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Bio: Mallory, Theresa (Moeller) (100th Birthday - 2023)

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

Surnames: Mallory, Moeller

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/27/2023

Mallory, Theresa (Moeller) (100th Birthday - 2023)

Theresa (Moeller) Mallory, a 1941 Graduate of Granton High School, will celebrate her 100th Birthday with an Open House, Sat. Oct. 7, 1 p.m.–4 p.m., at the Granton Community Center in Granton, WI.

Join us for cake & Coffee. No gifts, your presence will be all the presents we ask.

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Church: Loyal-Trinity Lutheran Church (Dinner - 2023)

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

Surnames: No Names

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/27/2023

Loyal-Trinity Lutheran Church (Dinner - 2023)



Trinity Lutheran Church in Loyal held its annual Meatballs and Spuds Dinner, which has been put on since 1995, Sept. 20. Proceeds will go to Missions/projects both local and international. The church was prepared to serve 250 meals, consisting of Swedish, Russian or BBQ meatballs, baked potatoes (with the fixings; sour cream, cheese and/or butter) and fruit/veggie salad and sauerkraut. The dinner was carryout and drive-through only. Photo shows volunteers from the church prepped the first dinner to be served before it was taken up to the serving at the drive-through in the parking lot.

Edward DuBois/Clark County Press

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News: Granton – Support For O’Neill Creek Trail Project (2023)

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

Surnames: Pongratz

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/27/2023

E-bike Raffle Supports O’Neil Creek Trail Project (2023)



Travis Pongratz won the raffle for a Trek FX+2 Stagger E-bike and helmet drawn at the Granton Fire Station during the Granton Fall Festival, Sept. 10.

Submitted photo

Sept. 10, the winner of the raffle for a Trek FX+2 Stagger E-bike and helmet was drawn at the Granton Fire Station during the Granton Fall Festival. The raffle was sponsored by Neillsville Improvement Corporation (NIC) with proceeds supporting the O’Neill Creek Trail project. Assembly District 69 Representative Donna Rozar was enlisted to draw the winning ticket. Travis Pongratz of Neillsville was the lucky winner of this bike with electric motor assist purchased by a donor from The Sports Den in Marshfield.

“Thank you all for giving us the opportunity to ride on good trails,” Travis Pongratz said, “Thanks to you all, my dad [Terry Pongratz] will once again be able to ride a bike with me. This winning of the e-bike is really a life-changing event for both of us. Thank you all for what you do.”

The O’Neill Creek Trail project is developing a safe, off-road, non-motorized use, recreational trail connecting Neillsville, Granton and Chili along Northern States Power’s active powerline corridor. The trail can be used year-round for bicycling, walking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, creating a healthy and prosperous future for Clark County.

The NIC is the project manager and fiscal agent for this economic development project.

To learn more about this project or to donate, visit www.neillsvilleimprovement.jimdofree.com. 

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News: Neillsville - New Annual Community Fundraiser (2023)

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

Surnames: Krukowski, Krause

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/27/2023

New Annual Community Fundraiser Coming to Neillsville (2023)

By Nancy Curtin

The first annual community fundraiser, Community, Crafts and Causes, will hit the Clark County Fairgrounds in Neillsville with a unique entry fee: a non-perishable food item for local food pantries.
“The idea for the Community, Crafts and Causes event arose from the desire to help our community in any way possible,” Kris Krukowski said. “Living in rural Neillsville, we have talked about how easy it is to lose perspective on the struggles and needs of others. When fence lines are long, neighbors fade into the horizon. We live in our own little circle, insulated and isolated from the community.

“While things like social media, online shopping and self-checkout lanes have advantages, they create an aura around convenience that further disconnects us from personal interaction. It is from this perspective that the idea to host an event was formed. The name, ‘Community, Crafts and Causes,’ was chosen because it defines our vision of support and inspiration.”

With no budget and, admittedly, little knowledge on event organization, Jodi and Kris Krukowski booked the Krause Family Livestock Building at the Clark County Fairgrounds and started work on turning their ideas into reality.

The 1st Annual Clark County Community, Crafts and Causes event is scheduled for Sept. 30 from 9 a.m.¬–5 p.m. at the Clark County Fairgrounds. Guests who attend may drop off their non-perishable food donation at the door.

More than 40 vendors will be there, everyone from authors to vinyl wares, small businesses and independent consultants. Hourly raffles will be held, beginning at 10 a.m., too.

The American Legion Post 73 from Neillsville will be selling food and beverages throughout the day. Seating will be provided for guests so they may enjoy a meal and some camaraderie during the event.

“We chose the food pantry because nutritious food is a basic need, and food insecurity can affect anyone,” Kris Krukowski said. “With the generosity of guests who attend and are able to donate, we can ease the burden of choice between food, medication, or rent.

“We chose the Clark County Humane Society because we’ve utilized their services and know first-hand how much they care about the animals in their facility. As a no-kill shelter, they diligently work to find forever homes for every animal that passes through their doors. Beyond that, the shelter provides discounted spay and neuter services, wellness exams, vaccinations, microchipping and more.”
Altogether, the fundraiser has three goals.

