Bio: Baasch, Henry (fatal accident
- 1914)
Contact: Ann Stevens
Email:
sdann88@yahoo.com
Surnames: Baasch
----Source: Neillsville
Times (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 11/19/1914
Baasch, Henry (fatal
accident - 12 NOV 1914)
Last Thursday evening Henry Baasch was instantly
killed by the afternoon passenger train a short distance east of Granton. It is
stated that the young man and his brother were walking east along the track and
seeing the approaching train had dared each other as to which could stay on the
track the longest. The glare of the electric headlight seemed to have blinded
Henry and he was struck by the train and killed instantly.
Bio: Hamm, Kaylee
– April Junior Kiwanian (2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Hamm
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/1/2024
Hamm, Kaylee – April Junior Kiwanian (2024)
Kaylee Hamm has been selected as the Kiwanis Club’s Junior Kiwanian for the
month of April based on her various academic, athletic and community
achievements. Submitted photo
The Neillsville Kiwanis Club has named senior student Kylee Hamm as its Junior
Kiwanian for month at its April 8 meeting. She is the daughter of Olivia Hamm
and Joshua Roidt. Kylee Hamm was introduced to club members and provided them
with a resume of academic achievement, extra-curricular activity and community
involvement during high school.
She has achieved straight-A honor roll throughout her four years, received
academic letters and was named to the Chippewa Valley Technical College
president’s list in the fall 2023 term. Extra-curricular activity includes Being
a Leader and Standing Tall (BLAST), Future Career and Community Leaders of
America (FCCLA), elementary tutoring, and Future Farmers of America (FFA).
Athletic activity includes four years of varsity volleyball and two years of
club volleyball with the Eau Claire Air/Central Wisconsin Volleyball Club.
Community volunteering has included assisting with Little League soccer, middle
school volleyball tournaments, school open house, food bank participation, and
helping with Christmas food donations. In addition to her active scholastic and
volunteer efforts, Kylee Hamm is employed part-time at Sniteman Pharmacy.
Following graduation, she will be attending UW-La Crosse to pursue studies in
radiology, with an emphasis on sonography (ultrasounds).
The Neillsville community can take pride in the achievements of students such as
Kylee Hamm. The Kiwanis Club wishes her continued success as she takes the next
step in pursuit of a career in the medical field.
News: Neillsville
- City Hall Provides Kidz Clubhouse (2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Brown, Renly
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/1/2024
Neillsville City Hall Provides Kidz Clubhouse (New Place to Play - 2024)
Parents and grandparents play with their children and grandkids at the new Kidz
Clubhouse located in Neillsville City Hall basement. June Thompson/Clark County
Press
By June Thompson
Young children have a new place to play in Neillsville: the Kidz Clubhouse. The
new clubhouse is in the Neillsville City Hall (formerly the BMO Bank). The
entrance is on the side of the building or accessible inside city hall. The Kidz
Clubhouse opened March 25.
Jessica Brown, director of Neillsville Recreation Department, had the idea a
year ago.
“I got the idea from my kids,” Brown said. Brown has four children.
“When my kids were little, they played in the gym once a week,” Brown said.
“They loved it.”
Brown’s goal was to find a place where kids would have options.
“I presented the idea to [the parks and recreation department],” said Brown. “We
took the idea to the city council. With their approval, we got it up and
running.”
Getting the Kidz Clubhouse ready and furnished for children required equipment
and the financing to make it happen.
“The Listeman Foundation donated $10,000,” said Brown. “Everything was purchased
from the Listeman donation.”
Brown repainted the walls and organized the clubhouse.
“It took me a couple months to get it together,” Brown said. “It took lots of
hours. It came together really well.”
Brown purchased large play items from a playground distributor.
“They arrived in boxes and took a lot of time to piece together,” Brown said.
“The smaller items were purchased through Amazon.”
Some of the smaller play items are an airplane and alligator maze mounted on a
wall. A ball pit and indoor playground equipment are easily accessible by young
children. In the backroom, a kitchen and table are set up for coloring and
reading books. A mini shopping center/cashier area allows kids to select toy
food and put it in a shopping cart.
Kidz Clubhouse is geared for children ages six years and younger.
There is a cost per child.
“Any child a year old or younger is free,” said Brown. “The only requirement is
that the parent or guardian stays to supervise their children at all times.”
Brown hopes to consistently be open two or three days a week and have “pop-up”
days in case of bad weather.
