Obit: Hughes, Frank (1875? - 1957)
Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Hughes
----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 03/07/1957
Hughes, Frank (1875? - 4 MAR 1957)
Frank Hughes, father of Richard Hughes Sr. of Owen (Clark Co., Wis.), passed away at Earlville, Ill. Monday night at the age of 81. Funeral services were held this morning in the Catholic Church in Earlville.
Richard Hughes left this morning to attend the services.
Bio: Hantke Family
Reunion (28th - 1985)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Hantke, Wolf, Wiese, Kuchenmeister, Slocum, Schmidt, Short, Hallock,
Novotny
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/18/1985
Hantke Family Reunion (28th – 30 June 1985)
Elsie Wolf’s 91st birthday was the highlight of the 28th Hantke family reunion,
held June 30, at Listeman Park in Neillsville. Following lunch, birthday cards
and gifts were opened, and attendance was documented.
Approximately fifty people attended from the Neillsville area, Menomonie,
Neenah, Appleton, Fremont, Madison, and St. Paul. Youngest of those attending
was Wilhelm Lee Wiese, great grandson of Anita Kuchenmeister Slocum of
Menomonie. Arriving in their stylish 1926 Model T was the Steve Short family.
Coletta Schmidt Short and Ernst Kuechenmeister, who passed away during the year,
were missed by everyone. New family member was Shauna Janelle Hallock, Neenah
born October 5, 1984. She is the granddaughter of Nadine Hantke Novotny.
Bio:
Richmond-Higby Reunion (19th - 1985)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Richmond, Higby, Pulak, Mack, Hamm, Volland, Dittmar, Spangler, Akin,
Harp, Baker, Hudson, Carteron, Horn, Humke
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/8/1985
Richmond-Higby Reunion (19th - 1985)
The 19th annual reunion of the Richmond-Higby family was held Saturday, July 27,
at Schuster Perk in Neillsville. Forty-nine members attended.
A potluck dinner was shared by the group. The afternoon was spent visiting and a
variety of games were played.
Those present were, Floyd and Hilda Richmond, Royalton, Minn.; Ken and Eloise
Richmond, Margaret, Carol and William Pulak, Pierz, Minn.; Floyd and Lynne
Richmond, Little Falls, Minn.; John and Evelyn Mack, Elgin, Ill.; Paul ND
Barbara Hamm, Cindy and Brian, Barrington, Ill.; Dick and Gloria Volland, Doug,
Kris and Mike, Menomonee Falls; Al and Lorraine Dittmar, Allen and Laurie
Dittmar and Robbie, Cy and Bev Spangler, Watertown; Edna Akin, Neillsville; Fred
and Myrtle Harp, Chippewa Falls; Chris and Luann Baker and Eric, Hudson; Mary
Carteron, Laura Richmond, Norman and Betty Horn, Herb and Lila Horn, Jerald and
Myrna Richmond, Susan and Ellen, Paul and Rose Caryl Humke, Kurt, Todd, Joel,
Dale and Tina, all of Greenwood.
The next reunion will be Saturday, July 26, 1986.
Bio: Van Gorden
Reunion (Hundreds Attend - 1985)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Van Gorden, Potter, Beier, Holder, Wasserburger, Pratt, Northup,
Keith, Sechler, Pratt, Kopp, Kelly, Doud, Dierauer
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/8/1985
Van Gorden Reunion (Hundreds Attend - 1985)
There were 108 descendants of Schuyler (S.H.) and Clara Potter Van Gorden
present at a Van Gorden family reunion held Saturday, July 6, in Hatfield. The
event was held at the Van Gorden-Beier cottage on Lake Arbutus. Hosts were Marv
and Beth Biere, Viroqua; Mary Van Gorden, Black River Falls; and Don and JoAnn
Holder, Oconomowoc. The afternoon program was conducted by Mary Van Gorden and
Patricia (Van Gorden) Wasserburger of Neillsville.
The grandchildren and their families attending the reunion were, J. Bruce Van
Gorden, Black River Falls; Bella Van Gorden, Taylor; Schuyler H. “Bunk” Van
Gorden, Eau Claire; Edon Pratt, Spring Green; Ray Northup, La Crosse and
Jeanette Van Gorden Keith, Eau Claire, and A.H. and K.S. Van Gorden families.
