1960-2021 Randy V. Auner, 61, Athens passed away at his home, peacefully on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 while under the compassionate care of Hope Hospice and Palliative Care. Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 10, 2021 at Christ United Church, Athens. The Rev. Teri Hanson officiated. Burial was in the Athens Village Cemetery. Visitation was held on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Randy’s name. Social distancing guidelines were in place as well as facemasks required by all who attended. He was born Apr. 21, 1960 in Marshfield, son of Betty (Dahl) Auner, Athens and the late Virgil Auner. On July 25, 1981 he married Debbie Gauerke at Christ United Church, Athens. Randy farmed alongside his father in the town of Bern for many years. Some of his favorite pastimes included hunting and fishing and spending time at the Hunting Cabin. Randy will always be remembered for being a “Jack of all Trades” and an avid sportsman. He truly enjoyed sharing that time with his son and grandsons. Being close with his family and friends is something he kept very close to his heart. Survivors include his wife, Debbie Auner, Athens; his mother, Betty (Kenneth Reigert) Auner, Athens; his children, Rachel (Scott) Chenier, Edgar and Andrew (Brittany Passehl) Auner, Athens; his loving grandchildren, Zander Chenier, Kaden and Ryan Auner and Addison Augustine. Randy is also survived by his siblings, Karen (Doug Wathen) Kloth, Hixton, Kelly Albrecht, Athens and Cindy (Vern) Kloos, Stratford; as well as many nieces; nephews; cousins; and friends. Besides his father; he was preceded in death by a grandson, Dylan Auner. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. Paid Obituary 104694

1934-2021 Ardis B. Clarkson, 87, of Stetsonville, passed away on Wednesday, Apr. 28, 2021 at home under the care of Hope Hospice. A memorial service for Ardis will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 6, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Michael Hayden officiating. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Thursday, May 6 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11a.m. Ardis was born in Stetsonville, the daughter of Lester and Marie (Ludwig) Beyer. After graduating from Medford High School in 1951, she moved to the Milwaukee area, where she worked as a stenographer for Allis Chalmers. It was during this time she met the love of her life, Lester Clarkson. They married June 20, 1953 in Stetsonville. She also worked as a secretary for Miller Brewing Company. In 1962, Les and Ardis moved back to the area, purchasing the former Jake’s Bar in Stetsonville, renaming it Les’s Bar, with her parents Les and Marie. After Marie’s death in 1966, Les and Ardis acquired full ownership of the tavern. Les and Ardis enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Together, they experienced many travel adventures that usually started with a car ride to an unknown location, taking them all over the US, Canada, and Mexico. They loved working together in the bar, bowling, playing cards, and hunting. She also loved to cook, sew, and read. In 1969, a hunting accident nearly led to a tragic end. A stray bullet grazed Ardis’ chin and pierced Les’ arm in the front seat of their car. This was quite an ordeal in her life that many locals recall. After selling the bar in 1978, Ardis helped to raise funds to build the Centennial Hall in Stetsonville. She cooked and served as custodian there, until the time she purchased a second home in Winona, Minn. She went to work at the St. Croix Knit Craft company, traveling back and forth to Stetsonville until 1999, when she officially retired and sold the Winona home. She then resided full time in Stetsonville. Les preceded her in death on March 21, 2014. She was a member of the Taylor County Tavern League, serving many years as a secretary and treasurer, the American Legion Auxiliary #519, and Catholic Order of Foresters. Ardis is survived by her sister, Geraldine Geiger of Dorchester; sister-in-law, Kathy Beyer of Medford; brother-in-law, Don (Evelyn) Clarkson of Medford; many nieces; and nephews; and special friends, Tom and Sharon Jochimsen of Medford. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Les; brother, Allen Beyer; sister-in-law, Elsie Clarkson; brothers-in-law, Roy Clarkson, Ervin (Dorothy) Clarkson, and Norbert Geiger; parents-in-law, Clarence “Dick” and Minnie Clarkson. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com. Paid Obituary 104405

