Obit: Barteck, Elaine Jeannette (1943- 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Barteck, Woods, Cole, Manske, Rajaofera
----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home Owen, Clark Co., WI) 9/11/2023
Barteck, Elaine Jeannette (30 March 1943 – 8 September 2023)
Elaine Jeannette (Cole) Barteck went to be with her Lord, surrounded by her
family, on Friday, September 8th having fought a courageous 16 year battle with
carcinoid cancer. She was under the tender care of St. Croix Hospice for the
last few days of her life at the Clark County Rehab and Living Center.
Elaine was born in Sturgeon Bay on March 30, 1943, to Ruth M. (Woods) and
Maynard M. Cole. She graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School, Sheboygan
County Teacher’s College and the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a
degree in lower elementary education.
She married the love of her life, Noel K. Barteck on June 11, 1966, at Fountain
Park Church, Sheboygan. Noel and Elaine made a “temporary” move to Owen in 1967.
Together they raised two wonderful sons, Robert (Kristine) Barteck, Wisconsin
Rapids & John (Jeannette) Barteck, La Crosse.
Elaine and Noel were also blessed with four grandchildren: Andrew (Abigale)
Barteck, Wisconsin Rapids, & Jessica Barteck, attending U. W. La Crosse, Matthew
(Kayla) Barteck, Cottage Grove, & Emily (Nick) Manske, Stoddard, and four Great
Grandchildren: Peyton, Hunter, Hayes and Lilly .
Elaine taught lower elementary at Two Creeks, Glenbeulah, the Owen-Withee Public
School; St. Louis in Dorchester; and St. Mary’s in Colby. After retiring from
teaching she worked at the Owen Public Library until her retirement.
She was an active member of the Owen United Church of Christ where she served as
Financial Secretary, sang in the choir, played piano occasionally for church
services, taught Sunday School, and also was a member of the church board for
many years
She dearly loved her family and her many friends who were her “chosen” family.
Elaine was an avid camper, having been introduced to tent camping on her
honeymoon. She loved to get together and play games and cards with her friends;
she also loved spending quality time with her children, grandchildren &
great-grandchildren. For many years she was the “main chef” for the “Barteck
Hunting Lodge” when all the family would come up for deer hunting. In later
years the family provided most of the food for deer camp, but Elaine usually
worried if there would be enough, or a big enough variety. She would be planning
menus months in advance of any major family gathering.
Elaine is survived by her family, named above, and all her many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023,
at the United Church of Christ in Owen. Pastor Asafa Rajaofera will officiate.
Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 a.m. until time of service Saturday at
the church.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elaine, please visit
our floral store.
Obit: Elmhorst, Joel Marie (1945 - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Elmhorst, Roohr, Neuman, Fowler, Featherston, Crowe, Blanchard,
Hawkes, Atkins, Warczytowa, Levenhagen, Hunter
----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/12/2023
Elmhorst, Joel Marie (4 July 1945 – 10 September 2023)
Joel Marie (Neuman) Elmhorst, age 78, of Neillsville, was reunited in heaven
Sunday, September 10, 2023, with her loving husband Daniel Elmhorst.
Joel was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1945, in Owen, the daughter of
Lawrence C. Neuman and Gertrude M. Roohr. She was united in marriage to Daniel
Gene Elmhorst on July 27, 1963, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Riplinger.
Early in their marriage they had moved to the Fox Valley and Waukesha areas,
where they joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1970. As a
devote member she served in the Relief Society and multiple other church
callings.
In 1973 Daniel and Joel moved their family back to the Peaceful Pines Farm where
Joel was a very caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great
grandmother. She was also a mother figure to many others.
Her primary occupation was transportation, and she was best known in this area
as a school bus driver. She worked with the Neillsville School District for
almost 30 years. In retirement, she became a transporter for the Amish community
and became well known and respected in their communities. She was also the
receptionist and ran the front office of the TLC Wellness Center in Neillsville,
where she greeted everyone with her beautiful smile.
Joel had several talents, she enjoyed reading, crocheting, crafts, canning, and
puzzles. She was her husband's partner, by his side through all his ventures.
She was a volunteer bell ringer through the holidays. She loved traveling,
spending time with her family, and adored being a grandmother and great
grandmother. She was a very generous and compassionate person, whose home was
always open to anyone in need.
