Bio: Koepp, Abigail -- Selected as December Junior
Kiwanian (2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Koepp
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/27/2023
Koepp, Abigail--Selected as December Junior Kiwanian (2023)
Abigail Koepp has been named the December Junior Kiwanian due to her volunteer
activity assisting the Neillsville Recreation Department at basketball and
softball tournaments, receiving of the Optimist Award and her involvement in
4-H, among other qualifications.
Submitted photo
In their Dec. 11 meeting, the Neillsville Kiwanis Club welcomed Neillsville
senior student Abigail Koepp as its Junior Kiwanian for the month. She is the
daughter of Lisa and Jason Koepp.
During her high school career Abby was a three-sport athlete, competing in
basketball, softball and volleyball. She has been involved in 4-H, Teen
Leadership Council, and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).
Koepp was named as the recipient of the Optimist Award. Koepp’s volunteer
activity includes assisting the Neillsville Recreation Department at basketball
and softball tournaments.
Following graduation in the spring of 2024, Koepp intends to enroll at UW-La
Crosse to pursue a biology major.
The Neillsville Kiwanis Club welcomes Abigail Koepp as its Junior Kiwanian for
the month, and wishes her continued success in the future.
BioM: Marriage
Licenses (Dec - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Walker, Boon, Yoder, Miller, Geiger, Schoengarth
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/20 & 27/2023
Marriage Licenses (Dec - 2023)
Timothy W. Walker, Marathon County to Yolandi Boon, city of Neillsville, Dec.
23, at Town of Pine Valley.
Floyd F. Yoder, Town of Lynn, to Emma A. Miller, Town of Fremont, Dec. 21, at
the Town of Fremont.
Riley M. Geiger, to Mindy M. Schoengarth, both of Town of Loyal, Dec. 31, at
city of Neillsville.
News: Neillsville
– For Crafts Sale (Ribbon Cutting - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Harris, Miller, Hebert
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/27/2023
Neillsville – For Crafts Sake (Ribbon Cutting - 2023)
Neillsville Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting to welcome Diane and Kevin
Harris, owners of For Crafts Sale, to downtown Neillsville. Diane Harris was a
consignor of Home Grown Goods Company and did not want the store to close after
Mary Miller announced she was ready to pursue a different career path. After a
temporary closure, the Harrises re-opened the store Nov. 9, offering some new
items and a few new vendors. The consignment store offers handmade and
repurposed items from different textiles. Along with the Harrises, Riley Hebert,
Neillsville Area Chamber Board member, family and friends and community members
attended the ribbon-cutting.
Nancy Curtin/Clark County Press
News: Granton - It
Takes a County to Raise a Child (2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Piskow, Schilling, Perko, Marshall, Sladich
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/20/2023
It Takes a County to Raise a Child (Granton - 2023)
Three sisters from Granton, (l-r) Olivia, Ella and Ashlee Piskow, take time to
help wraps gifts. “I’ve been helping since I was in seventh grade and I’m now
20,” Ashlee Piskow said. The Piskow sisters enjoy giving back to the community
as a team effort. Nancy Curtin/Clark County Press
By Nancy Curtin
There is a saying: “It takes a village to raise a child.”
During the holiday season, it takes an entire county to provide presents and
other essentials to families in need, and the Christmas Angel Project (CAP) is
making it happen.
Angel trees are out in the community, a task requiring effort all year round.
“We help needy families in Neillsville, Humbird, Granton and Chili, serving
approximately 90 families with 250 children,” said Stacy Schilling, CAP
coordinator. “CAP also uses this as an opportunity to educate people in these
communities of the needy people in the area.
“My mom started this back in 2003 and I took over for her.”
While a lot of work is needed during the months of November and early December,
it is what happens throughout the year—the shopping and making of items—that
supports the bulk of the efforts of the project.
“I have two really good volunteers that I’ve worked with for many years,”
Schilling said, “good friends of mine, and they come back every year and help.
One lives in Unity and the other comes from Rib Lake. We all used to work
together.
“We have people who shop all-year-round looking for deals on [pajamas], coats
and boots. Throughout the year, we are always looking for clearance underwear
and [pajamas]. We have five totes of [pajamas] to be wrapped this year.”
Schilling conveyed the day after Christmas is a “great day to shop for wrapping
paper,” especially from Wal-Mart because the store had “the nice big rolls and
its such nice paper.” Leftover wrapping paper and gift bags are also donated
once the holiday is over.
