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News: Neillsville - Beautiful Heritage Days (2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Polzin, Scott, Walter, Koprek, Evans, Brunette, Townsend, Schultz, Friemoth, Szyryj

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/12/2023

By L.B., reporter

Neillsville Heritage Days started July 6.

The event started off with kayaking lessons at Snyder Lake Park for learners of all ages. Jeff Polzin provided kayaks, paddleboards and free lessons. The Cultural Arts and Crafts Center (CART) and Friends of the Black River sponsored the event.

The Neillsville Chamber of Commerce set up a tent for Chamber Business After 5, inviting all local business owners down for food served by M and M Catering and a time to make connections, socialize and network.

Near the chamber’s tent, a large sawdust pile was set up by Heritage Days workers, who placed over 100 colored chips and cards in the pile and gave adults five minutes to dig through. The tokens are each worth around $3–4 and can be used at any local bar for free food or drink.

The movie “Rumble” was shown in the Neillsville Library basement. Ten kids and their families showed up to watch the movie about monster wrestling and the librarians provided popcorn and drinks.

One of the most anticipated events of the night took place in the Neillsville High School auditorium. The crowning of Miss Neillsville and Little Miss Neillsville was full of apprehension, excitement and bittersweet sentiments. After contestant speeches, question-and-answer sessions, and scholarship presentations, the winner of Miss Neillsville was Laela Scott. First Princess was Ellie Walter, Second Princess was Olivia Koprek, and Third Princess was Kennadi Evans. The winner of Little Miss Neillsville was Everly Brunette, First Princess was Livianna Townsend, and Second Princess was Kamerynn Schultz.

“They’ve had to go through an interview process, individually and in front of a group, prepare a speech, and a new thing we added this year is that they have to do a commercial for their sponsor,” Michelle Friemoth said, Miss Neillsville program coordinator. “It’s our 59th year, so it’s a longstanding tradition.

“The girls will go to parades, events and community functions. They’ll gain over 100 hours of community service during their reign.”

Friemoth spoke highly of the ladies’ achievements and personal skills during her speech.
The special guest of the coronation was Miss Wisconsin, Lila Szyryj.

“I stand for community service,” Szyryj said. “I represent Wisconsin and be at places, and I’ll represent Wisconsin at Miss America soon. My community service project is called Breaking Down Breaking News. It teaches kids about journalism, social media and media literacy. Every Miss WI’s program is different.”

Szyryj works part time at NBC 15 in Madison, her hometown, as an associate producer. She was crowned June 24th and has a busy schedule ahead of her.

“It’s been a whirlwind, but it’s fun,” Szyryj said. “I’m going to lots of events, like a vintage car race and Oktoberfest. I’ve never been, so I’m excited!”

Szyryj gave an encouraging speech to the contestants, inspiring them to have fun and be themselves.

Heritage Days continued through July 9 with lots of events and activities for Neillsville residents and visitors to partake in.



The new Little Miss Neillsville Court for 2023, crowned July 6, rode through Neillsville for all to see during the Neillsville Heritage Days Parade July 9. Leala Scott (Miss Neillsville), Ellie Walter (First Princess), Olivia Koprek (Second Princess), Kennadi Evans (Third Princess), and Little Miss Neillsville Court, Everly (Little Miss Neillsville) Livianna (First Princess) and Kamerlynn (Second Princess), have already begun their duties, attending and promoting events.

Edward DuBois/Clark County Press

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News: Loyal - Cinnamon Rules the June Recipe Contest (2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Fischer, Lobacz, Schuette, Olsen, McGuire, Lezotte, Linster, Schlinsog, Dux, Nikolai, Kaiser, Grap, Loos, Witte, Koski, Johnson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/12/2023

Cinnamon Rules the June Recipe Contest (2023)

By Edward DuBois

Loyal’s city hall smelled on cinnamon the evening of June 21, the front part of the council room filled with tables laid out with the June Recipe Contest’s entries, following the theme of “coffee cake.”

