Obit: Abel, Lester (1933 – 2017)
Transcriber: Stan
Surnames: Abel, Irwin, Vollrath, Meyer, Haen, Pribusch, Putman, Megna, Priewe
Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) – 14 Jun 2017
Abel, Les (6 MAY 1933 – 31 MAY 2017)
Les Abel, 84, Kaukauna, formerly of Greenwood, passed away peacefully at his
home on the river on Wednesday evening, May 31, 2017. Funeral services were held
at 3 p.m., on Sunday, June 4, at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Kaukauna.
Rev. Gail Irwin officiated. A private burial was held at Union Cemetery.
Les was born on a dairy farm in Greenwood on May 6, 1933, the son of Theodore
and Verna (nee Vollrath) Abel. He received his education at a country school in
Clark County and was a 1951 graduate of Greenwood High School. Les moved to
Kaukauna in 1954 and worked at Thilmany Pulp and Paper until 1967 when he
founded Abel Insurance. On Sept. 1, 1956, Les married Joyce Meyer at Zion United
Church of Christ in Greenwood, and the couple recently celebrated 60 wonderful
years together. Over the course of his professional life, Les was a voracious
learner. He took many additional courses and classes, all intended to improve
himself and his professional career. He was also extremely active in the
community, having been a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ where he
served on the Christian Enlistment Community, the building committee, and as a
head usher for many years. He was also a member of the Kaukauna Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Board, Kaukauna Educational Enhancement Network (KEEN), the Redevelopment
Authority for the City of Kaukauna, Kaukauna Development and Design Committee,
as a strategic planner for the Kaukauna School System, and was a member of the
Kaukauna Kiwanis Club and the Appleton Masonic Lodge #349. Les enjoyed
volunteering at the Grignon Home and 1000 Islands Environmental Center.
Les is survived by his loving wife: Joyce Abel of Kaukauna; a son: Mark (Jackie
Haen) Abel of Kaukauna; a daughter: Kay (Mark Priebusch) Abel of Sherwood; two
granddaughters: Marie (Dan) Putman and Janel (Kyle Megna) Abel; a brother:
Ronald (Jean) Abel of Marshfield; and a sister: Janis Priewe of DePere.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother-in-law: Daniel Priewe.
For more information or to share a memory of Les, please visit
www.wichmannfargo.com.
Memorials may be directed to the Les and Joyce Abel Fund at the Community
Foundation for the Fox Valley Region or the Immanuel United Church of Christ
Music Fund.
The family would like to thank everyone from St. Paul Hospice, especially
Melissa and Kelly, for the love and care shown to Les and the family. We will
never forget your kindness.
“Maintain a positive attitude, and make your dreams come true.”
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Obit: Abel, Lester W. #2 (1933 - 2017)
Transcriber: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Surnames: Abel, Vollrath, Meyer, Haen, Priebusch, Putman, Megna, Priewe, Irwin
----Source: Fargo Funeral Home, Kaukauna, WI) 6/01/2017
Abel, Lester W. (6 May 1933 – 31 May 2017)
Les Abel, age 84 of Kaukauna, passed peacefully at his home on the river on
Wednesday evening, May 31, 2017. Les was born on a dairy farm in Greenwood,
Wisconsin on May 6, 1933, son of the late Theodore and Verna (Vollrath) Abel. He
received his education at a country school in Clark County and was a 1951
graduate of the Greenwood High School. Les moved to Kaukauna in 1954 and worked
at Thilmany Pulp and Paper until 1967 when he founded Abel Insurance. On
September 1, 1956, Les married Joyce Meyer at Zion United Church of Christ in
Greenwood, and the couple recently celebrated sixty wonderful years together.