She is survived by her eleven children, Daniel J. "DJ" (Patty Fowler) Elmhorst
of Granton, Ladd (Deanna) Elmhorst of Neillsville, Tawnya (Robert) Featherston
of Granton, Nona (Russ Blanchard) Crowe of Ashland, Naomi (Richette) Elmhorst of
Neillsville, Mya (Hazen) Hawkes of Neillsville, Thomas (Lisa) Elmhorst of
Marshfield, Cherie (Richard) Atkins of Jacksonville, IL, Jacob (Ali) Elmhorst of
North Ridgeville, OH, Elizabeth (Nathan) Warczytowa of Westfield, and Peter
(Cheryl) Elmhorst of Spring, TX, 40 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and
one sibling, Glen Neuman of Lodi.
Joel was preceded in death by her husband Daniel, her parents, Lawrence and
Gertrude, brothers, Duane and Dennis, and sister Lavonne Levenhagen.
Funeral services for Joel will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 20,
2023, at Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Neillsville. Bishop
Benjamin Hunter will officiate. Interment will be in Peaceful Pines Cemetery in
Neillsville. A luncheon will follow. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to
7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 19, 2023. and also from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.,
Wednesday morning at the Gesche Funeral Home.
Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com The Gesche Funeral Home is
assisting Joel's family with funeral arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joel
Elmhorst, please visit our flower store.
Obit: Johnson, Marty R. “Vern” (1955 - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Johnson, Mccorkle, Scott, Wunrow, Hamilton, Jensen, Goessl, Phillis
----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Owen, Clark Co., WI) 9/11/2023
Johnson, Marty R. “Vern” (30 July 1955 – 9 September 2023)
Marty R. Johnson “Vern”, age 68, of Withee, passed away on September 9, 2023, at
the Marshfield Medical Center.
Marty was born on July 30, 1955, the son of William and Katherine (Johnson)
Mccorkle in Chattanooga, TN. He was united in marriage to Patricia Scott on
February 14, 1990, in IL. Marty worked as a machinist in IL before moving to
Withee where he worked at Marathon Cheese for many years.
Marty enjoyed fishing, watching football and playing video games with his
grandchildren. He taught many things to his family, including working on
vehicles. Most importantly, he loved and cherished his family.
Marty is survived by his wife, Patricia; four daughters: Mary Scott of
Ingleside, IL, Jean (Jeff) Wunrow of Marshfield, Tonya Scott of Withee and
Melinda Hamilton of Ashland City, TN; eight grandchildren: Breanna Jensen,
Analise Jensen, Zack Goessl, Amaya Goessl, Luke Goessl, Adam Goessl, Robert
Scott and Grace Wunrow; two great-grandsons, JJ and Payton Phillis. He is
further survived by one brother, William (Shay) Mccorkle, Sr. of Wauconda, IL;
three sisters: Teresa Mccorkle of Medford, Mary Elizabeth Mccorkle (Greg) of
Colby and Malenia Mccorkle of Spring Grove, IL; nieces, nephews, other relatives
and friends.
A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023, at
the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Owen. Interment to follow in the Town of
Longwood Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome from 11:00 a.m. until time of
service on Friday.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marty, please visit
our floral store.
BioM: Marriage Licenses (Sep/Oct - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Vine, Kowal, Petke, Nye, Nikolai, Raese, Miller, Hershberger, Ernst,
Herdrich, Shirk, Allanson, Horst, High, Haas, Henderson
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/13/2023
Marriage Licenses (Sep/Oct - 2023)
Bradley D. Vine, to Ashley M. Kowal, both of Village of Granton, Sept 16, at
Village of Granton.
Arthur A. Petke, IV, To Jada L. Nye, both of Town of Withee, Sept. 16, at the
Town of Withee.
Mathew J. Nikolai, to Madelin R. Raese, both of Township of Warner, Sept. 23,
Jackson County.
Noah D. Miller, Town of Eaton, to Verna D., Hershberger, Town of Loyal, Sept.
14, at the Town of Loyal.
Mitchel D. Ernst, to Renee M. Herdrich, both of Town of Longwood, Sept. 30, at
Town of Longwood.
John M. Shirk, Town of Hoard, to Phoebe S. Allanson, Taylor County, Sept. 1, at
the Village of Withee.
David C. Horst, Town of Loyal, to Amanda H. High, Town of Weston, Sept. 16, at
the Town of Weston.
Nicholas M. Haas, to Brianna L. Henderson, both of Town of Mead, Oct. 20, at the
town of Reseburg.