The event was organized by the Clark County Dairy Promotion Committee (the committee), whose members also volunteered to staff the event.

Sarah Fischer and Kayla Lobacz manned the registration table. Contestants needed to register their names on the bakeoff’s sheet with their recipe name, as well as bring the recipe for their entry.

Of course, the big requirement for the contest were, besides following the theme, was the inclusion of a dairy product in the recipe, which needed to be highlights on the sheet for judges to easily find.

Contestants and supporters gathered in the back part of the council room, sectioned off from the judging area, where they were treated to cheese tasting provided by Wis. Cheese, A potting presentation, and door prizes.

Cheryl Schuette provided cheese people might not take a chance to try on their own at the tasting table, along with crackers.

Schuette specifically pointed out Balsamic BellaVitano from Satori and Grand Cru, a Swiss-style cheese from Roth.

While guests and contestants settled in, Matthew Fisch, president of the committee’s board, handed out tickets for a flower arrangement raffle provided by the Turnpike Greenhouse.

Maryanne Olsen announced the judges—Mary McGuire, Claudean Lezotte and Phyllis Linster—who then exited to the other side of the partition to judge in private while Brenda Schlinsog of the Turnpike Greenhouse arranged two potted floral arrangements and answered audience questions.

Olsen commented she had received a poinsettia from Schlinsog around Christmas, and it was still lively.

Schlinsog boasted a “fantastic year” for the Turnpike so far in 2023, and gave a little history about the establishment and why it was called the Turnpike.

Schlinsog got into her presentation by picking up a rose, showing it to the audience before putting three of the same sort into an arrangement.

“It’s something so simple,” Schlinsog said, “but it adds so much.”

Audience members Bunny Dux and Junitta Nikolai both openly praised Schlinsog’s work.

Dux remarked that her husband better not put “in lieu of flowers” in her obituary. She wanted her funeral filled with them.

Schlinsog next built another arrangements with three whopper begonias, two red petunias and two white petunias to accent the red ones.

With the arrangements made, showing both how a few flowers could spruce up an existing plant in the home and how to put together a pot from scratch, Schlinsog held the floral arrangement raffle.
The winner was a young man named Nathan.

Dux asked Schlinsog about the issue of Japanese Beetles and beetle bags.

Schlinsog talked about how the beetle bags were not meant for urban areas; they were more for rural farms. She talked about how the bags will just attract more that will not always get caught in the bag.
Fisch spoke about the committee while the judges tallied the final scores. He touched on a big change the committee had helped implement: a marketing label “Proudly WI Cheese/dairy” on Wisconsin cheese, boasting how cheeses from the state compete on the worldwide market.

Fisch Clark County has the most farms in the state, many of which are co-ops, and family owned both on the farming and processing sides of the operation.

The judges had to be called back to break a tie for second place, which the committee took the opportunity to draw door prizes.

First place went to Laura Kaiser’s raspberry cream cheese coffee cake, second went to Sierra Koski’s Swedish cream cheese coffee cake, third to Bunny Dux’s Blueberry coffee cake, fourth to Diana Schuette’s sour cream Rhubarb coffee cake, fifth to Jean Koski’s blueberry pecan coffee cake, sixth to Nathan’s raspberry streusel coffee cake, seventh to Mildred Grap’s peach coffee cake cobbler, eighth to Irma Johnson’s PB-and-J coffee cake, ninth to Betty Loos’ Sunday special coffee cake and 10th went to Rhonda Witte’s Saundra’s cinnamon coffee cake.



The winners of the June Recipe Contest were (front, l-r) Laura Kaiser in first, Sierra Koski in second, Bunny Dux in third, Diana Schuette in fourth, Jean Koski, in fifth, (back) Nathan in sixth, Mildred Grap in seventh, Irma Johnson in eighth, Betty Loos in ninth and Rhonda Witte in tenth.

