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Bio: Stuttgen, Bernie – 60 Years of Coaching (2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Stuttgen, Johnson

----Source: Thorp Courier – 09 Aug 2023

Bernie Stuttgen is finally ready to hang up the whistle and be a spectator rather than a coach. At 82-years old, the long-time Thorp resident and Colby native has closed the final chapter on a 60-year coaching career that has seen stints with the Thorp, Loyal, Clear Lake, Fall Creek, Owen-Withee, Altoona, Seneca and Stanley-Boyd school districts.

Stuttgen has coached just about every sport, winning three conferences titles and three runner-up finishes at three different schools in 15 years as a head football coach. He’s been around for just about every major sporting change, including the passage of Title IX, which paved the way for women’s sports.

“Well for starters, we never had track when I was in high school. I started track in college at Northland up in Ashland,” Stuttgen said. ”I was kind of jack-of-all trades, and did short put, disc, hurdles, sprints.”

Stuttgen’s first coaching gig was with the Seneca School District, near Prairie du Chien, in the spring of 1964. It was hardly glamorous. Stuttgen had to build his own hurdles and pole vault and high jump pits, which were furnished with straw bales and log shavings. The pole vault pole was steel, and many students had no technique.

Stuttgen came to Thorp in the fall of 1968, and just as he did with Seneca, he faced an uphill battle. The first order of business was to turn a bumpy patch of dirt and grass into something worthy of building competitions.

“I had to dig my own long jump pit, and we used a trampoline for the pole vault landing pit inside. We ran out of grass track, which I had to maintain by getting an air raider. I laid out the inside edge of it and ran around it with the air raider,” Stuttgen recalled. “After that, I took a five-foot cement roller and rolled it back down to make everything level.”

It didn’t take long for Stuttgen and the Cardinals to find success. Several school records are a result of Stuttgen’s tutelage, and from 1969 to 2004, Stuttgen coached nearly a dozen Cardinals to a state title, including Chad Johnson, a two-time letter winner with the Minnesota Golden Gophers track and cross-country programs, and a participant of three Olympic trials.

Stuttgen spend the last 17 years coaching in Loyal, and over the years he has made the trip to the state track meet 53 out of 60 years. He finishes with almost 30 state championships. Upon announcing his retirement, Loyal honored him with a plaque for his 60-year career. It joins the plaque Loyal gave him when he hit 55-years, and the plaque Thorp gave him for his 40 years of coaching within the district.

“I helped a lot of changes and pushed for a lot of changes. For example, if you go back to when they started letting girls compete, they said they weren’t strong enough to run a mile. They said they couldn’t throw and overhead basketball throw.”

Stuttgen knows he will be remembered for all the records and wins and state champions he helped. As for himself, Stuttgen hopes he is best remembered for inspiring those same student athletes to reach their full potential.

“You got good days, and you got bad days, but all I asked is that kids did the best they could that day. My favorite part was getting the kids to understand they got potential. I got a t-shirt made that says ‘What’s the goal? A dream with a finish line. Cross it.’ When you see a kid doing his best, that’s the best feeling in the world. It’s why I did this for so long.”
 

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News: Colby – Loos Company Introduces Newest Plant (Aug 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Mertens, Schmidt

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 16 Aug 2023

The AbbyColby Crossings Chamber of Commerce, Clark County Economic Development Corporation and Loos Machine and Automation ushered in a new building at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday at Loos’ “Plant 2” in Colby.

The building, which is used for machining, manufacturing, shipping and receiving and more, is at the site of the old PCA building. Loos Machine bought the PCA building in May of 2022 and by the end of that year, they had the current structure built.

Loos employees, contractors, chamber members and others attended the ribbon cutting event. Members of the CCEDC and Loos gave speeches commemorating the work that was done to get the building operational in a short time period.

Owner and CEO of Loos Machine and Automation, Eric Mertens, said the building gave the company more space and allows customers to be better served.

“Plant 2 allowed us to expand our capacity and manufacturing operations by investing in state-of-the-art equipment and technologies that improve production efficiency and enhance product quality,” Mertens said. “Fabricating, laser cutting, parts prep and forming are housed inside this location which allows us to produce and deliver products more efficiently.”

The lot that was purchased gave the company some much needed space which is now used for shipping and receiving. The expansion also allowed for equipment to be taken out of Plant 1 to make room for more production and innovation.

“With the restructuring of production flow, we expanded our machining and robotics departments in Plant 1 allowing us to invest in advanced manufacturing technologies,” Mertens said.

Colby Mayor Jim Schmidt was in attendance and shared his excitement for the economic opportunity Loos is bringing to Colby.

Mertens touched on the company’s other expansions which includes the recent purchase of a building on First Street in Colby and the purchase of a plant in Bruce.

