothers Heinz and Eberhard Habel and sisters Linda Habel, Gertrude Mueller and Brigitte Brinkmann. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday September 28, 2024 at First Evangelical Free Church, 123 Mason Street, Onalaska. A visitation will be held at Living Waters Bible Camp, E8932 Reo Ave., in Westby on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and a viewing at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in Our Savior's Cemetery in Westby. The Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family. Condolences may be given at selandsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Living Waters Bible Camp, E8932 Reo Ave. Westby, WI 54667 or Grace and Truth Publishers, 210 Chestnut St. Danville, IL 61832.