Over the course of his professional life, Les was a voracious learner. He took
many additional courses and classes, all intended to improve himself and his
professional career. He was also extremely active in the community, having been
a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ where he served on the Christian
Enlistment Community, the building committee, and as a head usher for many
years. He was also a member of the Kaukauna Alcohol and Drug Abuse Board,
Kaukauna Educational Enhancement Network (KEEN), the Redevelopment Authority for
the City of Kaukauna, Kaukauna Development and Design Committee, as a strategic
planner for the Kaukauna School System, was a member of the Kaukauna Kiwanis
Club and the Appleton Masonic Lodge #349. Les enjoyed volunteering at the
Grignon Home and 1000 Islands Environmental Center.
Les is survived by his loving wife: Joyce Abel of Kaukauna; a son: Mark (Jackie
Haen) Abel of Kaukauna; a daughter: Kay (Mark Priebusch) Abel of Sherwood; two
granddaughters: Marie (Dan) Putman and Janel (Kyle Megna) Abel; a brother:
Ronald (Jean) Abel of Marshfield; and a sister: Janis Priewe of DePere. He was
preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother-in-law: Daniel Priewe.
The funeral service for Les will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at
IMMANUEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 510 Sullivan Avenue in Kaukauna. Rev. Gail
Irwin, and private burial will take place at Union Cemetery. Family and friends
of Les are invited to greet the family directly at the church on Sunday
afternoon from 1:00 PM until the time of the service. For more information or to
share a memory of Les, please visit www.wichmannfargo.com. In lieu of flowers,
memorials may be directed to the Les and Joyce Abel Fund at the Community
Foundation for the Fox Valley Region or the Immanuel United Church of Christ
Music Fund.
The family would like to thank everyone from St. Paul Hospice, especially
Melissa and Kelly, for the love and care shown to Les and the family. We will
never forget your kindness.
Bio: Abel, Mark William (Birth - 1960)
Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Abel, Meyer
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) February 25, 1960
Abel, Mark William (Birth - 18 February 1960)
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Abel of Kaukauna are the parents of a son, Mark William, born on February 18. The mother is the former Joyce Meyer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Meyer. Mr. Abel is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Abel of Greenwood.
****************************************
Bio: Abel, Mark William (Birth – 18 Feb 1960)
Contact:
stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Abel, Meyer
----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Clark Co., Wis.) 03 Mar 1960
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Lester Abel, Kaukauna, on Thursday, February 18, 1960, a 7
lb., 6 oz. baby boy named Mark William. Mrs. Abel will be remembered here
(Greenwood, Clark Co., Wis.) as Joyce Meyer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert
Meyer, and Lester is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Abel.
Bio: Brekke, Emily
(BS Degree - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Brekke
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/2024
Brekke, Emily (BS Degree - 2024)
Emily Brekke of Neillsville, with a bachelor of science, early childhood through
middle childhood education major and highest honors, completed degree
requirements at the University of Wisconsin (UW)-La Crosse in December.
Bio: Dickinson,
Macey - February Junior Kiwanian (2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Dickinson
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/2024
Dickinson, Macey-February Junior Kiwanian (2024)
Macey Dickinson was selected as the Junior Kiwanian for the month of February by
the Neillsville Kiwanis Club. Submitted photo)
Continuing its long-standing recognition of outstanding senior students, the
Neillsville Kiwanis Club welcomed Macey Dickinson as its Junior Kiwanian for the
month of February. She is the daughter of Paul and Alison Dickinson. As Junior
Kiwanian, she will participate in the meetings and see the workings of a service
club whose focus is on the youth of our community.
Academic achievements include straight-A honor roll throughout high school and
academic letter recipient for the past three years. Dickenson’s extra-curricular
activities are concert and pep band and first chair flute in the Cloverbelt
All-Conference Band.
Dickinson was selected as recipient of the Society of Women Engineers Merit
Award through Michigan Technological University. She was a participant in the
Viterbo University Health Science Scholarship Competition, and will have an
entry in the up-coming Woodson Art Museum Student Art Exhibition.
Volunteer activities include in the Clark County Humane Society, and assisting
with the Clark County Youth Hockey Learn-to-Skate program.