Edward DuBois/Clark County Press

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News: Foster Township Celebrates 100 Years (2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gerold, Foster, Daft, O’Gara

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/12/2023

Foster Township Celebrates 100 Years (2023)

By Edward DuBois

John Gerold sat beside a tent selling t-shirts as it was broken down during the Rock Dam Days at the Clark County Rock Dam Campground in Willard, July 8, recalling his memories of Foster.

Gerold has been in the area for many years, and remarked he has seen the same forests cut down twice.

Foster celebrated its centennial in 2023, which spans two township areas as opposed to one, covering 72 square miles.

“July 10, 1923, the Wisconsin Department of State issued a proclamation that basically said two townships would be detached from the town of Mentor and become the town of Foster,” Gerold stated. “For reasons unknown to me, the new township was created to be twice as large as the normal township.

“The state also proclaimed the first town meeting would take place at a schoolhouse located in township twenty-five north on the first Monday of Aug. 1923. The schoolhouse building still exists and was recently (last year) moved to a lot at Rock Dam.”

The name “Foster” came from a man named Nathaniel Foster, who had lived in Fairchild, and both owned a logging business and a rail line connecting Fairchild to Owen.

Gerold’s father was a Clark County forester, and belonged to a group that owned a deer shack just off Rock Dam Lake. The group moved it a few times, but left it at the bank of Windy Run Creek when the caterpillar tractor hauling it broke down.

At the time, not many cabins peppered the lake’s shoreline. The “tavern,” as Gerold referred to it, Aka Lakeside, had been a rental cabin.

“It was kind of a sleepy community,” Gerold said.

Gerold described the town board as very close-knit. The members spent a little on roads, and that was “about it.” Otherwise, the board just tried to keep taxes low.

When Gerold first came to Foster, Hay Creek Road was a fire lane with gates on both sides, not even paved. Gerold recalled blacktop in general did not come to Foster until the 70s.

Gerald said the Rural Electric Association came to the area in the late 40s to “finally” equip the area with electricity.

A wire was run to Gerold’s father’s deer shack without permission, and the utility company found out when it measured a power spike. Gerald smiled as he said the company came out, fined the group and installed a meter.

Once private lands, in the 1970s the county leased out more lots around the lake. Gerold’s father leased a lot, too, as did one of his father’s friends, taking a neighboring lot.

Gerold talked about a man named Fred Daft, who had been part of his father’s old group. Daft had owned a cabin and he, along with his wife, Betty, had helped start developing the campground.

Daft wanted to retire from the campground director’s position, so Gerold’s father had suggested selling the campground to the county, which Daft had agreed with.

Gerold said the Hay Creek used to be a trout stream before the dam was built in 1936.

But a heavy rainstorm in 1955 over Memorial Day weekend caused a flood that washed out the lake.

In 1993, this time over Father’s Day weekend, another storm backed up culverts and the lake washed out once again. Both events heavily damaged the shoreline.

As a result, wing dams were built to slow down any more floods.

Gerold said details of these floods would be in the Press’ archives. In the 1955 washout, Gerold said the caption under a picture mentioned four boys who came too close to the newly washed out channel.

“It was actually three boys, Gerold said, “and one was me. It was an interesting experience.”
For the town’s 75th anniversary, a booklet called “Foster’s and Nobody Else” by William W. O’Gara was put together on the that opened with talked about Nathaniel Foster’s entrepreneurship.

A town, even one as blink-and-miss-it small as Foster has history. History is made wherever people are. Clark County has a few ghost towns, so it is no small feature for a small community, which has withstood two major floods, to survive as long as it has had.

And there is always someone who was there to see that history.

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News: Greenwood - Wedges Creek – Weekend of Music (2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gunther, Sischo, Volovsek

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/12/2023

Wedges Creek – Weekend of Music (2023)

Weekend of Music at Wedges Creek



The East Coast Travelers perform under the shade of the main stage at Wedges Creek Hideaway June 8, the second act of the night.

By L.B., Reporter

Two music groups performed at Wedges Creek July 7–8.

