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Obit: Miller, Joyce M. (1940 - 2022)

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

Surnames: Miller, Hautamaki, Kiviko, Mohan, Mallory, Cottrell, Carlson

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Owen, Clark Co., WI) 5/22/2023

Miller, Joyce M. (20 March 1980 – 26 December 2022)

Joyce M. Miller, age 82, passed away on December 26, 2022, in the care of Kirkland Crossing and Agrace Hospice.

She was born March 20, 1940, to William and Lila (Hautamaki) Kiviko in Owen.

Joyce is survived by her children: Gary (Steve Mallory) Mohan, Kenneth Mohan, Gina (Todd) Cottrell and Rod (Yolanda Carlson) Mohan; her grandchildren: Vincent, Rhiannon, Rosa, Olivia and Jacob; two great-grandchildren: Juneau and Melvin, and her sisters: Lila, Karen, Sharon and Linda.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Gerald Mohan; her husbands, and her three brothers and two sisters.

Joyce was instrumental in obtaining the liquor license for Fuzzy’s Bar, which she ran with her first husband in Colby. Her efforts changed the legislation to allow other existing beer taverns to obtain a liquor license in Wisconsin.

She could talk to anyone she met, had a wicked sense of humor, loved to go on road trips, “bumming” she called it, and was always ready to go. After leaving Colby, she went on to run various businesses in the Milwaukee area, including driving an 18-wheeler using her CB handle of ‘Flying Finn’ to commemorate her Finnish heritage. She eventually came off the road and found her way to Phoenix, Ariz., where she stayed for the dry heat. This is where she met her last husband, Dick Miller. When she retired, she focused on her love of genealogy.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, June 2nd, 2023, starting at 1:00 p.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Owen for friends and family to join. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

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

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Obit: Pletka, Berniece Ann (1935 - 2023)

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

Surnames: Pletka, Wasilewski, Mendalski, Beaufeaux LaFave, Sturek, Smoczyk, DiGangi, Antony

----Source: Cuddies Funeral Home (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 5/20/2023

Pletka, Berniece Ann (18 March 1935 – 17 May 2023)

Berniece A. Pletka, 88, of Thorp, passed away at Oakbrook Health & Rehab on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

Berniece Ann Mendalski was born on March 18, 1935, in Thorp, the daughter of Peter P. and Mary (Wasilewski) Mendalski. She was raised on the family farm and received her education in the Thorp area. After completing her education, Berniece remained on the farm until her marriage to Joseph Pletka on June 6, 1963, in Thorp. She was a homemaker and worked together with her husband in their business, Shady Oaks Salvage Yard. After retiring and selling the business in 1979, they moved into the City of Thorp. Throughout the years, Berniece worked for many area businesses, many as a cook. She worked at the Bel-Aire Motel in Thorp, Meadowview Golf Course in Owen, for the Head Start program at Thorp Elementary School, at the Mesquite, and cooked for many years at the Thorp Senior Center.

She was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church where she cooked for many weddings and funerals, she served on the board of directors for the Thorp Senior Center and served as the secretary, and was awarded the Channel 13 Sunshine Award for her volunteer for at the Senior Center. Her interests included cooking and gardening.

Berniece is survived by two children: Jo Ann (Kevin) Beaufeaux of Huntingdon, TN and Joseph Pletka Jr. (fiancé Grace LaFave) of Thorp; five grandchildren: Rebecca, Kate, Charles, Douglas and Clinton; two great-grandchildren: Kelsey and Emerick.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe, on May 14, 2010; three brothers: Ted, Conrad and Thomas Mendalski; and three sisters: Rose Sturek, Frances Smoczyk and Martha DiGangi.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Stanislaus Michael Antony will officiate, and burial will follow in New St. Hedwig Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 23rd from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and again at the church, on Wednesday, from 9 a.m. until time of service.

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Bio: Armbruster, John (Author - 2023)

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

Surnames: Armbruster, Moran

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/24/2023

Armbruster, John (Author - 2023)



John Armbruster, author of “Tailspin,” will visit the Loyal Public Library, June 5 for a Book Talk. Submitted photo

The Loyal Public Library presents a guest author and Book Talk with John Armbruster, the author of “Tailspin” June 5, at 7 pm. at the library, 214 N. Main St., Loyal.