The First Street building is used as office space for the Engineering Division while the Bruce plant focuses on building equipment for the fruit and vegetable industries. During his address to attendees, Mertens pointed to a piece of equipment behind him which was going to Brazil in the coming weeks. He said the company has shipped equipment all over the U.S. and world to support the dairy industry.

The other half of the PCA lot that Loos purchased in 2021 is currently vacant but Mertens said the company is in a good spot and could use that lot for anything in needs as it continues to grow.

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Obit: Hoernke, Mae L. (1927 – 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Hoernke, Hanson, Kaser, Baltus, Carpenter, Flink, Feddick

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 16 Aug 2023

Hoernke, Mae L. (11 May 1927 – 14 Aug 2023)

Mae L. Hoernke, age 96, of Colby, passed away on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, at Stoney River Memory Care under the tender care of Promedica Hospice.

A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. The Rev. Teri Hanson will preside. Interment will follow at Colby Memorial Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome from 2 p.m. until time of service Friday at the funeral home.

Mae was born on May 11, 1927, the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Baltus) Kaser in the Town of Eau Pleine, Marathon County. On November 3, 1945, she was united in marriage to Lawrence “Jake” Hoernke in Marshfield. He preceded her in death on January 30, 1993.

Mae worked in her father’s bar in Stratford and after her marriage she worked in a shoe factory in Racine. They moved back to the area and she worked at a shoe factory in Marshfield. Mae and Jake owned the Dill Creek Cheese Factory and then the Colby Cheese Factory, where she managed the books for over 50 years.

Mae enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, sewing and mending the many holes in her children’s and grandchildren’s clothing and making homemade meals and baking treats for all to enjoy. She also bowled in mixed couples leagues in Spencer and Abbotsford and a women’s league in Colby and Marshfield. Mae also played in a couple’s pumpkin ball league. Most importantly, she loved and cherished her family.

Mae is survived by her three children: Gloria (Mark) Carpenter of Gilman, David (Karen Flink) of Medford and Dale of Colby; ten grandchildren many great-grandchildren and great-greatgrandchildren. She is further survived by her sister, Valerie Feddick of White Bear Lake, Minn.; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jake; two children: Beverly and Ronald; 11 brothers and sisters: Daniel, Raymond, Marjorie, Mary Jane, Leonard, Alvin “Buddy”, Harold, Jeanette, Phyllis, Alice and Eugene.

Mae’s family would like to thank the staff at Stoney River for taking wonderful care of her these past five years.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.

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News: Loyal – New Business Welcomed (Aug 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: LaMarr, Bobrofsky, Cook, Lindner, Englebretson, Marks

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 23 Aug 2023

Community and business leaders officially welcomed Amya LaMarr and her ALL Boutique to Loyal with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 132 N. Main St. on Aug. 15. Included in the Welcome were Tom Bobrofsky of the Clark County Board of Supervisors; Tami Cook of the Loyal Chamber of Commerce; LaMarr; Pat Lindner of the Clark County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC); Carmen Englebretson, and Loyal mayor Rick Marks of the CCEDC.

“We’re happy to see you have brought a variety store back to Loyal,” Cook told LaMarr.

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Bio: Merwin, Mr./Mrs. Ben P. – 85th Family Reunion (2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Merwin, Jacobs, Baptist, Engebrecht, Knudsen, Zietlow, Boneske, Ecklund, Chaplinski, Engebretson, Feit, Fitzgerald, Miller, Fechuta, Gresens, Kumbier, Gust, Jacobs, Jones, Loucks, Hall, Salzman, Nelson, Zoromski

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 23 Aug 2023

About 58 descendants gathered Sunday August 6, for the 85th Annual Benjamin P. Merwin Family reunion at Doepke Park, Rib Mountain. In recognition of this milestone event, chicken was catered in. Family rounded out the meal bringing side dishes and desserts.

In 1882 Ben Merwin homesteaded a parcel of land east of Abbotsford. In 1982, to commemorate the farms Centennial, the children and grandchildren of Ben and Emily Merwin designed and created quilt blocks that were then assembled into a quilt. The quilt was then raffled off at the 1982 reunion. Grandson John Remmel won the quilt and has been with the Remmel family until this year when the quilt was donated to the reunion committee.

Secretary Denise Jacobs gave a small presentation based on the small percentage of the family’s Irish heritage. The annual white elephant sale was held with funds going to fund future reunions. Lake Allu, Athens will be the venue for the 2024 reunion.

In attendance were:

Randy and Joan Baptist, Keith and Susan Engebrecht, Debbie Knudsen and Darlene Zietlow from Wausau.

Richard and Kathy Boneske and Ben Boneske from Colby.

Roy and Pat Boneske, Randy Sr. and Kathy Boneske, Christina Ecklund, Mason Ecklund and Susan Venzke from Athens.
Julie Chaplinski from Medford.

