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Bio: Schoengarth, Taylan (Dean’s List - 2024)

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

Surnames: Schoengarth

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/17/2024

Schoengarth, Taylan (Dean’s List - 2024)

Taylan Schoengarth of Neillsville was named to the Winona State University dean’s list for the fall semester 2023.

To be named to the dean's list, a student must be an undergraduate enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours for a grade) and achieve a minimum GPA of 3.5.

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News: Neillsville - Gross Motors Food Drive (For food banks - 2024)

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

Surnames: Gross, Kuchenbecker

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/17/2024

Gross Motors Food Drive (For food banks - 2024)



From Nov. 27 to Dec. 14, 2023, Gross Motors of Neillsville conducted the 14th year of its food drive in conjunction with local food banks. Community members donated $6,860 worth of food and cash. Gross Motors then matched that donation for a total of $13,720 worth of food and cash to the Neillsville, Greenwood and Loyal food banks. Above, Jerry Gross, Dylan Gross, Karen Kuchenbecker, Wayne Gross and Mike Gross show the total amount of food dropped off at their two locations.

Submitted photo

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News: Neillsville Mayor Recognizes Police Force (2024)

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

Surnames: Poeschel, Mankowski, Roehl, Fecker, Imm, Counsell

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/17/2024

Neillsville Mayor Recognizes Police Force (2024)

By Edward DuBois

The Neillsville Common Council met Jan. 9 with all members present. There was no old or new business on the agenda.

Mayor Duane Poeschel recognized Neillsville Police Chief Jim Mankowski and his staff on behalf of the city council for National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

“Thank you for your service,” Poeschel said, “and all you do for the community.”

After the reading of the prior committees’ minutes, Mankowski gave his Report of Officers.

“For training,” Mankowski said, “Investigator [Hunter] Imm completed field search investigations in the Wisconsin Crime Alerts Network. The Wisconsin Crime Alerts Network is going to allow us to receive alerts as they come and go, and there’s a cost to that. And I sent the invoice to [Rex Roehl, Neillsville city clerk-treasurer] earlier this week.

“I completed the class on Principles of Being an Effective Leader.

“Personnel Officer [Halle] Fecker completed the Police Recruit School, and she will begin her field training with [Imm]. She’s already done some observatory shifts.

“Equipment purchases on squad cars for 2024: I asked to budget for a squad because one of our squads from 2020 was supposed to last us a year or two. We’ve actually gotten four out of it. We weren’t able to do that because of the budget. However, we do have an open position. I’ve talked to [Roehl] and at a later date time, we’re going to ask to remove some of that money from the position so we can take care of that.

“Parking enforcement citations: three-hour parking, we issued 27 citations. Overnight: 39. Restricted: one. Disabled: zero.

“Municipal ordinance violations: we had four. Traffic citations: we had 23. Traffic crashes: we had one. We issued 60 traffic warnings with a total of 85 traffic stops.

“Office activity: we averaged about nine calls a day, with five walk-ins.

“Total reportable incidents for [December] were 13, but we had 170 calls for police service. Of the 13 incidents we have attached some supporting documentation, which is why we have the number of investigative hours we do.

“Our officer activity: we had 328 hours of patrol, 130 and a quarter of investigations 34 and a quarter foot patrol. Office time: 161. Special assignments 44 and a quarter. And we assisted the sheriff, fire and [emergency medical services] for 12 hours.

“We had 764 neighborhood business patrols. And for contract leasing: business as usual. As I said last time, starting the [Jan. 1], we will be increasing to 15 hours month supposed to 10.”

“What type of municipal ordinance violations are we giving citations for?” councilmember Julie Counsell asked.

“Those were all disorderly conduct,” Mankowski said.

The meeting adjourned soon after.

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Bio: Noll’s of Marshfield-Now in Neillsville (Ribbon cutting - 2024)

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

Surnames: Noll, Moscinski, Goriesky, Halm

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/17/2024

Noll’s of Marshfield-Now in Neillsville (Ribbon cutting - 2024)



Started 10 years ago as Noll’s PC Service, Marshfield Technology has grown into their own store in Marshfield, and now to Neillsville with a ribbon cutting in December, hosted by (l-r) Tea Moscinski, Neillsville Chamber director, Treg Goriesky, Westley Halm and David Noll, owner.

Submitted photo

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Bio: Guyer, Isaac - NVPD Highlights Patrol Investigator ( 2024)

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

Surnames: Mankowski, Guyer, Imm

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/17/2024

NVPD Highlights Patrol Investigator (Isaac Guyer - 2024)



Patrolman Isaac Guyer was selected by Neillsville Chief of Police Jim Mankowski to highlight in honor of National Law Enforcement Day. Submitted photo

By Edward DuBois

During the Neillsville Common Council held Jan. 9, Mayor Duane Poeschel recognized Neillsville Chief of Police Jim Mankowski and his force for National Law Enforcement Day.

