03 August 2022

Share

Larry “Shakie”  M. G

Larry “Shakie” M. G


allistel 1951-2 022 Larry “Shakie” M. Gallistel, age 71, of Tomahawk, passed away on Thursday, July 28, 2022. A celebration of life gathering will be held on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 2 p.m., at the Lonely Few Motorcycle Clubhouse in Riplinger. You may view Larry’s obituary and leave online condolences at generationsfuneral. com. Larry was born in Phillips, on June 30, 1951, to the late Melvin and Elaine (Hagen) Gallistel. Larry attended the Prentice High School and later entered the military serving in the United States Marine Corps. He was married to Debra Dassow and together had two children. They later divorced. Larry met his significant other, Linda Oman, and shared over 20 years together before her passing in 2019. Larry enjoyed trapping and was a motorcyclist enthusiast. He loved taking rides whether it was on his Harley or in his convertible. He was proud to be a long-time member of the Lonely Few Motorcycle Club where he served as vice president for several years. Larry was involved in many charitable rides, one of his favorite being for the Children’s Miracle Network. Survivors include his son, Gene (Bethany) Gallistel; his daughter, Sadie (Tim) Ahlers; 2 brothers, Mark (Melania) Gallistel, and James (Debra Fischer) Gallistel; and his sister, Donna (Joseph) Dowden. Larry is further survived by his two grandchildren, Harlie and Brier Ahlers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Elaine; and his significant other, Linda. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. Paid Obituary 124540

Share

Share

Carmen Jean Ruesch

Carmen Jean Ruesch


1945-2022 Carmen Jean (Waldhart) Ruesch, 77, of Medford, passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family. Cremation has been performed and no funeral service will be held. Carmen was born on June 9, 1945, to the late Hollis and Anita Waldhart (Strankman) in Medford. She graduated from Medford High School. After marriage, she stayed home with her children until they were in school. She worked at Passehl’s Drug Store, at Landwehr Mobile Homes as a secretary, and had an in-home daycare until she retired. Carmen had a loving heart for children and her pets. Carmen was united in marriage to the late Barton Vircks in September 1963, and together they had 3 children. They divorced, and she was later united in marriage to her surviving husband Tim Ruesch on Sept. 7, 1985. Carmen is survived by her husband of 36 years, Tim; three children, Lisa Pongratz of Granton, Lincoln (Melissa) Vircks of Freedom, and Lenise (fiancée Richard Cardin) Vircks of Marathon; Carmen’s stepdaughter, Jayme Malzahn and family, Colby. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Nicolas (fiancée Amber) Nelson, Ricky (Kylie) Pongratz, Rachel (Charlie) Hayes, Andrew (special friend: Bailey) Vircks, MJ (Brittany) Zenner, Alex (Katie) Zenner, Ben (special friend: Emma) Zenner, and Tessa Fawley; seven great-grandchildren; her brother Ron (Lois) Waldhart of Medford; two sisters, Mary Patterson of Omaha, Neb. and Carol (Bryan) Paur of Menomonie, and their families; and her aunt Velma Dietze of Medford. Carmen is further survived by her mother- in-law, Lenore Ruesch of Medford, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Sharon (Pat) Burns of Madison, Connie (Don) Kubac, Louisville, Ky., Mike (Genece) of Corona, Calif., Pat (Deb) of Wausau, Penny (Dan) Engh of Viroqua, Debby (Bill) LaBerge of Verona, John (Laura) of Dayton, Minn., Val (Tim) Leath of Garden Grove, Calif., Kelvin (Shirley) of Eau Claire, Amy (Doug) Christophersen of Wausau, Ben (Bill) Kraemer of Medford, Jason of South Riding, Va., Gabe (Janice) of Tucson, Ariz., Lisa (Chris) Laursen of Mondovi. Carmen was preceded in death by her parents; her son-in-law, Rich Pongratz; and her father-in-law, Leroy Ruesch. Cremation services of Schofield, WI is assisting the family. Paid Obituary 124529
27 July 2022

Share

Share

Share

Share

Lee C. Mahner

Lee C. Mahner


1939-2 022 Lee C. Mahner, 83, of Chelsea, passed away on Friday, July 22, 2022 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. A funeral mass for Lee took place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27 at OLPH Catholic Church, with Father Jayanna Kanna officiating. Burial followed at OLPH Catholic Cemetery. Visitation took place at OLPH on Tuesday, July 26 from 4 p.m. until the time of a Rosary Service at 7 p.m. Visitation continued at the church on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m. Lee was born on June 2, 1939 to Leo and Erna (Pinsch) Mahner in Chelsea. He was a 1957 graduate of Westboro High School. He married Kathleen “Kitty” Isabell Sigmund on Aug. 3, 1960, she preceded him in death. Lee was a dairy farmer and master mechanic and welder. He owned and operated Mahner’s Welding and Repair until his retirement. In his spare time Lee was an avid hunter and fisherman and a professional grandpa. He was known to everyone as Uncle Lee. Lee is survived by his children, Robin Mahner, Wendy (Lyn) Hartl, Rodney (Brenda) Mahner, and Karl (Ann) Mahner, all of Medford, Linda (Brian) Gollhardt of Westboro, Christopher (Debra) Mahner of Medford, Ryan “Buzz” Mahner of Medford, and Teresa (Jon) Rezutek of Rib Lake; 54 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren; sisters, Jane Kauer of Kansas, Jean (Roger) Olson of Colby, and Joan (Milt) Mickelson of Ashland. Lee is further survived by many other family and friends. Lee was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother, Lin Mahner; granddaughter, Miriam Mahner; and great-grandson, Spencer Ruesch. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the family for Memorial Masses or donated to Abiding Care in his name. 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 124216

