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Bio: Volovsek Celebration (Rides - 1976)

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

Surnames: Volovsek, Shain, Krainz, Langan, Kirn, Suda, Hendrickson, Yurkovich, Staut, Herrick, Ashbeck, Lindner, Gall, Jeras, Tratnik, Brezonik, Klinke, Verschay, Perko, Pekol, Lorhman, Niehaus, Fraid, Kirchenberg

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/15/1976

Volovsek Celebration (Helicopter Rides – July 1976)

A Bicentennial celebration was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Volovsek. The following participated: Mr. and Mrs. William Volovsek and family, Mrs. Olga Volovsek, Stanley Volovsek, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Volovsek and family, Mr. and Mrs. Alphonse Volovsek and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Volovsek and family, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Volovsek and family, Mrs, Anna Volovsek, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Volovsek, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Shain and family, Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Krainz, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Krainz and son, Mr. and Mrs. David Langan and family, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Kirn and Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Suda, Mr. and Mrs. Archie Hendrickson, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Yurkovich. All are from Willard.

Others included: Mr. and Mrs. Vitko Staut of La Crosse; Mr. and Mrs. Mike Volovsek of Spencer; Mr. and Mrs. Roger Volovsek of Chippewa Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Herrick, Mrs. Ida Volovsek and family, Mr. and Mrs. David Volovsek and son, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Staut and family, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ashbeck and Mr. Greg Lindner of Greenwood; Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Volovsek and son of Waukesha; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Gall of Milwaukee; Mr. and Mrs. Tony Jeras and Jean of Hodgkins, Il.; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Jeras and family of New Berlin; Mr. and Mrs. Tony Jeras, Jr., of Milwaukee and
Mary Tratnik of Milwaukee; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Brezonik of Elm Grove.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kirchenberg and family of Racine; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Klinke, Mr. and Mrs. John Verschay, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Perko, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pekol, Jr. and family, all of Neillsville; Linda Volovsek, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Volovsek and family of Rice Lake; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Volovsek of Sturgeon Bay; Mr. and Mrs. Max Lorhman of Marshfield; Tony Volovsek of Detroit, Mi.; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Niehaus of Appleton; Mrs. Betty Fraid of West Allis; and Jim Volovsek of Franklin.

They all enjoyed a picnic dinner, helicopter rides, social visiting and some games and refreshments.

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Obit: Hayward, Donald G (1948 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Hayward, Kennedy, Brock, VanBeusekom, Clements

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 8/24/2024

Hayward, Donald G. (5 September 1948 – 4 July 2024)

Donald G. Hayward, 75, Green Bay, passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at Edenbrook Long Term Care in Green Bay.
Donald was born on September 5, 1948, in Ashland, to Lloyd and Anna (Kennedy) Hayward. He attended school in Marshfield, graduating in 1967. He was drafted by the Marine Corps in May 1968 – Dec 1969 and served in Vietnam. He entered the Physician Assistant Class at Marshfield Clinic in 1976, graduating in 1978. His career started at Neillsville Clinic in 1978, for the next 35 years working in Emergency Medicine and Family Practice.

Donald was united in marriage to Charlene Brock on September 26, 1970, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Marshfield. He is survived by his sons, Jason (Marie) Hayward of Hobart, and Philip (Missy) Hayward of Hudson, five grandchildren Brady and Ava Hayward of Hobart, and Payton, Bellamy and Ethan Hayward of Hudson. He is further survived by his sister Nancy (Steven) VanBeusekom, Deming, New Mexico and brothers John, Alan, and James Hayward all of Green Bay. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mary Susan Hayward and Kathyrn Hayward, grandparents, uncles and aunts.

Donald will be remembered enjoying a cold Sun Drop soda while watching Westerns and old movies. He loved playing cards with the grandkids. His interests extended to tending orchids, cactus and iris in the gardens. Over the years, he raised a variety of birds and tropical fish.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Staff at Edenbrook Long Term Care for their exceptional care and kindness given to Donald. We also want to thank Compassus Hospice & Palliative Care in Green Bay for their attentiveness in the last days.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield with visitation from 10:00 am until time of service. Rev. Jared Clements will officiate. The service will be streamed online at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes.  Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Marshfield where military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post 54 - Marshfield.

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Obit: Leigh, Wanda Lou (1949 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Leigh, Bertrang, Palms, Block, Dussenbury, Briski, Roberts, Braeger, Fitzl, Ustianowski, Salzgeber, Nitz, White, Ciokiewicz, Mikolainis

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 8/24/2024

Leigh, Wanda Lou (12 April 1949 – 22 August 2024)

Wanda L. Leigh, age 75, of Greenwood, passed away at home on Thursday, August 22, 2024. A private Celebration of Life for Wanda will be held with the family, and burial will take place at Sylvan Cemetery in the Town of Reseburg at a later date.

