Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Schwanebeck, O’Donoghue, Weiler
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 11/11/2009
Sportsman’s Alliance Provides Hunt of a Lifetime for Volunteer (Elk - 2020)
Adapted from an article in the Marshfield News Herald…
For five years, Wayne Schwanebeck, 19, of Pittsville served as a volunteer, helping the Pittsville based United Special Sportsman Alliance provide outdoor activities for children with disabilities.
When founder Brigid O’Donoghue learned Schwanebeck had lung cancer, she decided the organization should do something for this kind-spirited, generous man. They would give him the elk hunt of a lifetime.
Schwanebeck was able to go on an elk hunt this fall with his son, Rick, of Granton. The hunt, donated by Scott Weiler, took place on Weiler’s property in Auburndale. Pittsville American Legion paid for all of the meat processing and the taxidermy work will also be donated for the 7x6 bull elk Schwanebeck shot.
“That was the greatest day for me,” said Schwanebeck, a Korean War Veteran. “It was a dream I never thought I’d be able to accomplish.”
Schwanebeck said he and his son spent two hours waiting before two elk came into sight, and he picked out the bigger of the two.
Rick Schwanebeck said the family really enjoys deer hunting, but because of his father’s cancer, the elk hunt was even more special.
“It was one more chance to be out hunting with him,” Rick said. “Just the chance to do an elk hunt, which we’ve never done, was super. I can’t thank the people who donated the elk hunt enough for doing this for my father.”
Wayne Schwanebeck displays the elk he shot during the special hunt arranged by the Pittsville-based United Special Sportsman Alliance. Contributed photo