The first artist was Jim Guenther, a soloist who plays guitar and sings a wide variety, specializing in classic rock. The second group was the East Coast Travelers, a family band that plays songs from the 50s–80s, low country and some contemporary music.

Jim Guenther plays classic rock with his guitar and does all his own vocals with no special effects. He writes original songs, some of which he performed for the crowd at Wedges Creek. He works for Wheelers detailing cars in his day-to-day life and hopes to retire soon.

“My wife is very good; she helps me a lot. She’s my manager,” Guenther said.

The East Coast Travelers performed July 8 for a large crowd full of classic rock enthusiasts.

“We’re from all over the place—Florida, Tennessee, New York, Wisconsin, of course,” said Dennis Sischo, leader of the band. “We play a variety of music, some from the 50s¬–80s, some low country, contemporary. My 11-year-old daughter will be doing her first onstage solo tonight, too.”

The performance of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” had everyone singing along.
Guests at Wedges Creek were welcomed by the owner, Jeff Volovsek, who introduced the new blueberry pie pizza.

“We have a variety of pizzas—traditional, specialty and we even have dessert pizzas,” Volovsek said. “There’s five cabins and 20 campsites, and we just finished our new wedding venue.”

The next project for Wedges Creek is a general store that will sell handcrafted Clark County goods, ice cream, t-shirts, maple syrup, candles and more. Volovsek wants to provide a safe haven for families and support local craftsmen.

“I always say, ‘the secret sauce isn’t in the pizza, it’s space to unwind,’” Volovsek said.

Live music will continue throughout the summer at Wedges Creek.

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Obit: Rollins, Rita D. (1935 - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Rollins, Sternitzky, Ure, Schmidt

----Source: Rembs Funeral Home (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 7/13/2023

Rollins, Rita D. (10 June 1935 – 12 July 2023)

Rita D. Rollins, age 88, Chili, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Marshfield Medical Center.

Rita was born on June 10, 1935, the daughter of Robert and Lula (Sternitzky) Ure. She was united in marriage to Duane E. Rollins on May 12, 1956, in Chili. He died on December 29, 2020.

Rita was a devoted wife and mother and farmed with her husband in the Town of Fremont for over 40 years. She enjoyed gardening, canning, making maple syrup and loved her family, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Dale (Cathy) Rollins of Chili, Mike Rollins of Granton, Ricky (Pam) Rollins, and Bob (Julie) Rollins. She is also survived by six grandchildren, two step grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and three step great grandchildren.

She is further survived by a sister-in-law, Beverly Ure of Marshfield.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sisters, Lila Schmidt and Muriel Ure and brothers, Pete Ure and Lloyd Ure.

Private family graveside services will be held.

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Obit: Schmidt, Brenda Kaye (1959 - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Schmidt, Singstock, Luther, Raube, Faude, Schultz

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 7/152023

Schmidt, Brenda Kaye (19 April 1959 – 14 July 2023)

Brenda K. Schmidt, age 64, of Wausau, passed away on Friday, July 14, 2023, at her home under the tender care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.

Brenda was born on April 19, 1959, the daughter of Charles and Joanne (Singstock) Luther in Oak Park, IL. She graduated from Abbotsford High School in 1977. On June 30, 1979, Brenda was united in marriage to Edwin Schmidt at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Edgar. She worked as a Senior Business Rater for Wausau Insurance which became Liberty Mutual for 37 years.

Brenda is survived by her husband of 44 years, Edwin; three sons: Derek Schmidt (fiancée, Rachel) of Wausau, Kirk Schmidt of Appleton and Luke (Rachel) Schmidt of Altoona; one granddaughter, Olivia; two step-grandchildren: Jordan and Anders; her mother, Joanne Luther of Athens; four brothers and sisters: Cynthia (Greg) Raube of Reeseville, Mark (Julie) Luther of Spencer, Brian (Kathy) Luther of Athens and Sara Luther of Wausau; a brother-in-law, Allan Faude of Withee. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Charles; her sister, Karen Faude; her grandparents, Guy and Fay Luther and Albert and Theresa Singstock.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Wausau. Rev. Gary Schultz will officiate. A visitation will be held from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 21 and from 9:00 a.m. until time of service all at the church. A live stream will be available for those unable to attend on the Maurina Schilling Funeral Home Facebook page or after the service anytime on Facebook or the website. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the arrangements.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.