1983-2021 Julie A. Anderson, 38, of Dorchester, passed away on Apr. 29, 2021. Funeral services for Julie will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 7 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, with Pastor Rodger Prois officiating. Burial will follow at Dorchester Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Thursday, May 6 at Hemer Funeral Home, Medford, from 4 p.m. until the time of a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 10:30 a.m. Julie was born on Feb. 26, 1983 to William and Dawn (Nelson) Gumz in Dorchester. She grew up on her family’s dairy farm. She attended Dorchester Grade School and graduated from Colby High School. She worked as a caregiver at various places, most recently at The Homeplace in Dorchester for the past several years. She married Jeremy Anderson on Apr. 1, 2017 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Medford, he survives. Julie enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, nieces, and nephews. She also enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, volleyball, and softball. Julie is survived by her husband, Jeremy; son, Keaten Gumz of Dorchester; step-son, Dakota Anderson of Eau Claire; mother, Dawn Gumz of Dorchester; brother, Bruce (Jolene) Gumz of Dorchester; sisters, Amy (Cory) Broeske and Beth (Kevin) Kosik, both of Dorchester; mother and father-in-law, Cheryl (Scot) Olson of Gilmanton; father-in-law, Brad Anderson of Medford, brother and sister-in-laws, Derek (Erica) Anderson of Medford and Tara (Nick Storck) Anderson of Medford, grandparents-in-law, Bill (Judy) Shotliff of Dorchester and Walter and Norma Anderson of Little Black. She is further survived by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends. Julie was preceded in death by her father, William Gumz; and maternal and paternal grandparents. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the family for use at a later date. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com. Paid Obituary 104401

1927-2021 Emily Niggemann, 93, left this world but not our hearts on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Care Partners in Medford, where she had resided for the past six months. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 7, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Rib Lake with Father Patrick McConnell officiating. Visitation will take place at Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Friday, May 7, 2021 from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Due to COVID concerns, social distancing and masks will be required while in the church. Emily, the daughter of Ben and Tekla Gasek, was born in 1927 in Rib Lake where she resided for 65 years. She was active in both church and school with the class of 1945. Emily married William Niggemann at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Rib Lake. Some years later, they purchased the Rib Lake Dairy which was then known as “Bill’s Fine Cheese”. Emily worked in the office until Bill’s death in 1963. The dairy was sold to Badger Consolidated where she continued to work until the new owners relocated to Medford. Other places of employment were the Rib Lake School District, Holiday Village in Medford, Lakewood Credit Union in Rib Lake and the Golden Age Nursing Home in Rib Lake where she opened a convenience store known as Emily’s Treats and Treasures. In 1990 Emily moved to Marathon City and opened her shop in a senior retirement complex in Wausau where she continued to do personal shopping for the tenants. After 10 years, Emily closed her shop and began working at the Wausau YMCA until her retirement in 2006. Emily enjoyed both interior and exterior home painting and decorating, flower gardening, walking and word and jigsaw puzzles. She cherished baking and decorating cookies every holiday for her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed music, keyboarding and dancing, especially polka. Emily took various trips during the winter months, highlighted by traveling to Poland where she visited the area where her father grew up. In late years, Emily and her sister planned shorter, more local trips, each spring. She loved to travel by airplane. Emily is survived by her seven children, Kathleen (Ray) Synol, Medford, Marlene (Jerry) Holtz, Rib Lake, Karen (Ken) Steinman, Germantown, Joanie (Jim) Gebauer, Rib Lake, Sandra Klimeck (Rod Sackman) Marathon, Bill (Mary) Niggemann, Marshfield, Teri Zimmerman, Medford; and one sister, Gladys Matyka, Rib Lake. Emily is further survived by 17 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and seven great great grandchildren. Emily was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers, five sisters, and a great grandson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations be given to the family for future designation. Hemer Funeral Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com. Paid Obituary 104461

