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THE MESSENGER OF JUNEAU COUNTY
Obituaries R. DALE JONES
R. Dale Jones, age 83 years, of Hillsboro, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hillsboro, Wisconsin. He was born on March 29, 1930; his mother, Lena Cusic Jones died following child birth, so he was raised on his Grandfather’s farm near Topeka, Kansas by his Grandparents, Arly and Lucy Cusic, and aunts. Following high school he graduated from the University of Oklahoma, where he also played football. R. Dale then operated a farm in Kansas, where he married Barbara and they had two sons, they later divorced. He later farmed in Indiana and became involved with a training program on the farm working with Senator Birch Bayh and involving many Japanese trainees in farming. He also became an honorary member of the Purdue Agricultural Department. After some time R. Dale was farming near Marshall, Wisconsin and married Myrna Sue, she later preceded him in death. He was very involved with cattle buying and dairy cattle. He was one of the last surviving members involved with the origination of the World Dairy Expo in Madison. He also was a member of the Wisconsin Holstein Association and The National Dairy Shrine. In 1998, he married Barbara (Havlik) Goodrich and shortly thereafter moved to Hillsboro, Wisconsin. He became active in the community serving as President of the Hillsboro City Council and also was President of Cesky Den for 5 years. He could also be found with his many friends in the morning at the local café. He enjoyed athletics of many kinds, watching and attending many games over the years and was a supporter of the University of Wisconsin Sports and also enjoyed his many friendships over those years. Survivors include his wife, Barbara of Hillsboro; a son, Robert Dale Jones II in Kansas; an aunt, Mary Erickson of Antioch, California and a step daughter, Robin (Patrick) Kilgannon of New City, New York. He was preceded in death by his Parents; wife, Myrna Sue; a son, Michael; five Aunts, an Uncle and a stepson, Gregory Goodrich. Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, with Rev. Conrad Prell officiating. Burial was in the Greenwood Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hillsboro. Friends called at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. and at the Church on Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. For online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com
AUDREY A. PREUSS
Audrey A. Preuss, 80, of Elroy died Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Gundersen Lutheran Healthcare Center in LaCrosse. She was born June 16, 1933 to Floyd and Mildred (Britnall) Forbes. She was a member of the Royall High School Graduating Class of 1951. She was united in marriage to Marvin Preuss, December 15, 1951 in Elroy, Wisconsin. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before Marvin’s passing on February 20, 2007. Audrey cooked at several local restaurants, was a farm wife and held many other jobs. She was well known for her “Grandma’s Night Crawlers”. She picked up and sold night crawlers to local fisherman for over 25 years. Audrey is survived by 4 daughters, Patricia Burnard of Hillsboro, Vickie (Wayne) Hanson of Black River Falls, Cheryl (Bill) Moulis of Portage, Carmen (Joe) Zant of Hillsboro, 2 sons Michael (Maribeth) and Scott, both of Elroy a daughter-in-law, Julie Preuss, Salem Virginia, 16 grand children, Becky, Cindy, Tim, Chris, John, Cori, Christine, Jessica, Luke, Elisabeth, Alicia, Joseph, Olivia, Emily, Mark, and Matt, 15 great-grandchildren, many other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband Marvin, she was preceded in death by her son Jim, and a great-grandchild. A Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, 11:00 a.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church, Elroy. Pastor Wesley Dunbar and Pastor Elizabeth Zant officiated. Burial was in the Elroy Cemetery. Relatives and friends were invited to call at on Tuesday, at the Grace Lutheran Church, Elroy from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. The Smith-Nelson Kendall is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to www.sonnenburgfh.com
More Obituaries on Page 5
SHIRLEY ANN KLAWITTER
Shirley Ann Klawitter of Centuria, WI died, unexpectedly at her home on Thursday the 27th of February 2014. She was 68 years old. Shirley, who was fondly called “Chester” by her loving husband Darryl, “Mrs. K.” by her many, many cherished students and “Grandma-at-the-farm” by her grand-daughters, was born August 25th, 1945 in Hillsboro, WI to her parents, Harold and Leilah Leak. When Shirley was a small child she lived in Kendall, WI with her mother, father and siblings: Roger, Duane, Bobby, Sherry, and David. When Shirley was seven years old she was stricken with Polio, which required her to be admitted to St. Francis Hospital in Lacrosse, WI. After receiving treatment, she was unable to return home to her family because she was unable to walk to the country school in Kendall. This unfortunate circumstance required her to live in Lacrosse, WI with her foster family, Dallas and Arness Miller, who she remained in contact with through her life. At the start of high school in 9th grade, Shirley was able to return home to the farm in Kendall and rode the school bus to High School in nearby Hillsboro. She received her diploma in 1963. After high school graduation, Shirley once again left the farm, this time to attend college at the University of WisconsinRiver Falls where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education in 1967. While attending UW-River Falls, Shirley had a roommate named Cheryl Klawitter, who had a brother named Darryl. Darryl, who was newly discharged from the U.S. Navy, was quite taken with Shirley and they were married on August 2nd, 1969 at Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Ontario, WI. Together they had 1 son, Kirk, and 1 daughter, Annette. Shirley’s life long passion as a teacher began as a substitute for the St. Croix Falls and Unity school districts in Wisconsin. Shirley retired from the St. Croix Falls School District with 34 years of service as a teacher. She left her wonderful thumbprint on many, many young people and helped shape many lives. In addition to her career as an educator Shirley was a full time farm wife, mother, foster mother, day care provider and grandmother. Shirley enjoyed crafting, sewing, cooking, baking, and facebook. Shirley is survived by her husband Darryl of Centuria, WI, her son Kirk Klawitter and his wife Glenn Hoffman of Pensacola, FL, and her daughter Annette Nesius and her husband Sam of Fargo, ND. Shirley is also survived by her step grandson Coe and his wife Liz Hoffman and step granddaughter Scotti Hoffman all of Pensacola, FL, her granddaughters Michaela Ann Nesius and Davin Rae Nesius of Fargo, ND and lastly her step great grandsons Noah and Luke Hoffman of Pensacola, FL. Her siblings Duane Leak of Maustin, WI, David Leak of LaValle, WI and Sherry Shields of Richland Center, WI also survive Shirley. Her brothers Donald, Roger and Bobby Leak preceded Shirley in death. Visitation for friends and family was held at Kolstad Family Funeral Home, in Centuria, WI on Thursday March 6th, 2014 from 4-7 p.m. Visitation and funeral services were held at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 14940 62nd St N. Stillwater, MN on Friday, March 7, 2014. The visitation began at 10:00 a.m. followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. and then was concluded with a fellowship lunch immediately following the service. A private committal will be held in the summer. Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria, WI has been entrusted with arrangements. Shirley Ann Klawitter had a sign in her kitchen that read as follows: “Live Well – Laugh Often – Love Much” and that’s exactly what she did.