“When school is out, I hope to have set hours, and have high school students and
teachers helping,” Brown said.
When seasonal positions become available, Brown encourages people to apply at
the Neillsville Parks and Recreation Department.
“We’re always looking for helpers/volunteers,” Brown said.
Although the Kidz Clubhouse has only been open since the end of March, there are
good comments from people.
“I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback,” Brown said. “Kids get out of the house
to play with other kids. The interactions are great for kids.”
Brown enjoys seeing kids excited about having fun.
“My biggest goal is to be self-sufficient,” Brown said.
With the funds raised and admission fees, Brown wants to purchase new toys and
keep kids engaged.
Parent Nicole Renly and her two small children came to Kidz Clubhouse.
“It’s our first time visiting,” Renly said. “I like it. It’s nice and it’s cheap
enough.”
Her son, Owen likes the ball pit and slides.
“Dinosaurs are his favorite,” Renly said.
For more information about Kidz Clubhouse, contact the Neillsville Recreation
Department at 715-743-2400.
The Kidz Clubhouse hours for April are Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30–11:30 a.m.,
Wednesdays 1–3 p.m. The clubhouse will be closed April 18.
Obit: Penney,
Vicki A. (1958 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Penney, Perzynski, Frahm, Goen, Witmer, Hommel, Briski, Cox-Dassow
----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 5/7/2024
Penney, Vicki A. (26 January 1958 – 6 May 2024)
Vicki A. Penney, age 66, of Greenwood formerly of Dorchester, passed away on
Tuesday May 6, 2024, at Marshfield Medical Center.
Vicki was born on January 26, 1958, the daughter of Rex Rodney Penney and Lydia
Francis Penney (Perzynski). Vicki worked for the Outreach at Clark County Care
Center. She took great pride in helping folding clothes and shredding papers.
Vicki enjoyed playing the card games war and go–fish with friends and family.
Riding bike and doing puzzles were some of Vicki favorite hobbies and she adored
animals.
Vicki is survived by her six siblings: Darrel (Ann) Penney of Baraboo, Connie
(David) Frahm of Edgar, Jerald Goen-Penney of Medford, Rodney (Kelly) Penney of
Curtis, Lynne Witmer of Newburg, OR and Scott ( Michael Penny–Hommel) Penney
Hommel of Madison; many nieces and nephews and her caregivers, Patty and Jim
Briski.
Vicki is preceded in death by her parents and a brother-in-law, Michael
Goen-Penney.
A Funeral Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17th, 2024, at the
Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. Pastor Tamara Cox-Dassow will
officiate. Interment will follow at the Dorchester Memorial Cemetery. Family and
friends are welcome from 1:30 until time of service on Friday at the funeral
home.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vicki , please visit
our floral store.
School: Greenwood
Students Take Bronze at Speech Festival (2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Rodriduez, Prindle, Glaser, Bissen
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/1/2024
Greenwood Students Takes Bronze at State Festival (2024)
Greenwood High School junior Jennifer Rodriguez and sophomore Victoria Prindle
competed at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Association
State Festival April 19 and 20, earning bronze place. Submitted photo
By Edward DuBois
Two Greenwood students, junior Jennifer Rodriguez and sophomore Victoria
Prindle, won bronze place at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic
Arts Association (WISDAA) State Festival held April 19-20 at DeForest High
School.
“The [WISDAA] provides students with an opportunity to enhance and refine
communication skills, foster creativity and share perspectives,” Greenwood High
School English teacher Stephanie Glaser said. “Students can participate in 16
different categories, which range from writing original speeches to performing
literature.”
This was Prindle’s second year participating in the two-day event and
Rodriguez’s first.
“Student performances are judged according to a rubric with five criteria,”
Glaser said. “The points from each criterion are added together to give a total
score for the performance. A perfect score of 25 points earns gold. Performances
with scores of 23 or 24 points earn silver. Performances with 20–22 points earn
bronze.
“Each of these levels has a corresponding medal pin. Performances with 19 or
fewer points are recognized for their accomplishments as state qualifiers but do
not receive medals.”
Rodriguez and Prindle competed in the Group Interpretive Reading category
together.
An ensemble presentation by two to five readers, the challenge of the Group
Interpretive Reading category is to compile and present a literary script in
such a manner that the audience imagines action being described rather than
witnessing it being performed. Symbolic characterization and vocal and physical
action, rather than a literal dramatization or pantomime, are required.
