1944-2022 Valerie P. Yeager passed away peacefully on Mar. 6, 2022, in Abbotsford, surrounded by family. New Life Apostolic Church is hosting Valerie’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, Mar. 12, at 1 p.m. It’s located at 824 E. Perkins Street in Medford. She was born on Jan. 3, 1944, to Oswald Jaeger III and Charlotte Kimmel Jaeger. She was wed to Gus Ruppel in 1962, and their marriage lasted twenty-two years. In 1984, she married Wade Yeager, later divorcing in 1993. Valerie grew up in Washington Heights, a suburb of Milwaukee. She attended Saint Sebastian Catholic Church and School. Daughter to the owner of Wisconsin’s largest bakery at the time, Jaeger Baking Company, Valerie acquired a solid work ethic, a passion for creating, and an appreciation for community. Her career took her in multiple directions, from cake decorating to dairy farming. She owned and operated a specialty yarn shop, and she was a published author and poet. Her hobbies included knitting, crocheting, riding motorcycles, playing the mandolin, reading, and walking. She was a friend to the homeless, supporting and advocating for them throughout her life. Valerie was an enthusiastic resident of Medford, and she adored her neighbors. She loved her church family and the fellowship they shared. She was devout in her faith, and her truest passion was found in sharing the gospel. She started a prison ministry, committing herself to healing the spiritual health of the incarcerated. She traveled throughout the state to minister to inmates, and she continued to encourage many of them after their release. Valerie is survived by her eight children, Victoria (Chris) Thomas of Chesapeake, Va., Deborah Ruppel of Medford, Gustav (Joey) Ruppel of Phoenix, Ariz., Benjamin (Nikki) Ruppel of Abbotsford, Katherina (Sean) Brayshaw of Kearney, Mo., Steven (Abby) Ruppel of Weston, Joel (Ashley) Ruppel of Evergreen, Colo., and Melinda (Adam) Jessie of Independence; her siblings, Christine Reger, Joellyn Mabbott, Virginia Merigold, Thomas Jaeger, and Constance Loop. She is also survived by twenty-two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Valerie was preceded in death by her grandson, Alexander Ruppel, her brother, Oswald ‘Buddy’ Jaeger IV, her father, Oswald Jaeger III, and her mother, Charlotte Kimmel-Jaeger. In lieu of flowers, Valerie requested that donations be made to New Life Apostolic Church, to the attention of Pastor James Rider. 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 117763

1988-2022 Shawna M. Oleson, 33, of Medford passed away on Saturday, Mar. 5, 2022 at Marshfield Medical Center. Visitation will take place at the Hemer Pickerign Funeral Home on Friday, Mar. 11 from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 2:00 p.m. A memorial service for Shawna will take place at 2 p.m. at Hemer-Pickerign Funeral Home, Medford Chapel, on Friday, Mar. 11 with Pastor Paul Woods officiating. Shawna was born on Dec. 15, 1988 to John and Deb (Hollman) Oleson in Marshfield. Shawna battled cancer since she was ten years old. She was always upbeat and kept everyone in high spirits and never complained. She would always say “I’ll worry when there’s something to worry about.” Shawna enjoyed fishing, camping, swimming, drawing, being around animals, and playing video games, especially Monster Hunter, with her brother, Tyler. Shawna is survived by her paternal grandmother, Bonnie Oleson of Stetsonville; father, John (Deedee) Oleson of Medford; mother, Deb (Barry) Peissig of Medford; siblings, Tyler Oleson of Wausau, Becca Peleschak of Eau Claire, David Peissig, Dakota Peissig, and Dustin Peissig; and niece, Lily Peleschak. Shawna is further survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family and friends. Shawna was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Jim and Maryanne Hollman; uncles, Craig and Mitchell Hollman; paternal grandfather, Jack Oleson; uncle, Mark Raatz; aunt, Rondi Hemmer. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Shawna’s name may be made to Paws of Hope. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at Paid Obituary 117768 www.hemerfuneralservice.com.