News: Neillsville Atmus Employees Donation (2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Schmidt, Schoengarth, Reich, Hensiak, Wegner, Breneman, Zulaica
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/13/2023
Atmus Employees Select CCHS For Donation (2023)
Sept. 6, (front, l-r) Kris Schmidt, Clark County United Way treasurer, Becky
Schoengarth, Atmus employee, Andrea Reich, Atmus employee, (back) Amanda
Hensiak, Atmus United Way Campaign Leader, Chuck Wegner, CCHS Executive
Director, Todd Breneman, Atmus Operations Manager and Maria Zulaica, Atmus Plant
Manager came together for Wegner to receive a donation from Atmus and the Clark
County United Way. Submitted photo
Atmus Filtration (formerly known as Cummins Filtration) recently held a
back-to-school ice cream social to benefit Clark County United Way. Employees
voted where to donate the $587 raised and chose the Clark County Humane Society
(CCHS). Atmus matches donations made by the employees through events like these
as well as automatic contributions.
“The Clark County Humane Society is important to me as they really do care about
the animals,” Becky Schoengarth said. “They stick the funds they raise back into
the building, the equipment and the people to provide the services the animals
need.
“I feel animals’ complete humans and make the world a better place to live. The
Clark County Humane Society is a ‘no kill’ shelter that doesn’t just assist in
the area they reside in—they assist other areas, even shelters in other states
that lack in assistance. The shelter will fly dogs in from other shelters that
are overflowing when they get low on dogs, so those dogs have an opportunity for
a better life. This is the warmth the world needs right now.”
“In my family,” Maria Zulaica said, “our two cats were adopted from my vet
friend’s clinic and our two colored-eye dog was adopted right from the street
when she was looking for food at a restaurant patio.
“They are a blessing for our home, I do truly believe they are our daily
emotional supporters, they can sense when we are not okay and come close to give
us comfort.
“The importance of organizations like this is how they can make this happen for
other people, all the effort and passion CCHS put on this mission goes beyond
the impact of looking only for a better life for our fur friends, this impacts
the wellbeing of people, families and the community. That’s why I think [it] is
very important to keep supporting them.”
“I remember walking in to the CCHS the first time and getting our puppy,” Amanda
Hensiak said. “He has and continues to bring great joy to our family over the
years.
“The CCHS is the second largest Humane Society in Wisconsin. That is pretty
impactful when you think about their rural location. They are doing some
outstanding work and we are grateful to be able to support them and our
employees voiced that with their pick to donate funds to them.”
“Having good infrastructure and resources to care for and support people in
their times of need,”
Todd Breneman said, “be it the homeless or someone sick without insurance or the
frail elderly, is vital to any city, town or village in order to be a good place
to live. Those who need help are members of someone’s family and we want them to
be cared for as well as possible. Would anyone who loves animals think any
differently about the infrastructure and resources being available to care for
animals in their times of need?
“In lots of ways, pets are like family members to many of us. We are so lucky to
have CCHS with its extensive range of services and interconnections in the
region to provide the expert and loving care to the animals that need it while
in their care. It is a good feeling to know they are treated like family members
when at CCHS.”
“Sometimes, you save them,” Andrea Reich said. “Sometimes, they save you.”
News: Granton - New Teachers Start the School Year
(2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Smagacz, Pernsteiner, Popp
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/13/2023
Granton - New Teachers Start the School Year (2023)
Clark County’s new teachers start the school year
By Edward DuBois
A few new teachers have started the 2023-24 school year in schools across Clark
County.
Amanda Smagacz of Neillsville started her new position as the Granton Middle
School English and physical science teacher.
Smagacz has a major in kinesiology (physical education), health education, and
special education from Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho, masters in special
education emotional behavior disorders and licenses in early childhood special
education from UW-Stevens Point, and a reading teacher license from Viterbo
December of 2023, as well as licenses in health, physical education, special
education, early childhood special education, emotional behavior disorders, and
reading, from Lewis-Clark State College, UW-Stevens Point and Viterbo.
“I have been teaching special education for many years,” Smagacz said, “and have
15 years of experience mostly at the high school level and I am excited to move
to a regular education position where I can support all students with the
differentiation, they need to be successful.
“I enjoy finding ways for students to get excited about what they are learning.
It is always great when students are feeling confident and successful enough to
challenge their own learning.
Smagacz has a 4-year-old dog named Hershey.
“I enjoy cooking, baking, food growing and preservation, and crafting,” Smagacz
said. “I have dreams of living on a small hobby farm and living a sustainable
lifestyle.
“My faith is important to me as well as learning about different cultures. I
have traveled many times to Guatemala to work with churches and schools.”