Ideas are imagined through oral reading and not through acting; therefore, the
ensemble of oral readers acts as a medium of expression for the audience.
“[Rodriguez and Prindle] worked incredibly well together,” Glaser said, “and
supported each other throughout the season. Their group category requires them
to blend their voices together and create a unified performance. This can be a
very challenging thing to do because it requires a great deal of trust between
the performers.
“It was rewarding to see how good they became at anticipating each other and
knowing when to step up to help each other, creating a real balance and harmony
in their performance.
“Throughout the season, the girls also consistently scored highest in ‘conveying
meaning’ (portraying their understanding of the literature and intended meaning
to the audience and effectively expressing the intellectual—what is happening,
emotional—how it feels, and sensory experiences of the material) and ‘vocal
delivery’ (utilizing effective vocal techniques to enhance meaning with
appropriate pitch, volume, rate, articulation and pronunciation).
“[Rodriguez and Prindle] chose to perform ‘They’re Made out of Meat’ by Terry
Bissen. They excelled at bringing out the humor of the piece. And they worked
hard throughout the season to perfect their vocal delivery.”
Students selected their categories and pieces for performance in November 2023.
Students then had until Feb. 13 to prepare their performance for the
sub-district festival this year.
At the subdistrict festival, Rodriguez and Prindle earned a score high enough to
advance to the next level of competition. Rodriguez and Prindle used the
feedback from the sub-district adjudicators to improve their performance.
The district festival was held on March 14. There, Rodriguez and Prindle earned
scores high enough to qualify for the state festival and Rodriguez and Prindle
again used the feedback from the adjudicators to strengthen their performance
and prepare for the final competition April 20.
The State Festival is the culminating event of the season and the highest level
of competition.
Rodriguez and Prindle needed to earn scores high enough at both the sub-district
and district levels to advance to the state festival. Though there are no more
competitions this year, both plan to participate again next year.
School: Greenwood
FFA Students Open Greenhouse (2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Amborn
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/1/2024
Greenwood FFA Students Open Greenhouse (2024)
Greenwood High School agriculture teacher Loghan Amborn holds a flower basket in
the Greenwood FFA and Alumni Greenhouse. The greenhouse opened for the year
April 22. June Thompson/Clark County Press
By June Thompson
It is that time of year for planting, and the greenhouses are open for business.
The FFA class at Greenwood High School tend to their greenhouse as part of their
curriculum. The greenhouse opened April 22.
Agriculture teacher Loghan Amborn worked with her students in the greenhouse.
“The greenhouse was originally started in 2006,” Amborn said. “It’s been a
collaborative effort between FFA students and the Alumni.”
The Alumni helped with new panels and replacing tables.
“They’re making custom metal tables usable for drainage,” said Amborn.
Some of the plants Amborn and her students grow are annuals, petunias, daisies,
sweet potato vines, geraniums, impatiens and vegetables.
“Whatever suits people’s fancy,” said Amborn. “We grow a smattering of stuff.
The popular one is petunia. And we grow veggies from seeds.”
Most folks have a favorite plant/flower, even Amborn.
“I like the ones that stay alive,” Amborn said. “I like geraniums. The petunias
have the beautiful colors.
“We have two new ones this year: black mamba and golden harvest. The black mamba
is flashy. The golden harvest looks like a sunset. Raspberry squirrel
petunia—everyone loves this one. It’s bright and cheery.”
The greenhouse not only has single flowers to plant. It also has floral baskets.
“The kids designed the baskets,” said Amborn. “We talk about color theory, warm
colors and cool colors.”
Seeder planters are also available.
“If a customer buys one, I’ll sell five plants for the price of four,” said
Amborn. “I’ll plant it for them, including the dirt. They make great Mother’s
Day gifts.”
Amborn has a section in the greenhouse for succulents and vegetable plants.
“Some of the kids start a fairy garden with succulent plants,” Amborn said.
“Some customers do a lot of canning. We have a ‘ton’ of tomatoes: Roma for
canning, cherry tomatoes, big boy for slicing. We have jalapeno, sweet peppers
and hot peppers. We have pickling cucumbers and green beans.”
Amborn and her students started planting in mid-March. The students tend to the
plants every day, watering them.
“They pluck out the dead plant/flower heads,” Amborn said. “It promotes new
growth.