Following graduation in the spring, Dickinson plans to attend Viterbo University
and major in biochemistry. Post-graduate plans are to enter medical school for
physician’s assistant studies, with a specialty in dermatology.
The Neillsville Kiwanis Club welcomes this high-achieving senior student as its
Junior Kiwanian, and wishes her continued success as she pursues the next
chapter in her education.
Bio: Gulcynski,
Ross (Diploma - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Gulcynski
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/2024
Gulcynski, Ross (Diploma - 2024)
The UW-Platteville awarded diplomas to Ross Gulcynski of Thorp, fine arts, for
the fall of 2023.
Bio: Holmes, Mary
(Reading Challenge Winner - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Holmes, Ribar
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/2024
Holmes, Mary (Reading Challenge Winner - 2024)
Mary Holmes was the winner of the Neillsville Public Library 2023 reading
challenge. Holmes read books on 33 of 52 prompts. Her name was entered into the
drawing three times, and she won a book set by Joy Ann Ribar, a featured author
at the library in 2022.
Submitted photo
Bio: Leinbach,
Grace (President’s List - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Leinbach
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/2024
Leinbach, Grace (President’s List - 2024)
NTC announced Grace Leinbach of Unity to the president’s list for outstanding
academic achievement for the summer 2023 term.
Bio: Reinart,
Lizzy - State FFA Officer (Member Advocate - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Reinart
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/2024
Reinhart, Lizzy-State FFA Officer (Member Advocate - 2024)
Neillsville resident and 2023 Granton High School graduate Lizzy Reinart
currently serves as the Wisconsin FFA section seven state vice-president. “To
me, being a state officer is being an advocate for all 25,000+ Wisconsin FFA
members,” Reinhart said. Submitted photo
‘The title I have would mean nothing without the members of the Wisconsin FFA
organization’
By Edward DuBois
Lizzy Reinart, Neillsville resident and 2023 Granton High School graduate,
currently serves as the Wisconsin FFA section seven state vice-president.
“I represent 26 FFA chapters,” Reinart said, “including Abbotsford, Amherst,
Athens, Auburndale, Colby, DC Everest, Edgar, Gilman, Granton, Greenwood, Loyal,
Marathon, Marshfield, Medford, Merrill, Mosinee, Neillsville, Owen-Withee,
Pittsville, Rosholt, Spencer, Stevens Point, Stratford, Thorp, Wausau and
Wisconsin Rapids-Lincoln.
Reinart had transferred from Neillsville to Granton the summer before her
seventh-grade year.
“Granton was a big change,” Reinart said. “Neillsville is very sports-centered,
while the tight-knit community of Granton wholeheartedly supports FFA. My
classmates were so excited to be able to join FFA in their seventh-grade year
and I decided to hop on the trend. I have been active in FFA for the last seven
years and have no plans to stop.
“I decided to run for FFA State Office in my junior year of high school. That
same year, section seven did not have a state officer to represent the [26] FFA
chapters in my section. It was during that year that I realized state officers
do not just conduct workshops, but the immense impact they have on members.
“During that year, state officers from other sections traveled to section seven
to visit chapters and attend section seven events. Although these state officers
were not from my section, they still put in the effort to remember my name and
have meaningful and impactful conversations with me. It was one of those
conversations that showed me I wanted to be there for not only section seven
members but every member of Wisconsin FFA.”
In May, state officer candidates have to turn in an application consisting of
FFA activity experience and other questions. Then, in June ,at the Wisconsin FFA
State Convention, candidates went through five different interviews. A personal
interview which was “more or less like a regular job interview,” a
stand-and-deliver where candidates were given a week to prepare a five-minute
speech candidates presented during the interview, the discussion interview which
demonstrates conversational skills, an FFA knowledge interview and a group
interview with the other candidates from a sections to hear how other candidates
work in a team setting.
After all of the interviews were scored, the top two scoring individuals for
each section went into the delegate round. Within the delegate round, candidates
were asked three impromptu questions, and they answered those questions in front
of high school members from their section. Those members then voted for which
candidate they supported.
