Homer C. Mittelstadt, age 76 of Cable, WI, died Sunday, July 14, 2013.

Homer lived a full life, filled with endless adventure and mishaps that make for great stories. He loved a great story, and by all accounts was one the most engaging storytellers a person would ever meet. The stories were never short, often suspenseful and always funny.

Homer Charles was born October 24, 1936 in Eau Claire, WI, the son of Homer Sr. and Lillian (Long) Mittelstadt and went by the name 'Pal'. His father passed away when Homer was just nine, but several families gave Homer additional guidance and support, for which he was eternally grateful. Homer blossomed into a gifted young man, talented in music, but also creatively rebellious. He had a knack for elaborate pranks and was fortunately verbally adept enough to stay mostly out of trouble. He graduated high school in 1954 and attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota from 1954-1958, where he masterminded a great quantity in good-hearted hijinx. In 1958, Homer enlisted in the US Air Force, serving as an officer in Sacramento, CA and Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. In Canada, he purchased a very small, old log cabin forty miles into the bush. It has been host to friends and fun for fifty years. He would walk the overgrown path a few hundred yards to the train track dressed in a bathrobe, armed with a dangerously fragmented lawn chair, large cup of coffee, and cigar and wait for the fast moving train to hurl out his morning paper.

In 1962, he enrolled at the University of North Dakota Law School before transferring to the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, graduating in 1965. He met Aljean Otto from Chicago, IL while at UW–Madison and they were married in 1965. Homer began his law career in Eau Claire, WI after graduation. In 1967, the couple had their first child, Amy Christine (Pierce). A year later, the new family moved to Tiburon, CA where Homer went to work in the legal department of an international development group. Late in 1968, the couple had their second child, Peter D'Arcy. Shortly thereafter, the ferryboat from Tiburon to San Francisco stopped running and the commute was deemed intolerable, so in 1970, the family moved back to Eau Claire and Homer started his private practice in earnest. Incidentally, the ferry service started running again in 1971.

He practiced throughout Wisconsin in all areas of law, representing clients in criminal, divorce, real estate, and corporate proceedings. He was well known as a memorable courtroom presence. He actively and aggressively represented every single client like they were family. Homer was an especially vigorous advocate for the underprivileged.

One of his biggest contributions to the Bar and the community was his volunteer work for the Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program, which amongst other things, helps lawyers with addiction problems. Numerous lawyers were assisted by Homer and were able to continue with their service to their clients because of his support and guidance.

Many knew Homer as a gregarious fun-loving individual with a razor sharp wit, but he was also very open about his battle with alcoholism and all the trouble that it entails. He had variable success with sobriety over his years, but had been sober for almost twenty years. He became an incredibly strong advocate for those seeking help for alcoholism and substance abuse, mentoring and sponsoring countless individuals over the years. He was a thought leader on techniques used to initiate and facilitate the treatment process. He became an integral speaker at Hazelden Treatment Center in Center City, MN for over a decade. His talks were described as touching, powerful, meaningful and vital to many going through recovery.

When it came time to recreate, Cable, WI became the place Homer frequented as far back as the mid-1950s. Even back then, Homer was a colorful feature on the landscape of a location that attracted some truly unique people. Skiing had just started becoming a destination sport and lifestyle. The resort industry was getting a second start and Homer was in his element. The Cable area, with Mt. Telemark and surrounding resorts and restaurants, was a beacon of activity with its own unique culture and Homer helped define its character. Homer will forever be remembered as the graceful skier in tattered outfits with signature hats that were equal parts flamboyant and bizarre and whose ski poles were wrapped with hundreds of lift tickets.

Travel to Cable from Eau Claire became the weekend ritual as soon as his practice started in 1970. In 1974, Homer purchased an old restaurant and bar named Sunset Lodge with the intention of converting it into a cabin. Located literally on top of beautiful Little Bass Lake it was an ideal location for a weekend retreat. The conversion was not without drama, but he made it work with his universal tool, the butter knife. Regardless of where he lived, he was never without a sauna, which he deemed the greatest place for thoughtful and heartfelt conversations. He made Cable his permanent home in 1986 and lived there until the day he died.

In 1988, Homer started visiting a vacation area outside of Manzanillo, Mexico. He made Mexico his second home and spent five months of the year there. Affectionately known as "Homero" by those in the surrounding communities and towns, he would travel in his late seventies convertible, waving as he passed by, as he had made it a priority to get to know everyone. It was a one-man parade everywhere he went.

Homer truly enjoyed the challenge of trying new things, resulting in a vast array of interests and talents. He was a formidable tennis player with equal parts skill and theatrics, often playing well after the snow fell. His interest in flying extends back over 40 years. He loved to fly his airplane low and slow with no true destination in mind just to enjoy the thrill and feeling. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow pilots just as much. Boating on Lake Namekagon was a nightly ritual, especially at sunset. Art, specifically painting, was forever interesting and challenging. Road rallies were a draw on weekends where he could be seen in his old convertible MGB. Most of his cars were as unique as he was. He was great golfer with a soft touch around the green and an aggressive, sometimes errant, approach on the tee. Golf swings could always be perfected, often taking swings while filling up the car or hitting golf balls across the frozen lake. Music was close to his heart. He played a mean piano, attracting crowds because of his playing prowess and flowery irreverent lyrics. He had a beautiful deep voice and was excellent with harmony, never once sing the actual words or lyrics to a song, but rather giving voice to his random thoughts about the weather or loons.

Most of all, Homer could engage, relate and find the humanity in anyone. He will be remembered for his huge heart and larger than life character whose life was indeed lived large. A profound loss for those who knew him but leaving the world a better place because of his time with us.

Homer is survived by his daughter Amy (Rob) Pierce of Utah, son Peter (Alexis) Mittelstadt of Vermont, three granddaughters Isabelle, Finnegan and Lilyanna, and his love and companion for over fifteen years Jenalee Ksiazyk, and all of Jenalee's family.

A Memorial Service will be held on August 10th, 2013. The service will be at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Chapel (13520 Spruce Street, Cable) with visitation held one hour prior at the church. Lakewoods Resort (21540 County Highway M, Cable) will host the memorial celebration at 1:00 p.m. Bring your stories, pictures, memorabilia, and all the old friends. Let's send him off properly!