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Obit: Vanlue, Gerald Claude “Jerry” (1948 - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Vanlue, Fringer, Stoiber, Fettes, Taylor, Zoellick, Cook, Faude, Anderson

----Source: Life Tributes Funeral Home (Spencer, Clark Co., WI) 7/14/2023

Vanlue, Gerald Claude “Jerry” (29 November 1948 – 12 July 2023)

Gerald “Jerry” C. Vanlue, 74, of Dorchester, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Marshfield Medical Center.

Gerald was born on November 29, 1948, in Woodstock, Illinois to Claude and Elva (Fringer) Vanlue. He attended Woodstock High School. On May 25, 1991, he was united in marriage to Cheryl Ann Stoiber in Star Lake. He was employed as a fleet manager (maintenance/mechanic) at Heartland Co-op until retirement. He was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Dorchester.

Jerry enjoyed mowing lawns, fishing, and camping and was an outdoor enthusiast. He enjoyed mechanics, cars, drag racing, mowing lawns, and horses, and was a skilled carpenter.

Earlier in life, Jerry built an arena and mansion for Tom Galvin (Dundee, IL) where Jerry specialized in training horses (cutting) and gave riding lessons along with participating in many rodeos.

His happy place was Jellystone Park (Warrens) with friends and family, playing cards like 31 and Cribbage, golf cart rides, and early morning golf cart runs to get coffee for Cheryl and himself.

Those who will cherish his memory include his loving wife, Cheryl Vanlue of Dorchester; his sons, Edward (Laura) Vanlue of Prescott, AZ, and Reggie (Hailie) Vanlue of Dorchester; his grandson, Chase Vanlue of Clinton, IL; his great-grandson, Declan Vanlue of Clinton, IL; his sisters, Elda Lou (Jim) Fettes of Stetsonville, and Charlene Taylor of Hatley; his brothers-in-law: John Stoiber of Dorchester, and Robert (Jane) Stoiber of Curtis, and his sisters-in-law: Marjean Zoellick, Mary (Larry) Cook and Theresa (Terry) Faude, all of Dorchester, along with many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Elva Vanlue.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Dorchester with Rev. Shawn Andersen officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church for a time of visitation on Saturday from 9 A.M. until the time of services. A meal will be served following services at St. Peter’s.

Jerry’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald Vanlue, please visit Tribute Store.

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Bio: Frankewicz, Courtney (Dean’s List - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Frankewicz

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/19/2023

Frankewicz, Courtney (Dean’s List - 2023)

The UW-Platteville announces its dean’s list, honoring those fulltime students who earned high honors in the spring 2023 semester.

College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture and the College of Liberal Arts and Education require GPAs of 3.75 and above for dean’s list honors, while the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science requires students to reach at least a 3.50.

Students from Clark County include Courtney Frankewicz, elementary education, of Thorp.

9

BioM: Marriage Licenses (Jul/Aug - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hoffman, Hjornevik, Larrabee, Gurney, Bibeau-Donahue, Opelt, Clark, Davis, Lofquist, Bottlemy, Garman, Nolt, Neustedt, Gehrand, Wriedt, Abramczak, Zimmerman, Fox, Nicpon, Quinter, Berseth Niemi, Sauder, Shirk

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/19/2023

Marriage Licenses (Jul/Aug - 2023)

Kyle A. Hoffman, Marathon Co., to Mackenzie L. Hjornevik, both of Town of Spencer, Aug. 19, at Loyal,

Brandon N.G. Larrabee, to Vennessa M. Gurney, both of Neillsville, July 22, Wood Co. at Wisconsin Rapids.

