Bio: Keating, Joe (Service
Honor - 1983)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Keating, Speich
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/19/1983
Keating, Joe (Service Honor - 1983)
Receiving special honors from the Clark County Red Cross Volunteers was Joe
Keating of Thorp, who has coordinated water safety programs for 2 1/2 decades.
Presenting the certificate was Roberta Speich, county chairperson.
News: Neillsville
- Family Health Center and Work Force Development (2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: White, Volbrecht
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/7/2024
Family Health Care Center and Work Force Development (2024)
Billie White from Family Health Center spoke to patrons about health insurance
options at the Neillsville Public Library July 24. June Thompson/Clark County
Press
By June Thompson
Representatives from Family Health Center and the Department of Workforce
Development visited the Neillsville Public Library July 24 from 10 a.m. to noon.
They assisted people with health insurance questions, and employment concerns.
They plan to be at the library once a month.
Billie White, benefit navigator from Family Health Center and Carlene Volbrecht,
employment, and training specialist from the Department of Workforce Development
answered questions and offered advice.
“We get great response from libraries,” said White. “The mobile unit (van) is
like the job center coming to you.” White was at the NPL for two hours. “This
opened my eyes to see how librarians are involved with their communities. When I
was a kid, we had to be quiet. Today, kids are having fun.”
White assisted patrons with health insurance questions. “We are a federally
funded community health clinic. Our funding is all state and federal,” she said.
“Greg Nycz is the founder and CEO.”
There are health care options for people underemployed or who don’t have health
insurance— Obamacare/Marketplace. “Open enrollment is November 1 – January 15,”
said White. When looking on-line, “the important thing is to go to
healthcare.gov. If you have to enter your phone number or social security
number, you’re on the wrong site,” White said. “If you make under $18,000,
you’re eligible for Medicaid or BadgerCare.”
According to White there are numerous health care plans available. Some are
available with 0 premiums and deductible as low as $700 that covers
health/medical and drugs. It all depends on income.
“If you have problems or need help, we can help you,” said White. “We have a
dental center in Neillsville and health care center in Marshfield. “Our mission
is everyone gets quality healthcare that is affordable.” White also refers
people to Aging, Disability and Resource Center (ADRC). “People can actually
afford health insurance. Even if you have a premium, you have insurance,” said
White. “I don’t want to see anyone taking years to pay off health bills. Some
people without insurance aren’t being seen.”
White stated she gets hundreds of people. “We meet people at libraries and the
dental centers. We can’t go to their homes,” she said. White meets all types of
people with varying circumstances. “Most people are a paycheck away from being
homeless,” she said.
While White discussed health insurance options with patrons, Carlene Volbrecht
was in the Mobile Career Lab.
“We were here last month. Our Department of Workforce Development (DVD) covers
eight counties,” she said. “Some jobs don’t come with insurance on day one,”
Volbrecht said.
“We used to have job centers in all 72 counties, but now there are only 35 - 40
job centers in the state,” said Volbrecht. “Not every county has a job center.
We’re not a placement agency.”
Volbrecht and White go wherever they are needed. “We travel to meet people on
appointment,” said Volbrecht. “I help people with resumes, interviewing, and job
leads.”
When people are laid off from their jobs, Volbrecht and White intervene. “We
have a program for dislocated workers to be retrained,” said Volbrecht.
Despite only being in Neillsville twice, Volbrecht had people benefitting from
the Mobile Career Lab. “I’ve had a couple people each time. They can tell others
we’re coming. We have flyers in libraries,” said Volbrecht. “It’s tax dollars at
work. Make use of them,” she said.
“If an employer has a hiring event, they can request us to be present at the
event,” said Volbrecht. The Mobile Career Lab has computers for people to apply
for jobs. You can fill out apps for employers on the bus (van).”
Volbrecht advises people to “make sure the resume targets the job you’re looking
for. Highlight skills for the job you’re applying for. Identify skills so
employer looks at it,” she said. There’s no charge to have the bus (van) at an
event.
“A lot of young people are applying for jobs and need help with interviewing.
The largest group looking for jobs are ages 35-50,” Volbrecht said. “When you
have a job, that’s the best time to look for another job.” Volbrecht doesn’t
advise job-hopping. “Learn skills at every job you have. They are portable. Gaps
are concerning to employers,” said Volbrecht. “Volunteer somewhere. Sometimes,
volunteer experience can turn into a full-time job. Show that you’re out in the
community. Find something to connect to the community.”