In all kinds of professions and such, there are individuals their superiors feel are especially worthy of recognition. That does not mean the rest of the staff performs poorly, necessarily, however.

For Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Mankowski highlighted patrolman Isaac Guyer.

“In the history of the police department,” Mankowski said, “very few officers have begun and ended their careers with the city of Neillsville.

“There are many reasons for this; some officers want to make more money and have a family, so they move on; others want to work where they can expand their experience and training or get tired of working in a small city. I aimed to stop this trend when I hired patrolman Guyer and Patrol Investigator [Hunter Imm].

“Since taking over as the police chief, I have made officer training very important. Our officers do not just receive the minimum; they travel outside our area to be trained by police officers who work for larger departments with decades of experience, and, despite being a young force, they are among the best based on their time on the job.

“Training and expertise lead to retention. What worked five, 10, or 15 years ago doesn’t work today. I firmly believe we have to be better tomorrow than today, and if we are not there, we need to ask, ‘why not.’”

Guyer started with the Neillsville Police Department (NVPD) in the summer of 2020 after being recommended by another area police chief. When Guyer was hired, Mankowski made him identify his goals and what Guyer wanted from Mankowski and the city.

“We both kept our word to each other,” Mankowski said. “What makes Guyer stand out is that he is never idle—he doesn’t come to work and wait for the dispatchers to send him to calls; he is on patrol, stopping cars, gathering intelligence and observing the community.

“Most recently, the [NVPD] executed three search warrants because Guyer went the extra mile.

“I told Guyer the day his mom pinned his star on his uniform shirt, ‘The road leading to the extra mile is not crowded; make it happen. You will make mistakes, and I may have to discipline you, but if you are an active officer, mistakes will happen—learn from them. Do not be the police officer who simply is here keeping the seat of the squad car warm.’

“[Guyer] will always give me a day’s work for a day’s pay. [Guyer] is not only a police officer: he’s a fellow citizen and someone I am glad to have hired.”

Guyer said there was not any specific idea or thing that inspired him to be a police officer.

“I was in Boy Scouts and worked my way to an Eagle Scout Award,” Guyer said. “This greatly impacted my life because Boy Scouts taught me life skills.

“I’ve always been outgoing and enjoyed working in and with the community. I decided that one of the most significant ways to make a difference in the world is to be a police officer. In that way, I get to work with people and help them through their situation, investigate crime, and talk to/help children, which is also a key part of my inspiration.

“One of the biggest things I had to overcome was facing the reality of some people’s lives that I didn’t know could be possible.

“It’s difficult for outsiders to understand or see how people live and struggle. Whether that be a struggle with drug addiction, financial struggles, or family struggles, some of these struggles lead to criminal behavior that, again, can be hard to understand.

“Other challenges include seeing a lot of negativity and people in the lowest times of their lives. The best way to work through that is to put yourself in their shoes, learn about them, train and communicate.”

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News: Clark County - UW-Stevens Point (Scholastic Achievements - 2024)

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

Surnames: Gripentrog, Tauchen, Rieck, Venzke, Voigt, Garbisch, Polsean, Johnson, Geiger, Scherer, Schreiner, Walter, Robida, Dietsche, Geier, Bethea, Harris, Magnus, Fields, Stockheimer, Erickson, Barth, Boie, Philson, Roth, Meyer, Gonzalez, Waichulis

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/17/2024

Clark County - UW-Stevens Point (Scholastic Achievements - 2024)

UW-Stevens Point honored several Clark County students for scholastic achievement.

Fulltime undergraduates who earned grade points of 3.9 to 4.0 are given the highest honors designation. High honor citations go to those with grade point averages (GPA) from 3.75 to 3.89 and honor recognition is accorded to those with GPAs from 3.5 to 3.74.

Personalized certificates of scholastic achievement are sent to those who earned highest honors distinction.

Allie Gripentrog of Curtiss received highest honors.

Connor Tauchen of Dorchester received highest honors. Trenton Giles, Malayna Rieck and Janessa Venzke received honors.

Josephine Voigt of Granton received highest honors. Isabelle Garbisch and Kevin Polsean received honors.

Korinna Johnson of Greenwood received honors.

Remi Geiger, Leah Scherer, Alexis Schreiner and Rebecca Walter of Loyal received highest honors. Aubre Robida received high honors. Wyatt Dietsche and Katelyn Geier received honors.

Morgan Bethea, Jayda Harris and Brooke Magnus Neillsville received highest honors. Benjamin Fields and Terren Stockheimer received honors.

Katie Erickson of Owen received high honors.

Jacob Barth of Thorp received. Taylor Boie received high honors. Cera Philson received honors.

Matthew Roth of Unity received high honors. Brittney Meyer received honors.

Charelis Negron Gonzalez of Withee received highest honors. Mikayla Waichulis received honors.