Dominic J. Bibeau-Donahue, to Tori M. Opelt, both of Greenwood, Aug. 26, Hixton, Jackson Co.

Rodney R. Clark, to Billie Joe J. Davis, both of Town of Eaton, July 22, in the Town of Eaton.

Mason D. Lofquist, to Kaylie M. Bottlemy, both of village of Withee, July 15, at the Town of Hendren.

Jared L. Garman, Town of Worden, to Lori A. Nolt, Town of Hixon, July 27, at Town of Hixon.

Steven G. Neustedt, Town of Beaver, to Stephanie M. Gehrand, Marathon Co., Aug. 12, at Town of Beaver.

Derrik L. Wriedt, to Jodi S. Abramczak, both of Town of Withee, July 10, at Owen.

Mervin S. Zimmerman, to Luetta W. Fox, both of Town of Reseburg, July 25, at Town of Reseburg.

Joseph M. Nicpon, to Jennifer M. Quinter, both of Owen, Aug. 26, in Marathon Co.

Timothy J. Berseth, to Ingrid J. Niemi, both of Owen, July 22, at village of Dorchester.

Wilson Sander, Town of Hoard, to Rachel B. Shirk, Town of Mayville, Aug. 1, at Town of Mayville.

10

News: Clark Co - Carthage College (Dean’s :List - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gardner, Hanson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/19/2023

Clark Co-Carthage College (Dean’s List - 2023)

Carthage College congratulates the students who have been named to the dean’s list in recognition of their outstanding academic achievement in Spring 2023.

Dean’s list honors are accorded to Carthage students who achieve a minimum 3.5 GPA while carrying at least 12 letter-graded credits in a given semester.

Students from Clark County were Jaden Gardner of Granton and Cole Hanson of Chili.

11

News: Clark Co - UW-Green Bay (High Honors - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Koprek, Langreck, Kawa

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/19/2023

Clark Co-UW-Green Bay (High Honors - 2023)

The UW-Green Bay released the names of undergraduate students receiving semester honors for Spring 2023 semester academic achievement. Students who earn a 4.0 grade point average (GPA), which represents all “A” grades, receive highest honors. High honors go to students earning 3.99 to 3.75 grade point averages. Honors are given to students earning 3.74 to 3.50 GPAs. All were fulltime students in the spring term, earning 12 or more credits of graded course work. This list includes students attending all four UW-Green Bay campuses (Green Bay, Marinette, Manitowoc, Sheboygan).

Students from Clark County were Mady Koprek, semester high honors and Alex Langreck, semester high honors, of Neillsville; and Alicia Kawa, semester honors of Owen.

12

Obit: Engevold, Denise Anne (1951- 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Engevold, Tennis, Pribnow, Slempkes, Day, Meyer, Goralski, Rabine, Bedroske, Michlig, Lechner, Giese

----Source: Life Tributes Funeral Home (Spencer, Clark Co., WI) 7/18/2023

Engevold, Denise Anne (3 June 1951 – 15 July 2023)

Denise A. Engevold, 72, of Spencer, passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Denise was born on June 3, 1951, in Marshfield to John “Jack” and Joanne (Tennis) Pribnow. She graduated from Colby High School, Class of 1969. She was united in marriage to Dennis Engevold on September 13, 1969, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Unity. She was a dedicated wife homemaker. She was a member Trinity Lutheran Church in Unity.

Denise kept busy working her flower and vegetable gardens, doing puzzles and making treats for her grandchildren. It was noted that much of Denise’s cooking and baking talents were learned from her Grandma Tennis. She enjoyed fishing at Lake Arbutus and Miller Dam and even some salmon fishing. She was a skilled seamstress fixing and mending her children’s jeans or making curtains. She loved spending time with her family and friends or maybe catching an episode of “General Hospital”. If you knew Denise, then you also knew of her famous refrigerator pickles and pickled eggs.