Currently, many employers are seeking job applicants. “Demonstrate you’re
punctual and do a good job,” said Volbrecht. “You’ll never find the perfect job
sitting at home. Be proactive.”
According to Volbrecht, homelessness is a bigger problem than unemployment. If
they have no address, it’s more difficult getting a job. “There are hundreds of
homeless in Chippewa Falls,” she said.
“We provide information to people when mass lay-offs occur,” said Volbrecht. “We
talk to people who haven’t had to look for work for a long time. We help people
feel more comfortable with technology.” She encouraged people to think about
what they want to do. “We have training to get skills. We have a dislocated
worker program to help people. Rapid response is what we do.”
For more information about Family Health Center of Marshfield, 1-800-942-5420,
or
fhcmarkettm@familyhealthcenter.org.
For more information about the Wisconsin Job Center Mobile Career Lab,
715-221-5700.
Family Health Center and Mobile Career Lab will be in Neillsville August 21,
September 18, October 16, and November 24.
News: Clark Co. -
NOMO Smart Care Donates 100 Essential Care Kits (2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Sherno, Smith, Crothers
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/7/2024
NOMO Smart Care Donates 100 Essential Care Kits (2024)
Nomo supplies aging and disability resource centers with kits to distribute in
trial program
Nomo Smart Care (Nomo), an in-home safety technology that provides insight into
loved ones’ daily activity and health information, is collaborating with Aging
and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) in Clark County and Eau Claire to support
those communities’ aging population and their caregivers. Nomo will distribute a
combined 100 kits to the areas’ residents in, as identified by the ADRC,
starting later this summer.
“Caregiving puts a growing strain on families everywhere,” said Nomo Smart Care
chief marketing officer Tim Sherno.
“Nomo supports caregivers by allowing them to add caregiving to their list of
multitasking that could include work and their own family obligations.
“More of us need to check on our loved ones—Nomo allows us to do it on the go
from anywhere.”
“We’re honored to make Nomo Smart Care available to these ADRC programs,” said
vice president of business development, Jess Smith. “These relationships help
achieve our mission to help those with disabilities, seniors and their loved
ones live longer, healthier and more independent lives. These kits are part of a
trial to ensure program members are benefitting fully from everything Nomo
offers.”
ADRCs provide support for older adults, people with disabilities and their
caregivers. The offer information on a variety of programs and services,
including long-term care options, caregiver support, safety updates to the home,
assistive technology and more. Virtual caregiver events, long-term care
counseling and benefit specialists are available to help navigate the challenges
seniors and their families often face.
“The ADRC of Clark County is thrilled to partner with Nomo,” aging and nutrition
manager ADRC Center of Clark County Lynn Crothers said, “bringing the perfect
solution for care giving in a rural area. With its ease of use, caregivers can
enjoy peace of mind in providing exceptional care for their loved ones.”
News: Rock Creek
Disabled Outdoors (RCDO) (Big Gun Blowout - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Petkovsek
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/7/2024
Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors (RCDO) (Big Gun Blowout - 2024)
By Edward DuBois
Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors (RCDO) held its Big Gun Blowout event Aug. 3 at
Sunset Pines Resort in Willard.
20 volunteers helped run the event, organized by the RCDO’s board of directors.
This was the 26th year of the event, which has seen various changes throughout
its history.
“It all started long before the beginning of the organization with a local named
Dale Petkovsek, a man who truly put others’ needs before his own,” said RCDO.
As a C4-5 quadriplegic since 1978, Petkovsek knew there was a need in the
community for more outdoor opportunities for individuals with disabilities. He
had a “small idea, which turned into a big dream” that led RCDO to where it is
today.
“Even he could not have imagined that, years later, we are doing better than
ever giving opportunities to hundreds of outdoorsmen who just needed a location
and people who are passionate to help,” said RCDO.
RCDO started in 1999, with the first Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities. The
first hunt hosted 14 hunters with disabilities.
Then, Petkovsek had 12 landowners allowing access to 1370 acres of private land.
That year, those 14 hunters harvested 10 deer.
“That was a great accomplishment for the first hunt,” RCDO said.
At that time, the headquarters of the event was Dale’s North Mound, a bar and
grill about a mile down the road.
At the time ,Sunset Pines Resort was just another idea and some open acreage. As
years passed, more supporters, hunters and volunteers were introduced to the
event and the love for the hunt grew.
