History of Roseland Cemetery
Section 10, Dupont Township, Waupaca County, Wisconsin
Located on Hwy 110 north of County G & South of Marion
 

By Delores Zillmer Miller

2004

The 1889 plat map for the township of Dupont shows the land now known as Roseland Cemetery was owned by Frank Case. By the 1912 map, William Poppe had purchased this 80 acre farm, 40 acres on each side of the road. No record of any Case family members being buried on Roseland, however all the Poppes have grave sites here.

The cemetery was platted in September 1897 by N. H. Smith, civil Engineer. The original map was recopied in 1921 by C. M. Ewers and updated by Forest Uttormark, undertaker of Marion in 1929. Although Marion was settled in 1864, most burials were held at the new Greenleaf Cemetery, north of Marion on the former Ramsdell farm.

Located in Section 10 about one mile south of Marion in the Township of Dupont. The cemetery measures 519 feet along the east and west side, by 462 feet on the north and south sides. Three driveways were planned, although the north one has been abandoned. The centermost one has a large circle which housed a pressed metal tool shed, and two outhouses, evergreen trees. This octagon shaped shed was replaced in 2003. The outhouses still stand guard.

Spaces in the southwest corner of the cemetery were allotted to babies and young children that died, although most families buried them on their own lot. Many children died of the black diphtheria. Spaces for indigent people at no cost could be buried in the Potter’s Field.

One of the first recorded funerals was that of Elizabeth Hangartner, 40, wife of J. J. Hangartner who passed away in May of 1899. Buried in Lots 150 and 143 in the north Block 1 (Section II).

Cement buttment walls were built around some graves, however, this made it hard to cut the grass and most have been taken out.

Before 1945 family members took care of cutting the grass and placing flowers on the graves. Respect by officials decreed that lot owners pay money for care of cutting grass. Bills were sent out yearly. The price was usually $4. This hassle ended in 1967 when a one-time payment of $60 for half lot or $100 for a full lot was paid, and the cemetery association would perpetually care for the graves.

The first payment began in 1938 when William Schoenrock paid $60 for Lot 113, Block 1, north.

Sextons through the years have been a Mr. Liskow, Rob Bork and the Zillmer family. At the present time (2004), Peggy Zillmer Buss is the head honcho of Roseland Cemetery.

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