15 June 2021

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Mathias Poehnelt

Mathias Poehnelt


Mathias “Matt” H. Poehnelt, 97, passed away at his home, at the Waterford of Colby, Wednesday, June 9, 2021, under the care of hospice. Matt was born June 24, 1923, in Chelsea, to Julius and Anna (Ramskugler) Poehnelt. He graduated from Medford High School with the Class of 1940. He later enlisted to the Army Air Corps and served as a pilot trainer during World War II. That’s where he met his first wife, Dorothy Glenn, as she too, was serving in the Army Air Corps. They married in Biloxi, Miss., and after serving, they moved to Wisconsin, where they farmed for many years in rural Abbotsford. They had 14 children and later divorced. He then moved to Holcombe, where he would marry his second wife, Shirly Retzlaff. He was a proud veteran, member of the Local Operator Engineers 139, blood donor, tractor puller (he would say “If it ain’t red, leave it in the shed”), gardener and fisherman. Matt enjoyed his fishing trips to Canada and Alaska. He also ran the town grader in Holton Township and Lake Holcombe Township, and ran all sorts of construction equipment. He is survived by five sons: Tom (Diane), Donald (Jackie), Mike, Mark and Jim; five daughters: Karen (Lance) Ludwig, Sandy (Mike) Jakel, Sharon (Henry) Blume, Linda (Steven) Bach and Donna (Kevin) Kalepp; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews; and other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; three sisters; his first wife, Dorothy; second wife, Shirley; three sons: Ronald, David and Richard; and one daughter, Julie; and her husband David Schindhelm. There will be a graveside service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Holcombe, Aug. 7, at 2 p.m., with military honors. A light lunch will follow at Black Bear Lodge in Holcombe. The family would like to extend its gratitude to Matt’s friend, Bernice, for helping him adjust to a new life at the Waterford, all the staff at the Waterford and Heartland Hospice, for their care and help. Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a veterans group or animal shelter. Paid obituary 106370
11 May 2021

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04 May 2021

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Thomas Stuttgen

Thomas Stuttgen


Thomas “Sunshine” A. Stuttgen, age 63, of Colby, passed away on Monday, April 26, 2021, at his residence in the Town of Colby. A mass of Christian burial was held 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at St. Mary Help of Christian Parish in Colby. Father Joseph Redfern presided. A visitation was held from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Saturday. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home of Colby is entrusted with the arrangements. Sunshine was born on November 6, 1957, the son of Nicholas and Hildegard (Wettstein) Stuttgen in Marshfield. He graduated from Colby High School in 1976. Sunshine worked at Wick’s Building Systems in Spencer for eight years and then worked at Stratford Homes for many years. He also hauled milk for Arpin Dairy. Sunshine enjoyed riding his motorcycle and dancing. Sunshine especially loved riding his horse, Oreo. He was also a member of the Taylor County Sportsmen’s Club. Sunshine is survived by his siblings: Carol Williams of Janesville, Delores Stuttgen of Colby, Donald Stuttgen of Eau Claire, Bernard (Colene) Stuttgen of Thorp, Raymond (Kathleen) Stuttgen of Janesville, Tony (Debra) Stuttgen of Unity, Melvin Stuttgen of Colby, Chuck (Darla) Stuttgen of Athens, Sister Kathy Stuttgen of La Crosse, James (Barbara) Stuttgen of Stratford, Jon Stuttgen of La Crosse, William (Debra) Stuttgen of Spencer, Dale (Sandra) Stuttgen of Colby and Robert (Pam) Stuttgen of Colby. He is further survived by a brother-in-law, Clifford Wentzel of Spencer; many nieces and nephews. Sunshine was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lawrence Stuttgen; sister, Patricia Wentzel; two sisters-in-law, Carol Stuttgen and Carol Stuttgen; brother-in-law, Edward Williams; and six nieces and nephews. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. Paid obituary 104321
20 April 2021

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Jean Tauchen

Jean Tauchen


Jean M. Tauchen, 85, of Medford, passed away on Monday, March 29, 2021, at Abbotsford Health Care Center. A memorial service for Jean took place at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 19, 2021, at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor James Krueger presiding. Burial will take place at Dorchester Memorial cemetery. Visitation took place on Monday, April 19, 2021, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Jean was born on May 31, 1935, to Edward and Mary (Hansen) Pankonin in Palatine, Ill. She married Gerald Tauchen on October 30, 1954, he survives. She was a homemaker and worked alongside her husband for many years on their farm. She was a member of Builders for Christ for many years, building churches in Arkansas, Florida, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Kansas and Texas. She was also a member of the Good Sam Camping Club, where she met lots of friends from all over the country. In her spare time she enjoyed square dancing and attended over 100 RV rallies. She made handmade quilts and donated 30-40 to nursing homes per year. She was very proud of what her sons have accomplished. “Be satisfied with what you’ve got, wishing for more makes a lot of headaches.” Jean is survived by her husband, Gerald; sons: Bryan (Becky) of Huntville, Ala., Dale (Pat) of Dorchester, Gordon (Linda) of Stratton, Colo. and Bill (Candie) of Dorchester; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; five stepgreat- grandchildren; and brother, Earl Pankonin of Ill. Jean is further survived by other family and friends. Jean was preceded in death by her sisters: Edna (Gus) Spitzberg and Margaret (Paul) Heinsohn; and sister-in-law, Theresa Pankonin. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com. Paid obituary 103508