In 2004, Sunset Pines Resort became another dream come true for Petkovsek with
two newly built cabins and one existing farm home. The handmade pond became a
focal point for the resort and gave disabled individuals an opportunity to
become fisherman.
In 2008 came the shelter, which allowed people in the community a place for
their personal parties, a spot to sit in the shade to enjoy the scenery and a
new home to the Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities.
Then July 27, 2013, everything changed when RCDO’s founder and president, Dale
Petkovsek, passed away. The fate of the organization was unknown, but those who
remained close to Dale’s legacy knew it had to continue.
“The Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors board of directors carried on with sadness in
their hearts and Petkovsek on their mind to have more successful hunts and
opportunities to the community RCDO served,” RCDO said.
Today, the Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities has expanded over 6,900 acres with
over 50 hunters participating each year.
“We are proud of what the organization has become with 12 board members and many
volunteers and supporters,” RCDO said. “We are always looking to make the next
year the best yet by welcoming more hunters and donors.”
There have been many changes to become what the organization is today, but the
love and support from the community has always remained.
“With the support we have received Rock Creek Disabled Outdoors and Sunset Pines
continue to grow,” RCDO said.
To demonstrate that growth, there have been recent extension built onto existing
structures to help provide shelter from the elements during events like the Big
gun Blowout, the main fundraiser for the year which offsets the costs for the
Hunters with Disabilities Hunt done every October.
The October hunt had 52 hunters participate, and RCDO anticipates that many
hunters will come again in 2024.
The Big Gun Blowout began as a gun drawing and raffle. However, over the years
there were more events added to make it a more all-day event, as well as
family-focused activities.
Many of these changes were made in the last five years or so, but one older
change was the change of venue from Dale’s North Mound to Sunset Pines in 2008.
News: Sherwood
Sesquicentennial Celebration (2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Pucci, Perkins, Cody
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/7/2024
Sherwood Sesquicentennial Celebration (10 August 2024)
The 150-year anniversary of the founding of the Town of Sherwood in Clark County
will be held Saturday, Aug. 10, beginning at noon. The event will be held at
Neal’s Pond at Camp Neal, the property owned by Bob Pucci, who has opened his
venue for the celebration. The address is W739 STH Highway 73, Pittsville, or
just east of the Sherwood Cemetery.
Sherwood was split from Washburn Township Jan. 8, 1874. Initially named Perkins
after Civil War veteran. Hugh Perkins, town members petitioned, and the county
board changed the name to Sherwood Forest in 1876. Forest was dropped in 1900 to
entice farmers to the area as the white pine forest was logged off.
Initial employment was the timber industry. Sawmills and wood camps made lumber,
shingles, wagon spokes and staves for wooden barrels.
There are seven Civil War veterans buried in the Sherwood Cemetery.
Colonel “Buffalo Bill” Cody visited Sherwood in January 1886 on a three-day deer
hunting expedition in the “pine woods” of Wisconsin. He mentioned about his
visit, “I have always thought cowboy hospitality as being on the top notch, but
the hospitality we met in the woods beats it.”
Sherwood Lake was completed in 1938 by damming Hay Creek. The dam was repaired,
and the lake dredged again in 2016.
A creamery built about 1902 near the town hall burnt in 1906. Farmers then
hauled their milk by wagon to the Pittsville Creamery.
The Sherwood Dairy Company was a cheese factory, built in 1914 and also near the
town hall, produced brick cheese. It burned in May of 1929, never to be rebuilt.
In the 1930s and 40s, local farmers grew cucumbers and green beans, bringing
them to the Sherwood Store, which supplied the Pittsville cannery.
Sherwood once had five post offices, Nevins, Irene, Brook, Popple and Dewhurst.
Croatian immigrants who were miners in the “old country” settled the northern
part of Sherwood, created farmland utilizing their skills with Dynamite to
remove massive white pine stumps by blowing them into the air.
Provided by Bill Rosandick
News: Neillsville
- Visitors to 1897 CC Jail Museum (History Lesson - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Hoesly, Neville, Anderson, Listeman
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/7/2024
Visitors to 1897 CC Jail Museum (History Lesson - 2024)
The 1897 Clark County Jail Museum is open the second and fourth Sundays of the
month until the end of August or by appointment. June Thompson/Clark County
Press
By June Thompson
Imagine staying in a jail attached to a Victorian home where the sheriff and his
wife lived. You’d be in a dark steel cell and the sheriff’s wife would cook your
food. It might seem strange by today’s standards. From 1897 to the 1970s, the
1897 Clark County Jail housed the ne’er-do-wells and a few criminal characters.
Today, the 1897 Clark County Jail is a museum and the history there is unlike
any other. Tour guides give their own rendition of local history two Sundays a
month. Tourists, eager for a tale, are locked inside a small steel cell until
the tour guide wants to let them out.