Wanda Lou Palms was born on April 12, 1949, in Neillsville, to Robert K. and Iva F. (Bertrang) Palms. She was raised in Neillsville until her family moved to Thorp, where she graduated from Thorp High School in 1967. After high school, Wanda moved to Milwaukee where she worked and received her C.N.A. license. Wanda married in Milwaukee and had a daughter, Sandra Block. They moved to Las Vegas, NV to help her in-laws, but shortly afterward she and her husband divorced. Wanda worked at Valley Hospital in Las Vegas for over 43 years, only leaving due to her visual decline. She loved her job and was the only Unit Coordinator who could read some of the doctors writings. During this time, she met and married Michael Leigh. Wanda and Mike later divorced, but she helped raise her grandsons: Theodore, Daniel, Michael & Patrick Dussenbury.

Following her retirement, she moved to Vassar, MI to be with her daughter and grandsons. Wanda loved those boys and her three great-grandchildren: Daniel, Patrick "PT", and Lucy. Upon learning she had terminal cancer, she decided she wanted to spend her remaining time with her family in Wisconsin. Wanda came to live with her sister, Patty & Jim Briski, in Greenwood. She remained there with them until her death, being cared for by her family.

She is survived by one daughter, Sandra Roberts (Ted Dussenbury); four grandsons and three great-grandchildren; her mother, Iva Palms; 13 siblings: Roberta Braeger, Nancy (James) Fitzl, Eugene "Butch" (Renee) Palms, Gordon (Debbie) Palms, Kenneth Palms, Cheryl Ustianowski, David Palms, Patty (Jim) Briski, Valorie (Ed) Salzgeber, Lucy Nitz (Les White), Renata (Al) Ciokiewicz, Dotty (Robert) Mikolainis, and Tina Palms; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Wanda was preceded in death by her father, Robert Palms; and two brothers: Gary and LaVern "Popeye" Palms.

The family wishes to thank the Mayo Hospital & Cancer Center of Eau Claire for their excellent care of Wanda.

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Obit: Myers, Kenneth Allan (1944 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Myers

----Source: Crematory of Wisconsin (Altoona, Eau Claire Co., WI) 8/24/2024

Myers, Kenneth Allan (19 August 1944 – 21 August 2024)

Kenneth A. Myers, 80, of Greenwood, passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at House of the Dove in Marshfield.

No services are planned at this time.

Chippewa Valley Cremation Services - Celebration of Life Center in Altoona is serving his family.

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

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Obit: Binning, Joan J. (1931 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Binning, Koperski, Luce, Andrew

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 8/25/2024)

Binning, Joan J. (29 July 1931 – 22 August 2024)

Joan J. Binning, age 93, of Colby, passed away on Thursday August 22, 2024, at Marshfield Medical Center.

Joan was born on July 29, 1931, the daughter of Max and Helen (Koperski) Luce in Chicago, IL. She graduated from High School in Chicago, IL. On September 29, 1951, she was united in marriage to Clifford Binning. Clifford preceded her in death on July 25, 2012.

In their younger years Joan and Clifford traveled extensively. China, Russia and Africa were just some of their many stops around the world. Joan was a homemaker and helped on the farm in Unity.

Joan had a love and admiration of all types of art. She expressed her creativity in sewing and in her flower gardens. Joan resided at The Waterford in Colby for the past nine years. During her stay she was known to help bake cookies, enjoyed decorating for Christmas, was an avid bingo player and referred to as the “Queen of Puzzles”.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents of The Waterford for the wonderful care, kindness, and friendship provided throughout Joan’s stay.

Joan is survived by her two children: Gary (Joyce) Binning and Donna (Dale) Andrew and her granddaughter, Kelly Binning. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, Howard Luce and a granddaughter Kate Binning.

2A private graveside service will be held. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Colby is entrusted with the arrangements

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

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Obit: Schraufnagel, Pat P. (1947 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Schraufnagel, Underwood, Wolfe, Struble, Decker, Bull, Cuomo, Keiner, Buchinger, Laub, Staudenmaier, Evert, Drake, Luther, Umlauft, Peissig

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Colby, Clark Co., WI) 8/26/2024)

Schraufnagel, Pat P. (16 September 1947 – 22 August 2024)

Pat Schraufnagel, 76, Colby, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

He was born September 16, 1947, in Marshfield, son of Cletus and Anna Marie Schraufnagel. He was a devout Catholic and lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where he was baptized, confirmed, and married.

