Wisconsin Holstein Updates

Attention Championship Show Exhibitors

Unfortunately due to Dane County’s requirements regarding COVD-19, exhibitors at the Wisconsin Summer Championship Show will be required to wear masks while inside Pavilion 2. This very well could change by show time so please visit the WHA website for any show updates regarding COVID-19 as well as general information.

New Rule for all WHA Championship Shows: For the safety of all exhibitors and to limit liability, no additional leadspeople will be allowed on any animal that enters the ring. If a youth is leading an animal, they must be able to control the animal on their own and without an adult or older youth’s assistance. If you require assistance for a disability, please contact Laura Wackershauser.

Welcome New Members

Adults:

Benjamin Bruss Markesan Andrew Buiter Markesan Bryce Cullen Elkhorn Derek Gabsch Hustisford Hayleigh Geurink Blue Mounds Eric & Christine Hansen Malone Jamie Judd La Valle La Femme Fatale Kaukauna Jeff Monroe Fennimore Melanie Mullikin Waldo Donnie Nieman Beloit Ryan Nordahl Osseo Daniel Olson Lena Rose Osborne Wausau Ethan Petre Owen

Juniors Michelle Asselin Cadott Wyatt Barden Amherst Jordan Boyke Fond du Lac Cash Braun Soldiers Grove Wyatt Christoph Luxemburg Marissa Cleary Highland Addie DeMars Cazenovia Mila DiGangi Cuba City Jonah Enke Milton Abigail Falish New Franken Marissa Falish New Franken Mason Fischer Sturgeon Bay Aubree Fischer Sturegon Bay Abby Gahring Watertown Grayson Gahring Watertown Jasenko Gavranovik Ellsworth Braxton Gilbertson Hollandale Kelsey Haag Dane

Upcoming Issues & Advertising Deadlines

October 2021 Issue ads needed by Sept. 9

Midwest Holsteins, District 5 Feature, State Fair Results, Futurity Results, Wisconsin Summer Championship Show Results, Memory Lane - Holstein Memorabilia Column

November 2021 Issue ads needed by Oct. 15

District 7 Feature, Red & White Issue, Junior Convention information, WDE Results and Champion Articles, Memory Lane - Holstein Memorabilia Column

December 2021 Issue ads needed by Nov. 12

District 6 Feature, Youth Issue, YDJM and 12 & Under Articles, Memory Lane - Holstein Memorabilia Column

Those with questions regarding upcoming issues and advertising can contact Mara, marab@wisholsteins.com or 800-223-4269 ext. 2.

Bruce Towns

Bruce Richard Towns of Baraboo, 66, passed away on May 31, 2021 after a long-fought battle with cancer. Bruce was born in Edgerton to Richard and Ruth (Sunby) Towns. He was the oldest of five boys. From a young age, Bruce loved to play sports from basketball, baseball and football in high school, to golf as he matured. Bruce graduated from UW-Whitewater in business. Bruce married Arlene on June 14, 2002. They lived in Sparta and Baraboo. He leaves behind his wife Arlene and two daughters, Tamara Towns-Pozorski (husband John) and Rachel Dingus (husband Scott).

Other survivors include his parents, Richard and Ruth (Sunby) Towns and brothers, Steve (wife Debi), Mark (wife Pat), John (wife Lisa), and Scott (wife Nancy); nieces and nephews; stepdaughters Dana Burroughs (husband Pat) and Kim Meyer; grandkids: John Joseph Pozorski III, Roman Pozorksi, Isabelle Dingus, Preston Dingus; and step-grandchildren: Sophia Burroughs, Nora Taylor, Coleman Meyer, Wilson Meyer, Mac Meyer, and Anessa Anderson.

Barbara Nelson

Barbara J. (Held) (Wheeler) Nelson passed away April 5, 2021, of natural causes. She was born to Valerius (Shorty) and Alnora (Schneider) Held on April 24, 1933. She graduated from Aquinas in 1951. In 1952, she married Raymond Wheeler and years later divorced. She married Marlowe Nelson in 1977. She worked for Trane Co., Western Union Telegraph, and Bethel Homes, Viroqua.

She was a member of Eastern Star, was Grand Representative of Florida in Wisconsin, the first woman president of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Westby, was co-parade marshal with Marlowe—2007 Syttende Mai and chairwoman of the Princess committee, taught genealogy at the Vernon Co. Historical Society and served as treasurer, was Historical Society volunteer of the year 2012, chairwoman of La Crosse County cancer fund drive, and taught English to Hmong refugees.