Wally and Margo Engebretson from Schofield.

Ron and Kim Feit from Rothschild.

Jerry and Jean Fitzgerald, Carrie Miller, Kyle Miller, Gayle and Gary Nechuta, Brittney Nechuta and Meagan Nechuta from Mosinee.

Kyle and Lenae Gresens and Lyriq Kumbier from Holmen.

Pam Gresens from West Salem.

Rob and Ann Gust from Edgar.

Denise Jacobs from Sturgeon Bay.

Ben Jacobs from Charleston, S.C.

Hugh and Diane Jones from Rhinelander.

Dave Loucks and Brian Loucks from Abbotsford.

Mike Loucks, Kimberly Hall, Albert Hall and Aaron Hall from Curtiss.

Russell and Sheila Loucks from River Falls.

Ken and Rachel Loucks and Carol Loucks from Westboro.

Paul and Jen Loucks, Linda Salzman from Weston.

Jim Merwin, Brad Merwin and a guest from Hastings, Minn.

Dale Nelsen from Bellingham, Wash.

Mark Zoromski from Kroenenwetter.

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BioA: Badzinski, Valentina (Val) & Edmund (Ed) (2023 – 75th)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Badzinski, Kubera, Yurkowski, Krych, Strzok, Karnopp, Szczech, Grzania, Piekarski

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., Wis.) 23 Aug 2023

Badzinski, Valentina (Val) & Edmund (Ed) (21 Aug 2023 – 75th)

On August 21, 1948, Valentina (Val) and Edmund (Ed) were married in St. Hedwig’s Church in Thorp, Wisconsin. Father Francis Piekarski officiated at the ceremony.

The wedding party consisted of Joanna Badzinski, maid of honor, and in the wedding party were Betty Badzinski, Marjorie Yurkowski, Joseph Krych as best man, with the groomsmen being Richard Strzok and Wilbur Karnopp.

Flower Girl and Ring Bearer were Delores Szczech and Robert Grzania.

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BioM: Marriage Licenses (Aug/Sep - 2023)

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

Surnames: Borntrager, Brenneman, Heiman, Bryan, Baltozer, Wagler, Menjivar, Gallegos, Flores, Mireles, Navarro, Rodriguez

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/23/2023

Marriage Licenses (Aug/Sep - 2023)

William A. Borntrager, to Lovina A. Brenneman, both of Town of Eaton, Aug. 31, at Town of Eaton.

Max G. Heiman, to Randi J. Bryan, both of Town of Weston, Sept. 30, at Township of Loyal.

Benjamin A. Baltozer, Ashland Co., to Rachel A. Wagler, Town of Unity, Aug. 25, at Town of Unity.

Daniel A. Menjivar, to Daisy Gallegos Flores both of Abbotsford, Sept. 23, at Abbotsford.

Ricardo Contreras Mireles, of Dorchester, Zaira P. Navarro Rodriguez, Sept. 2, at Abbotsford.

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Obit: Smith, Elaine M. (1939 - 2023)

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

Surnames: Smith, McDonald

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/23/2023

Smith, Elaine M. (19 April 1939 – 13 August 2023)

Our mother, Elaine M. Smith, fell asleep for the last time on Sunday, Aug. 13.

She was born in St. Charles, MN, April 19, 1939, where she grew up with her sister Joanne. She lived most of her life in Neillsville where she raised her family. Later in life, she moved to Black River Falls to be closer to her children. We, Reed Smith of Alma Center, Lisa (Robby) McDonald of Hixton and Jeffrey (Glenda) Smith of Black River Falls, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren will love her and miss her all the days of our lives.

We shall all meet, by and by.

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Obit: Plaskey, Norma Joan (1938 - 2023)

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

Surnames: Plaskey, Plummer, Good, Krasselt, Mews, Snyder, Boeger, Fryman, Jury, Balistreri

----Source: Cuddies Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 8/23/2023

Plaskey, Norma Jean (7 March 1938 – 20 August 2023)

Norma J. Plaskey, age 85, of Marshallville, OH, formerly of Loyal, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023, at Wooster Community Hospital in Wooster, OH.

Norma Jean Good was born on March 7, 1938, in West Salem, Wayne County, OH to Ralph E. and Marguerite C. (Plummer) Good. When she was a young child, her family moved to Bruce, where she was raised and received her education, graduating from Ladysmith High School. Norma was united in marriage to James P. Plaskey on June 22, 1957, in Bruce. They resided in Bruce, where she was a homemaker and began raising their family. In 1965, they moved to Jackson, and then to Loyal in 1974. Norma spent most of her life as a homemaker, raising her children and grandchildren, and for a few years at the Amber Inn in Loyal. After the death of her husband, Jim, on November 17, 1995, she remained in Loyal until moving to live with her daughter, Julie, in Marshallville, OH in 2010.