Richard “Dick” Gerald Gordon, age 90, of Wausau and a former Rib Lake resident, passed away on Sunday morning, Mar. 6, 2022, at 12:30 a.m. at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. The visitation for Dick will be held on Saturday morning, Mar. 12 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, located 513 State Road, Rib Lake, from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Memorial Mass. Rev. Jayanna Kanna will be officiating. Dick was born on Oct. 24, 1931, to Edward and Eunice (Petersen) Gordon. He proudly served his country during the Korean War. Upon his return from Korea, Dick married the love of his life, Mary M. Malovrh on Jan. 23, 1954, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Stetsonville. The couple lived in Lake Geneva from 1954 until 1956 when they moved to Rib Lake. Dick and Mary purchased a dairy farm and owned and operated a milk route, hauling milk for many years. Dick was employed for twenty-two years as a truck driver for James Peterson & Sons. After retiring, Dick continued working in various jobs, including Gojmerac Construction, Rib Lake Funeral Home, and Patrick Fur Farm. Dick is a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Rib Lake, the Lehman-Clendenning American Legion Post #274, Rib Lake Knights of Columbus, and the Rib Lake Community Club. He also was a member of the Rib Lake Town Board, Rib Lake School Board, past President of the Lakeview Cemetery Board, and the Rib Lake Volunteer Fire Department 1931-2022 driving ambulance for thirty-five years. Dick enjoyed deer hunting locally and hunting out west for mule deer, prairie dog hunting and the occasional fishing trip to Canada. He also enjoyed NASCAR attending many races, playing cards, and going for walks. But most of all, Dick loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Mary; children, Debra (Peter) Mancuso of Sturgeon Bay, and Rick (Mary) Gordon of Wausau; granddaughters, Cally, Taylor, and Niki; grandsons, Daniel, and John; and three greatgrandchildren, Rian, Cain and Cole. Also surviving is one brother, James (Mary Jo) Gordon of Hartland; one sister, Donna Pollack of Malone; sisters-in-law, Earlene Gordon of Missouri, and Annette (Ronald) Larson of Prentice. Dick is further survived by nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Marlin, Ervin, and Ronald Gordon; and one brother-in-law, Larry Pollack. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Dick may be given to Good Shepherd Catholic Church or to the Rib Lake American Legion Post. Inurnment with full military honors will take place at a later date at Lakeview Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wis., 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to sign the guestbook or leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com Paid Obituary 117767

1954-2022 Kenneth J. “Kenny” Gilles, 67, of Medford, died Wednesday, Mar. 2, 2022 at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau. A funeral mass was held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Mar. 8 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford with Fr. Patrick Mc-Connell officiating. Burial followed at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m, Tuesday at the church. A rosary service was held at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, also at the church. Kenny was born on Sept. 16, 1954 to Ken and Bonita (Heier) Gilles, and was the eldest son of their 11 children. Kenny graduated in 1972 from Medford Sr. High. After high school, he worked for Gilles Brothers logging and Hanz Construction, along with various other construction jobs. In 2001, Kenny started a sawmill that he owned and operated with his son Abe. Kenny’s son Abe died in 2011, and one year later just shy of one week of his son’s death, the sawmill burned down. After that, Kenny worked skidding and bulldozing for various jobs. Kenny retired in 2017 and worked as a grader operator for the town of Goodrich until his death. Our brother had an amazing work ethic, you could find him on any given day working…he was always doing something. In his younger days, Kenny was a bit mischievous, his family and friends often teased him about having nine lives! Kenny loved to do anything outdoors. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener. He loved watching and tending to his garden, the fruits of his labor. He also enjoyed motorcycling and snowmobiling. The greatest love was for his son Abe and his grandson Ryder. After Abe’s death, he looked forward to spending time with Ryder, whom he adored and loved. Kenny also had a great love for his faith, the Catholic Church, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He prayed the rosary every day, and read the bible and many other books of faith. Kenny will be truly missed by his brothers and sisters, grandson, and many nieces and nephews. He is survived by his sisters, Debra May, