1

Obit: Dahnert, Elsie M. (1892 - 1986)

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

Surnames: Dahnert, Mieske, Radke, Goudin, Mills, Hagedorn, Blum, Musil, Naedler, Ackerman, Weber

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/23/1986

Dahnert, Elsie M. (1 September 1892 – 18 January 1986)

Neillsville resident, Mrs. Albert (Elsie M.) Dahnert, 93, died Saturday morning, January 18, at her home located at 414 W. 5th St., Neillsville.

Born in Neillsville on September 1, 1892, she was the daughter of Adolph and Minnie (Mieske) Radke. Educated locally at St. John’s Lutheran School and Neillsville High School, she later graduated from the business course at The Lutheran Ladies’ Seminary, Red Wing, Minnesota. Returning to Neillsville, she was employed at various stores, until her marriage.

In Waco, Texas, on December 16, 1917, she became the wife of Albert H. Dahnert. The couple resided in Neillsville during their marriage. Mr. Dahnert predeceased his wife on March 15, 1968.

As a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, she was involved with the Ladies Aid organization. She was also a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 73.

Survivors include two children, Mrs. Betty Goudin, Tucson, Arizona, and Eileen Dahnert, Neillsville; a daughter-in-law, Frances Dahnert, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; and six grandchildren. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by a son, Robert; three sisters, Lillian, Frieda; and Emma; and a brother, Herbert.

Visitation was at Gesche Funeral Home. Rev. Richard Weber conducted services held Tuesday, January 31, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, with burial in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Calvin Mills, Herman Hagedorn, Herbert Blum, James Musil, Hilbert Naedler and Arthur Ackerman.

2

Obit: Douyette, Gladys (1904? - 1986)

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

Surnames: Douyette, West, Selves, Moorhouse, Budreau, Hintz, Zille, Handke, Moh, Richardson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/30/1986

Douyette, Gladys (1904? – 22 January 1986)

Mrs. Norman (Gladys) Douyette, age 81, passed away on January 22 at Appleton. She had been ill for some time. Funeral services were held at Woodruff, where she had resided until two and one-half years ago.

She was the daughter of Richard and Musa (West) Selves, who lived on Pleasant Ridge, four miles east of Neillsville. For twenty-five years, she taught school.

Survivors include two daughters, Donna Moorhouse of Antigo, and Bonnie Budreau of Appleton; four grandchildren; five sisters, Elsie Hintz of Marshfield, Orvilla Zille of Hatfield, Edna Handke and Ruth Moh of Granton, and Ruby Richardson of Racine; and a brother, Lee, of Granton. Preceding her were he4r husband, her parents, a sister and a brother.

3

Obit: Free, Robert L. (1923 - 1986)

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

Surnames: Free, Schultz, Evans, Marg, Smock, Boon, Nystrom, Anderson, Schoenfeld, Zank, Johnson, Glassbrenner, Seelow, Struble, Andraschka, Voll

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/30/1986

Free, Robert L. (4 September 1923 - 27 January 1986) With Flag

Lifelong Neillsville area resident Robert L. Free, 62, died Monday afternoon, January 27, at Memorial Hospital. He had been ill for some time.

Mr. Free was born in Neillsville on September 4, 1923, son of Thomas and Viola (Schultz) Free. A 1941 graduate of Neillsville High School, he entered the U.S. Army January 25, 1943. Serving in the Asiatic-Pacific theatres, he was awarded many medals and had attained the rank of Corporal before his discharge on January 2, 1946.

Returning to Neillsville, he married Betty J. Evans on June 22, 1946, and began employment with the Clark County Highway Department in 1949. Betty predeceased him on April 3, 1982. On September 4, 1984, he wed Elaine Marg. They continued to reside at Rt. 1 Neillsville, and he retired from the highway department during that year.