- - -
Rhonda Pernsteiner has joined this year to Granton as a second grade teacher
aid.
“I graduated from Granton in 1989,” Pernsteiner said, “so it feels good to be
home.
“I have a surgical technician degree from Mid-State Technical college. I have
over eight years’ experience in the education field, from teachers aid to high
school office and custodial.
“I enjoy working in a school district, watching them grow into young adults,
knowing you had a small part you played in their education.
“My husband, Chris, and I live just two miles from school, on a big crop farm. I
don’t have a lot of hobbies, as there is plenty of work to do from mowing our
big lawn and maintaining the farm, which does bring me great joy.”
Pernsteiner also said she likes spending time with her family and grandkids.
- - -
Nancy Popp of Loyal began her new position as a District Administrator at the
Granton Area School District.
Her education includes a bachelors in science elementary education, with an
added English major, from UW-Platteville, a masters in science in educational
leadership from Cardinal Stritch University and a masters in science as an
educational specialist from UW-Superior.
“I taught middle school applied language and high school English for 21 years,”
Popp said. “The last three of those, I was half-time teacher and half-time
elementary principal for the Loyal School District. For the last three years, I
was the Loyal Elementary Principal.
“I love seeing the potential in students and seeing their faces light up when
they tackle a difficult problem and solve it.”
Popp has been married to her husband, Kevin, for 36 years. The couple has have
three children and two grandchildren.
“As a family,” Popp said, “we go to concerts and plays. I also like a variety of
crafts and I love to read.”
News: Greenwood - Ends Summer With a Fest (2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Beyerl, Schmidt, Glazer, Branstiter, Thomas
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/13/2023
Greenwood Ends Summer With a Fest (2023)
Miss Greenwood, Paige Beyerl and her court waved to the crowd atop her float.
Submitted photo
By L.B., reporter
Greenwood’s End of Summerfest entertained the town and those from across the
county for the weekend Sept. 8-9. Events took place on both days.
Crafters and vendors set up their tents and tables on Main Street in Greenwood.
A wide variety of items were sold, including handcrafted outdoor furniture by
DKY Enterprises, burp cloths, baby bibs and Afghans made by Ruth Schmidt of
Grammy’s Stitch and Sew, and custom tumblers, epoxy and wood crafts, key chains,
and more by Jody of Designs by J.
Sept. 9’s chess tournament took place in the American Legion and was organized
by Stephanie Glazer.
“It’s our first year doing this as part of End of Summerfest” Glazer said.
“There’s a chess club up at the high school, so I figured it’d be a good idea.
We had 12 players sign up for it. There’s a wide range of ages, from little kids
to adults who joined. There’s been a lot of intensity in the first few rounds.
It’s a nice skill and helps with planning and forward thinking.”
There were over 50 cars at the Car Show and many who explored the impressive
vintage vehicles.
The book sale at the Greenwood Library took place at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and drew
in a large crowd of adults and children who were happy to support the library
and buy new books.
The Branstiter Museum hosted a wine and cheese tasting open from 11 a.m. to 3
p.m.
Later, at 12 p.m., the museum kicked off Greenwood Get a Clue, the murder
mystery game where all ages can participate and hunt around Greenwood for clues
to find out “whodunnit.” The event was organized by Brenda Thomas, who was
inspired to create the game for Greenwood based off a game of Clue she and her
husband played on a cruise ship.
“I’ve always loved mysteries and Clue,” Thomas said, “and me and my hubby went
on this cruise where they had a Clue game there, and I thought I’d bring it to
Greenwood. It started six years ago, and we’ve worked out some issues like
difficulty level and the amount of time needed to complete it.”
The game takes hours of preparation each year, but every participant enjoyed
their time in the game.
Participants are given an investigation sheet and a map. The Clue characters
recite their alibis and can tell the audience members them again but cannot
offer any more assistance. Many local businesses get involved in the
investigation and clues are placed around town. When the detectives are ready,
they place their final guess into the “accusation box” and participate in a
prize drawing with the highest prize being $50.
This year, Miss Scarlet had the dagger, Professor Plum had the revolver, Colonel
Mustard had the rope, Mrs. Peacock had the candlestick, and Ms. White had the
poison.
At 3 p.m., the parade started, and Main Street filled with Greenwood citizens.
Kids ran around for candy and adults enjoyed the live music, Loyal-Greenwood
marching band and other floats and parade members.
In the evening, the Antique Tractor Pull took place. The Tractor Pull was hosted
by Greenwood FFA Alumni.
