1

Obit: Makkonen, Oscar (1915 – 1978)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Makkonen, Yaggie, Blum, Wilke, Pawlukiewicz, Poppe, Gehrke, Stigsen, Forman, Devito, Lurvey, Liimatta

----Source: Owen Enterprise (13 Sep 1978)

Makkonen, Oscar (4 Nov 1915 – 7 Sep 1978)

Oscar Makkonen, age 62, of Withee, died on Thursday, September 7, 1978 at a hospital in Harrison, Arkansas, where he had moved two weeks before his death.

Funeral services were held in his memory at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 11, 1978 at the Maurina Funeral Home in Owen, with Rev. Lloyd Yaggie officiating. He was buried at Riverside Cemetery, where graveside military services were conducted.

The pallbearers were Richard Blum, Verlyn Wilke, Walt Pawlukiewicz, Don Poppe, Don Gehrke and Thorvald Stigsen.

Oscar Makkonen was born on November 4, 1915 in the Town of Hoard, and was married to the former Verna Forman on May 28, 1949 in Dubuque, Iowa. He had been employed by Griebenow’s Hardware in Owen in the plumbing and sheet metal department, later operating his own business in Withee.

Since 1965 he had worked for Withee Oil Company.

He was a veteran of World War II and a member of the Van Heusen-Fritz American Legion Post 123 in Owen.

He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. James (Susan) Devito of Harrison, Arkansas; one son, James Makkonen, at home; one brother, Reino Makkonen of Albuquerque, New Mexico; three sisters, Miss Sarah Makkonen of San Francisco, Mrs. Leslie (Martha) Lurvey of Ontario, Canada, and Mrs. Ruth Liimatta of Hines, Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his wife on January 31, 1977, and one sister.

2

Obit: Rahn, Charles F. (1888 – 1978)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Rahn, Fliss, Younker, Behringer, Seidel, Wachsmuth, Poppe, Bottzin

----Source: Owen Enterprise (13 Sep 1978)

Rahn, Charles F. (25 Nov 1888 – 8 Sep 1978)

Charles F. Rahn, age 89, of Owen, a pioneer resident of Hoard Township, died on Friday, September 8, 1978 at 9:55 p.m. at Medford Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services were held in his memory on Monday, September 11, 1978 at 1:30 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Owen, with Rev. Richard Fliss officiating. Burial services were held following the services in Pine Hill Cemetery at Curtiss.

The pallbearers were Gerald and Tom Younker, Doug Rahm, Jeff Behringer, Dale Seidel and Gerald Wachsmuth.

A Holy Rosary parish rosary was held at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Maurina Funeral Home in Owen.

Charles, always known as Charley Rahn, was born on November 25, 1888 in Hoard Township, and on September 8, 1915 married the former Clara Poppe at Dorchester. They farmed in Hoard Township, later moving to Medford, where he was employed by the Peter Bottzin Feed Mill. From 1942 – 1972 they operated the Wagon Wheel Tavern in Hoard.

In 1972 they moved to the City of Owen.

He was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Charles Rahn is survived by his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Lenore Younker of Tomahawk, and Mrs. Arthur (Wanda) Behringer of Milwaukee; twelve grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Clayton, two brothers and a sister.

3

Obit: Roller, Edward L. (1914 – 1978)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Roller, Schumacher, Molle, Rezach, Fletcher, Pape, Ludwig

----Source: Owen Enterprise (13 Sep 1978)

Roller, Edward L. (24 Sep 1914 – 2 Sep 1978)

Edward “Bud” L. Roller, 63, of 2502 38th Street, Two Rivers, Wisconsin, died early Saturday morning, September 2, 1978 at Holy Family Hospital, Manitowoc.

Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 5 in Klein and Stangle, Inc. Funeral Home, Two Rivers. The Rev. Paul Schumacher officiated and burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Two Rivers.

Klein and Stangle Funeral Home, Two Rivers, handled the arrangements.

Mr. Roller was born September 24, 1914 in Bloomer, Wisconsin, son of the late Paul and Mary (Ludwig) Roller. He married Esther Molle June 28, 1933 in Abbotsford, and then moved to Two Rivers in 1953. He retired from Paragon Electric Company Inc., Two Rivers, in 1969.

Survivors include his wife, Esther; a son, Edward Jr. of Owen; a daughter, Mrs. Leon (Sandra) Rezach of Two Rivers; three sisters, Mrs. Louise Fletcher of Park Rapids, Minnesota, Miss Ester Roller of Owen, and Mrs. Mary Pape of Birnamwood; and four grandchildren.

One son, Marvin, preceded him in death.

4

Bio: Davis, Clara Rose Anna (Birth - 25 Aug 1978)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Davis, Stowe

----Source: Owen Enterprise (13 Sep 1978)

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald (Marie Stowe) Davis of Ashville, North Carolina, on August 25, 1978, a baby girl, Clara Rose Anna, weighing 5 pounds. She was welcome home by two sisters and three brothers.

Maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Harold Stowe, Abbotsford, who were delighted over the baby’s birth date, as Harold’s birthday is August 24th, and her great-grandmother, Ruth Stowe’s birthday is August 26th.

5

BioA: Dempsey, Harry/Myrtle (45th – 1978)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Dempsey, Pyatt

----Source: Owen Enterprise (13 Sep 1978)

Dempsey, Harry/Myrtle (45th – 16 Aug 1978)

On Saturday night, August 26, 1978,a surprise party was held at the Curtiss Hall in honor of Harry and Myrtle Dempsey’s 45th Wedding Anniversary.