“… CINEMATICALLY GRAND…” said Kirkus Reviews about the book.

Much more than a war story…

“Tailspin” tells the true story of Gene Moran, a farm boy from Soldiers Grove, WI who fought in history’s greatest aerial conflict and survived a four-mile fall without a parachute. But after his capture by the Germans, his ordeal was just beginning.

Armbruster wrote for two Wisconsin newspapers covering general assignment news for the “La Crosse Tribune,” later writing sports stories for the Marshfield News-Herald.”

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BioM: Marriage Licenses (May/Jun - 2023)

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

Surnames: Yoder, Miller, Oestreich, Knoff, Brubacker, Horst, Garrett, Katka, Byler, Beachy

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/24/2023

Marriage Licenses (May/Jun - 2023)

Perry L. Yoder, Town of Fremont, to Miriam J. Miller, Town of Lynn, May 25 at the Town of Lynn.

Ted D. Oestreich, To Sandra A. Knoff, both of Town of Pine Valley, June 3, at Town of Pine Valley.

Curvin S. Brubacher, Town of Worden, to Susan H. Horst, Town of Thorp, May 30, in Town of Thorp.

Robert E. Garrett, to Jacquelyn J. Kafka, both of Town of Lynn, June 16, at the city of Abbotsford.

Derek L. Byler, Town of Withee, to Sandra J. Beachy, Town of Worden, June 16, at the city of Thorp.

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News: Clark Co. - Prevail Donates Community Action Agency (2023)

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

Surnames: Shearer

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/24/2023

Prevail Donates $2,500 to Indianhead Community Action Agency (2023)



Jennifer Shearer, Indianhead Community Action Agency’s chief executive officer, accepted the check from numerous Prevail Bank professionals. Submitted photo

Prevail Bank donated $2,500 to Indianhead Community Action Agency to assist them in providing interactive virtual financial literacy training courses to residents in six counties: Taylor, Clark, Burnett, Rusk, Sawyer and Washburn.

Course topics go beyond the traditional financial offerings and instead support bigger picture financial plans that are needed throughout life. They include higher education, retirement and investments, making large purchases, starting or expanding a small business, credit cards/loans/cash advances/second mortgages/credit scores, and saving money.

The funds provided were part of Prevail Bank’s Charitable Contributions program. The program is available for local non-profits that help local people in need, especially those with low-to-moderate incomes, stimulate communities financially, and/or enhances the standard of living of those less fortunate.

Organizations interested in applying for funds for a major initiative, visit www.Prevail.bank/resources/community.

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Obit: Tritz, Virginia Mae (1935 - 2023)

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

Surnames: Tritz, Gall, Huser, Mancl, Kollross, Quirt, Graveen, Bird, Heeg, Zimmerman, Traxler, Seefeldt, Krings, Draxler, Pongratz, Nathan

----Source: Rembs Funeral Home (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 5/23/2023

Tritz, Virginia Mae (30 August 1935 – 21 May 2023)

Virginia Mae Tritz, 87 of Arpin, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at the Hilltop of Pepper assisted living in Wisconsin Rapids.

Virginia was born August 30, 1935, to Joseph and Theora (Gall) Huser in the home of her maternal grandmother in the town of Sherwood, Clark County. The first of 14 siblings, she attended Meadowbrook schoolhouse, St. Joachim’s Elementary, and graduated in 1953 from Maryheart Catholic School in Pittsville. Prior to her marriage she had worked for a time in the finishing room at the Port Edwards Mill. She married Donald A. Tritz on July 26, 1955, at St. James Catholic Church in Vesper and together they farmed in Pittsville, then lived a few years in Wisconsin Rapids, and then bought a farm in the Town of Arpin where they raised their 6 kids. Virginia will be remembered as a wonderful cook. She had also enjoyed sewing and embroidery, Lawrence Welk, her cats, and her garden; particularly lilacs and bleeding hearts. She was also active in the Ladies Aid and Catholic Education.