As a child, Pat was the third of six children, growing up on the family farm. Prior to his farming days, he worked at J.I. Case in Rockford, Illinois and at PCA in Colby. He started farming with his dad in 1970 and eventually took over the farm in 1981. He retired in 2013 after 43 years of farming.

On the very cold day of December 30, 1967, he married the love of his life, Sharon Underwood. From there they raised six children that filled their home with love, laughter, good times, and unforgettable memories.

He looked forward to holidays and all family get-togethers. He lived by the motto “Work hard, play hard”. He has been a lifelong snowmobiler, being an active member and groomer with two different snowmobile clubs for forty-five years. He played pool for several years on two different leagues and enjoyed playing cards. He also enjoyed going on day trips on his side by side and longer trips on his Harley with his wife and friends seeing over 35 different states during their travels. Pat was an enthusiastic fan of the Packers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He also loved watching the Milwaukee Brewers. In retirement, one of his favorite pastimes was playing dice games with Sharon, and his kids often joked about his hidden horseshoe, which also brought him luck on his occasional casino trip. Pat took pride in all of his grandchildren and loved cheering them on whenever they were participating in sports.

Pat is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sharon. Children: Mike (Jill) Schraufnagel, Gary (Kari) Schraufnagel, Travis Schraufnagel and special friend Kayla Wolfe, Gina (Rich) Struble, Jessie (Dave) Decker, and Tyler (Nicolle) Schraufnagel. Grandchildren: Hanna (Jason) Bull, Haley Schraufnagel and fiancé Chris Cuomo, Elle Schraufnagel and husband Chris Keiner, Emily (Alex) Buchinger, Anna (John) Laub, Mia Schraufnagel and special friend Ian Staudenmaier, Noah Schraufnagel, Kayla Evert, Reagan Schraufnagel, Madisyn Schraufnagel, Kenadie Schraufnagel, Jordan Schraufnagel and fiancé Jessi Drake, Jack Struble, Camryn Struble, Grace Struble, Faith Struble, Brody Decker, Lydia Decker, and Lainey Schraufnagel. Three great-grandchildren: Benjamin and Madelyn Buchinger and Grayson Laub. He is also survived by one brother, Terry (Faye) Schraufnagel, and three sisters: Carol (Steve) Luther, Mary (Rod) Umlauft, and Joan (Gene) Peissig. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Dennis.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be designated to an organization that was important to Pat.

Visitation will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Colby from 10:00-noon on Friday, August 30, 2024, with a service to follow. Please join the family to celebrate Pat’s life at the Colby Lion’s Shelter following the service for “one more, gotta go”.

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

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Bio: Malnar, Matthew G. (Receives Master’s Degree – 1980)

Surname: Malnar

Source: Tribune-Record-Gleaner (Loyal, WI) 5/14/80

The Reverend Matthew G. Malnar, son of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Malnar, Greenwood, will receive a Master of Science Degree in Education with a concentration in physiological services in ceremonies to be held at the University of Wisconsin, Superior, on May 23. Father Malnar attended the University in free time and maintained a straight “A” or 4.0 average. He is also working on a degree in religious studies from the same institution.

The honor graduate is an Air Force Chaplain and Major Selectee, who ministers to the Catholic Military Community and their families at Duluth AFB, Minnesota. He is a graduate of the Greenwood High School with the Class of 1952, was ordained a priest in 1966, and entered the USAF Chaplaincy in 1972.

He also holds degrees from St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, and the University of the State of New York. He has been accepted to begin Doctoral Studies this summer through the Minnesota Consortium of Seminaries, under the auspices of Luther Seminary, St. Paul. The Consortium is an alliance of Minnesota Catholic and Protestant Seminaries granting a Doctorate of Ministry, the highest professional degree for persons in the ministries of their respective churches.

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Bio: Becker, Doug – Granton FFA Alumni Citizen of the Year (2024)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Becker, Steiner, Steinbach, Hubing, Nitschke

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 28 Aug 2024

Becker, Doug – Granton FFA Alumni Citizen of the Year (2024)

By Cheyenne Thomas

In the nomination letter provided to the Granton FFA Alumni for this year’s honored citizen award, Doug Becker was noted as someone who does things “quietly, efficiently and humbly to make Granton and the surrounding area a better place to live.” Throughout the years, Becker’s quiet, efficient and humble way of contributing to life in the Granton area has continued to make a positive impact, from adding a new business to allowing fun times to be had by all when the village’s annual festivities commence.

Becker will be honored as the Granton Citizen of the Year at the Granton Fall Festival to be held Sept. 6-8. A1986 graduate of Granton High School, Becker first moved to the area with his parents when he was around 8 years old in 1976. While his father, Edwin, farmed and worked as a truck mechanic at Lynn Dairy, Becker said he grew to appreciate cars and purchased his first one at age 14.

