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Obit: Abel, Daniel (1860 - 1929)

Transcriber:  Stan

Surnames: Abel, Miller, Yilek Johnson Martin, Seidelman, Kiester, Kronberger, Shellman, Wedhl

----Source: NEILLSVILLE PRESS (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 10/17/1929

Abel, Daniel (10 OCT 1860 - 10 OCT 1929)

Daniel Abel of Abbotsford, Wis., formerly of Loyal, Clark County, Wis., was killed in an automobile accident on his sixty-ninth birthday, Oct. 10, 1929, near Algoma, Iowa.

David Abel was born Oct. 10, 1860 in the Province of Ontario, Canada. He came to the United States when a young man and soon became a citizen.

He was married at Pattersonville, Iowa in 1885 to Estella Miller. To this union were born four children, one dying in infancy. They lived in Rock Valley, Iowa until 1895, when they moved to Toledo, Iowa. In 1920 they came to Loyal, Wis., where his wife died Dec. 12, 1925. About a year ago he moved to Abbotsford.

He had been spending the winters in Florida and had stated south last Monday, going through Iowa, where he was intending to visit relatives and friends.

He leaves to mourn his loss two sons and one daughter: Harry of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and William of Des Moines, Iowa; and Mrs. Grace Yilek of Granton; also six grandchildren and two sisters, Mrs. Harry Johnson of Artesia, Calif., and Mrs. Mary Martin of Winona, Ont., Canada. Also other relatives and a host of friends.

He was a loving father and a devoted husband.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church in Loyal, Monday, Oct. 14th, at 2 o'clock, Rev. Wadding officiating. The pallbearers were the Messrs. M. Seidelman, W. Seidelman, Kiester, Kronberger, Shellman and Wedhl.

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Bio: Abel, Heidi Janell (Birth – 1965)

Transcriber: Dinah Reinke

Surnames: Abel, Uhlig, Klemetson

----Source: Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford and Colby, Clark Co., Wis.) 08/05/1965

Abel, Heidi Janell (19 JUL 1965)

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Abel of Abbotsford are the parents of a daughter born Monday, July 19, at Memorial hospital, Medford.  She weighed six pounds nine and one-half ounces and was named Heidi Janell.  Her grand parents are Mr. and Mrs. Emil Uhlig of rural Dorchester and Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Abel of Marshfield.  Mrs. Kate Klemetson of Curtiss is the maternal great grand mother and Mr. and Mrs. John Abel of Wisconsin Rapids are the paternal grand parents.

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Bio: Brorson, Dakota - Trains Lab to be Therapy Dog (2024)

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

Surnames: Brorson, Krejci

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/28/2024

Brorson, Dakota - Trains Lab to be Therapy Dog (2024)

By June Thompson

Dakota Brorson grew up with dogs. In April 2023, she got Nova, a chocolate English Labrador puppy. Nova was seven weeks old then, and recently celebrated her first birthday, Feb. 16.

“It’s the first time I’ve had a dog on my own,” said Brorson. “I wanted a dog and asked for a female. Nova was perfect for a therapy dog.”

Brorson acquired Nova from Winter Valley Labs, a Labrador breeder in Hatley.

“She was $1,800,” said Brorson.

Training a new puppy to be a therapy dog is a responsibility. The amount of training and testing takes months.

Brorson began training Nova when she was a puppy. It was the first time she has trained a dog.

“I wanted her to be a therapy dog,” Brorson said.

Brorson is a nurse, working in surgery recovery at Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield.

“I see patients under stress before surgery,” Brorson said.

When Nova passes her therapy dog test, she will be able to go with Brorson when Brorson is not working to the hospital as a therapy dog.

Nova’s early training began when Brorson took her to basic obedience class. After that, training included walking on a leash, sitting, staying, lying down, recall without distraction and reactions to distractions.

“Nova will also be tested on unusual situations—people using wheelchairs and walkers,” Brorson said.

Nova’s continual training has progressed to the extent of testing to be a therapy dog. The testing includes several categories.

“When you touch her, she can’t show aggression, pull on a leash or be shy,” said Brorson. “Nova has to sit and stay. When I walk six feet away, Nova must stay.

“She can’t take food without permission. She must meet dogs without aggressiveness.

“Nova is pretty mellow. She must have a good reaction to children—no jumping. She’s so good with kids.”

Brorson recently began training Nova at the O’Neill Ice Arena in Neillsville every Wednesday.

“I also do a lot of training at home,” said Brorson. “Nova will be going for more exams in Black River Falls, March 2.”
The exam is given by Courteous Canine LLC.

Brorson has had support with training Nova from fellow trainer, Mandy Krejci.