She will be dearly missed by her husband of 67 years Donald Tritz, 6 children: David (Arlene) Tritz of Wisconsin Rapids, Daniel (Susan) Tritz of Vesper, Donna (Dale) Mancl of Marshfield, Phyllis (John) Kollross of Arpin, Shirley Tritz of Neillsville, and James Tritz of Arpin. She is further survived by 16 grandchildren: Derek, Dana, Jared (Jenny), Justin, Travis (Jessica), and Kevin (Christina) Tritz, Tammy (Jeremy) Quirt, Becky (Adam) Graveen, Mikayla, James, Julianna, and Paul Kollross, Lindsay (Jeremy) Bird, Jesse & Tyler Johnson, and Tristan Tritz; and 19 great grandchildren: Lydia, Anthony, Mia, Kailer, Aspen, Mason, Gavin, Teegan, Kiptyn, Attie, Josie, Kasten, Declan, Ava, & Benson Tritz, Paisley Quirt, Emmet & Kahlan Graveen, and Logan Bird.

Virginia is also survived by siblings Joanne (August) Heeg, Donald (Karen) Huser, Emily (Bruce) Zimmerman, Janet Traxler, Elaine (Raymond) Seefeldt, Susan (Dennis) Krings, Bonnie (Robert) Draxler, Frank (Rose) Huser, Eugene (Delores) Huser, Jeffrey (Sandy) Huser, Petrine (Paul) Pongratz and sister-in-law Barbara Huser. She is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, a sister Nancy Carol Huser in infancy, her brother Ronald Huser, and niece Dawn Marie Heeg.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Pittsville with Father Nathan officiating and music provided by Virginia’s siblings-in-law Sue Wirtz and Lee Tritz.

The service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes.  Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. A wake will be held Tuesday night from 4-8 p.m. at Buchanan Rembs Funeral Home in Pittsville, and at church an hour prior to Mass. A Rosary Service will take place at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com.

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School: NHS - “Semper Stay in School, Kids” (Awards - 2023)

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

Surnames: Dux, Kopp, Sheikh, Ermeling, Jurgensen, Matousek, Horn

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/24/2023

NHS-“Semper Stay in School, Kids” (Awards - 2023)



Neillsville High School seniors were selected as the 2023 U.S. Marine Award Recipients after being nominated by school staff (no need to enlist). The nominated students and Marine were (l-r) Luke Dux, Jacob Kopp, Kaden Sheikh, St. Ermeling, USMC, Marie Jorgensen , Aubrey Matousek and Lainey Horn. Dux and Horn were recognized as distinguished athletes; Kaden Sheikh and Audrey Matousek earned the Scholastic Excellence Award; and Jacob Kopp and Marie Jorgensen were awarded the Semper Fidelis Award for musical excellence. Submitted photo

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School: NHS Seniors Receive Thousands in Scholarships (2023)

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

Surnames: Hand, King, McFarlane, Boon, Brown, Learman, Dux, Anderson, Berger, Moen, Mathis, Sheikh, Dickinson, Jorgensen, Matousek, Gilles, Hahn, Kopp, Kell, Mohr, Rochester, Hediger, Ratsch, Kubisiak, Trunkel, Horn, Kuhn, Melvin, Opelt, Armitage, Vine, Sjolin, Hoeser, Swita, Barth, Byrne, Donahue, Schmitz, Harder, Schaub, Schultz, Erpenbach, Scaletta, Hartung, Weirauch, Lukes, Attoe, Nicks, Gentry, Harrmann, Beilfuss, Seebandt, Rapp, Strangfeld, Krutsch, Zschernitz, Kren, Wilson, Seif, Marg, Wells, Rueth, Alger, Friemoth, Kosmosky, Sunsdahl, Montgomery, Mills, Hahn

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/24/2023

NHS Seniors Receive Thousands in Scholarships (2023)



