Wisconsin Holstein Briefs Congratulations to Amber (Firkus) and Aaron Kluck who were married on September 4, 2010 in Polonia, Wisconsin. They reside and run a dairy farm in Polonia. Amber and Aaron are pictured here before driving away from the church in a brand new Case tractor that Amber’s brother borrowed from his workplace Congratulations to Brenda and Erik Gilbertson, Hollandale, on the birth of their daughter, Makenna Daley on December 15. Makenna weighed 8 lbs. 10 oz. and is 21 inches long. Congratulations to Angela and Nate Zwald of Beaver Dam, on the birth of their daughter, Allison Rose, born on November 16. She was one ounce shy of 9 pounds and was 21 inches long. Allison joins a sister Mary Monica. Angela works for Pfizer Animal Health and her parents Randall and Rosalie Geiger dairy farm in Reedsville. Nate is the Vice-President of Global Marketing and Strategy at Alta Genetics and his parents, Bob and Kay Zwald, dairy farm in Hammond. Congratulations to Roland “Doc” Jeans, Evansville, Joan Judd, Mount Horeb, and Corey Geiger, Mukwonago, who were honored for their years of support and outstanding service to World Dairy Expo and named this year’s “Friends of Expo” at the recent WDE volunteer appreciation dinner. Our condolences to the families of Roger Martin, Reedsburg, Leonard Housner, Hillsboro, and Roland Engh, Chaseburg, who recently passed away. Full obituaries are below. Thank you to those that have contributed to the Brian Krull Grand Champion Trophy Fund: Jayne Krull, Animart and the Waukesha County Holstein Association. Thank you to the Ken and Kathy Elliott family for their donation to the WHA Scholarship Fund in memory of Robert Mayer. The Wisconsin Holstein News encourages readers and members to submit information for the Wisconsin Holstein Briefs column. We are looking for news of a wedding, birth announcement, award winner or death that Wisconsin Holstein breeders should know about. High quality, submitted photos will be printed if space is available. Please submit your information to the Wisconsin Holstein News by mail at PO Box 49, Lancaster, WI 53813; or email to lauraw@wisholsteins.com.
Obituaries Roger Martin Roger D. Martin, age 79, Reedsburg, and formerly of rural Richland Center, died on Saturday, December 11, 2010, at University Hospital in Madison. He was born in the Bell Center area of Crawford County on November 11, 1931. Roger and Donna Brewer were united in marriage on November 16, 1952 in Richland Center. They owned and operated the Apple Lawn Farm in Buck Creek, and were active in the local, district and state Holstein Associations, winning many awards, including: The 1982 Pewter Pitcher Award, 1975 Outstanding Service to the Richland County Holstein Association, the 1996 Friend of Wisconsin Junior Holstein Award at the Eau Claire State Convention. He also served with the Richland County ASCS, the Farmers Union, was a 4-H leader with particular interest in assisting the Richland County Outstanding young farmers, he served on the school board representing the Lower Buck Creek School. He also served the school district by driving bus for many years. Following retiring from farming, Roger worked at Carlson Motors in Reedsburg. Roger was also a Wisconsin Champion Senior Draft Horse Cart Driver in 1996. Roger treasured his family, the land, flowers, trees, wildlife and his friends. Survivors include: his wife of 58 years, Donna Martin of Richland Center; their daughter, Cheryl Martin (Glenn Schmidt) of the family farm in Buck Creek; his sisters: Donna Roh of Muscoda,
Virginia (Ernest) Bollinger of Monona, Emogene Johnson of Brodhead; brothers: Wayne C. (Mary Ann) Martin of Madison, Edward Martin of Loves Park, IL, LaVonne (Ronda) Martin of Myrtle Beach, SC, sister in law: Joyce Martin of Footville; extended family and many friends. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers: Gail and Keith; his sister in law: Janet Martin, and his brother in law Charles ‘Jr.’ Roh. Graveside services were held on December 17, 2010, at the Richland Center Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to Pine Valley Healthcare in lieu of flowers. The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service assisted the family with their arrangements.
Leonard Housner Leonard J. Housner, age 82, of Hillsboro, passed away on Sunday, December 12, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Memorial Hospital in Hillsboro. He was born on December 4, 1928, to Joe and Anna (Barbour) Housner in Richland County, and grew to adulthood in the Yuba area. Leonard was united in marriage to Hilda Lind on February 2, 1952, in Hillsboro. They farmed in the Town of Hillsboro, for many years, moving into Hillsboro, in 1992. She preceded him in death on August 27, 2001. He also had worked part-time for Merricks and continued helping his son in farming. Survivors include his sons, Gary (Mary) Housner of rural Elroy, and Chuck (Marilyn) Housner of Stoughton; granddaughters, Nicole and friend, Kyle and Courtney and friend, Josh; step-grandchildren, Brian (Waneta) Kutzke, Beckie (Brian) Whitehouse, Shannon (Trent) Kenyon, Sarah (Mike) Kratzenberg and Amanda (Jed) Slizewski; and step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Deneen of Deerfield; and a special companion, Mary Jean Fanta of Hillsboro. In addition to his wife, Hilda, he was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Virgil Housner. Funeral Services were held on Friday, December 17, at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro. For online information go to www. pichafuneralhomes.com. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society or Diabetes Association.
Roland Engh Roland Engh, 84, of Chaseburg, died Wednesday, December 8, 2010, at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse. He was born November 17, 1926, to Engman and Malla (Barstad) Engh in Jefferson Township, Vernon County. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Esofea. Roland served in the U.S. Navy from September 1945 to September 1947. He was part of Operation Crossroads at the Bikini Atoll in 1946. He returned to the Engh home farm in 1947. Roland was an avid baseball fan and in his younger years loved to play baseball with the South Ridge Baseball team. On May 5, 1956, Roland married Irma Rude at the Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. The couple farmed until 1989 when they retired to Chaseburg. While farming, Roland served on numerous dairy and farm committees. He also held many offices on the church councils at Bethany, Westby Coon Prairie and then at Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church and the Coon Valley American Legion Post #116. Survivors include his daughter Cindy (Dennis) Christianson of Chaseburg, his son Steve (Shelly) Engh of Coon Valley; grandchildren Nichole Mathison, Travis Engh, Brett Christianson, Andrew (Vicky) Hess, Chelsea Engh; step-children Ben, Zachary and Jordan; great grandchildren Hunter, Molly, Brock and Colton; three sisters, Dorothy (Clyde) Gray, Rachel (Ed) Wrobel and Esther (Sherman) Erlandson; one brother, Frederick (Lou Ann) Engh; two sisters-in-law, Myrna and Pauline Engh; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Irma on December 31, 2008; his parents; three sisters, Eleanore Gilbertson, Carrol Berg and Margaret Brye; and two brothers, Duane and LaVerne Engh. At the Eng-Our-Acres herd dispersal in 1989, the top cow was Eng-Our-Acres Mark Sandy, who was sold to Sherman and Esther Erlandson (his sister). Mark Sandy went on to become Excellent and the brood cow that is behind the Sher-Est cows (Saturday, Sunday, etc.) that are in the pedigrees of bulls like Mr Sam and many others today. wisconsin HOLSTEIN news/January, 2011-9