“You’re locked-in all weekend,” said Allan Hoesly, tour guide. “All you’re
eating is what the sheriff’s wife gives you.” He locked seven students from
Madison and other tourists inside the cells.
“The second cell block with six cells had steel flooring and concrete ceiling,”
said Hoesly. Another floor of cells has displays of local history. “It’s a
two-story steel box. Artifacts have been donated,” he said.
“The first jail was built in 1866. It had wooden planks. The second one was
1881. A larger jail was needed by 1897,” said Hoesly. He showed tourists peep
holes to see into the cell blocks.
Hoesly has taken fourth graders through the museum. “They like to scream,” he
said. “Most people/tourists are from out of town. A tour gives me something to
do.”
Tourist Lana Neville lives in Kuwait but is originally from Marshfield. She was
visiting with her son, Sami. “My Uncle Dallas Neville was sheriff here in the
late 1980s and 1990s,” she said. It was her first time visiting the museum.
“It’s cooler than other museums,” she said. “The building is beautiful. My son,
Sami thinks the building is cool.”
It’s really interesting showing the prison gear and equipment,” Sami said. “I
liked it all. I’ve not seen a place like this.”
Tour guide Shirley Anderson gave tours of the Victorian home part of the museum.
“When kids come in, I tell them there are three main ways to study history:
textbooks, reenactment, and oral history. It’s a good way to learn,” said
Anderson. “Those who lived the history, they can tell you.” She has been giving
tours since 2005.
The 1897 Clark County Jail was one of the first places built with electricity
and plumbing. When entering the Victorian structure, it is decorated from that
era. A settee from the Civil War era and 1865-1870 pump organ with a fireplace
and paintings give a sense of class and history of a time gone by.
“The sheriff was on duty 24/7,” said Anderson. “The wife did the cooking and
laundry.” She encouraged tourist guests to ask her questions. “If you see
something you’re curious about, ask me.”
Anderson concluded a tour by taking guests into the parlor room decorated with
instruments, portraits, and musical history of the Listeman family. Kurt and
Marguerite Listeman’s bedroom set was on display in a second-story bedroom.
The Marguerite Listeman Foundation has donated funds to help with several
projects in Neillsville for more than 60 years.
The 1897 Clark County Jail Museum is open the second and fourth Sundays of the
month through August. Private tours are available by appointment. For more
information, contact 715-743-2150.
Obit: Garbisch,
Marjorie Lee (1930 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Garbisch, Rudd, Kirk, Schreiber, Wallick, Menne-Thorpe, Guanzon,
Hansen, Schoessow
----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/4/2024
Garbisch, Marjorie Lee (22 September 1930 – 28 May 2024)
Marjorie Lee Garbisch (nee Kirk), 93, passed away on May 28, 2024, after a short
battle with pneumonia. Marge was born on Sept 22, 1930, to Mabel Helen (Rudd)
Kirk and Laurence C Kirk in Emerald. She was the oldest of 4 children. After
going to elementary school in Cumberland, and high school in Marathon, her
family moved to Granton, in 1948 to open the Friendly Way grocery store where
she met her husband to be, Marvin D Garbisch (b.1929-d.1989). They married on
June 10, 1950, and raised a family of five children in Granton.