Finally, at dusk, the Super Mario Bros. movie played for kids at the Greenwood
Public Library in the park. The Girl Scouts hosted the event and provided free
toys, stickers and other trinkets.
News: Loyal -- Heading Inside for Now (Painted Rocks
- 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Hall
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/13/2023
Loyal—Heading Inside For Now (Painted Rocks - 2023)
Roscoe reached 94 rocks long before being moved inside the Loyal Public Library
for the winter months, fitting for both care of the painted rocks the project is
made of and the animal it resembles. Howeve4r, people are still welcome to
continue adding rocks a any point. “A community member approached me about a
Facebook post they had seen from another community that had done this project,”
Loyal Public Library director Teresa Hall said. “Because she is an avid rock
painter, she thought the library would be a great place for the community to
create a snake of our own. She offered to paint the sign and the original head
as well as donate some supplies. We did copy the Roscoe name and the sign from
the other community, but the rest of the talent and creativity comes from the
Loyal community. Our Summer Reading Program was just getting underway in June,
so I incorporated the painting as a project for one of our program days. The
children were so excited to paint the rocks that first day that I decided to add
other painting days. For six Thursdays after our Summer Reading Program was
over, I invited children and adults to come in and be creative. The library
supplied rocks, paint and various brushes. If we are going to do additional
painting days in the future, I’ll need more rocks. But for now, I’m excited for
how much this project grew. It’s a great conversation piece when you come to the
library.”
Edward DuBois/Clark County Press
News: Owen-Withee - FFA Hosts Breakfast at Black River
Orchard (2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Finkelson
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/13/2023
Owen-Withee FFA Host Breakfast at Black River Orchard (2023)
Sept. 9, guests at the Black River Orchard breakfast ate a full breakfast with
pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausages and more provided by the Owen-Withee FFA and
the Black River Orchard. L.B./Clark County Press
By L. B., reporter
The Owen-Withee (O-W) FFA hosted a breakfast at the Black River Orchard, N14252
CTH O, Withee, on Sept. 9 from 7 a.m. to noon. The breakfast was accompanied by
crafters and vendors selling their items, as well as an archery area set up by
the O-W FFA.
The Black River Orchard’s owners are Barb and Gordy Finkelson, who established
the orchard in 2001.
“It started with 900 semi-dwarf trees,” Barb Finkelson said. “Now, we’re cutting
back since we’re getting older. There are 300 semi-dwarf trees and about 600
dwarfs. Semi-dwarfs grow taller, bear more fruit, and need a lot more pruning,
so they’re more work. Dwarf trees, we top off at 6 feet, so we don’t need a
ladder to get the fruit, we can get them off the ground, and so they take less
work.
“We really enjoy raising and selling them in the fall. We start in March with
trimming, then in summer we keep the orchard neat, with fall being picking
season. It takes us about four and a half hours to mow the entire orchard with
two big mowers. We open her up in September until deer hunting season.”
When the owners are in the off-season, Barb Finkelson works as the head
integrated marketing communication specialist at the O-W school and as a
substitute teacher, and Gordy Finkelson grows corn and soybeans.
“We used to have a dairy farm,” Barb said, but when we’d had enough fun with
that, we sold the farm, and we bought this land.
“I said I needed something to do, since I’m like that, needing something to get
done, so I started the orchard, and eventually, I just kept wanting more of this
type and this tree, and we got to 900 and all this.
“Gordy built the playground, and the train belongs to a neighbor. The FFA and
Agriculture teacher built that gazebo for us – well, actually, it was for the
class of 2013’s junior prom, but then he gave it to us.”
The breakfast was organized by the owners and the O-W FFA, who provided
pancakes, sausage from River Valley Meats and scrambled eggs. The Black River
Orchard provided fresh applesauce, apple cider and soft serve ice cream.
The orchard is a pick-your-own kind, so all ages can stop in and pick their
apples from the many kinds of apple trees and enjoy fresh honey and apple cider.
News: Neillsville — A New Hub for Amazon (2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Moscinski, Sahmbow, Rubenzer
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/13/2023
Neillsville—A New Hub for Amazon (2023)
Aug. 28, (l-r) Tea Moscinski, Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce Director,
Chad Sahmbow, Amazon sales assistant and Laurel Rubenzer, held acquisition
manager official opened the Amazon shipping hub’s at the Neillsville Chamber of
Commerce Office/Unity Bank building on West Street.
Nancy Curtin/Clark County Press
