Obit: Gaede, Brian
S. (1970 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Gaede, Zabel, Gaetz, Diaz, Schupbach, Wantlin, Edblom, Plamann, West
----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 1/30/2024
Gaede, Brian S. (10 November 1970 – 27 January 2024) With Flag
Brian S. Gaede, age 53, of Withee, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024,
after an extended stay at Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center due to a
cardiac arrest.
Brian was born on November 10, 1970, the son of Marlowe and Ruth (Zabel) Gaede
in Waverly, Iowa. The family moved to WI in 1974 and he attended school in
Owen-Withee and Gilman. Brian enlisted in the Army Reserve and served from
1988-96. He met the love of his life, Laura Gaetz, in 1991. After her death in
2001, Brian focused his life to raising their three children.
Brian was a hard worker. He worked for Jack Links, Abbyland and Weathershield.
He enjoyed riding motorcycle, the outdoors, and firearms. Brian was known as a
jokester and will be missed by all who knew him.
Brian is survived by his two daughters: Amelia Gaetz (Mariano Diaz) and Tarie
Gaede; five grandchildren: Matthew Schupbach, Enzsylie Gaede, Ema Gaetz, Jaylin
Gaede and Cristian Diaz; six siblings: Dean (Diane) Gaede, Verlaine Gaede (John
Wantlin), Vernon (Linda) Gaede, Teresa Gaede (Rick Edblom), Karen (Brian) Murphy
and Valitha (Dewey) Plamann. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other
relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by Laura; his son, Ryc; his parents; three siblings:
Pamela (in infancy), Darrell and Jeffrey Gaede; and his best friend, Scott West.
A Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 5, 2024, at
Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. Interment to follow at Riverside
Cemetery in Withee with Military Honors provided by the Owen American Legion
Post #123, Owen-Withee Vets Club and Thorp VFW Post #9057. Family and friends
are welcome from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service Monday at the funeral
home. 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.
Family and friends may express condolences online at
www.maurinaschilling.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Brian, please visit
our floral store.
Obit: Helgesen,
Michael Paul (1944 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Helgesen, Kolstad, Mike, Smith, Soret, Spencer, Cloud, Yellowbank,
Draayer
----Source: Buswell Funeral Home (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI) 1/30/2024
Helgeson, Michael Paul (15 May 1944 – 28 January 2024) With Flag
Michael P. Helgesen, age 79, of Black River Falls, Wisconsin, passed away
peacefully on January 28, 2023, at Black River Memorial Hospital with his family
by his side. Michael Paul Helgesen was born May 15, 1944, in Minneapolis,
Minnesota to Paul and Hermoine (Kolstad) Helgesen.
At age 17, Michael enlisted in the United States Navy serving as a corpsman from
1961 to 1965. He was honorably discharged in 1965. He also served as a medic
with the Minnesota National Guard from 1986 to 1990. Michael attended the
Universities of Kentucky, Illinois, and Wisconsin where he studied American
literature, chemistry, and education.
He became a home school coordinator offering counseling services in Dunn,
Chippewa, and Eau Claire Counties in Wisconsin, eventually becoming the program
director. From 1978 to 1980 Michael and his wife, Ernestine, operated a group
home for adolescents near Black River Falls. In the early 1980’s, Michael worked
at the Wazee Half-Way house in Black River Falls. Michael taught history,
literature, and mathematics at the Black River Falls High School. Michael also
taught elementary school in Auburndale.
Michael joined the Paige Donnelly law firm after graduating from William
Mitchell College of Law in 1987. Michael became an active member of the
Minnesota Association for Justice, acting on the Board of Governors, and
lecturing on legal issues. Michael was admitted to practice in the states of
Minnesota and Wisconsin and in Minnesota and Wisconsin Federal District Courts.
Michael was chosen as a Super Lawyer by Minnesota Law & Politics and
Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazines. The Paige Donnelley Ltd team, where he practiced
until his retirement in 2020, truly became family to him.
Michael loved family immensely and worked hard to make the world a better place
for all families. In addition to raising his family and operating a group home,
Michael raised many more children, including through adoption and foster care,
all of whom call him Jaaji (dad).
