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News: Colby (Hull Holton Farmers Union Juniors -1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Schmidt, Kunze, Schultz, Horacek, Schrieber, Boxrucker, Wussow, Anderson, Haas, Wunrow

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (23 December 1983)

COLBY - Several awards were presented at the Christmas party and achievement night of the Hull-Holton Farmers Union Juniors.

Senior pins for years in the club went to Carol Schmidt, and Theresa Kunze, each 4 years; Amy Schultz and Dawn Horacek, each 3 years, and Diane Schmidt, Julie Schrieber and Sherri Horacek, each 2 years.

Junior pins went to Kim Boxrucker and Barbara Kunze, 5 years; Tammy Horacek, 2 years; Kelly Wussow, 3 years, and Leroy Anderson and Tina Anderson, each 1 year.

Leaders recognized were Theresa Kunze and Elaine Schultz, 4 years; Marion Haas and Doris Wunrow, 13 years; Licianne Kunze, 12 years and Evelyn Haas, 15 years.

The night also included games, a visit from Santa Claus and refreshments.

A Christmas play was presented and Dianne Schmidt and Theresa Kunze read Christmas poems. Barbara Kunze and Kim Boxrucker played a flute duet.

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News: Colby (Cub Scout Pack 383 - 1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Edblom, Crook, Sobeck, Brumbaugh, Diedrich

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (23 December 1983)

Members of Colby Cub Scout Pack 383 earned awards which were presented at the recent meeting.

Those earning honors were David Edblom, bobcat; Brad Cook, one silver arrow; Travis Sobeck, a silver and a gold arrow; Ryan Sobeck, naturalist pin; and Cory Brumbaugh, athlete, engineer and outdoorsman.

Songs were sung and dinner served by the den mothers. Santa Clause distributed gifts. Mary Diedrich provided a birthday cake.

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Bio: Hoffman, Gloria (Christmas Memories - 1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hoffman, Hardrath

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (24 December 1983)

Like so many families 35 years ago, money was not plentiful, but the love was always there. It was there because we had to use our imagination and create our fantasies of Christmas and we did it together, making a lasting bond of sisterly and brotherly love.

As in all families, sisters born close together usually are treated as twins. If your parents bought a doll for one girl, they would buy the same kind for the other girl so the two could play together without a hassle.

So it was with my sister and me. She was two years older, so she was always in command. When we lived in the southern part of the state, our Christmas vacations as children featured ice skating, skiing, or just rumbling around in the snow. One Christmas, we received pretty red purses to carry our prayer book to church. Mom always had problems with us in church. We would giggle and laugh, so she would have to sit between us to keep us quiet. The worst Christmas as the year I had to wear dark glasses to look at the Christmas tree. My cheeks were swollen with a bad case of the mumps. Even then, my sister was there to play or fight with me to help me to forget my painfully swollen face.

The mystery of Santa Clause, Santa's helpers reading the letters to Santa over the radio, the ringing of the church bells announcing our Savior's Birth, blanket of softly falling snow, and a living room glowing with Christmas lights that was a typical Christmas.

Our favorite Christmas was the time Santa Claus was tip-toeing down the attic stairs (which was next to our bedroom) and gingerly dropped an armful of toys. We both laughed, then crawled under the covers, because if he knew we knew, we wouldn't get anything for Christmas. That's what my sister told me, anyhow.

As timed passed, we both married, had our own families and celebrated our Christmas apart, until Christmas of 1981.

It started in the spring of the year with an operation. Then on through the summer we hoped, we prayed, and we had faith, like they told us so often in church when we were little girls. By August, on her birthday, her hair was falling out. It would be her last birthday, so she said. We cried, we took pictures, we laughed, we tried to have faith and we hung on to hope.

Thanksgiving came. Her trips to and from the hospital were numerous. I would visit, we would talk about old times and new times and Christmas. We went shopping for new blouses, we had faith. We stopped for lunch, but she couldn't eat so much anymore because of the medication. We lost hope, we laughed, we cried, we loved, we still had faith. She was failing. It was my turn to be in command.

She was taken back into the hospital again. I took her a Christmas tree made of feathers I had made, along with two wooden ornaments, two little girls on a sleigh - just like we were years ago, I told her - and a pretty angel. She wanted wanted wooden ornaments on her tree this year. I told her she would go home for Christmas and put the ornaments on the tree herself. We still had faith.

They gave her extra medication so she could go home for Christmas, her last wish. Mom was with her and her family was there. I was home with my family. I called and talked to her, told her I loved her, told her good-bye. She couldn't hold the phone anymore,she was too weak, my Mother told me. I cried. Hope was gone, Now faith left me also.