“[Krejci] has broadened my horizons for training,” Brorson said. “[Krejci] got me interested in training. She’s been a big help.”

After Nova completes her therapy dog training to be certified, Brorson has goals for her.

“I would like to take Nova to pediatrics and home visits,” Brorson said. “Nova loves children.”

A Therapy Dog International (TDI) certified evaluator will administer the test to Nova at emBARK dog training facility in Eau Claire March 10.

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Bio: Selves, Maggie and Bill - Donate to Neillsville FD (2024)

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

Surnames: Strangfeld, Selves

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/28/2024

Selves, Maggie and Bill Donate to Neillsville FD (2024)



Neillsville Fire Department first assistant chief Jeff Strangfeld (left) accepted a $5,000 donation from Maggie (middle) and Bill (right) Selves, Neillsville residents, which was used to purchase rescue struts used in stabilizing a vehicle in an accident. “The department added some of our funds and upgraded to tri-pod unit,” Strangfeld said. “[Bill Selves} and I have supported the fire department the past three or four years now,” Maggie Selves said. Since COVID-19, the Selves have chosen to stay close to home. “Since I take care of all our accounts, I said to Bill, why don’t we donate something to our fire department?” The Selves encourage others to consider supporting the local fire and rescue departments any way they can.

Nancy Curtin/Clark County Press

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Bio: Weyhmiller, Michael “Mick” (In Memory of a Snow Angel - 2024)

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

Surnames: Weyhmiller, Gilde

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/28/2024

Weyhmiller, Michael “Mick” (In Memory of a Snow Angel - 2024)



Michael “Mick” Weyhmiller’s family, (front, l-r) Dorothy Weyhmiller (mother), Janice Weyhmiller (widow), (back) Keith Weyhmiller (brother), Bethany Weyhmiller (daughter) and Keith Gilde (Bethany’s boyfriend), won Best of Show with Mick Weyhmiller’s 1972 Polaris Starfire sled at the Feb. 24 Loyal Snow Angels Snowmobile Club Vintage Sled Show. Mick Weyhmiller, who passed away in 2023, was a member of the Loyal Snow Angels Snowmobile Club, a founding member of the Spencer Sportsman’s Club, a longstanding member of the Elks Club #665, a former member of the Loyal Jaycees and spent years cooking at annual Loyal Corn Festival.

Submitted photo

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Church: Neillsville - St. John’s School Hosts Kids Carnival (2024)

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

Surnames: Allard, Kluess

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/28/2024

St. John’s School-Hosts Kids Carnival (2024)

By June Thompson

Neillsville’s Winter Carnival may have felt more like a Spring Carnival with the warm temperatures and no snow to some. Yet, the annual carnival was held anyway Feb. 23–25.

One of the events people could partake in was the Kids’ Carnival at St. John’s Lutheran School.

School principal Mike Allard helped at the event with his wife, Megan Allard, director of the Early Learning Center.

“About 100 kids attend,” Megan Allard said. “There are more people this year.”

The Allard’s hope the community will see the facility/school.

“And enjoy time together,” said Megan Allard.

There were several activities for the kids, including face painting, crafts, a football toss and a cake walk. Kids could make a heart-shaped sun catcher.

“Kids like to bounce [in the bounce house],” Megan Allard said. “They like the snow cones and cotton candy.”

Organizing the Kids Carnival began in December.

“The activities were put on by the Hands-In-Service Program, who are members of the congregation and kids’ parents,” said Megan Allard.

The Winter Carnival had other activities, as well. Young children and older folks attended several events. Some took part in the activities at the Kids Carnival held at St. John’s School.

Grandparent Tori Kluess brought her two granddaughters, Peyton, and Laramie.

“Peyton’s been waiting a week to go,” said Tori Kluess. “They go to the Early Learning Center. It’s a wonderful school. It’s great.”

Parent Nicole brought her two children, Bryton, and Adalyn to the Kids Carnival. It was their first year. The kids had their faces painted as a rainbow tiger and bunny, and they enjoyed eating snow cones.

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News: Loyal - Strong Bodies Class Helps Seniors (2024)

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

Surnames: Walters, Hall, Aumann

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/28/2024

Loyal-Strong Bodies Class Helps Seniors (2024)



Lois Aumann of Loyal lifts weights during the Strong Bodies class held Feb. 22 at Loyal Public Library. June Thompson/Clark County Press

By June Thompson

The Strong Bodies exercise program, held at the Loyal Public Library two days a week, focuses on helping the senior population remain strong and active.

Substitute teacher Crystal Walters, a family living educator in human development and relations for the Clark County-UW Extension, taught the class. Library director Teresa Hall is the current teacher.