1928-2021 Estelle M. Borg, 92, of the Township of Spirit, passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at her home. A memorial service for Estelle will take place on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 12 p.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, with Father Patrick McConnell officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Visitation will take place at Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Saturday, May 8, from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 12 p.m. Due to COVID concerns, masking will be required while in the church. Estelle was born on Nov. 17, 1928 to John and Susanna (Meyer) Kriplean in Medford. Her marriage to Vernon Hanke took place on May 24, 1952 at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, S.D.; he preceded her in death on December 28, 1999. Estelle’s second marriage to Andrew Borg took place July 15, 2006 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Estelle enjoyed reading, embroidering kitchen towels for her family, gardening, playing pool, cards, and darts. She loved being outside making maple syrup with Andy and watching nature. She cherished spending time with her family and friends. Estelle was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church and the Christian Mothers, also the Rib Lake American Legion Auxiliary. In addition to her second husband, Andrew, survivors include daughters, Jean (Daniel) Lechmaier of Longwood, Fla. and Susan (Barry) Anderson of Rib Lake; stepdaughters, Sue (Joel) Toeppler of Neenah, and Karen (Dan) Freeman of Anchorage, Alaska.; daughter-in-law Cindy Hanke of Rib Lake; sisters-inlaw, Dorothy Hanke of Rib Lake and Corine Kriplean of Appleton. There are seven grandchildren, Chris (Tricia) Lechmaier of Longwood, Fla., Brad (Tanya) Lechmaier of West Bend, Eric Lechmaier of China, Misty (Frank) Chavez of DePere, Tracy Anderson of Green Bay, Steve (Tiffany) Hanke and Keith (fiancé Lindsey) Hanke, both of Rib Lake; three step-grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by other family and friends. Estelle was preceded in death by her parents; and first husband; son, Greg Hanke; four brothers, Chester, Melvin, Lester, and Russell; three sisters, Lucey, Delores, and Marcella; step-daughter, Diane Borg; and step-son, David Borg. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com. Paid Obituary 104402

Michael “Mike” N. Zak, 88, Medford, a former Town of Little Black resident, died on Wednesday, Apr. 21 at Our House Senior Living, Medford where he had resided for the past four years most recently under the care of Hope Hospice. Mike was born on July 12, 1932 in the Town of Little Black, the son of Joseph and Julia (Siska) Zak. He attended Liberty Elementary School, Town of Little Black. After his education, he farmed the family farm in the Town of Little Black for many years until retirement from farming. He enjoyed pitching horseshoes, attending auctions and old country music. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Stetsonville. Surviving Mike is his brother, Victor (Betty) Zak of Abbotsford; along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Anna Grlicky, Margaret Steevens, Irene, Frank, Rudy and Tony Zak. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial contributions be given to Hope Hospice of Medford. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com. Funeral services for Mike were at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 27 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Stetsonville with Father Michael Hayden officiating. Visitation was at the church from 10 a.m until the time of services at 11 a.m. Burial took place at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Stetsonville with nephews and great-nephews serving as pallbearers. Paid Obituary 104044

Robert “Buff” Allen Zocher, 60, Athens, died unexpectedly at his home on Friday, Apr. 16, 2021. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 1, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens. Rev Mark Schwalenberg will officiate. Visitation will be at the church Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be held at a later date. He was born Oct. 22, 1960, son of the late Hilbert and Shirley (Ziegel) Zocher. Robert attended Athens High School and was in the Army National Guards. He worked various places throughout his life including, Veritas Steel, K& S, Jahnke Construction and Hurd Millwork. The most recent being for the Athens School District. Robert enjoyed life and loved everyone he met. Most were known as “Little Buddy.” He enjoyed dartball, horseshoes, beanbags and being around people. He would do anything for anyone and enjoyed being around those he cherished most. He was a very proud father and grandfather. He truly will be missed by everyone. He would not want anyone to forget his favorite line though, “RRRRRR!” Survivors include his two sons, Joe (Heather Strebig) Zocher and Tyler (Rachel) Zocher; and their children, Domanic, Blaine and Collyn, all of Rib Lake; a daughter, Megan (Jason) Orth of Dorchester; and their children, Layden, Brynn and Corbin of Dorchester; special friend, Shari Gajewski, Stetsonville; two sisters, Cheryl (Dennis) Strunk of Athens and Kay (Todd) Roth of Mosinee; six nieces and nephews; and many greatnieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hilbert and Shirley Zocher; a brother, Kenny “Gov” Zocher; and a daughter in infancy, Bobbi Jo. Paid Obituary 104003