Hillsboro 489-2516 Elroy 462-8256 www.pichafuneralhomes.com
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March 20, 2014
The Messenger of Juneau County
ISSN Number 1526-7873 018-051 Published each Thursday at 229 Main St., Elroy, WI by Messenger of Juneau County LLC. The Messenger is an entirely independent publication serving all of Juneau County. It is not affiliated with any other newspaper or group of newspapers. Periodical postage paid at the Post Office at Elroy, WI 53929. Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Messenger of Juneau County, 229 Main St., Elroy, WI 53929 Betty Waits, Co-Publisher Dianna Anderson, Co-Publisher Tasha Mueller, Reporter Eva Marie Woywod, Reporter Mandy Bloor, Graphic Design Eileen Nale, Advertising Representative Phone 462-4902 Fax Number 462-4903 E-Mail: themessenger@centurytel.net Subscription rates: $30 per year in Juneau, Monroe, Sauk and Vernon Counties; $33 elsewhere in Wisconsin; $35 elsewhere in the U.S.A.
NANCY JEAN SCHNEIDER
Nancy Jean Schneider, age 71, of New Lisbon died on Wednesday March 12, 2014 at her home with her family by her side. Nancy was the daughter of William and Evelyn (Schumacher) Frahm and was born on February 11, 1943 in Milwaukee, WI. Nancy was raised in Milwaukee, WI and attended the Zion Lutheran Elementary School and graduated from the Milwaukee Lutheran High School in 1961. Nancy was united in marriage to Roland “Ray” Schneider on October 17, 1964 in Milwaukee, WI. They were later blessed with a daughter Wendy. Ray and Nancy moved to the New Lisbon area in 1975. Nancy loved dogs, and used to take a “Therapy Dog” to Crest View Nursing Home. Nancy worked as a waitress for many years at Young’s Truck Stop in New Lisbon, but her passion was to write. Nancy had two books published, and wrote the “Nonsense from Nancy” articles in the Messenger Newspaper. She has done volunteer work at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, and was a Sunday school teacher for over 50 years. She also volunteered at the hospital thrift store, and for the Community Closet in New Lisbon. Nancy is survived by her husband Ray of New Lisbon, her daughter Wendy (Don) Davey of New Lisbon and their children Tiffani and Anita, by her mother Evelyn Frahm of Camp Douglas, WI, and two sisters, Sandra (Roger) Drews of Oak Creek, WI, and Linda (Mark) Meier of Onalaska, WI, and by her nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. Nancy was known as “Grandma” to many other children. She is further survived by her beloved four legged companions Squirt and Spud. Memorial services were held on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 208 Allen Rd. New Lisbon, WI, with Rev. Joel Free presiding. Relatives and friends called at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. till the time of service. Online condolences are available at www.harefuneralhome.com
LARRY A. POFF
Larry A. Poff, age 63, of New Lisbon died on Wednesday March 12, 2014 at his residence. Larry was the son of Leo and Eleanor (Schumacher) Poff and was born on June 18, 1950 in Richland Center, WI. Larry graduated from Royall High School in Elroy, WI in 1968, and he then studied Forestry at UW La Crosse. Larry married Marlys Martinson on February 18, 1975 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Elroy, and they later divorced. He lived in the Dells and Briggsville area for many years. Larry worked at Big Joe Manufacturing for 35 years, and was the Safety Inspector for them when he retired. Larry enjoyed nature and loved to walk in the woods, and just be outside, he also liked to read. He is survived by 3 daughters Darla Poff of Tomah, WI, Kimberly (Patrick) Avery of New Lisbon,WI, and Jessica Beffa of Birchwood, WI, 3 grandchildren, Brian LaGrange, Wilfred Beffa, and Alana Avery, by 2 sisters Sandra Foster of New Lisbon, WI, and Barbara Lueder of Elroy, and a brother Ronny (Janice) Poff of Adams, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother Edwin Poff. Private family services are to be held at the Big Creek Cemetery at a later date. The Hare Funeral Home in New Lisbon assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.harefuneralhome.com