1

Bio: Rogers, Evelyn (Engagement – Sep 1977)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Rogers, Kilty

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 05 Oct 1977

Mr. and Mrs. Anton Rogers, Route 1, Thorp, announce the engagement of their daughter Evelyn, to Randall Kilty, son of Mrs. Lorraine Kilty, Colby.

Miss Rogers is a 1975 graduate of Thorp High School and will be a 1978 graduate of St. Joseph’s School of Nursing at Marshfield.

Her fiancé graduate in 1969 from Colby High School, and is employed at Wisconsin Homes in Marshfield.

They have chosen September 23, 1978 as their wedding date.

2

Obit: Keaser, August E. (1898 – 1977)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Keaser, Loehrke, Wannemacher

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 05 Oct 1977

Keaser, August E. (16 Feb 1898 – 02 Oct 1977)

August E. Keaser, 79, died Sunday at 9:25 p.m. at the Continental Manor, Abbotsford.

Funeral services were held October 5, 1977 at Christ Lutheran Church, Abbotsford. The Rev. Kenneth Loehrke officiated. Burial was in the Abbotsford Cemetery.

He was born February 16, 1898 in Russia. He came to the United States with his parents in 1904. They settled in Athens, where they farmed. On November 9, 1946 he was married to Margaret Wannemacher at Athens.

He was a railroad worker for over 53 years, working in many cities and towns in a number of states. He moved back to Abbotsford in 1966.

He is survived by his wife and one brother, Gottlieb Keaser, Abbotsford. He was preceded in death b a daughter, a sister and two brothers.

3

Obit: Schmitt, Gwendolyn (1961? – 1977)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Schmitt, Hussong, Harrell

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 12 Oct 1977

Schmitt, Gwendolyn (1961? – 4 Oct 1977)

Gwendolyn Schmitt, 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Schmitt, was killed October 4, 1977 when the car she was driving lost control and rolled over.

She was travelling alone at the time of the accident, and was enroute from work and Mr. B’s, Abbotsford when the accident occurred. It happened about a quarter mile from her home at Route 1, Colby.

She was rushed to the Colby Clinic, but was pronounced dead there. A broken neck was ruled as the cause of death.

According to the accident report filled out by Marathon County officials, she was headed south on a town road one mile south of Highway 29 when the 1963 Rambler she was operating last control, entered the ditch on the left side of the road, came out, skidded and rolled over. Officers estimated that she proceeded in the ditch for about 120 yards before coming back on the dirt road.

The car then skidded about 80 feet along the road before the right wheels dug in and the car rolled over at least twice before coming to rest on its top.

Schmitt was thrown about 40 feet in one direction, while the back axle was tossed about 30 feet in the other direction. Parts of the car were spread along the road, with other pieces relocated in the driver’s compartment.

Colby Abbotsford Officer Bill Hussong and Harrell were the first policemen on the scene, but official reports had to be filled out by Marathon County officers. They said that speed too fast for the conditions was the major reason the mishap occurred.

Schmitt was a junior at Colby High School and was very active in school activities. Services were held Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Colby.

4

Bio: Mellenthin, Dan/Berna Jo – Open New Business in Colby (Oct 1977)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Mellenthin

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 12 Oct 1977

Dan and Berna Jo Mellenthin returned to Colby in June with the intention of setting up their own business. Today D & B Designs stands as a testimony to the dream they brought back with them from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Their new business, located at 125 South First, features handmade articles for the home. Dan does woodworking of all sorts, and works with stained glass, while Berna Joe macramé and works on oil painting.

Mellenthin’s most popular articles are custom children’s furniture he makes. He has created a giraffe coat rank, an elephant dressing bench, a lion clothes hamper, and a rocking stool to complement to complement a rocking chair. The children’s furniture is simple plywood construction with comfort and creativity the trademark. The Mellenthins would rather create custom pieces than preparing a large inventory.

He also works with stained glass, and pieces will be available ranging from $40 to $400. Popular wall mounts for candles, plants, picture, mirrors or nearly anything you might want on a wall are also now available. “Just about all my stuff will have a natural wood finish, detracting from the character of the wood. I use stain, varnish and tung oil,” he said.

Mellenthin admits, “It’s been more of a venture than we had anticipated. It takes an outside income to keep it going. But more and more people are turning to modern and non-traditional.