Surviving besides his wife, Elaine, are four children, Mrs. Michael (Sandra) Smock, Mrs. Melvin (Cindy) Boon, and Lori Free, all of Neillsville; and Thomas of Oshkosh; three stepchildren, Joel Nystrom of Moab, Utah, Michael Nystrom of Jackson, Mississippi, and Mrs. Eric (Shirley) Anderson, Chicago; a sister, Mrs. Milton (June) Schoenfeld, Neillsville; four grandchildren and six step-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents and his first wife, Betty.

Rev. Mark Voll will officiate at 11 a.m. rites and interment will be in Neillsville City Cemetery. Eileen Zank, with Mark and Sue Voll, will provide music. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6-9 p.m. at Gesche Funeral Home and Friday morning, one hour before services at United Church of Christ. The pallbearers are Arnold Johnson, Charles Glassbrenner, William Zank, Russell Seelow, Delbert Struble and Lyle Andraschka.

4

Obit: Halle, Elsie L. (1915 - 1986)

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

Surnames: Halle, Emerich, Pfefferkorn, Gerber, Kurasz, Glenn, Shaw, Seebandt, Zank, Buchholz, Anding, Miller

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/30/1986

Halle, Elsie L. (19 February 1915 - 27 January 1986)

Seventy-year old Mrs. Halle, a Town of Weston resident, died suddenly Monday morning, January 27, at Neillsville Memorial Hospital.

Born February 19, 1915, at Elroy, the daughter of George and Rose (Emerich) Pfefferkorn, She was educated in Eau Claire School, and received a teaching degree from UW-Eau Claire, and taught school there for many years.

In Neillsville, on September 19, 1942, she wed Arnold J. Halle. They lived in the Town of Weston, where she taught school in Clark County. For seventeen years she was Clark County Supervisor of Schools and then became Clark County Schools Superintendent, a position she held until her retirement. She was a member of Christie United Methodist Church, Christie WSCS, Clark County Historical Society, Weston Homemakers, and the Retired Teachers Association.

Survivors include her husband, Arnold; three children, Mrs. Lowell (Mary Ann) Gerber, Rockford, Illinois, Mrs. Lee (Joan) Kurasz and A. Glenn, both of Neillsville; a brother and half-brother, Melvin Pfefferkorn, Platteville, and Ira Pfefferkorn, Fort Atkinson; and nine grandchildren. She was preceded by her parents and two half-brothers, Clarence and Ethan.

Rev. Norbert Miller will conduct 1 p.m. services on Thursday, January 30, at Christie United Methodist Church, for Mrs. Arnold (Elsie L.) Halle. Lori Anding will provide music. Interment will be made in Greenwood City Cemetery. Visitation will be at Gesche Funeral Home Wednesday evening from 5-9 p.m., and Thursday until 11:00 a.m., then at the church one hour prior to services. Pallbearers are Elton and Ronald Shaw, Herman Seebandt, Oscar Halle, Jr., Albert Zank and Richard Buchholz.

5

Obit: Halle, Mildred (1907 - 1986)

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

Surnames: Halle, McCarter, Drew, Armstrong, Qualley, Buddinger, Shaw, Roehl, Follett

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/30/1986

Halle, Mildred (16 December 1907 – 24 January 1986)

Former rural Neillsville resident, Mrs. Mildred Halle, died Friday afternoon, January 24, at Fairchild Nursing Home. She had been living at the nursing home since December of 1984 and passed away, at the age of 78, following a brief illness.

The former Mildred Drew was born December 18, 1907, at Gleason, to Burdett and Jennie (McCarter) Drew. Following her education there, she moved to Chicago where she was employed until her marriage to Clarence Halle, on November 1952, at Gleason. Mr. and Mrs. Halle farmed in the Town of York, until his death on August 20, 1980. She continued to live on the farm, but in 1982, moved to Gleason. Mrs. Halle had been a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Surviving are a sister and brother, Mrs. Bernard (Gladys) Armstrong of Milwaukee, and Grant Drew of Redlands, California. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a sister, Bessie, and two brothers, Alan and Leon.

