1949-2022 Richard H. Wendt, 73, of Rib Lake, passed away, unexpectedly, at home on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. Cremation rites have been accorded and no services will be held. Richard was born on July 25, 1949 to Alfred and Alice (Schimmelpfennig) Wendt in Mequon, Wis. He married Cindy Hultman on July 12, 2002; she survives. Richard was very handy. He worked as a truck driver, in construction, and as a welder. Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, playing sheepshead, watching Westerns, NASCAR, and Packer games, riding UTV, and spending time with his dog, Pearl. Richard is survived by his wife, Cindy; sistersin- law, Patty Wendt and Nancy Wendt. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Tom and Jerry Wendt. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice. com. Paid Obituary 126397_2

1930-2022 George J. Bondaruk, 92, of Medford, passed away on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 at Aspirus Care and Rehab under the care of Hope Hospice. A funeral service for George will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022 at Hemer- Pickerign Funeral Home, Medford Chapel. Perry Pearson and Linda Woollum will be officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. Visitation will take place at Hemer-Pickerign Funeral Home on Monday, Sept. 26 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. George was born in Chicago, Ill. to Paul and Anna (Kevek) Bondaruk on Aug. 17, 1930. He attended Chicago schools and graduated from Tilden Tech High School. After school he served in the Air Force. After his service he moved to Medford. In Medford he worked as a dairy farmer until his retirement in 1992. George is survived by his cousin Fran (Norm) Pierce of Sycamore, Ill.; nieces, Laura (Jim) Reschke and Sue (Kevin) Harms; special friends in Christ, Chad and Tamara Pearson. George was preceded in death by his parents. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice. com Paid Obituary 126607

1949-2022 Richard E. Wendt, 73, of Rib Lake, passed away, unexpectedly, at home on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. Cremation rites have been accorded and no services will be held. Richard was born on July 25, 1949 to Alfred and Alice (Schimmelpfennig) Wendt in Mequon, Wis. He married Cindy Hultman on July 12, 2002; she survives. Richard was very handy. He worked as a truck driver, in construction, and as a welder. Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, playing sheepshead, watching Westerns, NASCAR, and Packer games, riding UTV, and spending time with his dog, Pearl. Richard is survived by his wife, Cindy; sistersin- law, Patty Wendt and Nancy Wendt. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Tom and Jerry Wendt. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice. com. Paid Obituary 126397

1945-2022 Edward A. Zondlo, 77, of Rib Lake, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. He had been under the care of his family for the past three years and for his final days, Hope Hospice assisted the family. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 16 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Rib Lake with Fr. Jayanna Kanna officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Rib Lake, then returning to the church for lunch. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Ed was born April 14, 1945 in Marshfield to Andrew and Rose (Brehm) Zondlo. He graduated from Rib Lake High School, class of 1963. He worked for Opie and Bud Freeck (his former mother and fatherin- law) at Bud’s IGA. He then purchased the store, renaming it Ed’s IGA, which he owned and operated for almost 40 years, until his retirement in 2010, when his son Rodger took over. He is the current owner. He married Mary Freeck in 1965 and they had two children, Rodger and Suzy. They later divorced. On August 28, 2019, he married his best friend and life partner of many years, Mary Ann Schreiner at his home on Rib Lake. Ed was diagnosed with a terminal illness in 2019 and was given 2-4 months to live. Well, he surprised everyone, had excellent care from his family and the staff at Aspirus, Medford (for the many ER visits and hospital admissions) and had three bonus years to spend with his loved ones! Ed looked forward to his fishing trips to Canada twice a year for over 50 years, first with good friends, and then with family. He also enjoyed hunting with his daughter. He was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Rib Lake; and the Rib Lake Lions Club where he recently earned his 30 year pin, the Fish and Game, Commercial Club, and he was on the Rib Lake Fire Department for over 25 years. He played in many bowling, dart and pool leagues. He also loved his dog, Kingston. He is survived by his wife, Mary of Rib Lake; children, Rodger Zondlo (Jamie) of Rib Lake, Suzy (Tim) Netzer of Medford; brother, Dave (Jane) Zondlo of Weston; sister, Nancy Schabel of Milwaukee; stepchildren, Karen (Dan) Vlach of Rib Lake, Chris Bube (Chris) of Medford, Michael (Jess) Zondlo of Rib Lake; grandchildren, AF Staff Sergeant Brett House of Anchorage, Alaska, Tylor Zondlo of Medford; step-grandchildren, Austin, Devyn, Tanner, Tia, Cole, Clayton, Fletcher, Gavin, Shayna, Alayna, and Jada; great-grandchildren, Blaine, Collyn and Aliyah Zondlo; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andy and Rose Zondlo; former in-laws, Opie and Bud Freeck; brother-in-law, Jim Schabel; niece, Mary Jo Schabel; in-laws, Jughead and Dorothy Schreiner; and his beloved dog, Kingston. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are appreciated. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice. com. Paid Obituary 126398