The 2023 Neillsville High School Scholarship Awards Day was held May 17. Thousands of dollars in scholarships were awarded to recipients (front, l-r) Sydney Hand, Ella King, Avery McFarlane, Kelly Boon, Andrew Brown, Garrett Learman, Luke Dux, Daniel Anderson, Isaac Berger, Sydney King, Emma Moen, Abigail Mathis (middle) Kaden Sheikh, Keegan Dickinson, Marie Jorgensen, Audrey Matousek, Austin Gilles, Jacob Kipp, Sophia Kell (back) Callee Mohr, Delaney Rochester, Mackenzie Hediger, Victoria Ratsch, Kayleigh Kubisiak, Amelia Trunkel, Lainey Horn and Gianna Kuhn. Not pictured is Noble Melvin. Submitted photo

The FFA Alumni award presented by Carla Byrne and the Clark Electric-Lineman Scholarship went to Austin Gilles, Kayleigh Kubisiak, Emma Moen, Abigail Mathis, Gianna Kuhn and Kopp.

The Christine Sheikh Memorial award presented by Craig Anderson went to Elliot Hahn.

The Rooster Bar Frank (Ed) and Rita Donahue Memorial award presented by Frank Donahue went to Sydney Hand.

The Lamar Schmitz “Schmitty” Memorial presented by Darla Harder, the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Foundation (TDS) presented by Craig Anderson, Kiwanis-Tech award, and the Russell Opelt Memorial-two year college recipient presented by Chelsea and Jill Opelt was Mackenzie Hediger.

The Sjolin Family award presented by M.E and Jim Sjolin went to Kuhn, Victoria Ratsch, Avery McFarlane, Hediger, Lainey Horn and Brown.

The American Legion 73’s award presented by Carol Schaub, Wendell Kuhn and Marcus Schultz went to Aubrey Matousek, Rochester, Horn, Mathis, and Boon.

The Kourtland House through Clark County Community Foundation (CCCF) awards presented by Natalie Erpenbach went to Rochester, McFarlane and Horn.

The Dr. John Scaletta award presented by Craig Anderson went to Horn.

The Marshfield Medical Center-Neillsville, MMC-Partners presented by Mary Hartung and Kay Weirauch went to Rochester, Horn and Brown.

The Academic Excellence Award and the Henry and Charlotte Lukes award presented by Craig Anderson and the Clark County Livestock Scholarship presented by Wendell Attoe went to Marie Jorgensen.

The Medical Associates of Neillsville (Sheikh) presented by Craig Anderson went to Sophia Kell.
The Harry and Esther King Memorial (CCCF) award presented by Jean Nicks and Lori Gentry went to Ella King and Callee Mohr.

The Kiwanis-University award went to Sydney King.

The Erpenbach Family Memorial presented by Erpenbach, the Clark County 4-H award presented by Seth Harrmann, the Winx Club Conservation award presented by Craig Anderson, the Kiwanis-Bruce Beilfuss award, and the Clark Electric Cooperative award presented by Herman Seebandt went to Kopp.

The CCCF award presented by Erpenbach went to Rochester, Matousek, Kopp and Horn.

The Money Smart WI Essay Contest award presented by Cheryl Rapp went to Kayleigh Kubisiak.

St. Mary’s PCCW award presented by Larry and Cindy Hoeser, the Smiling for Samuel award presented by Lee and Sierra Strangfeld, and the David and Jean Krutsch award presented by Craig Anderson went to Kuhn.

The Citizens State Bank award presented by Darlene Zschernitz went to Moen, Amelia Trunkel, Matousek, Kopp and Kuhn.

The Clark Electric-Lineman Scholarship went to Garrett Learman.

The Tom Kren Memorial Scholarship presented by Diane Kren and Ben Wilson went to Mathis and Moen.

The Melvin and Ina Mae Dux Fund of Thrivent Charitable Impact and Investing, D. Dale and Mary Jane Seif presented by Craig Anderson went to Mathis.

The Neillsville Men’s Club award presented by Kenneth Marg went to Ratsch, Rochester, Trunkel, Horn and Mathis.

The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary-University award presented by Sue Wells went to Matousek and Horn.