Services were conducted at Gesche Funeral Home on Tuesday, January28, at 1 p.m., by Pastor Jan L. Follett, of Arpin. Burial was in Neillsville City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Richard Qualley, Douglas Buddinger, Elton and Thomas Shaw, Rex and Randy Roehl.

6

Obit: Hemp. Herman A. (1899 - 1986)

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

Surnames: Hemp, Dudei, Hoffmann, Vornholt, Poppe, Hagedorn, Dux, Strangfeld, Thoms, Reede

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/30/1986

Hemp, Herman A. (12 August 1899 – 23 January 1986)

Herman A. Hemp, 86, of 301 Oak St., passed away following a lingering illness on Thursday afternoon, January 23, at Neillsville Memorial Home.

Mr. Hemp was born August 12, 1899, in the Town of Weston, the son of Albert and Anna (Dudei) Hemp. He was educated at Fairview School, then joined his parents in farming, until his marriage. At Immanuel Lutheran Church, Town of Weston, he wed Ella Hoffmann on June 10, 1925. The couple then took over and operated the home farm until their retirement from farming in 1970. Moving to Neillsville, Mr. Hemp held various jobs; until his illness he had been custodian at Sniteman Pharmacy, the couple celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary in June 1985.

Surviving are his wife and two children, Robert of Universal City, Texas, and Mrs. Fred (Marian) Vornholt, Neillsville; two brothers, Ervin, Neillsville, and Richard, Mosinee; a sister, Mamie Hoffmann, Neillsville; six grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Bernard.

Rev. Paul Reede officiated at funeral services held Monday, January 27, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Globe, for Burial was made in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Gesche Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers were Norman Poppe, Louis Hagedorn, Louis Dux, Leo Hemp, Byrl Strangfeld and George Thoms.

7

Obit: Kurfin, Mary (1904 - 1986)

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

Surnames: Kurfin, Klancher, Prebil, Deutsch

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/30/1986

Kurfin, Mary (18 August 1904 – 14 January 1986)

Mary Kurfin, 81, of west Allis, passed away early Tuesday morning, January 14. The Schaff Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements with interment at Highland Memorial Cemetery on January 18.

The former Mary Klancher was born August 18, 1904, in Ely, Minnesota. In 1910, her parents moved to Willard. She married Steve Kurfin, in Chicago, on October 20, 1923.

Surviving are a daughter and son, Sylvia Bradley, of Memphis, Tennessee, and Albert, of West Allis; six step-grandchildren; two sisters, Alice Prebil of Boyceville, and Frances Deutsch of Oak Lawn, Illinois; three brothers, Tony of New Berlin, Paul of Willard, and Adolph of West Allis. She was preceded in death by her husband and three brothers, Frank, John and Albert.

8

Obit: Marg, Melvin P. (1930 - 1986)

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

Surnames: Marg, Hagedorn, Tews, Helm, Erickson, Volz, Knoll, Tresemer, Kunze, Seelow, Weber

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/23/1986

Marg, Melvin P. (11 March 1911 – 20 January 1986)

Fifty-five year old Melvin P. Marg of 121 State St., a life-long resident of the Neillsville area, died suddenly Monday evening, January 20.

Mr. Marg was born in the Town of Pine Valley, on March 11, 1930, the son of Edward and Lillian (Hagedorn) Marg. Following his education at Mound School and St. John’s Lutheran School, he was employed by O&N and Fullerton Lumber Companies. In Neillsville, on September 5, 1953, he married Virginia A. Tews. The couple has three children.

For several years, he worked for Gaier Construction and Kunze Lumber Company, which he later purchased and operated for some time. He was most currently employed by Gaier Farm Service. During his lifetime, Mr. Marg was an avid horseman and held membership in both St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and Haugen-Richmond American Legion Post 73.

Surviving are his wife, Virginia; three sons, Bradley of Eau Claire, Kenneth and Steven, both of Neillsville; his mother, Mrs. Lillian Marg, Neillsville; a sister, Mrs. Roger (Caroline) Helm of Granton; two brothers, Donald and Irvin, both of Neillsville; and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his father, Edward Marg.