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06 April 2021

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Kenneth Strohkirch

Kenneth Strohkirch


Kenneth R. Strohkirch, age 87, of Colby, passed away on Friday, April 2, 2021, at his home, surrounded by his loving family, under the tender care of hospice. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 9, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Abbotsford, all are welcome. Rev. Donald Bruce will preside. Inurnment will follow the service at Abbotsford Public Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of funeral Friday at the church. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the arrangements. Family and friends can watch the service live on the funeral home’s Facebook page or after the service anytime on Facebook or the funeral home website. Kenneth was born on March 18, 1934, the son of Russell G. and Lois J. (Capes) Strohkirch in Owen. He attended Owen Schools and was a 1952 graduate of Owen High School. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged. Ken was united in marriage to Vera A. Mueller on November 12, 1960, at Saint Peter Lutheran Church Parsonage in Dorchester. He was employed at Packaging Corporation of America in Colby, Liberty Homes in Dorchester, Wausau Homes in Wausau and K-Mart in Marshfield. Ken was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Abbotsford. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cutting firewood, yard work and helping others in need. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Vera; his two children: Mary Voelker of Colby and Danial Strohkirch of Colby; three grandchildren: Krystal Strohkirch of Altoona, Heather (Casey) Dockry of Menomonie and Dylan Voelker of Colby; and five great-grandchildren. He is further survived by one brother, Scott (Cheryl) Strohkirch of Owen; three sisters: Joan Rau of Dorchester, Judy Frelka of Milwaukee and Elaine (Jerry) Fisher of Hartford; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jerry Strohkirch. We encourage those in attendance to abide by the COVID-19 guidelines by sanitizing, wearing a mask (if able) and social distancing. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. The family would like Ascension Hospice and Brooke, Mariah, Chaplain Wes and Mariah for the wonderful care Ken received. Paid obituary 103088

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Ruth Harris

Ruth Harris


Ruth L. Harris, age 90, of Dorchester, passed away at her home on Saturday, April 3, 2021. A funeral will be Saturday, April 10, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home. in Abbotsford. A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Family and friends can watch the service live on the Maurina Schilling Funeral Home Facebook page at 11 a.m. or after the service anytime on Facebook or the website. We encourage those in attendance to abide by the COVID-19 guidelines by sanitizing, wearing a mask (if able) and social distancing. Ruth was born on October 25, 1930, the daughter of Henry O. and Bessie (Lingel) Dunaway in South Beloit, Ill. Ruth was united in marriage to Russell Harris on August 2, 1947, in Beloit. She worked for Artcraft Homes for 18 years and was a waitress for 20 years for Mr. B’s, Severt’s Fine Foods and Dairyland Café. Ruth enjoyed reading, watching the game show channel, going to the casino, doing word search puzzles and was known as the scratch off queen. Ruth was the Green Bay Packers number one fan. Ruth was a member of TOPS and the Peace United Church of Christ in Dorchester where she served on the Ladies Circle. Ruth is survived by her children: Jim (Kathy) Harris of Bear Valley, Bob (Kathy) Harris of Medford, Peggy Goeltz of Florida, Jane (Bob) Stoiber of Curtiss and Jack (Kathy) Harris of Spring Green; 18 grandchildren: 25 greatgrandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law: Linda Harris and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell (2001); son:, Rusty (2018); son-in-law, Glen (2016); grandson, Jason Strupp (2004); and eight brothers and five sisters. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. Paid obituary 103133

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Gerhard Weiler

Gerhard Weiler


Gerhard (Gary) Weiler died Thursday, March 4, 2021, at age 81. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children: Cheryl (Terry) Back, Chuck (Amy) Weiler and Mike Weiler; and grandchildren: Logan (Dom Anderson) Back, Griffin Back, and Kelsey (Elliot) Marshall. He is also survived by siblings: Jerome (Sally) Weiler, Ken (Jane) Weiler, Koni Krueger, Glenn Weiler and Joan (Dave) Romens; in-laws: Susie Jablonic, Val (George) Himes, Larry (Sandy) Fritz, Harry Hanson, Laurie (LaVerne Shilts) and Gary (Chris) Fritz; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and a few great-grandnephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister-in-law; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Gary was born in the Town of Bern near Athens in 1939 to Pete and Marie Weiler and grew up on the family farm there and later in Colby. After graduating from Colby High School, he entered the Army and served in the Army Reserves while starting his work career. A few years later he married Sharon Fritz, and together they raised a family, owned and operated a dairy farm, and supported each other through careers, house rehabs, and adventures in Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Minnesota before retiring in Phoenix, Ariz. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this summer. Over the years, Gary worked for American Motors in Kenosha, Harmony Co-op and Toelle Surge Service in Colby, and then farmed in the Town of Colby while working as a truck driver for Foremost Foods and Koch Fuels. He left farming to hold multiple positions with Koch Industries, including transportation dispatcher, district manager, and Great Lakes division manager. He later worked as a crew supervisor for a landscape company, and he finished his career as a depot supervisor for Case New Holland. Gary is remembered as a wearer of hats, collector of farm toys, connoisseur of tools, player of cards, worker of wood, and negotiator of deals who displayed a quiet pride in his family and was always willing to lend an ear to listen or a hand to help. Family and friends alike will miss his quick wit, big smile, ready laugh, and great bear hugs. The family will hold a celebration of life on July 24 in Wisconsin and next winter in Arizona. Memorials may be designated to the United Hospital Foundation, Heart and Vascular Clinic, 333 Smith Ave N, Suite 4650, St Paul, MN 55102 or online at https://www.allinahealth.org/unitedhospital/ foundation. All memorials will be dedicated to research and education. Paid obituary 103111