“As a Wisconsin FFA state officer,” Reinart said, “I spend a lot of time
traveling and advocating for agriculture, but I do have a few responsibilities
that stick out.
“As a state officer team, we put on conferences for members including the Fall
Leadership Workshop, which is a conference for any member with multiple
workshops about agriculture, FFA and leadership skills, and the Foundations in
Reaching Excellence Conference is for the fifth- through ninth-grade members and
is a day-long conference with six different workshops.
“The team and I also attend events for the Wisconsin FFA Alumni and Supporters
and the Wisconsin FFA Foundation throughout the year. On my own, there are a few
things that keep me busy throughout the year. Aside from social media posts and
miscellaneous articles, I travel to every chapter or school in section seven and
conduct a chapter visit. A chapter visit is a full-day visit where a state
officer travels to the school and does fun activities or workshops with the
agriculture classes at the school. I also attend different FFA contests and
competitions held throughout section seven.
“To be a state officer is to be a supporter, motivator and encourager for
Wisconsin FFA members. The role that I have allows me to connect with so many
students and be there for them within the FFA organization. The title I have
would mean nothing without the members of the Wisconsin FFA organization.
“To me, being a state officer is being an advocate for all 25,000+ Wisconsin FFA
members.
“When I became a state officer, the first piece of advice I can remember being
given was to do it so well that I never want to do it again. I have taken that
to heart. I live every event, interaction and moment to the fullest. I have made
it my mission to take every opportunity and give everything I have at every
event and everything I do because, at the end of the year, I do not want to look
back wishing that I had done more. I want to look back thinking my year could
not have been better.”
Obit: Lewan,
Raymond Clarence “Ray” (1935 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Lewan, Szemraj, Sweda, Pogodzinski, Turenne, Klarr
----Source: Cuddies Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 2/25/2024
Lewan, Raymond Clarence “Ray” (19 November 1935 – 22 February 2024) With Flag
Raymond C. "Ray" Lewan, 88, of Lublin, passed away peacefully on Thursday,
February 22, 2024, at Oakbrook Health & Rehab in Thorp.
Raymond Clemence Lewan was born on November 19, 1935, in the Township of
Roosevelt to the late Stanley and Frances (Szemraj) Lewan. He was raised in
Lublin, on the family farm and attended area schools, graduating from Gilman
High School in 1954. Growing up, Ray played a lot of baseball which made him a
very successful baseball pitcher. He continued his baseball career by signing a
contract to pitch in the minor division of the New York Giants after graduation.
In 1955, he attended his first baseball training camp in Melbourne, Florida.
Ray’s impressive pitching skills elevated him from Class D to Class B which
landed him in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He later signed a contract with the St. Louis
Cardinals. He also had offers from the Dodgers among other teams. Due to an arm
injury and missing his family, Ray returned home to Lublin.
On June 21, 1958, he was united in marriage to Pauline Sweda at Holy Assumption
Orthodox Church in Lublin. He enlisted into the U.S. Army, and two weeks after
their marriage, he served his country until his honorable discharge on July 8,
1960. Ray returned to Lublin and hauled milk for Bellinger Dairy and then went
to work for Midland Co-op in Thorp, where he was employed for 35 years. In
addition, he also sold Klearwater water softeners from 1969 until 2022, and
mowed lawns for several businesses and schools in the area. Ray was a member of
the Lublin American Legion Post #547, and past president of Roosevelt Rod & Gun
Club for many years.
He had many interests, but especially enjoyed baseball, fishing, hunting, polka
dancing, and watching the Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Green Bay
Packers.