The progenitor, “S.H.” Van Gorden was born in Breesport, Chemung County, New
York in 1852. He married Clara Potter in 18772 in Iowa. The family moved to
Sechlerville-Hixton area in 1874 where S.H. taught school in the winter months
and sold pumps and windmills during the summers. In 1882 he and J. R. Sechler
erected the first creamery in Jackson County at Sechlerville.
S.H. entered the general merchandise business in Hixton in 1889 and in time
expanded to stores in Taylor, Alma Center and Osseo. These new stores were
operated by his sons.
In the course of time his grandsons came into the business and the firm of S. H.
Van Gorden & Sons spread its activities into many other places, including Black
River Falls, Neillsville, Eleva and Whitehall.
The children of S.H. and Enna Van Gorden were Bert, Harry, Clyde, Lottie (Pratt)
and Emma (Northup).
Local families attending were, Mrs. A. H. (Hazel) Van Gorden, Dick, Janet and
Peggy Van Gorden, Nancy (Van Gorden) Kopp and son Joey, Pink and Ruth Van
Gorden, Marcia (Van Gorden) Kelly and sons Ian and Sean, Minneapolis, Minn.;
Charles and Pat (Van Gorden) Wasserburger, David Wasserburger, Marshfield; Mike
and Debra (Wasserburger) Doud and Jennifer and Lucas, Mount Horeb; Robert and
Cyrena (Van Gorden) Dierauer and Debbie, Minneapolis; and Van Dierauer,
Minneapolis, Minn.
Church:
Neillsville - Calvary Lutheran Church (Ground Breaking - 1985)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Forde, Heineck, Solberg, Olson, Osegard
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/8/1985
Neillsville-Calvary Lutheran Church (Ground Breaking - 1985)
Construction commenced on a building addition to Calvary Lutheran Church, 213
Hill Street, Neillsville, during groundbreaking ceremonies held Sunday, August
4. The new space, measuring 100 x 25 feet, is scheduled for completion in Spring
of 1986 and will house facilities for a kitchen, storage, office, and education.
Cost is estimated to be, at most, $150,000 and is being funded by a pledge
drive. Larry Osegard’s building trades classes at Neillsville High School will
be providing carpentry skills. Participating in the groundbreaking are Pastor
Paul Forde, Mary Heineck, Chairman of the building committee, Bob Solberg, and
Ken Olson.
News: Clark Co -
Extension Homemakers Scholarships Given ($300 - 1985)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Jodarski, Zorman Chaltry, Genteman, Kipp, Verkuilen, Newman
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/18/1985
Extension Homemakers Scholarships Given ($300 - 1985)
Two Clark County students have been awarded $300 to further their education.
Mrs. Nancy Jodarski of Loyal was awarded the Extension Homemakers scholarship.
Nancy will be a junior at UW-Stevens Point next fall, majoring in Elementary
School Teaching. Ann Zorman, daughter of Edward and Theresa Zorman of Greenwood
received the 4-H and Extension scholarship. Ann will be a sophomore at UW-La
Crosse next fall, majoring in nursing.
The Extension Homemakers scholarship alternate is Denise Chaltry of Eau Claire,
daughter of Leonard and Arlene Chaltry, of Neillsville. The 4-H and Extension
scholarship alternate is Cherri Genteman, daughter of Edward and Marian
Genteman, of Neillsville.
The two winning youth competed with 20 other Clark County students. The
selection of the winners was based on their application, recommendations and an
essay on why they wanted to study in their educational field.
Money for the scholarships is earned by Extension Homemakers at the Clark County
Fair Dairy Bar and 4-H Leaders Federation through plat book sales. Members of
the 1985 Scholarship Committee were, Mary Kipp, Chairman of Loyal; Diane
Verkuilen of Thorp; and Dorene Newman of Unity.
School: Granton -
FHA Receives Grant ($375 - 1985)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Grover
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/18/1985
Granton-FHA Receives Grant ($375 - 1985)
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Herbert J. Grover has notified the
Granton Future Homemakers of America (FHA) chapter, that it will receive $375 to
fund a nutrition education project.
The federal funds are made available through the Wisconsin Department of Public
Instruction’s Nutrition Education and Training (NET) Program under Public Law
95-166, the Child Nutrition Act of 1977 which is designed to provide nutrition
education and training for school personnel and students.
This is one of 13 grants awarded statewide totaling nearly $4,000 that will
assist Wisconsin’s FHA chapters in providing training and information to local
communities about sound nutritional habits and attitudes.