Michael married Ernestine Mike on January 28, 1972, in Austin, Minnesota. His
father, Paul, a Justice of the Peace, served as officiant and his mother as
witness.
Michael is remembered by Ernestine; sons Kunu Helgesen and Branden Helgesen;
daughters Hinu (Rick) Smith, Wehuh Helgesen, Karen Soret and Laura Spencer;
grandchildren Winter, Othyaun, Desmond and RickiLee Smith, and Kora Cloud;
cherished 100-year-old aunt Mona Mae; special cousins, nieces and nephews; and
Stephanie, Veronica and Cheyenne Yellowbank.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Mary Draayer, an infant
brother, Patrick, and other special relatives.
A visitation will be held on January 30, 2024, at Buswell Funeral Home from 5:00
P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with a family viewing at 4:00 P.M. Funeral services will be
January 31, 2024, at the Dells Dam Community Building, W7015 Bush Rd,
Neillsville at 12:00 P.M., with visitation from 10:00 A.M. until the time of
service. Interment will be in the Dewey Mike Cemetery with lunch to follow.
Obit: Neibacher,
Doris M. (1953 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Neibacher, Yoder, Annis, Loney, Barr, Hamm, Amacher
----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Owen, Clark Co., WI) 1/29/2024
Neibacher, Doris M. (26 September 1953 – 27 January 2024)
Doris M. Neibacher, age 92, of Owen, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024,
at Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center under the tender care of
Heartland Hospice.
Doris was born on March 9, 1931, the daughter of Rollin and Kathryn (Yoder)
Annis in Knapp. She was united in marriage to Orville Neibacher on September 26,
1953, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Holway. He preceded her in death in
1997. Together they farmed in the Town of Holway.
Doris was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. She enjoyed puzzles,
reading, quilting and traveling on mystery tours. Doris also was a supporter of
Special Olympics. Although Doris had a stubborn side, she will be remembered for
her sweetness.
Doris is lovingly survived by her grandson, Drew (Jennifer Barr) Loney; her
sister, Alice Annis and her brother Norman Annis; nieces, nephews, other
relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her three children: Denise
Neibacher, Douglas Neibacher and Debbie Loney; her sister, Barbara Hamm and her
brother, Donald “Bud” Annis.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 2, 2024, at Our
Saviors Lutheran Church in the Town of Holway. Rev. Nancy Amacher will
officiate. Family and friends are welcome from 10:00 a.m. until time of service
Friday at the church.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doris, please visit
our floral store.
Obit: Wunrow,
Grace Ann (1997 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Wunrow, Philli, Scott, Johnson, Hardrath, Ertl, Erickson
----Source: Hanson-Schilling Funeral Home (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 1/30/2024
Wunrow, Grace Ann (30 January 1997 – 27 January 2024)
Grace Ann Wunrow of Wisconsin Rapids, unexpectedly passed away on Saturday,
January 27, 2024, at the age of 26.
Grace was the daughter of Jeff and Jean Wunrow of Marshfield, born on January
30, 1997, in Beaver Dam. Grace graduated from Marshfield High School in 2015.
Grace met her fiancé Jake Phillis, September 13, 2016. They have two beautiful
children together, Jake (JJ) and Paightyn. Her greatest joys in life were her
children, her foo-foo coffee drinks, and her love of horses. Grace had a kind
and caring heart along with a crazy sense of humor. She will be forever loved
and deeply missed.
Grace is survived by her fiancé Jake, their children JJ and Paightyn, parents:
Jeff and Jean Wunrow (Marshfield), brother Robert Scott (Marshfield),
grandmother Patty Johnson, aunts Pam (Travis) Hardrath of Spencer, Lisa (Allen)
Ertl of Auburndale, Beth (Trevor) Erickson of Rice Lake, Mary Scott of
Ingleside, Il, Tonya Scott of Withee, and her many cousins.
Grace is preceded in death by her grandparents, DuWayne and Linda Wunrow and
Marty Johnson.
Memorial services will be held at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, February 3, 2024, at St.
John’s Lutheran Church, 210167 State Highway 13, Spencer. Friends and family are
welcome to visit from 12:00 P.M. until the time of service Saturday at the
church.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Grace Ann Wunrow,
please visit our floral store.