“Cars just interested me,” he said. “My first car, which I still have, I bought that at age 14. That car led me down the road where I was going.”

Where he was going was into work as a mechanic himself. After he graduated high school, Becker worked briefly at local dairy farms before getting his first job in the automobile world at Fleet Farm’s auto center. From there, he went on to work at an independent mechanic shop in Marshfield before coming back to Granton to start his own business, Becker’s Repair and Welding, which he operated out of the former Hubing’s Standard Service building along the curve on County Highway K.

He ran that business for 10 years before Becker made a choice that greatly impacted Granton’s businesses: founding the Granton Convenience Store (C-Store). Located on the site of the former livestock auction barn, Becker said it took three years of work to demolish that building and build the C-Store, which was constructed in 2003. With its completion, the C-Store became the place in Granton to stop to purchase not only gas, but food and other items.

“I guess you could say my ideas expanded,” he said on the founding of the store. “Down at the old shop (Becker’s Repair and Welding), we only had one flavor of gas with two pumps. We just sold unleaded fuel and when we took the shop over, we added a cooler with some sodas and milk, pizzas and such, but that was the only gas option in town at the time. Granton needed a better gas station, but there were limits to what you could do down there. You couldn’t have added the C-Store downtown. Running the Granton C-Store was quite the learning process, Becker said. A very different profession than just operating a mechanic shop, he said the work was something he became dedicated to doing seven days a week to make sure everything ran smoothly. Because of the amount of work required, Becker soon closed his mechanic shop downtown to focus more on running the C-Store, which he owned and operated until 2021 when he sold it to Provision Partners Cooperative.
“Every time I go by the C-Store, I still think about it,” he said, reflecting on the impact the business has had on the village. “It still means a lot to me and just knowing about what it has done for the people in the village, it makes it more special.”

In addition to founding the Granton C-Store, Becker has taken part in helping in other areas of village life, again, doing so quietly, efficiently and humbly. For about five years, he served as a member of the Granton First Responders and he also served for several years as one of the founding members of the Granton Fall Festival Committee.

“When Francis Steiner decided to step down from being in charge of taking care of everything for the Granton Fall Festival, he hand-picked several community members to serve on a committee to run the event,” he said. “Cheryl Steinbach, Roger Nitschke, me, Carol Hubing and a few others were invited to be on that first Fall Festival Committee. I still attend meetings, but I’m not on the committee now.”

While he may not be on the current committee, Becker still takes part in helping put together and run events at the festival every year. He helps to put on the Tri-City Car Cruise, as well as the Hot Wheels drag race for the kids to provide some fun at the festival for people of all ages.

Becker said being selected as the Granton Honored Citizen is deeply humbling and he credits his family — which includes two daughters, Sanya and Amber, and their families — for doing so much with him over the years to help bring so many of these things to life in Granton.

“I’m honored by it,” he said. “It was my family that got me here. I credit my mom, my dad and my family for even being nominated.”

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Obit: Dennison, Hilda Marie (1942 – 2024)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Dennison, Turnquist, Solberg, Johnson, Colassacco, Schroetter

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 28 Aug 2024

Dennison, Hilda Marie (18 Oct 1942 – 23 Aug 2024)

Hilda Marie Dennison, 81, Eau Claire, died peacefully at home on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. She was born to Carl and Evelyn Turnquist on Oct. 18, 1942, in Greenwood.

Hilda graduated from Greenwood High School. She completed the Weaver Airline Personnel School’s extension course and was attending the resident school in Kansas City, Mo., when she was selected and assigned to the position of communications agent for North Central Airlines. She worked for the airline for over 40 years. She married E. Thomas Dennison on Dec. 23, 1967, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Greenwood. She was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, enjoyed living at Shawano Lake for many years, golfing, and spending time with family and friends, especially the recent trips riding in a little red corvette.

Hilda is survived by her brothers, Chet (Susan) Turnquist; Ed (Brenda) Turnquist; brother-in-law, Larry Solberg; sister-in-law, Florence Dennison; special friend, Larry Johnson; along with nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; parents; sister, Cora Solberg; mother- and father-in-law, Earl and Clara Dennison; brothers-in-law, James, Robert (Grace) and John Dennison; and sister-in-law, Mary (Larry) Colassacco.

The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at Big Elk Creek Lutheran Church, 6118 County Hwy M, Elk Mound. Pastor Hal A. Schroetter officiated. Visitation was from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service at the church. Burial was in the Big Elk Creek Lutheran Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Big Elk Creek Lutheran Church or the donor’s choice.

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family. To express condolences online please visit obituaries, at www.lenmarkfh.com.

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