They were our last words together, on Christmas, our favorite holiday. It was her last Christmas. She died two days later.Now two years later, I most renew the faith and hope I had lot. Along with the joys of Christmas, come the sorrow of her passing. I must have faith in the New Year and hope for new and happier memories of Christmas.

Gloria Hoffman and her husband, Herman, live east of Colby in the little town of Cherokee. They have five children, Pauline, Laurene, Colleen, Joeline and Herman. She is 7th district senior vice-president and an active member of the Colby VFW Auxiliary.

She adds: "When my sister (Bonnie Hardrath) died of cancer last December (1981), I realized death is untimely. I had not really done my share of helping. As a district officer of the VFW Auxiliary, I will be helping a great organization because of its monetary dedication to cancer aid and research."

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News: Loyal (Santa visit - 1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Schober, Noeldner

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (24 December 1983)

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause were a little south of the North Pole Tuesday when they came to Loyal to visit some developmentally disabled children at a Christmas party in a Loyal home. They were spotted walking to their waiting sleigh and reindeer.

In actuality, it was Evelyn Schober as Santa and Rose Noeldner as Mrs. Santa, both of Loyal. They caused a few double-takes from onlookers as they walked down a sidewalk along Highway 98 on the way back to their car after the party.

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News: Abbotsford (Nutrition Center - 1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Petrich, Ohlinger, Brunkhorst, Savage, Laack, Ven Rooy, Gilles, Kayhart, Brecker, Pabisch, Neidhold, Hanson, Kralcik, Novak, Rahn, Hause

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (24 December 1983)

ABBOTSFORD - More than 60 persons attended the Christmas and birthday party recently of the Abbotsford Nutrition Center at Green Vista Apartments.

Those with December birthdays honored were Marie Petrich, December 8; Joyce Ohlinger, 11; George Hanson, 13; Jim Brunkhorst, 17; Bill Savage, 25 and Elizabeth Laack, 31.

Game prizes went to Elva Ven Rooy, Helen Gilles, Ethel Kayhart, Hattie Brecker, Frank Pabisch and Dorothy Neidhold, George Hanson, Tony Kralcik, Josephine Novak and Clara Rahn.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hause received a prize for being the oldest couple.

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Bio: King, Sydney - April Junior Kiwanian (2023)

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

Surnames: King

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/10/2023

Sydney King April Junior Kiwanian (2023)



Sydney King was the Neillsville Kiwanis Club’s Junior Kiwanian for the month of April, selected for her activity in extra-curricular clubs, her participation in BLAST and FFA, and serving as a manager of a sports program. Submitted photo

Continuing a tradition of more than 60 years which recognizes the achievements of the community’s youth, the Neillsville Kiwanis Club was introduced to senior student Sydney King as it Junior Kiwanian for the month of April. She is the daughter of Jason and Wendi King, and participated in the club’s meetings during the month.

Sydney is a member of the Spanish Club, Creative Writing Club and Book Club. She is active in Being a Leader and Standing Tall (BLAST) and Future Farmers of America (FFA), Athletic involvement includes gymnastics and serving as a manager for the hocky program. In the community, she volunteers at the local food pantry, assists with CCD and is a member of Schoenstatt.

Following graduation, King has plans to attend St. Olaf College, where she will work toward a degree in classics, with minors in sociology and history. Her goal is to find a career that will lead to lifelong learning.

The Neillsville Kiwanis Club welcomes King as its Junior Kiwanian, and wishes her continued success in the future.

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BioM: Marriage Licenses (May - 2023)

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

Surnames: Hoover, Fox, Clark, McPherson, Borgeson, Bogseth

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/10/2023

Marriage Licenses (May - 2023)

Matthew B. Hoover, Town of Hoard to MaryJane N. Fox, Town of Colby, May 25, at Town of Colby.

Jeremy A. Clark, to Jessica M. McPherson, both of Loyal, May 17, at Town of Dewhurst.

David A. Borgeson, to Brooklynne M. Bogseth, both of the Town of Longwood, May 13, at Town of Hixon.