She had many interests, but especially loved reading, baking, and truck pulling with her husband.

Norma will be dearly missed by her children: Lori (Kendall) Krasselt of Loyal, Karen (Rick) Mews of Loyal, Julie (George) Snyder of Marshallville, OH, John (Wendy) Plaskey of Tomahawk, and Andrew (Rebecca) Plaskey of Loyal; 12 grandchildren; 9 step grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 18 step great-grandchildren; 4 step great-great grandchildren; and 4 brothers: Kenneth "Ken" Good of Marshallville, OH, William "Bill" Good of Cameron, Earl "Skip" (Jill) Good of Milwaukee, Walter "Punk" Good of Glen Flora; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: James P. Plaskey; grandson: Brad L. Mews; step grandson: Ehren C. Boeger; great-granddaughter: Analiese M. Fryman-Mews; great-grandson: Jansen B. Fryman; grandson-in-law: Eric D. Fryman; step great-granddaughter: Krya L. Fryman; one sister: Anne Good; and one brother: Eugene "Bud" Good.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2023, at Loyal United Methodist Church in Loyal. Rev. Kathy Jury and Pastor Anthony Balistreri will officiate, and burial will follow in the Loyal City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Jimmy Plaskey, Louie Plaskey, Kyle Krasselt, Donovan Plaskey, Stevie Plaskey, and Justton Plaskey. Visitation will be held at the church, on Monday, from 1 p.m. until time of service.

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Obit: Heidewald, Judy (1942? – 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Heidewald, Welsh, Grandowski

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 30 Aug 2023

Heidewald, Judy (1942? – 29 Jul 2023)

Judy (Welsh) Heidewald, 81, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2023.

She married James Heidewald on Sept 30, 1961, in Loyal, at St. Anthony Catholic Church. She enjoyed bowling for many years and was a part of a bowling league. Judy also enjoyed going out for dinner, visiting the casino and traveling with her husband throughout the United States. She worked at Sears, Roebuck and Company for many years.

She was the mother of Debbie, Edward, Ret. CPD (Karen) and David Heidewald, Cook County sheriff; and the devoted grandmother of Justin (Erin) Grandowski.

She was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister. Visitation was held on Aug. 1 from 3-8 p.m. at Wollschlager Funeral Home, 3004 S. Hoyne Ave.

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Obit: Holoubek, Nathan T. (1986 – 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Holoubek, Rasmussen, Demler, Brinegar, Bloomen

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 23 Aug 2023

Holoubek, Nathan T. (13 Feb 1986 – 19 Aug 2023)

Nathan Thomas Holoubek was born on February 13, 1986, in Marshfield, and went home to our Lord on August 19, 2023, at the age of 37.

Nathan is survived by his wife, Mya Joy Holoubek, and his three children: Dominic, Elliana and Remington. Nathan is also survived by his parents: Barbara (Kevin) Rasmussen & Perry (Anita) Demler; siblings: Shannah (Brad) Brinegar and Jacob Demler; grandparents: Rocky, and Lyle & Carol Demler; four nieces and nephews; and in-laws, Mark and Kara Vander Bloomen.

Nathan was raised in Abbotsford and graduated from Northland Pines High School, moving to Vilas County in 2001. Nathan had a passion for all motorsports, inspired by spending time with his Uncle Tim when he was growing up, riding and racing anything with wheels and particularly racing snow-cross in his youth.

Nathan discovered his passion for working on small engines alongside his father Perry and was planning on opening his own small engine repair business in the near future. Nathan was happiest when he was surrounded by his beautiful family, singing karaoke, hunting, fishing and hiking, shooting with his children, going to the races and camping. Nathan also enjoyed tinkering in his shop fixing things like motorcycles, ATVs and teaching his family how to ride. Nathan loved riding his Harley Davidson. Above all else, Nathan loved being a father, often saying how much he loved being a dad, and would raise babies the rest of his life if he could. Nathan will always be remembered for his infectious smile, kindness to others, his awful dad jokes, but mostly for the amazing love he displayed each day for his family as a loving husband and father.

A memorial service was held on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Northlife Church in St. Germain. Visitation was held from 9-11 a.m. at the church.

Arrangements were by Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home, Eagle River. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gaffney-busha.com. Chicago, Ill. The funeral mass was held Aug. 2 at noon at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 3745 S. Paulina, Chicago, Ill. Additional visitation was held at Roubal Funeral Home on Friday. Aug. 4, from 3 p.m. until the time of a prayer service at 6 p.m. Burial was on Saturday, Aug. 5, in Forest Home Cemetery in Athelstane. Roubal Funeral Home, Wausaukee, is assisting the family with arrangements.