Ray is survived by his wife, Pauline, of Thorp; four children: Randy (Pam) Lewan
and Tim (Deb) Lewan, Michele (Eugene) Pogodzinski, all of Thorp, and Lisa (Jim)
Turenne of Merrill; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, other relatives
and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers,
Elmer “Butch” and Sylvester "Silver" Lewan.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Thorp
Funeral Home in Thorp. Rev. Hermann Klarr will officiate, and burial will follow
at Holy Assumption Orthodox Cemetery in Lublin. Pallbearers will be his
grandsons: Jared Lewan, Derek Lewan, Brandon Lewan, Aaron Pogodzinski, Austin
Pogodzinski, and Bailey Turenne. Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home
on Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and again on Friday from
9 a.m. until time of service.
Ray's family would like to thank the staff at Traditions Assisted Living,
Oakbrook Health & Rehab, and Lily Hospice for their compassionate care given to
Ray.
Online condolences may be expressed at
www.cuddiefh.com. Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with
arrangements.
Obit: Pawlowicz,
Yvonne Elaine (1954 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Pawlowicz, Kelnhofer, Amo, Schwoch, Forrett, Edwards, Schlais,
Wangerin, Swink, Pinter, Pope, Kovatch, Galler, Ladd, Andersen
----Source: Life Tributes Funeral Home (Spencer, Clark Co., WI) 2/29/2024
Pawlowicz, Yvonne Elaine (10 April 1954 – 28 February 2024)
Yvonne Elaine Pawlowicz, age 69, of Dorchester, passed away on Wednesday,
February 28, 2024, at House of The Dove after a brief battle with brain cancer.
Yvonne was born on April 10, 1954, in Marshfield, the daughter of Theodore “Ted”
Schwoch and Faye (Kelnhofer) Amo. She graduated from Colby High School, in 1972.
She then went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University
of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and worked as a Registered Nurse for many years. She
began her nursing career at the Rib Lake Nursing Home and then was the ADON at
both the nursing homes in Abbotsford and Colby. Yvonne then began working Home
Health for Ministry Home Care when they started their program. She spent
numerous years working to help develop and strengthen that program. She also
worked for Hope Hospice providing care for hospice patients in their homes.
Lastly, she worked at the Marshfield Clinic – Colby Center as their Triage Nurse
up until the time of her retirement in August of 2019.
She was united in marriage to Bruce Pawlowicz on August 10, 1974, at St. Peter
Lutheran Church in Dorchester where she was a member up until the time she
passed. Together they adopted two daughters. In her free time Yvonne enjoyed
working on stained glass projects, bike trips with the “Medford Ladies”,
shopping at Warren’s Cranberry Festival, family vacations, and spending time
with her friends and family. She was an advocate for things she found value in
and worked to help build and strengthen many programs/agencies.
Those that will lovingly cherish her memory are her husband: Bruce Pawlowicz and
their daughters, Angela Forrett (Josh Edwards) and Ashley Pawlowicz, Her
grandchildren, Landon, Teegan, and Brynlee Forrett and their father Nick
Forrett. Her siblings: Wenda Schwoch and her husband Larry Schlais and Kurt
(Kathy) Schwoch. Bruce’s siblings: Shelley Wangerin, Chet (Diane) Pawlowicz,
Bryan Pawlowicz, Dawn (Mike) Swink, Camille (Mike) Pinter, and Sandy (Shaye)
Pope. She is further survived by her mother-in-law Claire Pawlowicz and her
aunts: Elaine Kovatch and Caryl Galler, along with numerous cousins, nieces and
nephews, and other relatives.
Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, Ted Schwoch and Faye Amo; her
father-in-law Bruno Pawlowicz; her grandparents; numerous aunts and uncles; and
a cousin in infancy.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at St.
Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dorchester with Rev. Shawn W. Andersen
presiding. She will be laid to rest following the service at Dorchester Memorial
Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church from 9 a.m.
until the time of service. The honor of pallbearers belongs to Gary Schwoch,
Mark Kovatch, Greg Kovatch, Pierce and Preston Pope, and Shawn Ladd. Honorary
pallbearers are Landon, Teegan, and Brynlee Forrett.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Yvonne’s name are being accepted by the family
to go to a charity to be determined.
Yvonne’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer.
Please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Yvonne, please visit
our floral store.