A lot of their old friends and family were there to greet them when they arrived. Music was furnished by Bob Mengles’ Band and a lunch was served. A good time was had by all.

Harry Dempsey and the former Myrtle Pyatt were married in a parsonage in Colby on August 16, 1933. They have resided and worked in the Owen area all their lives. They have one daughter, eight grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Guests attended from Withee, Owen, Stratford, Pelican Lake, Abbotsford, Arpin Curtiss, Neillsville, Eau Claire, Thorp, Medford and Stoughton.

6

BioM: Davis, Gladys P. (1978)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Davis, Rabska, Carlson, Dodge

----Source: Owen Enterprise (13 Sep 1978)

Davis, Gladys P. (23 Aug 1978)

On Wednesday, August 23, 1978 the wedding of Gladys P. Davis of Gilman and Howard J. Rabska, Withee, took place at the Taylor County Courthouse, Medford, with Gary Carlson performing the ceremony.

The bride was given in marriage by her brother John Dodge at the 6:30 p.m. ceremony.

The bride chose a two piece beige suit with a red and white carnation corsage.. Nancy Doge, sister-in-law, Dorchester, was her matron of honor.

Attending the groom as best man was John Dodge, Dorchester, brother of the bride. Following the ceremony a dinner was served at the Wildwood Supper Club in Whittlesey, Wisconsin, and a reception later at the Midway Bar in Withee. In attendance was Alice Dodge, mother of the bride of Gilman, Wisconsin and Richard Rabska, Withee, father of the groom.

Following a honeymoon trip to Northern Wisconsin the couple are at home in Withee, where Mr. Rabska is in the contracting business.

7

Bio: Lindgren, Axel – 80th Birthday (5 Sep 1978)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Lindgren, Hockett, Johnson, Morgan

----Source: Owen Enterprise (13 Sep 1978)

A birthday celebration was held at the Owen Alliance Church honoring Axe Lindgren’s 80th birthday, which was September 5, 1978. Many relatives and friends joined for the occasion, and relatives here were Mr. and Mrs. Chester Lindgren and family from Canyon, Minnesota, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hockett, Merrillville, Indiana, Violet Johnson, Chicago, Illinois, Donna Morgan and children of Burlington, and Mr. and Mrs. Dick Johnson and family of East Troy, Wisconsin.

8

Bio: Johnson, Tracy (Birth – 6 Sep 1978)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Johnson, Bruner, Moore

----Source: Owen Enterprise (13 Sep 1978)

Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Johnson of Route 2, Owen are the proud grandparents of a baby boy born Wednesday evening, September 6, 1978, at Neillsville. The parents are Mr. and Mrs. Mark Bruner Priscilla Moore Johnson) have named their son Tracy, and both son and mother are doing well.

9

Bio: Fricke - Family Reunion (17 Sep 1978)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Fricke, Jay, Lokken, Hennes, Larson, Harris, Tollin, Strathman

----Source: Owen Enterprise (20 Sep 1978)

A family reunion for the Fricke family was held on Sunday, September 17, 1978 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fricke, when Susan Jay and Mrs. Art Lokken planned and hosted the family get together. A noon day luncheon was served and the afternoon spent visiting.

Those in attendance were Mrs. Susan Jay, Bloomington, Minnesota, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lokken, Danbury, and his mother, Mrs. Pearl Lokken, Owen, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Fricke, Manitowoc, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hennes and daughter Sherri, Kewaunee, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Larson, Marshfield, Mr. and Mrs. Del Harris, Anaheim, California, Mrs. Rita Fricke and daughter Sue of Galesburg, Illinois, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Fricke, Colby, Mrs. Jane Tollin and daughter Michelle of Abbotsford, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Fricke, Allen Fricke, and Mr. and Mrs. Dick Strathman, and Hazel Fricke, all of Colby, and Paul and Ella Fricke.

10

BioM: Laube, Barbara Ann (1978)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Laube, Fortier, Fliss, Luedke, Leonhardt, Anderson, Dennis, Weber

----Source: Owen Enterprise (20 Sep 1978)

Laube, Barbara Ann (9 Sep 1978)

Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Owen, was the setting September 9, 1978 for the 1:30 p.m. nuptial ceremony during which the pastor, The Rev. Richard L. Fliss, heard the wedding vows repeated by Miss Barbara Ann Laube and Robert John Fortier. The bride was given in marriage by her father.

Their parents are Mr. and Mrs. Harold Laube of Route 1, Owen, and Mr. and Mrs. John Fortier of Milwaukee. Mrs. Louis Luedke of Withee was the soloist, accompanied by sisters of the bride, Sharon Leonhardt and Mary Kaye Laube, on the guitar and organ.

The bride selected a floor length nylon Chantilly, off white peasant style gown with lace insert, shoulder and skirt ruffle. Her cascade bouquet consisted of roses, mums and baby‘s breath in shades of burgundy, dusty rose, yellow and off white. Her laurel headpiece was made up of off white baby’s breath and pearl hearts.

Miss Patricia Anderson of Milwaukee, maid of honor, wore a mid-length burgundy peasant style skirt and an off white peasant blouse. She carried a cascade bouquet of mums and baby’s breath in shades of burgundy, dusty rose, yellow and off white.

Robert Dennis of Milwaukee, best man, and the groom wore gray and white pin striped tuxedos. The ushers were Steve Weber, nephew of the groom, and Dale Laube, brother of the bride.

After the ceremony a dinner was served in the church dining hall and a reception and dance followed that evening at the Loyal American Legion Hall.

The bride and groom are both employed in Milwaukee, and after a wedding trip will reside in South Milwaukee.