“Our hopes are high,” Kris Krukowski said, “but, with the help from the community, our goals are attainable.

“We are asking those who can donate non-perishable food items to drop them off at the door when they stop at the fairgrounds on Sept. 30. The donated food will be shared equally with four Clark County food pantries. Whether it be one can or a whole case, every donation matters. Rest assured, even if you don’t have a can to spare, you are still welcome at our event.

“Our second goal is to raise money through raffle ticket sales for the Clark County Humane Society. Several local businesses and our gracious vendors have created unique gift baskets and items to be raffled. Dollars raised will aid in the care of the animals at the shelter.

“We also want to highlight the talent and entrepreneurship of crafters and small businesses by giving them the opportunity to set up and sell without the fear of taking a loss. That’s a terrible burden both financially and emotionally. We want the vendors to know that we support their dreams and are inspired by their creativity.

“Our final goal is to generate food sales in support of the members of Neillsville Post 73 of the American Legion. The Legion will be serving a variety of food items and beverages. The Legion provides much-needed veterans services to the community, a cause we support wholeheartedly."

The success of this first event is foremost on the Krukowski’s minds, as that will determine if this as an annual or semi-annual event, and if the event can be expanded on.

“We are both nervous and excited,” Kris Krukowski said. “Nervous because we want everyone who took the leap with us, investing their time and talent in doing so, to be satisfied with the outcome of the journey. Excited with the prospect of doing better than we could have imagined, greeting crowds of people who took the time to stop down at the Clark County Fairgrounds in support of the event and the causes we’ve highlighted this time around. If all goes well, then we hope to hold other events in the future.

“We recognize that there are many other local organizations and causes in need of extra support. We hope to help as many as we can.”

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News: Levis Mound - Hosts Acorn Squatch Fest (2023)

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

Surnames: Meurett

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/27/2023

Levis Mound Hosts Acorn Squatch Fest (2023)

By L. B., reporter

(Place photo of biker at Squatch Fest here.)

A biker at Levis Mound for the Acorn First wears a Acorn Squatch shirt given by NATA members to registerer bikers. People had gathered in the chalet behind the biker for late morning pastries, provided by Brad the Baker, apple cider and coffee.

L. B./Clark County Press

Levis Mound hosted the Acorn Squatch Fest from Sept. 22-24.

Acorn Squatch is hosted annually as a grassroots fundraiser for the trail system at Levis. The event is a way for the mountain bike community to get together, camp, have fun and enjoy the spirit of camaraderie that comes with mountain biking,

Levis Mound’s trails are home to various local wildlife such as elk, bears and wolves.

The 2023 festival included several night rides, diverse coffee techniques passed around by campers, treats from Brad the Baker, a longtime friend of the Neillsville Area Trail Association (NATA), guided group rides, a taco bar, salsa contest and more.

“The club is all volunteers, we build and maintain the trails,” Steve Meurett said, member of NATA. “We host races, events, and this is a fundraiser for Levis Mound. We usually have 50 to 100 participants.”

Meurett and a friend of his started the mountain bike meets in the 1980s and helped build the trails at Levis Mound.

People of all ages can attend the Acorn Squatch Fest. Music, figure-8 kid cycle races and cornhole are played there. Costumes are appreciated for night games, and night rides take place as much as possible.

As much as people enjoyed the events, one night’s rides were cancelled due to poor weather.

“It’s cool to see 20-30 guys wheeling through the woods with their lights on,” a member of NATA said.

The only thing required for the Acorn Squatch Fest is a fat or skinny gravel bike and a “fun-filled attitude.”

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Bio: Schoen, Brooklin - Takes Chance at Last Chance Qualifiers (2023)

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

Surnames: Schoen, Berger, Parsley

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 9/27/2023

Schoen Takes Chance at last Chance Qualifiers (2023)

By Edward DuBois

Brooklin Schoen and her coach, Dale Berger, traveled to Pueblo, CO for the USA Boxing Last Chance Qualifier Sept. 9–13.

Schoen’s first match was Sept. 13, against Cassie Parsley from Texas. She had a bit more experience, but Schoen was happy with the draw.

If Schoen won the match, she would advance to box the #1 seed in the tournament, followed by the weekend’s finals; she should advance to Louisiana in December for the Olympic trials.

“These last couple of tournaments have been qualifiers to make it to the trials,” Berger said. “May’s tournament did not go as planned at 119 lbs. [weight class]. [Schoen] drew the #1 seed first night and lost. We moved back up to 125 lbs. [weight class] where she feels stronger and faster.

“We have been training four/five nights a week for the last eight weeks. We work on fundamentals, technique, bag/mitt work, core/conditioning and more. She has been running five miles per day every day and shadow boxing on no-gym days. We have done some traveling to get sparring in with other girls and brought opponents into the gym, as well.

“She has also done some traveling and had a few show matches with some high end opponents from South Dakota, Missouri and Minnesota in preparation. She went 2-1 in those matches. Two of those opponents are in the tournament as well.”

