Obituary: Roberto Esquivel Cuellar

Sept. 3, 1944 – March 7, 2019 

Roberto Esquivel Cuellar, affectionately known as “Loco” by friends and other community members, 74, died at home in the Town of Jacksonport.

He was born in Acuña, Mexico, the son of Enrique and Julia (Esquivel) Cuellar. Robert was adopted by Maria Cuellar and was raised by Tomas D. and Francisca B. Cuellar. Robert attended school in Del Rio, Texas. He met Rosa Elvia Sifuentes at a bridge, and they were united in marriage on April 4, 1962. Robert had spent time in Door County, working in the orchards, and he and Rosa, relocated there a few weeks after they were married. They were the first Hispanic family to settle in Door County.

Robert was initially employed with Roen Orchards in Ellison Bay, then Berns Brothers Lumber Co. in Sister Bay (which was eventually purchased by Lampert’s Lumber). He was most recently employed with Ace Hardware in Sister Bay.

Robert helped establish the Hispanic Resource Center for families living in Door and Kewaunee Counties, along with Imelda Delchambre. He served as treasurer for the Hispanic Resource Center and was a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Liberty Grove. Robert was a former member of the Knights of Columbus in Kewaunee and was a longtime parishioner of St. Rosalia’s in Sister Bay (now Stella Maris Parish in Sister Bay).

He loved fishing on Kangaroo Lake among other areas and hunting. Robert enjoyed bowling and especially liked grilling out on his deck (no matter what season it was). Faith and family were central in his life.

He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Rosa, with whom was blessed with nearly 57 years of marriage; children, Maria San Juanita “Mary Jane” Cuellar (Jeff) Simkins of Las Vegas, Nevada, Roberto (Marcia) Cuellar of Sturgeon Bay, Carlos (Diana) Rodriguez of San Antonio, Texas, Enrique “Henry” Cuellar of Egg Harbor, Cynthia (Jose) Cuellar Rodriguez of Milwaukee, Daniel (Brittany) Cuellar of Egg Harbor; grandchildren, Joseph and Rachel Pesina, Christina Clark, and Jeffrey and Cynthia Simkins, Tyler Cuellar, Carlos Jr. and Mateo Rodriguez, Michael and Cristian Cuellar Rodriguez, Andrew Grutzmacher, Chanta Christianson, Nahaiva and Aliciá Hoffman, and Jacinda and Chiliná Cuellar; great-grandchildren, Joaquin, Antonio, Makenna, and Jaxon, N’talia and Jaxon, and Denzel and Dakota; siblings, Maria Guadalupe Esquivel, Maria del Jesus Esquivel, Maria H. (Jose) Sandoval, Juan Francisco (Blanca) and Jose B. Cuellar, Celia (Claudio Jr.) Meza, and Rotelena Cuellar; brothers-in-law, Alfredo Jimenez and Armando Perez; many other relatives; and good friends.

Robert was reunited with his parents; grandson Nicholas Cuellar; great-grandson Keygan Cuellar; siblings, Tomas Cuellar, Maria Elva Jimenez, and Maria Dolores Perez; and other relatives.     

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 pm on Wednesday, March 13, at Stella Maris Parish in Sister Bay, with Fr. David Ruby as celebrant. He will be laid to rest in the church cemetery.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on March 13, 10:30-11:45 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated for his family. If memorials are given for the family in the form of a check, they should be made out to a specific member of the family.

Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay is assisting the Cuellar family. Expressions of sympathy, memories and photos of Roberto can be shared with his family through his tribute page at caspersonfuneralhome.com.