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News: Neillsville - Veteran Builds a Trailer (To carry veterans during parades - 2024)

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

Surnames: Thoma, Miller, Oldham

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/17/2024

Veteran Builds a Trailer (To carry veterans during parades - 2024)



Rick Thoma (left) and Dan Miller (right) stand by the parade trailer they finished building last year in time for the Memorial Day ceremony.

Submitted photos

By June Thompson

Rick Thoma, a community member and veteran, has served his community for most of his life.

A member of the American Legion Post 73 and Auxiliary and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Thoma, along with Randy Elmhorst and Dan Miller, completed a project not just to help veterans, but community members within Clark County: building a parade trailer to carry veterans and American Legion Auxiliary members through parades.

The idea came to Thoma from attending Farm Tech Days, where a trailer/shuttle was used to transport people.

“It would be nice to have a trailer so all Neillsville, Granton, Greenwood and Loyal can use it,” Thoma said. “It was built for veterans who can’t march anymore but want to ride.”

From that time on, Thoma started raising money to finance the project.

“I met with clubs to raise money,” Thoma said.

His goal was to ask businesses from each town in Clark County to help fund the project and have enough resources to purchase materials from local businesses.

Unknown to Thoma, many of these businesses and supporters would donate materials and time to help build the trailer. The Clark Electric/Adler Foundation and Sunset Painting both helped with the project.

“It’s painted red, white and blue,” Thoma said. “The composite lumber for the seats and backrest were donated. All nuts and bolts; they are stainless steel were donated, too. JBC Screen printing and Embroidery printed the banner. FINN Industries donated all the welding.”

Thoma took a fifth-wheel camper (owned by his son, Dallas Thoma), removed the camper and built the trailer from the frame.
This project began Aug. 2022 with the goal to be completed May 2023.

“The trailer is built so nothing will rot—there’s no wood,” said Thoma. “It’s 27 feet long. I wanted an eight-foot ramp on the backend for wheelchairs. The seats are bolted down and can be removed. The railing is welded to the frame.”

The trailer has 24 seats for people and space for wheelchairs.

After nearly being completed, it was discovered the trailer needed new tires.

“Eagle Tire Center [Goodyear] donated the tires,” said Thoma.

In retrospect, there were challenges.

Thoma was concerned if the trailer would be finished in time for the Clark Electric meeting and Memorial Day Ceremony. It was, and was later used for summer parades in Neillsville and surrounding towns.

When the trailer was finished, Thoma enjoyed people getting on the trailer and the compliments.
“They said, ‘looks beautiful,’” Thoma said.

With all the donations, Thoma had funds remaining and put them to use. He had a walkway created at the entrance of the American Legion Post 73 in Neillsville. He plans to have PVC pipes placed in the center of the trailer to hold umbrellas.

Thoma’s trailer is available for parades. For more information, contact Thoma at 715-937-0508.



Rick Thoma’s parade trailer was built with help from Dan Miller and Randy Elmhorst, and sponsors.

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Obit: Brey, Shirley Ann (2024)

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

Surnames: Brey, Schwanz

----Source: Hanson-Schilling Funeral Home (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 1/16/2024

Brey, Shirley Ann (- 2024)

Shirley Ann Brey, age 88, passed away Friday, January 5, 2024, at Abbotsford Health Care Center. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home (1010 E. Veterans Pkwy, Marshfield, WI) Pastor Chris Schwanz will officiate. Friends and family are welcome to visit from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service on Wednesday at the funeral home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Ann Brey, please visit our floral store.

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Obit: McNamara, Roger Edward (1938 - 2024)

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

Surnames: McNamara, Buchholz

----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/16/2024

McNamara, Roger Edward (29 July 1938 – 14 January 2024)

Roger McNamara, age 85, of Willard, died Sunday, January 14, 2024, at the House of the Dove - Hospice Home.

Roger Edward McNamara was born on July 29, 1938, in Kenosha, the son of Claude and Vivienne (Buchholz) McNamara.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Roger's family.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Roger McNamara, please visit our flower store.

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Obit: McCall, Teresa Ann “Teri” (1967 - 2024)

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

Surnames: McCall, Seastone, Covey,

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 1/19/2024

McCall, Teresa Ann “Teri” (- 2024)

Teresa “Teri” Ann McCall, age 56, of Abbotsford, passed away unexpectedly on January 9, 2024.

Teri was born to parents, Glen Covey and Shirley Seastone, on March 21, 1967, in Aberdeen, WA.

Teri is survived by her father, Glen; sister, Pamela; her loving spouse, Gary; three children: Brandon, Drake, and Miranda; and three grandchildren: Issaac, Aubree, and Ada.

Teri was a devoted mother and grandmother who had a passion for gardening, interior design, crafting, shopping, and travel. She loved being surrounded by those she loved most and would often be found talking of her love for her family and pets. Teri is and will always be known for the unique and loving way she touched everyone’s life.

In true selfless Teri fashion, her family will be respecting her wishes in not providing a funeral service. To honor Teri, we ask you donate to a local pet shelter to help those in need.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Teri, please visit our Tree Store.