Deb, a volunteer, loves to shop.
“I buy from ThredUp or Zulily,” Deb said.
“I love opening Deb’s boxes,” Schilling said. “She finds the most interesting
stuff. She brought me a pair of slippers today with big green happy faces on
them. Just random stuff and the kids just love it because it’s so interesting.”
An anonymous volunteer, formerly from Chili, donated 75 little quilt blankets
which were handmade from a quilt group based in Illinois.
The Marshfield Clinic Crafters for a Cause donated 150 crocheted-top dish towels
that were included in the mom gift bags.
Another volunteer enjoyed searching for great bargains for books for the
children.
“I have a lady who loves to shop that uses her Kohls cash and coupons to shop
for the needed items,” said Schilling.
As the holiday season approached, Schilling ramped up her efforts, starting with
the names from last years’ families who were sent forms to be completed and
returned for the new year.
The families shared the names, ages and what clothes sizes were needed for the
children. That information was placed on the tags that are hung on the trees
that are located at banks, companies and retail businesses in several
communities.
In early November, Schilling preordered all the food needed from Russell’s of
Neillsville.
The week before Thanksgiving, the organizing began hauling everything out of
storage to be taken to the church for set up. Neillsville’s United Church of
Christ allowed CAP to ‘take over’ the church basement for three weeks each year
to accomplish its mission.
Jim Schilling and Mike Perko, project volunteers, set up the donation boxes.
Larry and Cathy Marshall, volunteer drivers, travel to various locations
collecting all the donations.
Over the course of the three weeks, volunteers gather many evenings for sorting,
selecting and wrapping gifts.
Different youth organizations take advantage of this opportunity to fulfill
volunteer hours.
While the volunteers were busy working, local establishments and clubs made sure
they did not go hungry. Subway donated a sub platter to feed the group one
evening. The Optimist Club provided dinner and stayed to help wrap on another
night. Mary Sladich, former Aging and Disability Resource Center of Clark County
director, cooked for the crew one evening.
By Dec. 10, all deliveries were made, everything was cleaned up and ready to put
back in storage.
Schilling estimated there were 50 to 75 volunteers supporting the cause.
The funding needed to support the efforts of the CAP came from the generosity of
nearly 40 businesses throughout Clark, Taylor and Wood counties. Schilling
noted, many times, individuals would hand her $20 or $50 in cash.
“It’s awesome,” Schilling said. “Listeman and other service organizations are
always so generous to us. I need to stress the communities are very generous.”
Over 90 families were served by the generosity shown by so many individuals and
businesses.
News Neillsville -
Prevail Bank Donates to Nine Local Non-Profits (2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Hipakka, Bier, Heltsley, Susa, Struensee, Gordon
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/27/2023
Prevail Bank Gifted Over $14K to Nine Local Non-Profits (2023)
One of Prevail Bank’s donations, with a donation from the Owen Withee (O-W)
Lion’s Club, went to the O-W Food Pantry. At the donation presentation were
(l-r) Dan Hipakka, O-W Lions Club; Pastor Elizabeth Bier, O-W Food Pantry;
Carrie Heltsley, Prevail Bank Branch Manager; Sue Struensee, Prevail Bank; and
Elizabeth Gordon, O-W Lions Club President. Submitted photo
For many, the holidays will be a little brighter. Between public donations
totaling $8,228.55 and Prevail Bank matching up to $1,000 at each branch
location, a grand total of $14,926.10 was gifted between nine organizations as
part of Prevail Bank’s Holiday Matching Funds campaign this December.
The Owen-Withee (OW) Food Pantry received $3,400. Prevail Bank contributed
$1,000, the public $1,400, and the Owen Withee Lions Club $1,000. The pantry
provides free emergency food and nutrition assistance to eligible low-income
households, including elderly people.
The nine nonprofits that received critical funding, raising hope and happiness
of their clients were: Sauk County Children’s Giving Tree $1,390, Marshfield
Area Pet Shelter $1,060, Hope Hospice (Medford) $1,342, Catkins Animal Rescue
(Phillips) $2,106, The Uplift Foundation (Stevens Point) $700, Granite House
(Wausau) $2,005, the Acacia Foundation (in support of the Wood County K9 unit)
$903.10, Owen-Withee Food Pantry $3,400 (with a special acknowledgement going to
the Owen-Withee Lions Club that contributed $1,000 to the pantry’s total) and
the Eau Claire County Children’s Giving Tree that received gifts valued at
approximately $2,020.