Rev. Richard Weber will conduct rites at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, January 23, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Visitation at Gesche Funeral Home will be Wednesday evening from 5-9 p.m., and Thursday morning until 11 a.m., then at the church one hour preceding services. Haugen-Richmond American Legion Post 73 will conduct graveside military rites. Interment will follow in Neillsville City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Wally Erickson, Willis Volz, Henry Knoll, Edward Tresemer, Donald Kunze, and Fritz Seelow.

9

Obit: Ormond, John E., Sr. (1904 - 1986)

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

Surnames: Ormond, Offerman, Orsburn, Briggs, Bayuk, Zager, Zillich, Welsh, Vale, Elmer, Buchholz, Petkovsek, Oldham, Miller

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/30/1986

Ormond, John E., Sr. (19 November 1904 – 26 January 1986)

Eighty-one year old John E. Ormond, Sr., a resident of Neillsville Memorial Home, died suddenly on Sunday morning, January 26. Mr. Ormond formerly lived in the Town of Weston, Rt. 3 Neillsville.

Mr. Ormond was born November 19, 1904, in the Town of Weston, son of William and Matilda (Offerman) Ormond. He was educated at Globe School.

He was employed as a milkman in Neillsville until his marriage, at Globe, Town of Weston, on November 4, 1924, he married Beulah Orsburn. The couple made their home in the Town of Weston, where they farmed for twenty years. From 1937 to 1947, he was Weston Town Clerk, and also Clerk of Globe School from 1934 to 1938. Later they relocated to the Christie area and farmed until his retirement. He entered Memorial Home in July 1984, due to failing health.

Survivors include his wife, Beulah; six children, Theodore of Stoughton, Mrs. Paul (Charlotte) Briggs and Mrs. Frank (Beatrice) Bayuk, both of Greenwood, Mrs. Ethel Zager, Mrs. Peter (Evelyn) Zager, and John Jr., all of Neillsville; four sisters, Mrs. Jessie Zillich of Menomonie, Mrs. Esther Welsh of Waunakee, Mrs. John (Eva) Vale of Cottage Grove, and Mrs. Mary Elmer, Sunnyvale, California; fourteen grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by five brothers, Charles, George, Oliver, William and Douglas; two sisters, Rose and Florence; and a great granddaughter.

Visitation and funeral services were at Gesche Funeral Home. Rev. Norbert Miller, of Greenwood United Methodist Church, conducted rites, held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 29. Interment was in Neillsville City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Richard Buchholz, Robert Petkovsek, Gale Oldham, Ronald, Wally and Michael Ormond.

10

Obit: Scherer, Elsie G. (1891 - 1986)

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

Surnames: Scherer, Selves, Snyder, Malone, Spangler, Voll

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/23/1986

Scherer, Elsie G. (12 June 1891 – 18 January 1986)

Former Neillsville resident Elsie G, Scherer, 94, died suddenly Thursday morning, January 16, at Waunakee Manor Nursing Home.

Mrs. Scherer was born at Charlton, Iowa, on June 12, 1891, daughter of August and Estelle (Selves) Synder. While she was a young girl, her family moved to Neillsville, and she was educated here. Until her marriage, she taught school in the Neillsville area.

Ob June 10, 1914, at Neillsville, she was married to Nicholas J. Scherer. They owned and operated a dry cleaning business here for many years. Mr. Scherer passed away March 16, 1965. Mrs. Scherer continued to reside in Neillsville, until 1982, when she entered the nursing home, due to failing health. She was a member of United Church of Christ, Neillsville, and Royal Neighbors of America.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. J.P. (Betty) Malone, Hatfield; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by a son, Chuck, two brothers and three sisters.

Rev. Mark Voll officiated at services held Saturday, January 18, at Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville. Music accompanist was Deon Spangler. Relatives served as pallbearers with interment made in the Neillsville City Cemetery.