Esther Hanselman

Residency: 1949

Esther was born Jan. 13, 1918, in South Dakota and moved to Wisconsin at age 4. She graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 1940 with a degree in mathematics and married Woodrow Hanselman that same year. She moved to Eagle River in 1949 and taught in the Red Brick School in St. Germain for six years. She taught Bruce Weber in grades 1-3 and Richard and Donald Eliason in grades 2-4. After teaching in St. Germain, she taught math for 20 years at Kewaskum High School. She and her husband operated The Bird’s Nest Resort on Carpenter Lake for 50 years.

Date of death: February 10, 2009
Cause of death: Unknown
Interment: Unknown

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Robert Hansen

Residency: Born here



Bob worked for the WDNR Forestry Department (Fire Prevention) almost forty years.  He was one of the earliest members on the St. Germain Fire and Rescue Department and remained a member all his life.  Fireman of the year in 1985.

Date deceased: Unknown
Cause of death: Heart attack
Interment: Unknown

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Jack Harman

Residency: 1968

Jack worked for the Town of St. Germain for ten years, then operated his own machine shop.  He then worked for Charles Vogel Enterprises for several years, but now spends most of his time in California.

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James Harman

Residency: Born here



Jim is the son of Jack Harmon.  He has owned and operated Harman Excavating and Septics for many years.

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David Haverkampf

Residency: 1970

David owned and operated Sunrise Shores Resort (Jack Pine Lodge and Resort) on the west shore of Big St. Germain Lake. He was an avid hunter, founded the St. Germain Bow Hunters Club which existed for a long time, and built an outdoor archery range range on the resort.

A portion of his ashed is located under a large rock on Sheeper Mountain in Wyoming which was his favorite elk hunting area. The rock has DH carved on it by his sons who placed his ashed there. Another portion is buried in Illinois, and the last portion has been kept by his family.

Date deceased: Unknown
Cause of death: Complications of shingles
Interment: Cremated: Sheeper Mountain, Wyoming; Illinois; St. Germain (Family)

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Mary Haverkampf

Residency: 1970

"Lou" was born Sept. 16, 1928, in Elgin, Ill.  She married David Haverkampf on Aug. 2, 1947, in Dundee, Ill.  In 1970 they moved to St. Germain and purchased/operated Sunrise Shores Resort (Jackpine Lodge and Resort) on Big St. Germain Lake.  She helped manage and operate Sunrise Shores and also worked for the Northland Pines School District until her retirement in 1988.

Date deceased: May 9, 2008
Cause of death: Cancer
Interment: Unknown

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Marvin Heeler

Residency: Born here



Marv owned and operated Heeler's Resort on Lost Lake for decades until retirement.  He was one of our area's best known fishing guides for over fifty years.

Date deceased: August 2007
Cause of death: Heart attack
Interment: St. Germain Cemetery



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Art Hessen

Residency: Born here

Art was a son of Fred Hessen (Elder) and a brother to Swen, Axel, and Herman.  He was a well-known guide in the area.  His wooden guide boat is on display in the Vilas Historical Museum in Sayner, WI.  He passed away from a heart attack in his boat while guiding clients out of McGregor's Resort on Big St. Germain Lake.

Date deceased: Unknown
Cause of death: Heart attack
Interment: Eagle River Cemetery

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Axel Hessen

Residency: Born here

Axel was a son of Fred Hessen (Elder) and a brother to Art, Swen, and Herman.  He was one of the early guides in our area.  The grave stone has a small wooden board placed against it, which says "Nancy."  It is not known who Nancy may be. It is possible she is a deceased Hessen infant buried there, too



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Fred Hessen (Elder)

Residency: Early 1900's

Fred came to the U.S. from Sweden in the early 1900's. He worked as a mechanic in the ford dealership in Eagle river. This was the first car dealership in Eagle river. He also operated the first taxi service in St. Germain, going to various resorts, Woodruff, etc. It is not certain whether he used the Model T or a somewhat later model for this. He told his children that he often did not have to steer the car. The wheels simply followed the ruts in the dirt roads.

He owned a considerable amount of land along Highway 70 where the current Gasco building (Qualy's Tavern) is located. Fred had a building not far from the Gasco building where he repaired automobiles. The foundation of this building is still there. Whether or not he sold gasoline there, too, is not known. John qualy opurchased the land for his tavern from Fred.

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 Fred Hessen

Residency: Born here

Fred is a son of Axel Hessen.  Fred lived out of the area for many years, then moved back here upon retirement.

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Herman Hessen

Residency: Born here

Herman is the youngest son of Fred Hessen (Elder) and a brother to Axel and Swen.  He owned and operated Hessen's Resort on South Bay of Little St. Germain Lake for decades.

Date deceased: Unknown
Cause of death: Unknown
Interment: Unknown

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Swen Hessen

Residency: Early 1900's

Swen was five years old when his father, Fred Hessen (Elder), and mother (first name unknown) arrived here from Sweden.  Axel and Herman were Swen's brothers, who were born after the family arrived here.  Swen was one of our early northwoods fishing guides.