School: NHS - Class of 1932 (Gathering - 1985)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Musil, Allen, Olson, Strausborger, May, Volz, Milton, Engstrom,
Counsell, Johnston, Pagenkopf
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/25/1985
NHS Class of 1932 (Gathering - 1985)
Members of the 1932 graduating class from Neillsville High School gathered at
the home of Jim and Iris (Allen) Musil for their annual picnic Sunday. Attending
from away were Bill and Mildred (Olson) Strausborger, Mesa, Ariz.; George and
Esther (May) Volz, Wis. Rapids; Lucille (Milton) Engstrom, Geneva, Ill.; Neil
and Ila (Counsell) Johnston, Loyal; Victor and Marian (Counsell) Pagenkopf,
Platteville. The group plans another picnic for July 20, 1986.
School: NHS - Class of 1950 (35 Year Reunion - 1985)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Tibbett, Wall, Sydorowicz, Trachte, Wang, Buxton, Hantke, Hiles, Frie,
Krause, Stanley, Rosenkranz, Casey, Anderson, Galbreath, Schneider, Knoop,
Spiegel, Vandeberg, Kuehn, Hohenstein, Grap, Pietenpohl, Mattson, Suckow, Kernz,
Wedekind, Greeler, Gress, Schmidt, Kotcon, Stiemke, Thoma, Dux, Hantke,
Drescher, Patey, Kessler, Perkins, Lauscher
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/25/1985
NHS Class of 1950 (35-Year Reunion - 1985)
Twenty nine members of the Neillsville Class of 1950 gathered at the Neillsville
Country Club for their 35th anniversary banquet. Richard Tibbett was master of
ceremonies and Invocation was delivered by Pat Wall.
Thos attending from out of town were, Charles Sydorowicz, Menomonee Falls;
Mr./Mrs. Byron Trachte, Prattville, Ala; Keith and Carole (Wang) Buxton,
Appleton; Mr./Mrs. Douglas Hantke, St. Paul, Minn.; Mr./Mrs. Bruce Hiles,
Arlington Heights, Ill. Mary Jane Frie Eau Claire; Mr./Mrs. Wallace Krause,
Menomonee Falls; Laura Stanely (Rosenkranz) and Bill Casey, Mundelein, Ill.;
Mr./Mrs. Charles Anderson, Holman; Mrs. Burl Galbreath (Schneider), Rockford,
Ill.; Bob and Florence (Knoop) Spiegel, Granton; Jesse and Virginia (Vandenberg)
Richmond, Granton; Darrel and Joyce (Kuehn) Hohenstein, Granton; and Ronald
Grap, Chino, Calif.
Attending from Neillsville were, Dick and Joanne (Pietenpohl) Tibbett, Mr./Mrs.
Todd Wall (Pat Mattson), Mr./Mrs. Glen Suckow, Mr./Mrs. Tony Kernz (Arlene
Wedekind), Mr./Mrs. Erland Greeler, Mr./Mrs. Lowell Gress, Mr./Mrs. LaVerne
Schmidt, Mr./Mrs. Felix Kotcon (Roselyn Stiemke), Mr./Mrs. Gordon Thoma (Gladys
Dux), Pauline (Polly) Hantke, Mr./Mrs. Vernon Drescher, Mr./Mrs. Dan Patey
(Elvira Thoma), Mr./Mrs. Louis Kessler.
Honored guests and former teachers were Mr. and Mrs. John Perkins and Mr. and
Mrs. Ivan Lauscher.
Obit: Colwell, Etta Myra (? - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Colwell, Farrell, Reynolds, Drinka, Spuhler, Krause, Chirhart,
Hodgson, Hill, Keehn, Wentz
----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/15/2024
Colwell, Etta Myra (? – 8 March 2024)
Etta Myra (Reynolds) Colwell, Willard formerly of Neillsville went to be with
her heavenly father on March 8, 2024, at the age of 65. She passed away at home
surrounded by family.
Etta was born in Milwaukee, to Charles and Clara (Farrell) Reynolds. She
graduated from High School in Belleville. In 1982, she met the love of her life.
She moved to Neillsville in 1985. She married Thomas Colwell Sr. on April 11,
1987, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Neillsville.
She worked a variety of jobs in her lifetime. She enjoyed spending time with
family and friends in her free time. She also enjoyed hunting in her luxury
stand, and fishing in her favorite bull head spots. Later in life she enjoyed
spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also came to
accept Jesus as her savior and loved him dearly.