Her memory will be cherished by her loving husband, Dennis of Spencer; her sons, Mike (Kristen) Engevold of Spencer and Mark (Shannon) Engevold of Marshfield; her grandchildren, Brittany (Ben) Slempkes, Brenton (Hannah) Engevold, Blake Engevold, Bristol Engevold, Nicolas Day, Nevada Engevold and Elizabeth Engevold, Taylor Meyer, Izaiha Meyer and Avrey Goralski and her great grandchildren, Samuel Slempkes and Jaxon Rabine and two great grandsons-to-be. She is further survived by her siblings, Judy (Russ) Bedroske, Jamie (Bob) Michlig, John (Donna) Pribnow, Tadd (Sandy) Pribnow and Amy (Rick Lechner) Pribnow and 13 brothers and sisters-in-law along with many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her birth parents, Jack and Joanne; her dad, Leon; her stepmother, Grace; her sister, Debbie and two brothers-in-law.

A Memorial Service will be held at 7 P.M. on Friday, July 21, 2023, at Life Tributes Funeral Home in Spencer with Rev. Robert Giese officiating. A private committal service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Unity on a future date. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Friday from 4 P.M. until time of services.

If desired, the family is accepting memorials in Denise’s name for a medical charity to combat cancer which has yet to be determined.

Thank you to the staff at Froedert Hospital, Compassus Home Health and Aspirus Hospital for all the compassionate care for Denise.

Denise’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Denise Engevold, please visit Tribute Store.

13

Obit: Kauffman, Raquel Ann “Rock” (1963 - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Kauffman, Triebs, Jorgensen, Anderegg, Larsen, Jensen, Bauman

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 7/18/2023

Kauffman, Raquel Ann “Rock” (23 June 1963 – 13 July 2023)

Raquel Ann "Rock" Kauffman passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 60 years of age.

Raquel was born on June 23, 1963, in Hillsboro to Richard and Dorothy (Triebs) Kauffman. Raquel grew up on her parents dairy farm in Loyal. She graduated from Loyal high school in 1981. While in high school, she was active in sports but really thrived in softball.

In her early years, she moved to Killeen TX with a friend, and then to Edinburg TX. She obtained employment at HEB grocery store in Edinburg TX for a number of years where she worked in various positions; as a checker, working in the seafood and meat department by setting up meat and seafood displays. On occasions, she would do things that required some of her carpentry/woodworking skills. While in Texas, she helped her family with babysitting nieces and nephews and other helpful things.

She moved back to Wisconsin in 2017. She held various employment at Menards, Land O Lakes, and Lynn Dairy before currently working at Turf Tamers Lawn and Landscaping of Marshfield. Raquel had many other talents, in addition to carpentry/woodworking.

She liked to knit, write poetry, and shoot her gun/ target practice and was a great cook, especially her salsa! She loved old movies, and especially enjoyed western movies with John Wayne. Raquel was an avid reader and frequented the library for books to read in her spare time. She loved all animals and especially her cat Kevin. Raquel was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Dorothy (Triebs) Kauffman, a sister Tamara in infancy, and brother, Christopher J. "Beaver" Kauffman.

Raquel is survived by Michelle (Layne) Jorgensen Edinberg TX., Tamra (Michael) Anderegg, Great Falls, MT. Roland (Jen) Kauffman, Stratford, Reg (Lisa) Kauffman, Spencer, Jennifer Kauffman, Great Falls, MT. Jerome ( Dawn Larsen), Loyal, Kip (Jenny) Kauffman, Stratford, Renee (Kevin Jensen) Rib Lake, and Mary (Jim) Bauman, Mosinee. In addition she is survived by many nieces and nephews and other relatives.

At this time there will be no memorial service. At a later date a celebration of life will be held.

14

Obit: Miller, Jeffrey F. “Jeff” (1940- 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Miller, Shanberger, Cynor, Ruggles, Hurlebaus, Baker

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Owen, Clark Co., WI) 7/17/2023

Miller, Jeffrey F. “Jeff” (5 March 1940 – 17 July 2023)

Jeffrey “Jeff” F. Miller, age 83, of Owen, passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023.