Obit: Albrecht, Michelle R. (1965 - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Albrecht, Carpenter, Timm, Moser, Blume, Tyznik, Knorr, Schmidt
----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI)
12/26/2023
Albrecht, Michelle R. (29 March 1965 – 25 December 2023)
Michelle R. Albrecht, age 58, of Abbotsford, passed away surrounded by her
loving family on Monday, December 25, 2023, at her home under the tender care of
Hope Hospice.
Michelle was born on March 29, 1965, the daughter of Earl and Marciel
(Carpenter) Timm in La Porte, IN. She graduated from high school and received an
Associate degree as a Medical Assistant. Michelle worked at Curtiss Metal, owned
a bar, waitressed, worked at Phillips Plastic, Weathershield and Nestle and as
the Office Coordinator at the Abby Crossings Chamber of Commerce.
Michelle was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Curtiss and a member of
the Curtiss Lions Club. She enjoyed riding motorcycle and loved animals. Most
especially, she loved and cherished her family and friends.
Michelle is survived by her significant other, Robert Moser; her two sons:
Dustin (Leslie) Blume of Abbotsford and Jesse Albrecht Sr. of Abbotsford; four
grandchildren: Conner, Aaliyah, Jesse Jr. and Roman. She is further survived by
her four siblings: Earl Timm, Gina Timm (Steve Tyznik), Steve Timm and Jodi
(John) Knorr; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She is preceded in
death by her parents.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Curtiss. The Rev. Ken Schmidt will officiate.
Family and friends are welcome from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service,
Thursday, at the church. Live stream will be available for those unable to
attend on the Maurina Schilling Funeral Home Facebook page or after the service
anytime on Facebook or the website.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michelle, please
visit our floral store.
Obit: Haas, Larry L. (1956 - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Haas, Zimmer, Hein, Jutsum, Bellendorf, Anderson
----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI)
12/27/2023
Haas, Larry L. (14 January 1956 – 27 December 2023)
Larry L. Haas, age 67, of rural Unity, passed away on Wednesday, December 27,
2023, at the Marshfield Medical Center.
Larry was born on January 14, 1956, the son of William and Marian (Zimmer) Haas
in Marshfield. He graduated from Colby High School in 1974. On June 7, 1980,
Larry was united in marriage to Colleen Hein at Immanuel Lutheran Church in
Medford. He farmed in the Town of Hull and was a truck driver.
Larry enjoyed woodworking, fixing anything including barns and tractors. He
especially liked socializing with friends, neighbors, family or anyone who he
met. Larry especially loved and cherished his family.
Larry is survived by his wife of 43 years, Colleen; three children: Andrew (Jami)
of Unity, Samantha (Tim) Jutsum of Montgomery, PA and Ethan of Loyal; three
grandchildren: Ezra and Titus Jutsum and Carolyn Haas. He is further survived by
his mother, Marian Haas of Colby; his brother, Ronald (Julie) Haas of Marshfield
and his sister, Nancy (Bill) Bellendorf of Chelsea; his mother-in-law, Florence
Hein of Medford; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He
was preceded in death by his father.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at
St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dorchester. The Rev. Shawn Andersen
will officiate. Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 a.m. until time of
service Wednesday at the church.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Larry, please visit
our floral store.
Obit: Hazuga, John J. (1937 - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Hazuga, Mertens, Lane, Muetzel, Risinger, Lien, Lotz, Vandeloo
----Source: Plombon-Funeral Service (Stanley, Chippewa Co., WI) 12/28/2023
Hazuga, John J. (24 March 1937 – 25 December 2023)
John J. Hazuga, 86, of Stanley, died December 25, 2023.
He was born on March 24, 1937, in Stanley to the late John A. and Catherine J.
(Mertens) Hazuga. He grew up in the Town of Thorp and attended area schools.
John married Patricia A. Lane on August 3, 1974, at St. Bernard’s Catholic
Church in Thorp. John farmed in Stanley where he raised heifers and on occasion
chickens. He worked at August Lotz for a few years and then for Blue Moon Cheese
for over 20 years in Thorp before his retirement.
He was a member of the National Guard for 8 years. In his retirement John
collected toy antique tractors. He enjoyed looking for treasures at thrift
sales. He loved yelling at the TV while watching the Green Bay Packers as well
as wrestling. Most of all John enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and
family. Most of all, for anyone that knew him, his smile will be missed!