Obit: Nikolay,
Cleo Mae (1932 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Nikolay, Liberty, Studinger, Bogaard, Scotch, Vosters, Schmidt,
Armbrust,
----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 2/1/2024
Nikolay, Cleo Mae (26 April 1932 - 22 January 2024)
Cleo Nikolay, formerly of Abbotsford, passed away peacefully on January 22,
2024, at Oak Park Place in Madison, at the age of 91.
Cleo was born Cleo Mae Studinger in Medford, on April 26, 1932, to Mae (Liberty)
Studinger and Arthur Studinger, the youngest of seven children. She graduated
from Medford High School in 1950. On October 10, 1953, she married Jim Nikolay
in Medford, and thereafter resided in Abbotsford until relocating to Madison in
2017. She worked as a secretary at Wisco Milling in Abbotsford and also served
as Abbotsford City Clerk for a number of years.
Cleo worked side-by-side with Jim for decades to operate the Abbotsford City
Baseball team. She also did financial recordkeeping for the Abbotsford Ambulance
Service for many years. Cleo was active in St. Bernard's Catholic Parish. She
enjoyed golfing, bowling, watching sporting events, gathering the family for
holidays, and especially spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by her children: Susan (Tom) Bogaard of Bayfield; Lynn (Mark)
Scotch of Plover; Steve Nikolay of San Tan Valley, Arizona; Bob (Nancy) Nikolay
of Sun Prairie; Joan Nikolay of Mankato, Minnesota; and Matt (Stacey) Nikolay of
Holmen; her grandchildren: Chris (Helen) Scotch, Kurt (Erica) Bogaard, Nick
(Traci) Scotch, Jon (Courtney) Bogaard, David (Abby) Scotch, Abby (Andy)
Vosters, James (Mackenzie) Nikolay, Kyle Nikolay, Connor Nikolay, Sam Nikolay,
and Grace Nikolay. Cleo also had 11 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by husband, Jim in March of 2019, daughter-in-law
Tracy Schmidt, in 2019, and grandson Jason Scotch, in 1976, as well as her
parents, her brothers Larry, John, Robert, and Richard, her sisters Virginia
Armbrust and Leah Studinger, and several brothers- and sisters-in law.
Visitation will be Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at
Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. A memorial mass will be held at
11:00 a.m. at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Abbotsford and interment will be in
Abbotsford Public Cemetery. After the interment there will be a luncheon at the
Red Arrow Park shelter.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cleo, please visit
our floral store.
News: Clark Co. –
Mid-State Tech. College (Dean’s List - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Schultz, Winkel, Leffel, Byrne, Fausett, Johnson, Newman
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/2024
Clark Co.-Mid State Tech. College (Dean’s List - 2024)
Mid-State Technical College has announced its dean’s list for the fall 2023
semester. This recognition is reserved for Mid-State students who have enrolled
in six or more credits and have earned a minimum GPA of 3.75 during the
semester.
Students from Slark County named to the list were Samantha Schultz, business
management and Caleb Winkel, precision machining technician, both from Chili;
Skylar Leffel from Colby, business management; and Michael Byrne, farm
operation, Quentin Fausett, criminal justice studies, Stone Johnson, paramedic
technician and Vanesa Newman, medical assistant, all from Neillsville.
News: Clark Co.-
UW-Oshkosh (Dean’s List-Honor Roll - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Moseid, Rakovec, Hazard, Horn
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/2024
Clark Co.-UW-Oshkosh (Dean’s List- Honor Roll - 2024)
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh officials released the names of students who
qualified for the dean’s list and honor roll in fall 2023 across its three
campuses (Fond du Lac, Fox Cities and Oshkosh).
The term grade-point average (GPA) requirement for university honor roll is 3.3;
the term GPA requirement for the dean’s list is 3.75 out of a possible 4.0.
To qualify, a student must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits. There
can be no individual grades below a “C” and no incomplete or non-reported grades
at the time the process is run.
From Neillsville, Ellie Moseid was named to the dean’s list and Kyra Rakovec was
named to the honor roll list.
Hannah Hazard and Brianna Horn, both of Thorp, were named to the honor roll
list.