The purpose of this class is to increase muscle mass and prevent osteoporosis.

“It helps with fall prevention and helps with strength,” said Walters. “It also helps with weight maintenance and social interaction.”

Walters is a coordinator for the program. She plans to have more classes.

“I’m working on getting classes in Neillsville,” Walters said.

There are classes in Granton and Greenwood and, this summer, the Colby Senior Care Center will have classes.
Walters is looking for instructor volunteers. Applicants must attend a training class.

Strong Bodies is also known as Strong Women Strength Training. It is a nationally and internationally evidence-based community strength training program.

The original research examined the effects of strength training on bone density and factors for osteoporosis.

Some of the exercises include lifting weights, squatting on a chair and using dumbbells. Warm-up exercises include standing up and sitting down on a chair, walking up and down a flight of stairs, or marching in place for five minutes.
The benefits include arthritic relief, balance, bone strengthening, glucose control, healthy state of mind and sleep improvement.

Strong Bodies class meets Monday and Thursday 9:30–10:30 a.m. at the Loyal Public Library. For more information, contact Crystal Walters at 715-743-5121.

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News: Neillsville - American Legion Holds Third Polar Plunge (2024)

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

Surnames: Louis

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/28/2024

Neillsville American Legion Holds Third Polar Plunge (2024)

By L.B., reporter

The Neillsville American Legion held its 3rd annual Polar Plunge to support pledge members and the Special Olympics.

“We go around to clubs and get pledges and a share of the profits goes to them,” Craig Louis, vice president of the Neillsville-Granton Trailblazers, said. “We raise money, and a percentage goes back to the clubs with pledges.”

Several community groups joined the plunge including the Neillsville FCCLA, Living Hope and Miss Neillsville.

Louis participated in the plunge with his fellow Trailblazers.

“It’s not that bad; get me a Coors Lite and it’d be a hot tub,” Louis said.

The Neillsville American Legion will hold the Polar Plunge again next year to continue their support of the community and the Special Olympics.

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News: Neillsville - Winter Carnival Announces Winners (2024)

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

Surnames: Friemoth, Walter, Hansford, Bottlemy, Boon

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/28/2024

Neillsville Winter Carnival Announces Winners (2024)



The winners of the Miss Winter Carnival Pageant were Jaidyn (Tiny Winter Miss Carnival), Jayce (Little Miss Winter Carnival), Ryann Walter (Miss Congeniality) and Isabelle Hansford, Miss Winter Carnival Princess. Submitted photo

By June Thompson

One of the highlights of Neillsville’s Winter Carnival was the Winter Carnival Pageant held at Fannie’s Supper Club, Feb. 23.

The venue had changed from the Neillsville High School due to construction at the school.

Coordinator Michelle Friemoth has been involved with the Winter Carnival Pageant since 2018. She started getting ready for the pageant four months ago.

“My biggest vision is to keep girls interested in these things,” said Friemoth.

There were three age groups competing.

“The Tiny Miss Winter Carnival and Little Miss Winter Carnival are brand-new this year,” said Friemoth.

The third group was Miss Winter Carnival Princess. Girls, ages four to 15, competed for the titles.

Friemoth’s goal is to keep the program going.

“It’s not a beauty pageant,” Friemoth said. “It’s to teach girls confidence. It’s about them finding their own voice and trying new things.”

Riley Hebert from Central Wisconsin Broadcasting was Master of Ceremonies. He asked each contestant why she wanted to be in the pageant.

The four contestants for Miss Winter Carnival Princess gave their answers
.
First contestant, Izzabel Hansford, described herself as being “kind, funny and smart.”

“I like to be kind to kids at school,” Hansford said.

“It was a good opportunity,” second contestant, Jayda Bottlemy said. “It would be fun.”

Third contestant, Natalie Boon, mentioned she wanted to be “more involved and meet new people in the community.”

Fourth contestant, Ryann Walter, said she wanted to be “more active in the community.”

Before the judging, Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni held a drawing to award scholarships for graduates to study agriculture education.

Winners of the Miss Winter Carnival Pageant were Jaidyn, Tiny Miss Winter Carnival; Jayce, Little Miss Winter Carnival; Ryann Walter, Miss Congeniality; and Izzabel Hansford, Miss Winter Carnival Princess.

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News: Neillsville - Winter Festival Breakfast Hosted by American Legion (Feb 2024)

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

Surnames: Buska

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/28/2024

Neillsville-Winter Festival Breakfast (American Legion - 2024)

By L.B., reporter

The Neillsville American Legion hosted their annual pancake breakfast Feb. 25. The breakfast served as a fundraiser for the Neillsville American Legion.