Date deceased: 1997
Cause of death: Unknown
Interment: St. Germain Cemetery



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Donald Hiller

Residency: 1951



Donald owned/operated Hiller's Pine Haven Resort on West Bay of Little Saint Germain for many years after taking over management from his father, Lester.  He is now retired.  He is on the board of directors for the Vilas Historical Museum.

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Lester Hiller

Residency: 1951

Lester purchased what is known as Hiller's Pine Haven Resort on West Bay of Little Saint Germain Lake in 1951.  He operated it for many years until he retired  His son, Donald, then took over management.

Date deceased: Unknown
Cause of death: Unknown
Interment: Plymouth, WI

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Mark Hiller

Residency: Born here

Mark is the current owner and operator of Hiller's Pine Haven Resort.  He took over operations after his father's (Donald) retirement.

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Melinda Hiller

Residency: 1951

Melinda was the wife of Lester Hiller and the mother of Donald.  She helped in the management and operations of the family resort.

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Bruno Hillner

Residency: Mid-1960's

Bruno and his wife, Eleanor, operated a corner tavern in Milwaukee, WI for many years before moving to St. Germain.  When he was informed he would not have much longer to live, he built Ellie's Restaurant for his wife to maintain an income after he passed away.



Date deceased: 1972
Cause of death: Cancer
Interment: St. Germain Cemetery

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Eleanor Hillner

Residency: Mid-1960's

Eleanor was known as "Ellie" and was married to Bruno Hillner.  She operated the kitchen when Jerry Eliason first opened Eliason's Someplace Else.  She then opened Ellie's Restaurant which became well-known in the area for its excellent food and her slogan, "Let Ellie Fill Your Belly!"

Date deceased: 1988
Cause of death: Heart attack
Interment: St. Germain Cemetery

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Thomas Hoeft

Residency: Unknown

Tom owned/operated Cedar-Roma Resort (the spelling appears to have changed through the years) on South Bay of Little St. Germain Lake.  He also operated his own construction business.  In 2004 he sold the resort and eventually moved out of the area.

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Brent Holmes

Residency: Born here



Brent is the youngest brother of Brett, Brian, and Donna Holmes.  He was employed in area construction for several years, then moved out of the area.

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Brett Holmes

Residency: Born here

Brett is the oldest brother of Brian, Brent, and Donna Holmes. He was killed in a one vehicle automobile accident on Hwy 70 in front of Jackson Lane in the late 1980's as he was leaving St. Germain. He swerved out of the right lane as viewed in the photo.  The first tree his vehicle struck is no longer there. The second tree his vehicle struck is still there on the right side of Jackson Lane just as you turn in.  The scar on the tree appears as though it was hit by lightning, but it was younger then and the trunk was partially split by the force of the vehicle.

Date deceased: Late 1980's
Cause of death: Automobile accident
interment: Unknown



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Brian Holmes

Residency: Born here



Brian is a brother to Brett, Brent, and Donna Holmes.  He was employed at Spang's Italian Restaurant (The Hearth)for several years.  He was killed in an automobile accident on Hwy 17 in Sugar Camp.  He and the driver (name withheld here) were returning from Rhinelander.  The driver attempted to pass a car on a curve just past Century 21 heading towards Eagle River and crashed trying to avoid an approaching vehicle.

Date deceased: 1994
Cause of death: Automobile accident
Interment: Unknown

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Donna Holmes

Residency: Born here



Donna is the younger sister of Brett, Brian, and Brent Holmes.  She moved to Ohio with her parents in the late-1980's.

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Carol Huelsbeck

Residency: 1954

Carol was married to Court Huelsbeck and helped manage the plumbing business. She was a friendly and kind lady, who was well-liked and respected in our area.

Date deceased: Early-1980's
Cause of death: Cancer
Interment: Unknown

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Court Huelsbeck

Residency: 1954



Court owned and operated St. Germain Plumbing for almost fifty years.

Date deceased: 2009
Cause of death: Complications from falling on ice
Interment: Unknown

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Karl Horwath

Residency: 1971

Karl managed the kitchen at the Red Brick School for several years and also was the chef at Eliason's Someplace Else at night. He is currently retired.

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Kathy Humbaugh

Residency: Unknown

Kathy is married to Max Humbaugh and has been employed by First National Bank of Eagle River for many years.  She became manager of the St. Germain Branch upon Peggy Anderson's retirement. 

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Max Humbaugh

Residency: Unknown

Max was employed by the cranberry company on Hwy D for many years.  He currently works for Pitlik and Wick.

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John Hunter

Residency: 1889

John purchased 75 acres of land on the north shore of Big St. Germain Lake and built a 3-story lodge and nine cabins. He named it Hunters Log Cabin Resort.  He raised cows, chickens, pigs, geese, ducks, and various vegetables to provide food for the resort guests.  He eventually sold the resort to William Frank and little is known of John after this. Old-timers say he remained in our area until he passed away.

Date deceased: Unknown
Cause of death: Unknown
Interment: Unknown

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