News: Clark Co. -
UW-River Falls (Dean’s List - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Esselman, Goessl, Serocki, Hinkelmann, Cooper, Loberg, Fischer,
Mertens, Stroinski, Bakke Rinehart
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/2024
Clark Co.-UW-River Falls (Dean’s List - 2024)
The fall semester dean’s list at the UW-River Falls has been released.
To be named to the dean’s list, a fulltime undergraduate must earn a GPA of at
least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0, or midway between an “A” and “B” average.
Students from Clark County named to the list were Jack Esselman, music education
and mathematics and Gabrielle Goessl, art education, both of Curtiss; Megan
Serocki of Greenwood, animal science; Devani Hinkelmann of Loyal, agricultural
education; Dylan Cooper, horticulture and Dayne Loberg, accounting, both of
Neillsville; Matthew Fischer of Owen, dairy science and agricultural business;
Reed Mertens, agricultural business and Danielle Stroinski, food science and
technology, both of Thorp; Sierra Bakke of Unity, agricultural business; and
Kaylee Rinehart of Willard, animal science.
News: Neillsville
Library Offers Patrons Hot Chocolate Bar (2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Mayer, Ziebell
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/2024
Neillsville Library Offers Patrons Hot Chocolate Bar (2024)
Sandy Mayer pours hot chocolate before adding some marshmallows at the Hot
Chocolate Bar at the Neillsville Public Library Jan. 29. June Thompson/Clark
County Press
By June Thompson
Hot chocolate is a comforting beverage during winter for some. Yet lately, there
has been spring-like temperatures through the region.
But that did not stop local folks from enjoying a hot chocolate bar at the
Neillsville Public Library Jan. 29.
Sandy Mayer visited the library, helping herself to hot chocolate.
“My daughter told me there was hot chocolate here,” Sandy Mayer said.
Sandy Mayer did not just come for the beverage. She came for books and
socializing.
“My daughter, Leanne, got me into reading World War II history books,” Mayer
said. “‘The Book Thief’ is one of my favorites.”
Sandy Mayer read about the Holocaust and brave citizens who helped people.
“What would you do to save other people?” Sandy Mayer asked. “Could you have
that courage?”
Leanne Mayer, assistant librarian, recommended historical novels and drama.
“I’ll read historical fiction, then watch the movie,” Leanne Mayer said.
Leanne Mayer also likes graphic novels and is interested in the manga, a
Japanese graphic novel style notable for its serialized storytelling and the
fact each manga is read right-to-left.
“[The hot chocolate bar] was a good respite for this afternoon,” said library
director Janay Ziebell.
Ziebell invited the public to attend the library for events such as BYOBook
Club, held one Saturday every month. Patrons can bring a book from their
personal library and talk about what they are reading or want to read.
If certain books and movies are not readily available, the Neillsville Public
Library can try to get the materials through an interlibrary loan.
For more information about events, contact the Neillsville Public Library at
715-743-2558.
Obit: Potts, Rex
Allen (1959 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Potts
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/2024
Potts, Rex Allen (15 February 1959 – 18 January 2024)
Rex Allen Potts, 64, of Sparta, WI was called home on Jan. 18, 2024.
Rex was born Feb. 15, 1959, Storm Lake, IA, and grew up in Neillsville. After
high school, Rex served six years in the army. He was Specialist E4, radio
operator, 05C Trans Co., Germany from 1980-1984 and Senior Airman Air National
Guard 104th Fighter Wing, Westfield, MA., from 1984-1988. He also earned an
associate’s degree in science for telecommunications technology Later Rex worked
at Northern Engraving, Sparta, did carpentry for Becker Construction, Havel
Construction, Warrens. From 1997-2000 Rex worked for Sparta Manufacturing Co.,
Inc. as a welder, die setting and machinery operator and poured Iron, worked
shake-out and shot blaster.
Rex played guitar, cooking, loved growing his own vegetables and was a huge
outdoorsman, hunting, camping and fishing. He loved raising animals. Most of
all, loved his family and his dog, Cooper. Rex had a great sense of humor and a
heart of gold.