“The purpose of having a greenhouse provides a learning opportunity for
students—understanding how to grow and care for plants. It’s a big deal, and
it’s a marketable skill—being able to do it yourself. Clark County has 40
greenhouses. It’s a big industry.”
Amborn has goals to improve the greenhouse.
“I’d like to get technology up to industry standard, update the tables and use
an automated watering system,” Amborn said. “I try to teach the students climate
control. The walls and ceiling open and fans work together to regulate the
temperature.
“[The greenhouse] is my favorite place. The students all want to take care of
the plants.”
According to Amborn, the planting season should begin after the last frost, the
end of April, or beginning of May.
The Greenwood FFA and Alumni Greenhouse is open during school days and after
school by appointment at 715-267-6101, extension 2271.
The Greenwood FFA Greenhouse is also on Facebook.
School: NHS FFA
Celebrates a Busy and Exciting Year (2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Byrne, Clarkson, Greenhand, Mathis, Begert, Slemec, Schmitz, Voigt,
Strangfeld, Urban, Walk, Pierce, Schmitz
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/1/2024
NHS FFA Celebrates a Busy and Exciting Year (2024)
Neillsville FFA hosted their annual banquet on Sunday, April 28. The afternoon
began with a meal served by the incoming officer team and then transitioned into
the awards banquet. Seventh- and eighth-grade members were awarded their
Discovery degree. First-year high school members were awarded their Greenhand
Degree. Second-year high school members were awarded their Chapter Degree as
well as scholarships, and recognition was given to those that competed in the
MSTC Judging Contest, speaking contests and the top fruit sales.
The 2023-2024 Neillsville FFA Officers chose to award the Friend of the FFA
Award to Terry and Becky Byrne, who have been incredibly supportive of the
Neillsville FFA for many years. The past 15 years, the Byrnes have hosted the
Neillsville fourth-graders and invited them to spend an afternoon on the farm.
They allow the high school animal science class to do their on-the-farm lab
practical at the farm, with no hesitation they volunteer at roadside cleanups,
help in the concession stands, drive for school/FFA trips and so much more. On
top of that they have been dedicated FFA Alumni members, both currently serving
as officers.
On top of awarding students their degrees, the chapter also recognized their
Star/Outstanding members. These are members that have gone above and beyond in
the FFA this past year.
Outstanding Neillsville Middle School member was Jonathan Clarkson; Star
Greenhand, Alaina Mathis; Outstanding Freshmen, Jaron Begert and Landin Slemec;
Star Chapter member, Karcyn Schmitz; Outstanding Senior, Paige Voigt; and
Outstanding Community Service, Karcyn Schmitz.
The banquet concluded with the installation of the 2024-2025 Neillsville FFA
officer team - president: Morgan Strangfeld, vice president: Karcyn Schmitz,
secretary: Kenadi Urban, reporter: Shylah Walk, and treasurer: Shaylen Pierce.
The chapter also recognized the Neillsville community for their ongoing support
of their agriculture education program and FFA.
Obit: Buss, Ronald
Gene (1946 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Buss, Kangas, Hansen, Mueller, Voetmann, Regner
----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 5/10/2024
Buss, Ronald Gene (29 March 1946 - 8 May 2024)
Ronald Gene Buss passed away at his home on May 8, 2024, at the age of 78 with
his wife and son by his side under the tender care of Heartland Hospice.
Ron was born on March 29, 1946, to Leslie and Eva (Kangas) Buss in Stanley and
graduated from Owen-Withee High School in 1964. He married Carole (Hansen) on
April 30, 1966, in Bessemer, MI and spent 58 wonderful years together. They had
two children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Ron farmed most of his life and especially enjoyed spring plowing. In his
retirement, he enjoyed running errands with his Mennonite neighbors and was
proud of his lawn work. Throughout his life he liked being in the woods, bow
hunting, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, tinkering in the garage, and his blue
tractors. Ron went to Canada fishing with family and friends and had fond
memories of those many trips.
Ron is survived by his wife Carole; his daughter, Marit Mueller; his son, Jeremy
(Julie); four grandchildren Nathan, Naomi, Logan, and Makenna and one
great-granddaughter, Hunter. He is further survived by his sister, Kathi
(Winton) Voetmann; a bonus child, Benjamin (Carin) Regner and their children,
Arthur, Elijah and Barrett and his dog Stormi.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Eva; his sister, Karen, his
in-laws Harry B. and Roselyn M. Hansen, and his beloved dogs Sophie and Connor.