Schoen raised about $3,000 from the fundraiser at the American Legion Post #37 fundraiser Aug. 26 to go to Colorado for the event.

“[We are] extremely grateful from the support of the community,” Berger said.

Schoen ended up losing a decision on her Sept. 13 bout.

“[It was] close but not what we were hoping for,” Berger said. “Thought we had a good draw. The girl was better than expected.

“We now hit some local shows in the next month or two and get ready for the Silver Gloves Tournament here in December.”

Previously, in April, Schoen became the unopposed Wisconsin State Golden Gloves champion.

Schoen competed in two non-tournament match bouts at Wisconsin Golden Gloves in April, coming away with unanimous decisions on each bout. She moved on to the National Golden Gloves Championship tournament in Pennsylvania in May. The tournament was also an Olympic trials qualifying tournament.

Before that, in December 2022, Schoen had gone to the 2022 USA Boxing National Championships in Lubbock, TX.

She had won her first bout of the tournament by unanimous decision against a boxer from Buffalo. She lost the next bout to the girl that took gold at the Worlds in Spain two weeks prior and stopped in the second round.

“All in all,” Berger said, “good experience, getting ready for this year’s tournaments.”

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Obit: Hammond, William Harold (1942 - 2023)

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

Surnames: Hammond, Gall, Fitzl, Northup, Schiller, Kautzer, Paschke, Dusso, Neustedt

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Loyal, Clark Co., WI) 9/28/2023

Hammond, William Harold (25 September 1942 – 25 September 2023) With Flag

William H. Hammond, age 81, of Loyal, passed away at House of the Dove in Marshfield, on Monday, September 25, 2023.

William Harold Hammond was born on September 25, 1942, in Loyal, the son of George M. and Adeline (Gall) Hammond. He was raised and received his education in Loyal. After completing his education, Bill worked as a linotype operator for a printing company in Minnesota for one year, and then worked for a printing company in Wautoma, until 1964.

He entered the U.S. Army on June 6, 1964, and served until his honorable discharge from the Wisconsin Army National Guard on December 31, 1997, where he served with in the 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery, "Red Fox Battalion", for 20 years, part of the Red Arrow Division's 32nd Infantry Brigade. He was united in marriage to Donna M. Fitzl on May 5, 1995, in Neillsville. They resided in Loyal and enjoyed watching the Packers and gambling. After Donna's death in April 2018, Bill lived in Loyal until his death.

He had many interests, but especially enjoyed hunting with his boys, riding around Loyal on his scooter and visiting with the people.

Bill is survived by his children: Scott (Anna) of Hampton, VA, Todd Hammond of Bainbridge Island, WA, Jeff Hammond of Madison, Roger Northup of Loyal, Laurie (Steve) Schiller of Marshfield, Susan Kautzer of Marshfield, and Frank (Staci) Paschke of New Richmond; numerous grandchildren & great-grandchildren; one sister: Rose "Nancy" Dusso of Menomonie; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Donna, who will be laid to rest with Bill, his parents; his siblings: Jim Hammond, MaryAnn Neustedt, Jerry Hammond; and his brother-in-law: Raymond Dusso.

A visitation will be held at Cuddie Funeral Home in Loyal, on Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., followed by burial of cremains at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Loyal.

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Obit: Smith, Beverly May (1936 - 2023)

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

Surnames: Smith, Deering, Hayden, McDonald, Norgren, Odden, Hoops

----Source: Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 9/28/2023

Smith, Beverly May (13 August 1936 – 26 September 2023)

Beverly May Smith, age 87, of Marshfield passed away Tuesday September 26, 2023, at Three Oaks Health Services, Marshfield.

Beverly was born August 13, 1936, in Granton, daughter of the late Wesley and Ida (Deering) Hayden. She graduated from Marshfield Senior High in 1955. On August 10, 1957, she married Jerome D. Smith. They were happily married for 62 years prior to Jerome’s passing on September 26, 2019.

Bev worked at the Marshfield clinic as a receptionist and after the children were born became a fulltime house wife. In the early 70’s she worked at Fleet Farm until son Steven became ill in 1980. Bev finished her working career at Krall Furniture.

Bev enjoyed playing cards, bowling and all Wisconsin sports. She also took great pride in watching her sons, granddaughter and grandson play in multiple sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, cross country and track.

Survivors include her sons, Brian (Julie) Smith, Marshfield and Randy (Barb) Smith, Cottage Grove; 2 grandchildren Stephanie (Ben) McDonald, Neenah and Bradley Smith / (Holly Norgren), Waterloo, 3 great grandchildren, Nolan, Benson, and Lennon McDonald, Neenah.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Wesley and Ida, husband; Jerome, son; Steven and siblings; Naomi Odden, Beryl Hoops and Noel Hayden

A memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 5th at Hanson-Shilling Funeral Home 1010 East Veterans Parkway, Marshfield. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials will be decided on a later date.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Beverly M. Smith, please visit our floral store.

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