The Neillsville Area Players presented by Jodi Rueth and the Horatio Alger award presented by Craig Anderson went to Matousek.

The Marshfield Clinic Health System award presented by Craig Anderson went to McFarlane.

The Unity Bank award presented by Michelle Friemoth went to McFarlane and Mohr.

Technical Excellence Award Noble Melvin, who was not present to accept his scholarship in person.

The Neillsville Education Association (NEA) award presented by Amy Kosmosky went to Moen, Mohr and Ratsch.

The Harlen E. Sunsdahl Memorial award presented by Katy Montgomery went to Mohr.

The Gordon and Faith Vine award presented by Paul Vine went to Ratsch.

The Gary L. Mills Memorial award presented by Craig Anderson went to Rochester.

The Jim Hahn Memorial award presented by Craig Anderson went to Kaden Sheikh.

The Clark County Snowmobile Council presented by Craig Anderson went to Trunkel.

Edward DuBois contributed to this article.

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Obit: Geiger, Leo John (1926 - 2023)

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

Surnames: Geiger, Metz, Kroning, Hendrickson, Lindner, Ellison, Haslow, Sitko, Vine, Thompson, Petrie, Whitman, Simon, Pupp, Carpenter, Pacourek, Gondloch, Famiyeh

----Source: Cuddies Funeral Home (Loyal, Clark Co., WI) 5/26/2023

Geiger, Leo John (4 April 1926 – 24 May 2023)

Leo J. Geiger, age 97, of Loyal, peacefully went to see the Lord, his wife, a very special daughter, Cali Sue, and his son, Brian, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Stoney River Assisted Living, in Marshfield.

Leo John Geiger was born in Dorchester, on April 4, 1926, to Francis "Frank" X. and Ann M. (Metz) Geiger, Sr. He was raised on the family farm and received his education at St. Louis Catholic School in Dorchester. After completing his education, Leo farmed with his father for 4 years. He was united in marriage to Dorothy G. Kroening on April 19, 1944, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dorchester. They moved to Loyal where they farmed for 4 years. Leo then drove truck for Norman Luchterhand for one year, followed by 3 years driving for Always Transfer out of Spencer. His last employment was with O-W Trindal in Loyal, which later became Smith Feed and then Vita Plus, where he drove for 48 years until retiring in 2001. He and Dorothy celebrated 70 years of marriage just before Dorothy's passing on April 30, 2014.

He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, the Circle 8 Square Dancing Club, and loved spending time with his family, and gardening.

Leo is survived by 3 daughters: Sharon (Randy) Hendrickson of Wild Rose, Lavon Lindner (Roger Ellison) of Loyal, Karen (Edward) Haslow of Independence, OH; 4 sons: Marvin (Karleen) Geiger of Weston, Alan (Carol) Geiger of Fort Wayne, IN, LaVern (Donna) Geiger of Mesa, AZ, Kevan Geiger of Brule, NE; 21 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; one great-great grandson; one daughter-in-law: Sarah Geiger of Loyal; one sister-in-law: Marcella Sitko of Mosinee; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter: Carolyn Geiger on June 27, 2002; his son: Brian Geiger on October 18, 2022; his son-in-law: Mike "Hunter" Lindner on January 8, 2002; one grandson, Dale Vine, Jr.; one great granddaughter, Elizabeth Thompson; 7 brothers: Mike, Frank Jr., Joe, Al, Andy, Henry, and Benedict in infancy; and 9 sisters: Mae Petrie, Ann Whitman, Frances Simon, Agnes Pupp, Lucy Carpenter, Elsie Pupp, Helen Pacourek, Henrietta Gondloch and Ethel Pupp.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, in Loyal. Rev. Emmanuel Famiyeh will officiate, and burial will follow in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Luke Lindner, Mike Vine, Jason Haslow, Ryan Geiger, Dylan Geiger, and Randy Geiger. Visitation will be held at the church, on Wednesday, from 9am until time of service.

A special thank you goes to Promedica Hospice for the loving and compassionate care given to Leo in his final days.