Etta will be dearly missed by her children, Patty (Adam) Drinka of Willard;
Diana Reynolds of Marshfield; Thomas Colwell Jr and Mathew Colwell both of
Neillsville. She will also be missed by her grandchildren, Cheyenne Spuhler
(Jordan Krause) of Marshfield; Lexi (Caleb) Chirhart of Marshfield; Trevor
Drinka (Makayla Hodgson) of Marshfield and Zech Drinka of Willard. Her
great-grandchildren, Kinsley Chirhart, Weston Spuhler, Joseph Drinka and Zaxton
Hill. She will also be missed by family and many church friends.
Etta was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Clara Reynolds, her
husband, Thomas Colwell Sr; her brothers Charlie Reynolds, Fred Farrell, Thomas
Reynolds, Patrick Reynolds; her sister Virginia Keehn; her sister-in-law Nancy
Farrell; her father-in-law, Donald Colwell Sr., brother-in-law Donald Colwell Jr
and a great granddaughter Mya Drinka.
A Memorial Service for Etta will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23,
2024, at the Living Hope Evangelical Free Church in Neillsville. Pastor Steven
Wentz will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday,
March 23rd at the church.
The family would like to thank Compassus Home Health and Hospice Care for the
time and loving care for Etta.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes you to make a donation to Huntington's
Disease Society of America.
Online Condolences may be made at
www.geschefh.com. The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Etta's family
with funeral arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Etta Colwell,
please visit our flower store.
Obit: Gilbert, Brenda Lee (1960 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Gilbert, Davis, Zaruba, Humboldt, Thyrion, Johnson, Rooney, Anderson,
Miller, Hericks, Pozega
----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/15/2024
Gilbert, Brenda Lee (29 January 1960 – 13 March 2024)
Brenda Lee Zaruba Gilbert was known by many for her loving personality, kind
heart, and generosity. She passed away from health complications at the age of
64 at Marshfield Hospital on March 13, 2024.
Brenda was born in Eau Claire on January 29, 1960, to Laverne Charles Zaruba and
Ardis Joy Davis Zaruba at Luther Hospital. Brenda and her family moved several
times before settling in Stanley, Wisconsin.
It was in Stanley where she met and fell in love with her first husband, Mark
Gilbert. Brenda and Mark were wed in October of 1977, and moved shortly after to
Neillsville. Together they had two wonderful children, Jamie and Heather. When
the children were grown, Brenda and Mark decided to go their separate ways.
In June of 2002, Brenda had the very good fortune of reuniting with friend Gary
Humboldt after not seeing him for many years. They began dating shortly after,
fell in love, and became soul mates, they have been together ever since.
Alongside Gary, Brenda helped to raise his two sons, her stepsons, Brandon and
Dylan Humboldt.
Brenda was an amazing person who loved her family, friends, pets, and life in
general. She would not hesitate to help anyone that was in need. She enjoyed
hosting loved ones for holidays, cooking, gardening, canning the best spicy dill
pickles, and socializing with friends. She was an incredibly hard worker, who
took various jobs over the years while also taking care of her family and
helping Gary care of his family. For the last nine years Brenda worked at the
Christine Center in Willard, as kitchen manager and cook. Brenda enjoyed her job
there and loved her coworkers and the center's guests.
Brenda is preceded in death by her parents Laverne and Ardis, siblings Jeff and
Pam, her beloved dog Foxy, and many aunts and uncles. She is survived by her
soulmate Gary, son Jamie Gilbert (Patricia Thyrion), daughter Heather Gilbert
(Jerome Johnson), stepson Brandon Humboldt (Lacie Humboldt), stepson Dylan
Humboldt (Mackenzie Rooney), grandchildren Aubrey Anderson (Jagger Miller), Evan
Gilbert (MaKendri Hericks), Kegan Pozega, and Kira Johnson, her beloved dog,
Daisy, and many nephews and nieces.
Funeral Services for Brenda will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23,
2024, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Interment will be in the
Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.,
Saturday, March 23rd at the Gesche Funeral Home. The Funeral Services will also
be livestreamed at www.geschefh.com beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March
23rd.
Online Condolences may be made at
www.geschefh.com. Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is
assisting Brenda's family with Funeral arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Brenda
Gilbert, please visit our flower store.