Jeff was born March 5, 1940, the son of Jens and Cordlia (Shanberger) Miller. He graduated from Owen-Withee High School. Jeff drove truck for over 50 years, retiring in 2008.

In June of 2000, Jeff was united in marriage to Mae Cynor. He enjoyed hunting, including deer, coon, bear, coyote and fox. Jeff collected a variety of guns. He enjoyed watching the Brewers and Packers and playing sheepshead. Jeff especially liked hanging out with the guys at the local establishments.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Mae; two children: Justin Miller of Thorp and Stacey (Tim) Ruggles of Boyd; three stepchildren: Beth (Jeff) Hurlebaus of Withee, Wesley Baker of Hortonville and Kevin (Julie) Baker of Owen; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Lori Miller; a stepdaughter, Vel-Rae Baker and a brother, Gerald.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Owen. Interment to follow at Riverside Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeff, please visit our floral store.

15

Obit: Pankau, Leana Marie (1926- 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Pankau, Schroeder, Ott, Keller, Bastien, Jones-Savka, Wendt, Shepherd, Toliver

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/19/2023

Pankau, Leana Marie (21 September 1926 – 21 June 2023)

Leana Marie Pankau, 96, of Wautoma, passed away peacefully at her beloved home on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Her loving family was by her side.

Born September 21, 1926, to Albert Ott and Marie (Schroeder) Ott Keller in Neillsville, Leana was Valedictorian of her graduating high school class.

She married Harry Edward Pankau September 10, 1949, at Grace Lutheran Church, Milwaukee. They were married for 69 years. They lived in Milwaukee, Mequon, and Oshkosh, spent winters in Florida, and retired to their dream home on the ninth hole at Two Oaks Golf Course, Wautoma.

Leana is survived by daughters Barbara (Patrick) Bastien, Susan Jones-Savka, Karen (Bradley) Wendt, Linda Shepherd (Darryl Toliver), 8 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and 2 brothers. Lea was preceded in death by her husband Harry (Nov. 2018), daughter Michelle (June 1964), 1 brother, and 4 sisters.

Leana (Apple Pie Gma) was an active, hard-working, fun-loving wife, mother, grandmother and aunt, and a faithful, spiritual woman. She loved to travel, sew, hike, bowl, golf, talk sports, dance, knit, journal, and play games with her family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 21, 2023, at the Wautoma Senior Center, W8220 Cottonville Ave, Wautoma, WI 54982. Visitation begins at 4 p.m., Memorial Service 7 p.m.

16

Obit: Wilson, Genevieve A. “Gene” (1932 - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Wilson, Petrulis, Bartell, Cody

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/19/2023

Wilson, Genevieve A. “Gene” (12 August 1932 – 12 July 2023)

Genevieve (Gene) A. Wilson, age 90 of Neillsville, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Neillsville.

She was born on August 12, 1932, in Lithuania, the daughter of Alfonso and Josephine Petrulis. She and her family returned to the USA when she was just an infant.

In 1963 she married the love of her life, Lloyd P. Wilson, in Chicago, IL. They worked for the same company, Deluxe Check Printers, for over 30 years in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Miami. They retired in the mid 80’s and moved to Rhinelander. They eventually relocated to Neillsville, and built their dream home next to their daughter and son-in-law. They were married 49 wonderful years before Lloyd passed away in 2012.

Gene was a kindhearted and generous person who had a spunky personality. She was quite witty and kept you on your toes. She also enjoyed reading, bowling, and even won a Florida State bowling championship.

Her family’s happiness and wellbeing were the focus of her life. She is survived by her daughter, Rose (John) Bartell; grandson, Jacob (Anika) Bartell and their children: Molly and Madison; granddaughter, Rebecca (Ryan) Cody, and their children: Maxon and Mackenzie.

She was proceeded in death by her parents and her loving husband, Lloyd.

She will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends.

A special thanks to all the staff and residents at the Neillsville Retirement Community for their great care and support.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.