Berna Joe does macramé and paints along the same local crafts she learned during their stay in New Mexico. Macramé hanging end table and planters are now on display.

The Mellenthins came back to Colby to escape the big city, so their son, Jereme, 3, could be closer to his grandparents. They even bashfully admit to missing the snow while in Albuquerque. “It was nice to see the leaves turn colors this year,” Berna Jo said.

5

BioM: Myszka, Joyce Marie (1977)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Myszka, Binning, Langer, Miskulin, Andrew, Heber, Andrew

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 12 Oct 1977

Myszka, Joyce Marie (1 Oct 1977)

Joyce Marie Myszka, Abbotsford, and Gary Clifford Binning, Unity, exchanged vows Saturday, October 1, 1977 at the Holy Family Church in Poniatowski. The Rev. Thomas Langer performed the 2 p.m. rites. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Binning, Unity, and Mr. and Mrs. Leo Myszka, Athens.

Attendants were Mrs. Betty Miskulin, maid of honor; and Mrs. Donna Andrew, Marshfield, bridesmaid. Joe Hebert, Unity, was best man, with Glenn Myszka, Athens, as groomsman. Completing the wedding party were ushers, Dale Andrew, Marshfield, and Gerald Myszka, Athens.

A long flowing white A-line gown with a high waist and scooped neck was worn by the bride. The dress featured a crepe underlining with chiffon over skirting accented with lace throughout the lower skirt and long full puffy cuffed sleeves. A layered lace headpiece held her veil. She carried gold baby roses, white carnations, and white baby’s breath, accented with ivy leaves.

Her attendants wore long gowns with high waist and spaghetti straps with a chiffon jacket. They wore baby’s breath flowers in their hair and each carried a bouquet of green tinted carnations, gold baby’s breath, and roses.

A reception, dinner and dance followed the ceremony.

The bride is a 1972 graduate of Athens High School and the bridegroom graduated from Colby High School in 1971.

The couple will live in Abbotsford.

6

Obit: Johnson, Rev. Thure A. (1889 – 1977)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Johnson, Venzke, Asplund, Jensen, Engstrand, Mantik, Mandigo

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 12 Oct 1977

Johnson, Rev. Thure A. (17 Apr 1889 – 4 Oct 1977)

Rev. Thure A. Johnson, 88, Bisbee, Arizona, died at 11:40 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 1977, at Bisbee.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 10 at the gospel Tabernacle Church, Withee. Rev. Daniel Venzke officiated. Burial followed in the Abbotsford Public Cemetery.

Friends called on Sunday at Kraut-Maurina Funeral Home, Abbotsford.

Thure Alfred Johnson was born April 17, 1889 in Sweden. He came to the U.S. in 1908 to Kasota, Minnesota. He married the former Agnes Asplund on August 2, 1914 at Wilton, North Dakota. He attended the Chicago Theological Seminary and in 1945 was ordained into the Methodist Ministry. He served churches in North and South Dakota. He also served with Assembly of God Churches in North Dakota and Wisconsin. His last ministerial stay was at the Bisbee Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Colby, two sons, Wesley Johnson, Chula Vista, California and Phillip Johnson, San Gabriel, California; 5 daughters, Mrs. Elmer (Lillian) Jensen, Abbotsford; Mrs. Arnold (Florence) Engstrand, Bismarck, North Dakota; Mrs. Rueben (Violet) Mantik, Eau Claire; Mrs. Alvin (Vanie) Venzke, Abbotsford, and Mrs. Wilbur (Lala) Mandigo, Lakeport, California.

Johnson had thirty-three grandchildren and twenty-nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son.

7

BioA: Geary, Mr./Mrs. Clarence (53rd – 1977)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Geary, Nenzel, Thorson, Nicks

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 12 Oct 1977

Geary, Mr./Mrs. Clarence (53rd – Oct 1977)

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Geary had as guests at their home Sunday, in honor of their 53rd anniversary, their son and family from Baraboo, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Geary, 2 two daughters and a grandson, Eau Claire; a daughter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Nenzel and daughter Susan; a granddaughter and husband from Wausau, Mr. and Mrs. Konrad Thorson and Walter Nicks, Medford, and daughter Dorothy, at home.