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News: Owen - Flowers Sprouting (2023)

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

Surnames: Allanson, Hallin, Duesterbeck

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/10/2023

Flowers Sprouting in Owen (2023



The Little Wild Flowers Child Care Center, 214 N. Central Ave., Owen, officially opened its doors May 5. (l-r) Phoebe Allanson, Michelle Hallin (owner), McKenna Duesterbeck and Abigail Allanson will teach and care for children ages six weeks to 12 years old. Hallin wanted to give back to the community. Edward DuBois/Clark County Press

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News: Neillsville-Men’s Club Recognized (2023)

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

Surnames: Bayuk, Subke

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/10/2023

Neillsville-Men’s Club Recognized (2023)



April 19, Edward Bayuk (l), board member of Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors, a non-profit organization in Willard, presented a plaque to Butch Subke, president of Neillsville Men’s Club, for over 10 years of sponsorship. The Neillsville Men’s Club started sponsoring Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors because they help disabled hunters of all ages. Submitted photo

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Obit: Gaier, Gerald Joseph “Tuffy” (1930 - 2023)

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

Surnames: Gaier, Bloomer. Amundson, Hake, Hatleli

----Source: Torgerson Funeral Home (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI) 5/14/2023

Gaier, Gerald Joseph “Tuffy” (6 January 1930 – 10 May 2023) With Flag

Gerald Joseph (Tuffy) Gaier, age 93, of Black River Falls died on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at the Black River Memorial Hospital.

He was born on January 6, 1930, in Colby, the son of Charles and Regina (Bloomer) Gaier. He married his beloved wife, Betty Amundson, on October 13, 1951, at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Black River Falls. Tuffy and Betty were able to celebrate 67 wonderful years together.

Tuffy graduated from eighth grade from the Kurth School in Clark County, in 1944. Instead of attending the city high school in Neillsville Tuffy immediately went to work for his father doing different construction work and building concrete silos. Tuffy worked at many different jobs throughout his life before coming back to work at Gaier Construction in the late 1960s in partnership with his brother, Harold (Duffy) Gaier. Tuffy later purchased the business and became the sole owner in 1975. Tuffy’s work was his passion, and he loved serving his customers and caring for his employees.

Tuffy joined the Wisconsin National Guard in 1947 and served until 1949 when he was struck with polio. In 1952 he was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War, and was stationed in Germany working in military intelligence. He was honorably discharged in 1956. Being called to serve was a great source of pride for Tuffy, and developed in him a deep love of his country.

Tuffy is survived by three sons, James (Brenda) Gaier, John (Karen) Gaier, and Joseph (Melissa) Gaier. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. He’s also survived by his twin brother Harold (Duffy) Gaier. Tuffy is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; one sister, Charlotte (Hake) Gaier; and brothers, LaVerne Gaier and Jerome Gaier.

Tuffy enjoyed reading newspapers and magazines, flying his plane, collecting old cars and other old collectibles, driving in parades to advertise his company, and going out to area restaurants and dances with Betty. Tuffy loved his work, and he loved helping others with anything they needed. He loved life and he always looked for the best in everyone. He will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorial donations be made to either the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Black River Falls, or Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville where Tuffy and Betty spent time in worship.

Funeral services for Tuffy will take place Thursday, May 18, 2023, at the Black River Falls Evangelical Lutheran Church at 3:00 p.m. Pastor Jenny Hatleli will officiate. Friends and family are invited to visitation from 12:00 p.m. until time of services.

The Torgerson’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, 715-284-4321.

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School: Greenwood Teachers Honored (2023)

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

Surnames: Jacoby, Wehrs, Lilly, Green

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/10/2023

Greenwood Teachers Honored (2023)



Above, Greenwood Elementary second-grade teacher Stacia Jacoby (middle left) and middle/high school physical education and health teacher Penny Wehrs (middle right) were honored as two of the area’s Crystal Apple Award Teachers of Distinction. They are pictured with Greenwood Elementary School Principal Shane Lilly (far left) and Greenwood District Administrator/7-12 principal Joe Green (far right). Photo below, are members of the School District of Greenwood staff who attended the banquet May 4 to support and celebrate the educators honored. Submitted photos

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School: Owen-Withee - Prevail Bank Donates $5,000 (2023)

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

Surnames: Cihlar, Susa

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/10/2023

Prevail Donates $5,000 to O-W School District (2023)



Matt Cihlar (left), Owen-Withee 6-12 principal, accepts a donation from Linda Susa, Prevail Bank vice president, mortgage loan originator and branch manager. Submitted photo

Prevail Bank donated $5,000 to the Owen-Withee (O-W) School District in support of its building project. The O-W High School is converting the high school’s former cafeteria into a community and school use fitness center.

The funds provided were part of Previl Bank’s Charitable Contributions program. The program is available tor local non-profits that help local people in need, especially those with low-to-moderate incomes, stimulate communities financially, and/or enhances the standard of living of those less fortunate.

If an organization is interested in applying for funds for a major initiative, they can visit www.Prevail.bank/resources/community.