1952-2022 Paulette Russell passed peacefully surrounded by family at her home in North Pole, Alaska on Sept. 8, 2022 after living with cancer for the past four and half years. A Mass is being held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 at the St. Nicholas Catholic Church in North Pole, with a gathering to follow at noon in the church hall. All are invited to celebrate with us. There will also be a Celebration of Life in Madison, Wis. on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 12-4 p.m. at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Born in Phillips, Wis. in 1952, Paulette moved to Alaska in 1975 where she began a lifelong career as a teacher. It was in Alaska that she met and married fellow “Cheese Head” (Wisconsinite) Don Russell in 1978. Paulette spent the better part of 30 years teaching kindergarten and special education in North Pole before retiring in 2002. Her love of students and the classroom never left her, and she spent many years after retirement as a substitute teacher in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. When applying for a teaching position with the school district, Paulette was asked if she wanted to teach junior high or elementary school. She told the Special Education Director, “Do I have a choice? Look at me, I’m short.” But Paulette’s small stature was certainly no reflection of her enormous heart for people. In addition to working as an educator, Paulette dedicated much of her free time in service to her community as a volunteer at the Soup Kitchen at Immaculate Conception Church in downtown Fairbanks, where she fostered many meaningful friendships. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Don Russell of North Pole, Alaska; children Shawna Ragan (Ryan) of Eagle River, Alaska, Ryan Russell (Molly) of Marshall, Wis., and Becca Russell (Togi Letuligasenoa) of Fairbanks, Alaska; grandchildren Cylin Ragan, Cohen Ragan, Hank Russell, Hazel Russell and Edison Russell; her sister, Elizabeth Rossiter of Schofield, Wis.; and brother, Guy Novotny (Anita) of Delafield, Wis. She was preceded in death by her parents Pauline and Charles Novotny; her sister, Patricia Anderson; and her brothers, Cyril and Mark Novotny. We want to thank the staff of Fairbanks Cancer Center and FMH Hospice Services, as well as the numerous family and friends for all their prayers and wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations go to the Soup Kitchen at Immaculate Conception Church, Fairbanks Cancer Center or FMH Hospice Services. Paulette will be remembered for her inspiring kindness, patience, generosity, dedication to family and community, and above all her love for people. She will be greatly missed. Paid Obituary 126385

1941-2022 Patricia “Pat” S. Schmeiser, age 81, of the Town of Molitor, Wis., was greeted by God into eternal life on Monday, September 5, 2022, after a lengthy fight with cancer. Pat was born in Whittlesey, on Aug. 16, 1941, to Harold and Phyllis (Micklo) Schmoldt. She was the oldest of six children. Pat married Jerry Schmeiser on June 15, 1963, at the Holy Rosary Church in Medford. The funeral mass will take place on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m., at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford. Fr. Patrick McConnell will officiate. The family will receive friends for visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 10:30 a.m. Pat attended the Whittlesey School, graduated from the Medford High School, and attended the Taylor County Teachers’ College. She taught in Outagamie County before her marriage. Pat and Jerry owned a dairy farm in the Town of Molitor from 1969 to 1990 when their son, Jeff, purchased it from them. They continued to reside at the farm and work with Jeff and his family. In addition to helping run the family farm, she worked various jobs some of which included Copps IGA and Kmart. She enjoyed all of her many jobs, but loved teaching the most. She returned to work as a teacher’s aide for the Holy Rosary School until her retirement at age 75. Pat was never idle. She enjoyed fishing, gardening, sewing, ceramics, and other craft projects. She volunteered as a 4H project leader for over 30 years and was active in the Taylor County Fair for many years. Pat’s family meant everything to her and she will be dearly missed. Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Jerry Schmeiser; her children, Jeff (Laura) Schmeiser, and Jack (Jackie) Schmeiser; and her mother, Phyllis Schmoldt. Pat is further survived by her grandchildren, April, James, Angela (Ryan), Ashley, Colleen, and McKensee; her great-grandchild, Camryn; her five siblings; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold and her mother-in-law, Rose Schmeiser. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the family. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory of Tomahawk is assisting the family. You may view Pat’s obituary and leave online condolences at generationsfuneral.com. Paid Obituary 126023

1947-2022 Joseph “Joe” P. Johnson, age 75, of Ogema, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, at his home under the care of his family and Hope Hospice & Palliative Care. Memorial services with military honors will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Generations Funeral Home, at 1 p.m. Rev. Wayne Jahn will officiate. The family will receive friends for visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of services at 1 p.m. Joe was born in Tomahawk, Wis., on July 16, 1947, to the late Albert and Wanda “Jane” (Fickel) Johnson. He was married to Dorene Ernst on Dec. 5, 1970, at the United Methodist Church in Tomahawk; she survives. Joe was a lifelong resident of the Town of Spirit. He attended the Liberty School and was a 1965 graduate of the Rib Lake High School. Joe served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After the military, he returned to his hometown where he owned and operated the family farm for 30 years. He then proudly helped his sons at Johnson Brothers Forest Products and also worked for Magnuson Brothers Mink Ranch. Joe was a member of the Spirit American Legion Post 452 and was a former supervisor for the Town of Spirit. Farming was truly Joe’s passion and he enjoyed all aspects of it. The greatest joy was when he was taking the grandchildren on tractor rides, something that created smiles and precious memories for all. When not working or farming, Joe was playing cribbage or reading his collection of western books. Survivors include his wife of over 51 years, Dorene Johnson, of Spirit; two sons, Dean (Janalee) Johnson, also of Spirit, and Jason (Jenny) Johnson, of Brantwood; one daughter, Jolene (Craig) Berger, of Ogema; and one sister, Pearl (Ben) Kauer, of Rib Lake. He is further survived by his grandchildren, McKenna, DiLan, Brant, Tristin, Kaelyn, and Karsyn; his nieces and nephews, Jack, Neil, and Marijane; and his dog, Chevy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Jane; and his brother, Wayne. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. You may view Joe’s obituary and leave online condolences at generationsfuneral. com. Paid Obituary 126060