He is and will be very missed and will always be remembered for his love and
sense of humor.
Ron and Carole always joked about who got to go first, and Ron can now
officially say, "I won."
Per Ron's request, no services will be held.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Ronald, please visit our Tree
Store.
Obit: Auman, Larry
Allen (1947 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Auman, Orsburn, Fitzmaurice, Krenn, Butts, Abel, Djubenski
----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/13/2024
Auman, Larry Allen (20 August 1947 – 9 May 2024)
Larry Auman, age 76, of Neillsville, died peacefully Thursday, May 9, 2024, at
the Marshfield Medical Center in Weston, surrounded by his family.
Larry Allen Auman was born on August 20, 1947, in Willard, the son of Felix and
Doris (Orsburn) Auman. He attended Rocky Run Grade School and Greenwood High
School. He then worked with his Dad logging and worked various different jobs
including running heavy equipment, hauling milk, driving dump trucks until he
bought his own semi and started Larry Auman trucking. Shortly after, he was
joined by his son Brian, and they started L&B Trucklines and worked until
retirement in November 2022. He was united in marriage to Marlene Pekol, and
they had three children, Brian, Michael and Janel. Larry and Marlene later
divorced.
Larry enjoyed hunting and fishing, watching westerns, and he especially enjoyed
watching his grandchildren. In his younger years, Larry played softball in
Willard and shot trap.
He is survived by his significant other, Donna Fitzmaurice, two children,
Michael (Mariah) Auman of Neillsville, Janel (Justin) Krenn of Pittsville, three
step-children, Laura (fiancé, Ken) Fitzmaurice, Donny (Tammy) Fitzmaurice, Kim
(Terry) Butts, six grandchildren, Kayla Auman and Kenna Auman, Marah Auman and
Micah Auman, Brecken Krenn, and Tanner Krenn, a sister, Donna Abel of Greenwood,
and a brother-in-law, Eugene Djubenski of Greenwood.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Brian and a sister, Sharon
Djubenski.
Funeral Services for Larry will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2024,
at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, WI. Interment will be in the Willard
Cemetery in Willard, WI. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday
at the Gesche Funeral Home.
Online Condolences may be made at
www.geschefh.com. The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Larry's family
with funeral arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Larry Auman,
please visit our flower store.
10
Obit: Purkis, Bonnie J. (1955 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Purkis, Search, Weidman, Zvolena, Erickson, Zawislan, Metcalfe, Mitte
----Source: Rembs Funeral Home (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 5/13/2024
Purkis, Bonnie J. (8 September 1955 – 8 May 2024)
Bonnie J. Purkis, age 68, of Marshfield, peacefully passed away on Wednesday,
May 8, 2024, at her home, with her cherished companion Patches by her side.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Bonnie’s life at 1 p.m. on Sunday,
May 19, 2024, at the Riverside Roadhouse in Marshfield.
Bonnie was born on September 8, 1955, in Marshfield, to Guy and Marcella
(Sersch) Weidman. She graduated from Spencer High School in 1973. Bonnie married
Jerry Purkis in 1979, and though their paths diverged later in life, their
shared memories endured.
Throughout her journey, Bonnie embraced various vocations, but her true passion
lay in the culinary arts. Renowned for her exceptional soups, she possessed a
remarkable talent for transforming simple ingredients into culinary delights.
Her dedication to crafting delicious dishes endeared her to many.
A devoted mother, Bonnie found joy in family, food, and flowers. Her faithful
companion, Patches, remained a constant presence, offering comfort until the
very end. Gardening brought her immense pleasure, and she took pride in
nurturing her vibrant array of flowers.
Bonnie's involvement in Taco Tuesday at the Riverside Roadhouse, alongside her
son Troy, brought her immense pride and satisfaction.
Bonnie is survived by her children, Tammy (Travis) Zvolena of Pittsville and
Troy (Alisha) Purkis of Marshfield, as well as her grandchildren: Kalel Purkis,
Olivia Purkis, Chase Zvolena, and Delayna Zvolena. She is further survived by
her brothers, Rodger (Jill) Weidman and Ron Weidman, Sharon (Rodger) Erickson,
Ed (Joan) Purkis, Rose (Dale) Zawislan, Tina (Daryl) Metcalfe, Mike (Cheri)
Purkis and Mike Mitte.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Richard Weidman. and her
beloved sister Carol Mitte.
