John Hisberger

Hisberger, John

Found peace on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at age 92 years. Beloved uncle of Helmut and Willi (Amy) Hampel. Proud great-uncle of Josef. Further survived by other relatives, friends, and neighbors. John was preceded in death by his parents Josef and Barbara and sister Maria (Walter) Hampel.

John was born in 1933 in the small rural town of Lukač, Yugoslavia (now Croatia) to a family of farmers.  At the end of World War II, he and his family were expelled from their homeland and fled to a small town near Graz in southern Austria. John finished his formal education with the eighth grade and began learning a trade as a baker, rising to the level of journeyman. Because it was difficult to make ends meet in Austria, he emigrated with his family to the U.S., the land of opportunity, arriving in 1952 shortly after he turned 19. The Hisbergers settled in Milwaukee near relatives, obtained jobs, pooled their earnings and soon bought a bungalow in St. Francis. John worked at the Heinemann and A&P bakeries and as a maintenance man at Ampco Metal. He learned to speak English and became a U.S. citizen in 1964. In 1980 he moved into his own home on Lagoon Road in New Berlin and retired early in 1991 at the age of 58. His home became a popular gathering place for neighbors, friends and family for cards, drinks, good food and Gemütlichkeit. He discontinued his former hobbies of hunting and fishing and shifted his focus to tending a large garden, cooking, and baking for pleasure (rye and banana breads and doughnuts were specialties). He loved to watch football, game shows, the news, westerns and reruns of the Andy Griffith show on television. John enjoyed being physically active. He worked out at various health clubs, enjoyed walking, and exercised until his final year of life. He was always ready to lend a helping hand and make a witty joke. John was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

The family wishes to thank the employees of ProHealth Home Hospice and Discovery Commons-Brookfield for their attentive care over the last five months.  The family also would like to express appreciation to the Westphal and Vuckovich families and Anna Magenheim for decades of friendship and loving support.  In particular, Greg and Doug Westphal were like the sons he never had.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 15, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin. Service to follow at 11:00 AM. Interment in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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