8

Bio: Newmann, Ronald W. – Completes Naval Recruit Training (Oct 1977)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Newmann

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 12 Oct 1977

Navy Fireman Ronald W. Newmann, son of Mrs. Freidrich Newmann,, Route 1, Curtiss, has completed recruit training at the Naval Training Center, San Diego.

During the eight week training cycle, he studied general military subjects designed to prepare him for further academics and on the job training in one of the Navy’s 85 basic occupational fields.

Included in his studies were seamanship, close order drill, naval history, and first aid.

He joined the Navy in July 1977.

9

Obit: Fitzlaff, Herman (1891 – 1977)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Fitzlaff, Golz, Hoeft

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 12 Oct 1977

Fitzlaff, Herman (5 Feb 1891 – 6 Oct 1977)

Herman Fitzlaff, Medford, passed away at 4 a.m. Thursday, October 6, 1977 at the Clark County Health Care Center in Owen. Fitzlaff was 86.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 8 at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Dorchester. Rev. Roland Golz officiated. Burial followed in Dorchester Memorial South Cemetery. Friends called Friday at Kraut-Maurina Funeral Home at Dorchester.

He was born February 5, 1891 in Dorchester. He farmed in the town of Mayville and worked for the Soo Line railroad on a section crew. He married the former Elsie Hoeft on November 24, 1957 at Dorchester. After their marriage they moved to the Town of Little Black.

He was a member of St. Peters Lutheran Church. His wife survives. Fitzlaff was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

10

Obit: Aumann, Donald A. (? - 2008)

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

Surnames: Aumann, Pflughoeft, Bira, Parker

----Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI) 11/8/2008

Aumann, Donald A. (? - 6 November 2008)

Aumann, Donald A. was born to Eternal Life Thurs., Nov. 6, 2008, at the age of 77 years.

He was a loving husband of Betty (nee Pflughoeft). loving father of Janis (Dwayne) Bira and David. loving grandpa of William Parker III (Krystal) and Nicole Parker. loving son of Anna Aumann. He is further survived by other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his father, Claude and brother, Marvin.

Don was born in the town of York near Neillsville. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a member of Redeemer United Church of Christ. He worked at Allis-Chalmers for 35 years until retirement.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 9 from 3 P.M. until time of Service at 5 P.M., at Redeemer United Church of Christ, W220 N4915 Town Line Road, Sussex. Private burial will take place at Lisbon Central Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials made to Redeemer UCC are greatly appreciated.

Schmidt & Bartelt A. A. Schmidt & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services Sussex (262) 246-4774. www.schmidtandbartelt.com.

11

Obit: Schlicht, Sylvia Jean (1956 - 2023)

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

Surnames: Schlicht, Dunn, Stenberg, Hinze, Kling, Kasten, Christianson, Affeldt

----Source: Kratz Funeral Home (Portage, Columbia Co., WI) 10/27/2023

Schlicht, Sylvia Jean (7 January 1956 - 22 October 2023) With Flag

Sylvia J Schlicht, 67, of Hatfield, passed away on October 22, 2023, surrounded by her family.

After graduating high school Sylvia enlisted in the Air Force. She later joined the Army Reserves as Sergeant First Class. After her time in the military, she had a daycare in her home.

Sylvia settled in DeForest where she raised her two children, Kelly and Kim. Sylvia retired in Hatfield where she enjoyed gardening, being outdoors, and making family photo books. She was a true animal lover and cared for her pets including five dogs and two cats.

Sylvia was an exceptional Mother and Grandmother. She cared deeply for her family. Sylvia's memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.

She is preceded in death by her parents and niece Casey Stenberg. She is survived by her significant other Lloyd Dunn, children Kelly Schlicht (Becky), Kim Hinze (Tyrone); and three grandchildren Kristian, Kayla, and Kayden. She is also survived by her four sisters Treasa Kling (David), Esther Kasten (Scott), Claudene Christenson (Gary), Betty Affeldt (Quinn), nieces, and nephews.

A military service with full honors will be held at the Highland Cemetery, her final resting place, on November 3 at 10:30. Followed by a visitation at the VFW 7591 on Cottage Grove Rd in Madison 11:00 a.m.to 1:00 p.m.

We would like to thank the Marshfield Hospital staff for their compassion and excellent care.

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