Rex is survived by his parents, Burton and Beverly Potts; two sons, Shantra, El
Paso, Texas, and Lon, Massachusetts; two sisters, Paula, Sioux Falls, and Peggy,
Sparta; two brothers, Raymond Potts, Neillsville, and Troy Potts, Sioux Falls;
and many nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
12
Obit: Swenson, Fern (1932 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Swenson, Acheson, Naedler, Aiken, Kaufman, Anderson
----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/2024
Swenson, Fern (11 February 1932 – 31 January 2024)
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Fern Swenson announces her passing on January 31, 2024, a few days short of 92, surrounded by loved ones and under the care of Heartland Hospice. Fern’s well-lived time here was marked by tenacity, practical sensibility, and wide-eyed wonder, which fueled a lifelong thirst for adventure.
Always up for a challenge, Fern never shied away from hard work. If something needed doing, she’d get it done. Even if getting it done meant teetering on a ladder and crashing headfirst through the oven glass door, or accidentally lighting the neighbor’s field on fire. Grit and determination defined her throughout life, as evidenced at age 75 on a Chicago bus during a snowstorm when she proclaimed to the young man offering his seat, “If you can stand, so can I!”
Fern was born February 11, 1932, to Hilbert and Hazel (Acheson) Naedler in Neillsville, and grew up on the family farm south of town. She attended St. John’s Lutheran school, and graduated Salutatorian from Neillsville High School. She went on to earn a degree in Home Economics Education from Stout Institute (now UW-Stout). After teaching in Michigan for two years, she returned home and married Calvin Swenson on June 15, 1955.
Fern spent her life eagerly learning and passing her knowledge to others, as a Clark County 4-H Agent for 2 years, teaching life skills at Sunburst Youth Home for 18 years, and then working with children and families at the Family Training Program in Clark County until retirement. She made an indelible impact on her students; shown through heartfelt letters she received years later. Much of her time outside of work was spent volunteering with 4-H, Cub Scouts, the American Cancer Society, and in retirement at the hospital gift shop. She served four years on the Neillsville Board of Education, 3 as treasurer. She was a founding member of the Neillsville Red Hat Society and was an active member of P.E.O. (Chapter DJ and Chapter EM) and Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville.
Fern and Cal spent 62 years in their beloved farmhouse overlooking the rolling hills west of Neillsville, where they raised their four children. When they became grandparents, Fern and Cal embraced their roles with gusto. Fern’s greatest delight was spending time with her grandchildren, happily climbing into the backseat of the minivan, asking one million questions, eyes sparkling at the sheer joy of being with her young companions. As the family grew, their home became the gathering place, filled with the warm smell of lovingly baked goodies and the joyous sound of laughter. Their magical home was where Fern imparted her wisdom on her grandchildren, patiently teaching them the art of baking, sewing, gardening, berry picking, and how to stop and notice the wondrous beauty of nature.
Physically and mentally active throughout life, Fern loved playing scrabble, playing bridge, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, hiking, canoeing, fishing, exploring, and above all, traveling. Lucky for Fern, Cal’s love for her outweighed his introverted homebody nature, and she dragged him across the globe on 41 Road Scholar trips. From sailing on a research vessel in Alaska, to inspecting mud huts in Kenya, to hiking to remote waterfalls in Brazil, and exploring Norway, her wanderlust was thoroughly realized.
Fern knew that the small things are the important things. Spending time with the ones you love, challenging your mind, trying hard things, serving others, marveling at nature, and fully experiencing the world around you are what this life is about.
Fern is survived by her children, Mark (Karen) of Plover, David (Linda) of Hubertus, Neil (Susan) of Stillwater, MN, Kay (Gregg) Aiken of Stevens Point, 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, a brother and sister-in-law, Alan (Darla) Naedler of Neillsville, and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jon (Rita) Swenson of Westfield.
Fern joins those who preceded her in death: her adoring husband Cal, her parents, grandparents, sister Merline Kaufman, brother-in-law John Kaufman, and great-granddaughter Ada who was one of Fern’s few matches in spunkiness and willpower. There’s no telling what adventures those two will cook up while they await the rest of us.
The family would like to thank the staff at Dimensions Living for the care provided to Fern over the past 5 ½ years. A memorial will be held at 11:00 am at The Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville on June 15 with visitation from 10:00 - 11:00, Pastor Chad Anderson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Fern Swenson, please visit our flower store.