Judith Mae (Finke) Ahlers of White Bear Lake, Minn. found peace on Apr. 23, 2021. Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 4 at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1 Shepherd Ct., Circle Pines. Visitation at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home-Lino Lakes, 7050 Lake Dr. (Cty. Hwy 23) from 4-7 p.m. Monday and at the church from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday. Interment at Mount Nebo Cemetery, Jump River at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 5. She was born Feb. 21, 1945 in St. Charles, Ill. and resided in White Bear Lake, Minn. We miss her dearly - her smile, her laugh and her willingness to be silly and laugh at herself. There will be no other like Judy. She is survived by her sisters, Barb (Bob) Lompa and Debby (Don) Ennis; brothers, Ken (Janet) Finke and Ron (Shirley) Finke; children, Doug (Deb) Kuehne, Lynn (Kris) Johnson, Kevin (Becky) Ahlers, and Janelle (Kevin) Norling; along with nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and many nieces; nephews; and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Ahlers; and parents, Erwin and Edna Finke. Special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Mayo, Minn. Oncology, St. John’s Hospital and the staff at Pillars of White Bear Lake for their care and compassion. Mueller-Bies Funeral Home, Lino Lakes assisted the family, www.muellerbies.com. Paid Obituary 104163

2021 We are saddened to share that on Apr. 19, 2021, our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Timothy Peter Devine passed away. Tim had just turned 65 the day before. A day of food, fun, and golfing will be held in Tim’s honor on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at the Meadowview Golf Course in Owen. Tim and Carol (Peterson) were married Apr. 23, 1977 at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Curtiss. Together they raised four sons; Nate, Seth, Pete, and Craig. Graduating from Owen-Withee High School in 1974, Tim began his working career at ITT in Thorp. Within a couple of years Tim was working for the railroad and moving around the western US spending time in Colorado, Kansas, Oregon, and Nevada. Missing family, Tim and Carol returned to Wisconsin, eventually settling in Stetsonville. Most of Tim’s working career would be spent with Phillips Molex in Medford employed in the field of injection molding. Tim would retire after 35 years, as a manufacturing engineer, specializing in Robotics. Tim will be dearly missed by his wife, Carol; his four sons, Nathan of Mosinee, Seth (Kim) of Edgar, Peter (Rachel) of Owen, and Craig (Olivia) of Jonestown, Texas; six grandchildren (his pride and joy), Ella, Anna, Bennett, Kennedi, Evan, and Avery. Tim also leaves behind six siblings, Cindy (Rod) Quelle of Phillips, Lynda (Tony Gechas) Devine of Rhinelander, Bill (Sue) Devine of Owen, Mary Devine-Giese of Almond, Janine (Kent) Gaede of Stevens Point, and Michelle (Mike) Devine Giese of Oshkosh; and many other relatives and good friends. Gone before Tim were his parents, Peter and Charlotte Devine; sister, Karen Jahnel; niece, Sadie Devine-Jelinski; parents-in-law, Gwen and Ralph Peterson; and two brothers-in-law, Tom and Gary Peterson. Tim’s kindness, patience, gentleness, intelligence and quick wit will be dearly missed. Above all, Tim loved his family. Nothing was more wonderful to Tim than his grandchildren. Tim developed his love for golf when his parents, Pete and Charlotte, moved their young family into a house on the seventh tee of the Owen golf course. As a child, Tim spent countless hours honing his golf skills and continued to enjoy the game throughout his life, so much so, that he and Carol moved into their home on the eighth tee over 15 years ago. Tim’s relationship with his wife had a rather rocky start. In high school, Carol asked Tim to a Sadie Hawkins dance. Tim accepted the invitation, but unwisely stood Carol up. He paid dearly for that lapse in judgement for the next 45 years. Paid Obituary 104024