David “Pete” E. Hahn, 85, Pittsville, passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2022 at his home in the Town of Wood, Wood County.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Crossroads Church, Pittsville, where the visitation will be from 10:00 am until service time. Lunch will be served at the church. There will be a celebration of life at the Horsin Around Saloon in Pittsville following the lunch. The service will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes.
Rev. Bruce Naugle will officiate. Burial will be in Mound Cemetery, Pittsville, where military rites will be conducted. Buchanan/Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.
David Ellsworth Hahn was born on May 9, 1936 in Wisconsin Rapids, to Ellsworth and Margaret (Newman) Hahn and was a graduate of Port Edwards High School. He was a veteran of the United States Army stationed in Germany during the Korean War.
He married Jean Rendmeister in 1954. They divorced and he later married MaryAnn Koson in 1973.
In his early years, Dave had been employed at Consolidated Papers, Biron Division, then at paper mills in South Carolina and Michigan. He returned to the area, again working for Consolidated Paper Mill. In 1968 he borrowed some money from his brother-in-law allowing him to become his own boss by operating a tavern in Pittsville called “My Brother’s Place”.
In 1973 he and MaryAnn stepped out on another adventure purchasing their 2nd tavern in Babcock called, “The Berry Patch”. About this same time, some may say it was crazy, but, they bought another tavern in Pittsville called “Horsin’ Around”. He was in the bar business for 37 years. He enjoyed telling stories, shooting pool, and absolutely loved being around people. After his retirement he spent many hours riding motorcycle with his friend, Dave Rasmussen. They road all over the state for Abate Poker Runs, selling raffle tickets, and hanging posters for fundraisers. They took many out of state trips. Dave R. would help Dave H. organize many motorcycle events. One event he enjoyed organizing the most was the Grandparents Day motorcycle ride for his family and friends.
Dave was an avid member and huge supporter of the Tavern League of Wisconsin, of which he served as president. He was an advocate in many laws that were passed in support of the taverns. He was a very proud member of The American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Legion Riders, and ABATE of Wisconsin. He served on the Pittsville Fire Department from 1969 until 1978 and in 1971 he was one of the first trained and licensed E.M.T.’s in Wisconsin, helping buy their first ambulance. He was well known as Kenny Rogers, as he was in a Kenny Rogers look alike contest at the Milwaukee Fair and was a top 5 contestant.
Dave enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding snowmobile and 4-wheeling in his younger years. His passion however, was motorcycle riding, shooting pool, throwing horseshoes, playing cards, and shaking dice. He was even seen horseback riding with the love of his life, MaryAnn. That is until he was bucked off the horse breaking his collar bone. He decided he would stick to his mechanical horse, his prized Honda Gold Wing.
Dave was one of a kind. He was always there to lend a hand, help anyone do anything, or organize an event. He loved BS-ing, visiting home bound people, and giving anyone a ride on his motorcycle. Dave was known as the man with the raffle tickets in his pocket. He was never afraid to ask for a donation or if you wanted to buy a ticket for a fundraiser. His new T-shirt said a lot about him, “I drink beer and I know things” and you can ask anyone, he certainly knew a lot. The name, Dave Hahn, was known all over the US. If you went anywhere and said, “I’m from Pittsville”, most likely they would say, “Do you know Dave Hahn?” He loved his family so very much, and was loved even more by them. We always had a lot of laughs and very good memories that will help keep him close in our hearts. He treated friends as family and family as friends. Although he will be missed by many, he will be remembered by all who were blessed to be a part of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, MaryAnn and children, Debra Hoier, Ronald (Diane) Hahn, all of Wisconsin Rapids, Pamela (Dennis) Kumm of Pittsville, Lori Ann (Michael) Scott of Ontario, WI, and Brian Wills of Pittsville (his special friend Dana Frost from Loyal), nine grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Margaret Hahn of Wisconsin Rapids, brother-in-law, Edward (Cindy) Koson of The Villages, FL, and sister-in-law, Pauline Czarnecki of Homer Glen, IL, and many nieces and nephews that he loved as his own children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert and Donald Hahn and sister Marion Panzer.
Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com
Author: News Desk
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