“We’ve been doing this for many, many years,” Brittany Buska, waitress and bartender of the Neillsville American Legion said. “I’ve worked here for forever and we’ve been doing it for longer than that.”

A pool competition was held alongside the breakfast. Competitors from all over the county and beyond joined to compete against other professionals.

The breakfast attendees listened to the chatter from the competition and ate a variety of pancakes, eggs, sausage and condiments at their disposal. Many pool players joined the breakfast to fuel up for the competition.

The breakfast will be hosted by the Neillsville American Legion again next year.

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Obit: Mnichowicz, Dennis LeRoy (1944 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Mnichowicz, Pawlik, Voigtlander, Vandenberg, Ashbeck, Fuchs, Kobylarczyk

----Source: Cuddies Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 2/28/2024

Mnichowicz, Dennis LeRoy (1 July 1944 – 25 February 2024)

Dennis LeRoy Mnichowicz, age 79 of Thorp, passed away in the presence of his family in his home on February 25, 2024.

Dennis LeRoy Mnichowicz was born July 1, 1944, in the township of Maplehurst, Lublin, to the late Anton of Poland, and Anna (Pawlik) of Ukraine Mnichowicz. He was raised on the family farm and attended area schools, graduating from Owen-Withee High School in 1962.

After graduating from high school Dennis worked on the family farm and at Owen Dairy. He moved to Chicago, IL for a short amount of time where he lived with his aunt and worked at Allied Electronics. Because of his dissatisfaction with life in the big city, he returned to Lublin, to work again on the family farm. Dennis was later employed at R-Way Furniture in Sheboygan and once again he returned to the family farm as the farm life was calling to him.

Dennis’ neighbor encouraged him to apply to Taylor County Teachers College (TCTC) in Medford, with her to study education. Dennis graduated from TCTC with a certificate in Elementary Education. He was certified to teach kindergarten through 8th grade. He was employed by the Stanley Boyd Area Schools where he taught 6th grade at Boyd Elementary School for nine years. While he taught school, he continued his education at Mount Senario College in Ladysmith, where he graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Social Studies. He also completed various courses through UW Stevens Point that were also offered in Medford at Taylor County Teachers College.

Dennis always wanted to own his own farm. He enjoyed life in the country, and he wanted to have the freedom of being his own boss. In 1973 he purchased a small farm outside of Lublin, where he worked the land and continued to teach at Boyd Elementary School.

On August 18, 1973, Dennis was united in marriage to Ruth Voigtlander at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lublin. Dennis later sold the first farm that he purchased in Lublin and bought the current farm outside of Thorp. Dennis farmed for many years up until 2010 when he sold his cattle and retired. He always joked that he had a “Ph D. in farming”, and he said that he did what he always wanted to do with his life.

Dennis had a wide variety of interests and hobbies. He loved to read, and he accumulated many books throughout his life that he shared with others. He also donated money to the Thorp Public Library on a yearly basis for many years. Dennis also enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, playing chess, bee keeping, gardening, collecting and making knives, rock collecting, polishing rocks, ham radio, and spending time with his family and loyal dog Benny the Border Collie and his favorite cat, Gabby.

Dennis loved to joke around. His sense of humor was unique to those who knew him.

Dennis will be missed every day by his daughters whom he encouraged throughout their lives to study and to reach for their goals. He will also be missed by his two granddaughters who he would ask, “What did you learn in school today?” and when they would say not much, he would say, “That’s why you have to go back tomorrow.”

Dennis is survived by his former spouse Ruth of Thorp, three daughters: Kimberly Mnichowicz of Milwaukee, Mary Mnichowicz of Chicago, IL, and Carolyn Mnichowicz of Menomonie, two granddaughters Sophia and Mia Mnichowicz also of Menomonie; two brothers: James (Anita) Mnichowicz of Gilman and Tony Mnichowicz of Gilman, sisters- in-law: Theresa Mnichowicz of Roselle, IL and Georgette Vandenberg of Mercer; nieces: Heidi (Ryan) Ashbeck of Greenwood, Cherie Fuchs of Roselle, IL, and Karen Mnichowicz of Roselle, IL; and nephew: Carl Vandenberg (Lori) of Ironwood, Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Antoinette (Louis Kobylarczyk), his brother Leon, and three siblings that passed away in infancy, Jeanette, Gabriel, and Joseph. He was also preceded in death by his nephew Matthew Vandenberg of Mercer.

The Family would like to thank Mayo Clinic Health System La Crosse, ICU nurses and doctors as well as St. Croix Hospice who gave exceptional care during his last moments at the farm.