He is survived by his two sons, John (Kristina) Hazuga of Augusta and Paul
(Natalie) Hazuga of Stanley, four grandchildren, Eli, Easton, Elexis and Ava and
his sister, Marlene (Ivan) Muetzel of Cottage Grove, MN. John is preceded in
death by his parents, his wife Patricia (2019), his son, Thomas, his brother,
Jerry, and his sisters, Kathleen Risinger and Lorraine Lien.
A funeral service will be held on January 6, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at the Plombon
Funeral Home in Stanley with Randy Vandeloo officiating. Burial will follow in
Eidsvold Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. until time of service
Saturday at the funeral home.
Obit: Henson, Sharon L. (1945 - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Henson, Zierler, Gaspardo, Scheffler, Kilty, Hollenbeck, Tirado,
Kuehn, Smith
----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 12/27/2023
Henson, Sharon L. (13 September 1945 – 23 December 2023)
Sharon L. Henson, 78, of Greenwood, passed away at Clark County Living & Rehab
Center in Owen, on Saturday, December 23, 2023, surrounded by her family
Sharon Louise Gaspardo was born on September 13, 1945, in Stambaugh, MI, the
youngest of five children to Winfield V. and Adeline E. (Zierler) Gaspardo. She
grew up on a dairy farm in Alvin, where she received her education and graduated
from high school. In 1965, Sharon was united in marriage to Edward Scheffler in
Alvin, and they moved and settled in Illinois. They later divorced. Over the
years, she has held many jobs. Sharon began her working career waitressing at a
resort, and then went on to working on the assembly line at Briggs & Stratton
two separate times. She was also a stay-at-home mom for a while, returning to
the workforce at Packaging Systems in Illinois. In November of 1982, the family
moved to Greenwood and began attending Missionary Baptist Church in December
that same year. Several years later, Sharon began cleaning the church one day a
week, and did so for many years. In addition, she also helped her son David at
his business peeling logs, cleaning deer heads, or whatever she could do to
help.
She has been a member of Missionary Baptist Church for more than 41 years.
In her spare time, she had many interests, but especially loved spending time
with family, gardening, going to garage sales, cooking, baking, canning, feeding
the birds, and puzzles.
Sharon is survived by her 3 children: Kim Kilty of Marshfield, WI, Diane (Bob)
Hollenbeck of Center Point, IA, Dave (Vicki) Scheffler of Greenwood; six
grandchildren: Julie Tirado, Laura Tirado (Evan), John (Kaylin) Scheffler, Jason
(Marissa) Scheffler, Katelyn Kilty, and Kyle Kilty; seven great-grandchildren;
two brothers: Gerald (Donna) Gaspardo of Rome, GA, Eugene (Patricia) Gaspardo of
Mayville, WI; one sister-in-law: Patricia Gaspardo of Alvin; nieces, nephews,
other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; one sister: Marlene
Kuehn; and one brother: Orville Gaspardo.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 29, 2023, at
Missionary Baptist Church in Greenwood. Pastor Geoff Smith will officiate, and
burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery in the Town of Warner, rural
Greenwood. Visitation will be held at the church, on Friday, from 10 a.m. until
time of service.
Obit: Kaczor, Bonnie Mae (1947 - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Kaczor, Wood
----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/26/2023
Kaczor, Bonnie Mae (26 January 1947 – 19 December 2023)
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Bonnie Mae Kaczor on December
19th, 2023, at the age of 76. Born in Neillsville, on January 26, 1947, to Joe
and Loretta Kaczor, Bonnie was a unique and cherished presence to those who knew
her.
Known for her love of cats and devout Lutheran faith, Bonnie was the "cool" aunt
who gave the best gifts and never missed sending cards for all occasions to
those she cared about. She lived life according to her terms, marching to the
beat of her own drum, and leaves an indelible mark on those who knew her.
Bonnie is lovingly remembered by her sister, Alice Wood, and brother, Leon
Kaczor, as well as her five nephews-T.J., Josh, Paul, Nicholas, and Joey-and two
nieces, Lisa and Laura.
A memorial service to honor and remember Bonnie will be held on February 13th,
2023, at Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, WI. In lieu of flowers, donations
in Bonnie's memory can be made to St John's Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Full
details for the service will be posted when available.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bonnie
Kaczor, please visit our flower store.
