Donald "Woody" Roberts

Donald “Woody” Roberts, age 92, Wautoma, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025 surrounded by family.

Woody was born on November 25, 1933 in New London, Wisconsin to parents Ralph and Cora Roberts. He grew up with a passion for the outdoors. He graduated from Crandon High School in 1951 and jointed the United States Marine Corps at age 17.

Woody lived a life as colorful as the tales he loved to tell. His larger-than-life personality could fill a room with laughter as he shared his entertaining (and sometimes unbelievable) anecdotes.

Following high school, Woody served in Korea with the 1st Medical Battalion/1st Marine Division, earning the rank of Sergeant. During his tenure, he developed his culinary skills as a cook. He and his wife Hiroko (Yamamoto) met in Kyoto, Japan and were married in Kobe, Japan on August 17, 1954.

After his honorable military service, he worked as an independent logger and chef, best remembered as owner and operator of Woody’s Supper Club in Crandon, Wisconsin. Woody also worked as caretaker of a game farm in Wautoma for many years before retirement. He was an avid fisherman, gardener, carpenter and prayer warrior. In his free time, he enjoyed Bible study and reading Western novels.

Woody is survived by his children, Charmaine (Peter) Paranickis; Dianne (Henry) Hawkins; Susan Roberts; Karen (Mike) Harwerth; and Martin Roberts; grandchildren Jesse (Sarah) Houle; Michael (Emily) Harwerth; Zachary (Emily) Harwerth; Alexis Roberts; great-grandchildren Cassidy Sepnieski and Sydney Houle; sister, Jeanne Swanson; sisters-in-law Judith Roberts; Toyomi Wakamizu; and Tokiko Yamamoto.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on January 6, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wautoma. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Lunch will be served at the Church Hall following Mass.

The family would like to thank ThedaCare Hospice for the excellent care provided to Woody for the past eight months. Special thanks to his nurse, Jody and his CNA, Nikki, who performed all the difficult tasks with great care and loving kindness. We will never forget you!

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations (if preferred) may be directed to Hiroko’s Heart, our mother’s charity. To learn more about Hiroko’s Heart, please visit the website: https://www.hirokosheart.com.

The online link to Woody’s memorial: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DPmTVnUAo