PEOPLE

Ronald Dale Selenske, age 77 of Coloma, Wisconsin, passed away on April 14, 2022, on his own terms after saying goodbye to his family. Ron was born on January 25, 1945, in Antigo, to Peter and Louise Selenske. When Ron was 16, he left high school and joined the U.S. Air Force. Although he wanted to see combat, he instead served much of his time in Duluth, Minnesota. As he always joked, “The Norwegians needed protecting, too.” During a leave in Pickerel, Wisconsin, he met the love of his life, Judy Jackson. The two were married, on August 3, 1968, in Pickerel after his discharge. Together, Ron and Judy started a family and a business of potato farming in Lily. They moved their family and farm to Coloma, in 1974, where they continued to reside. During Ron’s life, he was not only a businessman, but served on boards such as the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Board of Directors and was active in the community. Ron was a member of the Lion’s Club, Town of Coloma Board, Prince of Peace Church Council, WPVGA, Adams County Co-op, and a proud member of the Hancock-Coloma American Legion. On these boards, he held leadership and membership at large positions.

He gave back to the community by volunteering his time to the church while they built an addition at Prince of Peace, serving as a flag bearer for the Legion, and by working with Pleasant Lake and Town of Coloma boards to purchase, build and maintain a public swimming beach and park pavilion on the north side of Pleasant Lake. Although Ron was busy as a potato farmer and active on boards and in the community, his number one priority was family. Ron loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed having large corn and pig roasts in the summer and inviting the whole town and anyone he knew. Any day was a good day for a party for Ron. It always amazed his family the amount of people he knew, even getting off an airplane in Jamaica, Ron knew someone. He also was a huge supporter of his kids. He never missed an honor’s banquet, a high school or college football game or a dance. Even though Ron expected hard work from his family, he also rewarded them with many family vacations. During these vacations, many memories were made and lots of time was spent together. Ron loved being elevated to the status of “PopPop Ron” when the grandchildren arrived. He continued to put family first and attended many plays, dance recitals, wrestling and swim meets, football and baseball games, and pig shows at the county fair. PopPop Ron was always one to say, “Let’s get some ice cream,” after his grandkids’ events.

Ron was a big man with a big laugh and an even bigger heart. He will leave a big hole in the lives of those he leaves behind, especially his three children: Rhonda (David a.k.a. “Poss”) Nachtigall, Watertown, John (Jennifer) Selenske, Marshfield, and Mary Jo (Kurt) Langenecker, Hartford. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren. Hanah, Alex and Tanner Nachtigall; Faith, Colton and Genevieve Selenske; and Paige Langenecker will cherish memories made with him. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, and numerous friends, including his roommate, Mary Schuh. His loving wife of 38 years, Judy Selenske, preceded him in death in 2006. Family and friends celebrated the life of Ron Selenske at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Coloma, on Saturday, April 23, with the service beginning at noon, followed by a full military honors sendoff. As Ron requested “a big party” to remember him, open bar and ice cream sundaes were offered at The Cabin Bar and Restaurant in Coloma, and Italian food and open bar at The Coloma Hotel following the service. Friends reminisced with family about their memories of Ron. In lieu of money to the family, please provide donations to Ron’s choices of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Coloma, and the Hancock-Coloma American Legion.

Compeer Financial, a farm credit cooperative based in the Upper Midwest, announces the intent of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rod Hebrink to retire in January 2023. With Hebrink’s recent announcement, the Compeer Financial Board of Directors will begin to build a succession and transition plan for the CEO position. “Compeer is in an incredibly strong position today because of Rod’s leadership,” comments Dave Peters, Compeer Financial Board chair. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we want to thank Rod for his years of outstanding leadership.” “He’s done an amazing job building the foundation of this organization and creating a vision for the future,” Peters adds. “Rod brings a true passion for our mission of enriching agriculture and rural America.” Compeer Financial reported the organization’s strongest results to date in 2021. • Total assets grew 7.1 percent year over year, to $25.4 billion • Member owners received $197 million in patronage payments in 2021 • $14.8 million was allocated through the Fund for Rural America to support communities’ emerging needs, champion industries the cooperative serves and build for a future to truly serve rural

America and agriculture. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the most remarkable clients and team members, while serving the industry I grew up in and have always respected,” Hebrink says. “I believe Compeer is well positioned for a leadership transition,” he adds. “Our team is poised to ensure Compeer continues to partner with and support our clients and the communities we serve well into the future.” “I expect all that we’ve built together combined with the strong foundation of this organization will allow the next CEO to propel Compeer to even greater outcomes in serving our clients in agriculture and rural America,” Rod says. The Board of Directors will soon begin the search for candidates to succeed Hebrink. “We are committed to a smooth transition and finding a strong leader who exemplifies the mission and values of our organization, with a dedication to serving our clients,” Peters explains. “As we move through this process,” he adds, “we have the utmost confidence in Compeer’s leadership team and are excited for what the future holds as Compeer is poised to make an even bigger impact for agriculture and rural America going forward.”

Compeer Financial is the third largest cooperative of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of lending institutions supporting agriculture and rural communities with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Learn more about Compeer Financial by visiting https://compeer.com.

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