Marge was a very active (and feisty) member of the Granton community all her
adult life. She wore many hats besides wife and mother including bookkeeper,
accountant, insurance agent, real estate agent, securities rep, school board
treasurer and village assessor. She was known as a general go-to person for all
things legal and for recalling historical events. She employed up to 9 people
during the tax seasons. Marge was named Honored Citizen of the year 2008 by the
Granton Rotary. She volunteered her time on the village board, school board (20
years), rotary, ladies' aid and in many other capacities. Marge was known as a
welcoming advocate helping newcomers settle in Granton. Marge enjoyed her
bowling league and continued bowling until she was 90. She was a steadfast
member Zion Evangelical Lutheran church of Granton (she and Marvin helped in its
construction) and a member of United Methodist church.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Peter L Schreiber whom she
married on 11/24/2012; her children Kirk (Katrina) Garbisch of Wrangell, AK;
Elise (Steve) Wallick of North Bend, WA; Vida (Peter) Menne-Thorpe of Edina, MN;
Zoe (Nilo) Guanzon of Eagan, MN; Step-children Peter (Sara) Schreiber Jr of
Wauwatosa, WI and Charles (Soo) Schreiber of Waukesha, as well as 18
grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Marjorie is also survived by her
brothers Joe (Alice) Kirk of Paynesville, MN and Noel Kirk of Cold Spring, MN
8
Obit: Czech, Thadeusz Joseph “Ted” (1937 - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Czech, Gaska, Long, Webster, Sitter, Dobkins, Frank, Navara, Sellner,
Majewski, Garrison, Walsh, Frank, Klos
----Source: Crematory of Wisconsin (Altoona, Eau Claire Co., WI) 8/10/2024
Czech, Thadeusz Joseph “Ted” (7 October 1937 – 8 August 2024)
Thadeusz “Ted” Joseph Czech passed away on August 8, 2024, due to complications
from a stroke. In his final days, he was surrounded by his loving family. Ted
was an incredible family man and was blessed with 29 descendants to date (six
children, 13 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren).
Ted was born October 7, 1937, at home in Thorp, the son of Jan “John” and
Genowefa “Genevieve” (Gaska) Czech.
Ted was raised on the family farm north of Thorp, with his nine siblings,
groomed in Polish Catholic values. He attended the University of Wisconsin at
River Falls studying Agriculture Science and Industrial Education. Because Ted
appreciated so much the schooling his parents provided, he came back to Thorp
almost every weekend to help on the farm.
One particular weekend in 1956, he was coming home on the Thanksgiving holiday.
His good friend, Chuck Webster, provided the transportation. A young lady,
Phyllis Long, was looking for a ride and gave Ted a call. It became the best
phone call of his life. They immediately hit it off and Phyllis told her best
friend that weekend of a tall, handsome man she had just met. They enjoyed the
ride back to school as Phyllis shared her chocolate chip cookies with Ted. They
began dating soon after.
Ted and Phyllis were married at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Gilman on
May 31, 1958. They raised six children, primarily calling Thorp their home on
the farm they bought in 1974.
Ted was well known for his many years on the school board (mostly as President),
the membership and leadership in Knights of Columbus, his bowling league, and
for being on the Board of the Manitowoc Milk Producers Cooperative (MMPC).
Ted and Phyllis sold the family farm in 1997 and moved to Eau Claire. Ted began
working for Mack Priority Transit driving truck transporting mail for the post
office. He recalled his time driving the truck and all his time on the school
board and MMPC board fondly. Ted was well known for his story telling, jokes,
and boasting of his Polish heritage! Besides spending time with family, he
absolutely loved working on his incredible gardens, tinkering on some project in
his "he-shed", playing cards with family, or relaxing while watching a Brewer,
Packer, or Bucks game.
Ted is survived by his wife of 66 years, Phyllis; his children, Jeffrey
(Shawna), Michael (Holly), Patti (Ron) Sitter, Shelly Czech, Deanna (David)
Dobkins, and Christina (Tom) Frank; his grandchildren and great grandchildren,
Amber Navara, Jennifer (fiancé Nick) Sellner, and children, Avery, Paige, and
Peyton, Amber (Sarah) Grant, and children, Madalynn and Joseph, Joshua (Lauren)
Czech, and children, Gracie, Lylah, Madeline and Jace, Zachery (Abby) Czech, and
stepson, Camden, Zoey (Blake) Majewski, and son, Bryson, Elijah Dobkins, Heaven
(Matthew) Garrison, and soon-to-be baby, Cherish (fiancé Christian) Dobkins,
Tyler Sitter, Serina Frank, Jada Walsh, and Riley Frank; and his brother, John
Czech, Jr.
He was preceded in death by his parents; eight of his siblings (Aloise, Sylvia,
Leon, Anton, Adolph, Jadwiga, Robert, and Kathleen); and his sister-in-law,
Barbara Czech.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Ted at St. Patrick's Catholic Parish
in Eau Claire, WI at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024, with Fr. Michael
Klos celebrating the mass. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at
Chippewa Valley Cremation Services – Celebration of Life Center in Altoona. A
short vigil service will begin at 4 p.m. at the Celebration of Life Center.
Interment will be at St. Bernard – St. Hedwig Catholic Cemetery in Thorp, WI.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thadeusz, please
visit our floral store.
Obit: Blankenburg, Elmer V. (1898 – 1980)
Contact: Kyle Tittle