She loved to cook and bake (from scratch), knit and crochet and sewed many bridal gowns. She and Marlowe traveled to Salt Lake City numerous times for genealogy family research. She was a Bridge Club player and enjoyed numerous card games with family and friends. She also enjoyed reading and adult coloring and was also a Packer fan.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda (Roger) Gunderson; her stepchildren: Amy (Stephen) Burnett, Guy (Gwen) Nelson, Anne Nelson, Eric (Julie) Nelson; brothers, Roger and Alan; sisters, Valerie Kromke and Rita Chandler; grandchildren: Sherry (Paul) Wertanen, Shannon (Mike) Dentice, Stephanie (John) Betz, Mari Hill, Katy Burnett, Evan (Kate) Nelson, Daniel (Rachel) Burnett, Peter Burnett, Reed MacKenzie; 10 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; and her brother, Duane.

Sonjia Olstad

Sonjia J. Olstad, age 81, of Stoughton, passed away on May 25, 2021, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on January 27, 1940, in Rockford, Ill., the daughter of Richard and Phyllis (Brown) Luhman. Sonjia graduated from Belvidere High School in 1958 and Northern Illinois University in 1962. She married James “Jim” Olstad on August 7, 1965, in Belvidere, Ill.

Sonjia was a teacher for nearly 40 years, primarily at Oregon High School. She was a volunteer at Skaalen Home in Stoughton, World Dairy Expo and the Boone County Fair. Sonjia was a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority, the Skaalen Auxiliary Board and the Prairie Grange in Belvidere.

Sonjia and Jim loved to travel to destinations like Europe, including Norway, and throughout the United States. They lived in Nigeria, Africa for three years. Sonjia had an amazing green thumb and loved her flower garden. She was always very upbeat with a positive attitude and had a love for life. Sonjia loved playing cards and dominos as well as watching Wheel of Fortune. Sonjia was a caretaker for her Aunt Lydia and many others. She always loved to entertain family and friends for the holidays as well as other parties. Sonjia loved making toffee and giving it away.

Sonjia is survived by her husband Jim Olstad; daughter, Kristin (Pat) Ciabattari; son, Eric (Angie) Olstad; three sisters-in-law, Jan Luhman, Helen Olstad and Elaine Olstad; grandson, Connor Ciabattari; three granddaughters, Emma Olstad, Abriana Ciabattari and Molly Olstad; along with many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Paul Cunningham; sister, Carol Lusz; brother, Richard “Dickie” Luhman; four brothersin-law, Roger “Ike” Olstad, Wayne Olstad, Donny Olstad and Vince Tranchita; two sisters-in-law, Rose Tranchita, infant, Joyce Olstad; and a special aunt, Lydia Luhman Pederson.

Frances “Gail” Meyer

Frances “Gail” Meyer (Border), 97, passed away on June 27, 2021 at Holton Manor in Elkhorn. Originally from Ladora, IA, her family moved to Sugar Creek as a young girl where she grew up next door to the love of her life, Norman Meyer. They married on June 19, 1943 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Elkhorn. Norman died March 4, 2009. They had three sons and one foster daughter. Gail graduated in 1941 from Elkhorn High School and raised her family in Sugar Creek on their dairy farm where she also ran a furniture upholstery business for many years. Gail enjoyed taking care of grandchildren, sewing, gardening, baking, anything containing strawberries, the Walworth County Fair and Kemp’s® Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream.

Gail is survived by her sons, Norman (Sharon) Meyer of Pound and Jerome (Deborah) Meyer of Elkhorn; daughter-in-law Diane Meyer of Elkhorn; brother Richard (Jeneil) Border of Brodhead, as well as grandchildren: Laura (Charles) Devito, Joseph (Colleen) Meyer, Jeffery (Jennifer) Meyer, Derek (Amanda) Meyer, Jerome Jr. (Chrissy) Meyer, Sarah (Mathew) Ludowise, Emily (Nestor) Dominguez and Maxwell (Santasia) Meyer. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Samantha Meyer, Zachary Meyer, Jeffery Meyer, Kyle Hinners, Charles Jr. “CJ” Meyer, Joseph “Joey” Meyer, Malachi DeLeon, Paisley Meyer, Isabelle Dominguez, Lucas Meyer, Ivory Meyer and Bennett Ludowise.

Gail is preceded in death by her parents, Ellis and Olive Border, her husband, Norman Meyer, son, Bernard Meyer, foster daughter, Veronica Mueller, great-grandson, Oscar Dominguez and brothers, Earl Border, Dairl Border and Keith Border.