Share

Lieutenant Colonel Ralph T. Potter

Lieutenant Colonel Ralph T. Potter


1928-2022 Retired Lieutenant Colonel Ralph T. Potter, age 94, peacefully passed away in hospice surrounded by his loving family on Friday, July 15, 2022, in Panama City, Fla. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at 3 p.m. at Southerland Family Funeral Home, 100 East 19th Street, Panama City, FL. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Full military honors and internment at Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. will be scheduled for a later date. Tex, as he was known to friends, was born in Galveston, TX on Feb. 5, 1928, to parents, Ralph and Sara (Pederson/Peterson) Potter. Tex was formerly a resident of the town of Donald in Taylor County. Tex enlisted in the Merchant Marines at age 17, joining the US Army upon his 18th birthday. He served in Europe during WWII as part of the post-war occupying troops and Korea. He would go on to serve thirty years active duty and as a part-time and fulltime reservist for the Army. Following his military career, Tex worked for the Department of Defense at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, GA and at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Panama City, Fla. Tex was preceded in death by his best friend and wife, Daela (Dee) Potter. They spent 60 years traveling together throughout the US, visiting 49 states. Tex was most happy on the road with his fifth wheel camper in tow, excited to discover what was waiting around the next bend down the highway. He loved fishing, beer, milk chocolate and peanut butter cookies. He is survived by his three children, Diana Pritchard of Panama City. Fla., David (Marie) Potter of Helena, Mont., and Margaret (John) Webster of Lynn Haven, Fla; and his grandchildren, Debra (Jeff) King, Dixie Clough, Zoe Potter and Daela Webster. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tex’s name to the Bay County Chapter - MOAA Scholarship Fund, your local hospice or your charity of choice. Paid Obituary 124172

Share

Julie J. Voda

Julie J. Voda


1960-2022 Julie J. Voda, 62, of Phillips, passed away suddenly on July 20, 2022, at the Aspirus Medford Hospital. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Julie was born on July 1, 1960, in Iron Mountain, Mich., to Fernley and Gertrude (Osieczonek) Gray. Julie attended Phillips High School, NTC (when it was NITC), Superior/Duluth School of Fashion (a few semesters), and Fox Valley Tech School for truck driving. Julie and her husband enjoyed travel and adventure such as living in Medford running the theater, over-the-road team trucking, and owning The Crystal Cafe. She also worked at NTC (Phillips), Blount, Inc, Taylor County Courthouse, and Marquip. Julie grew up in Iron Mountain, Mich., and moved to Phillips when she was a freshman in high school. She has lived in Phillips, Woodruff, Westboro, and Medford to name a few. Julie is survived by her sons, Jeremy (Jenny) and Justin (Amanda); grandchildren, Nicolas, Lyla, and Tessa; sister, Robyn (Charlie) Fromolz; nieces, Brenda (Gene Jr), Nicole (Josh); lifelong honorary sister, Bonnie Hilgart; and special friend, Dave Rhyner. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; and parents. Anyone that knew her would say she was one of the most kindhearted, upbeat, and lovable people you have ever met. She will be truly missed by her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations in Julie’s memory can be made to Catkins Animal Rescue, Inc, PO Box 28, Fifield, WI 54524. Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home is assisting the family. Paid Obituary 124164

Share

Kathy Barr

Kathy Barr


1957-2022 Kathy Barr, 65, of Westboro, passed away on July 26, 2022, at her home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church, W5334 Dassow Ave., Medford with the Rev. Ralph Shorey officiating. Interment will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 4 at the church. Kathy was born on May 5, 1957, in Medford, to Richard and Kathleen (Metz) Rindt. She married Jeff Barr on July 29, 1988, in Whittlesey. He survives. Kathy graduated from Rib Lake High School in 1975. After high school, she attended the UW-Medford campus. Kathy worked at Weather Shield before finishing out her career at Taylor County Human Services, retiring in Jan. 2020 after 39 years. Kathy was best known for her kind heart and love of animals. She was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choir. She loved lunching with friends and family, and will be forever remembered for her baked bars. Some would wonder if there was a God after all of the trials and tribulations with her health, but she herself was living proof there is a God because without a God, there would be no angels. Everyone that knew Kathy well would agree that she was one of God’s angels on earth. She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Jeff of Westboro; her mother, Kathleen Rindt of Medford; in-laws, Howard and Betty Barr of Colby; siblings Linda (Mark) Stibbe of Elko, Bob (Julie) Rindt of Antigo, Mike (Becky) Rindt of Merrill; sisters-in-law, Diane (Terry) Hanson of Colby, Brenda (Scott) Jeffers of Sussex; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Rindt. 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 124274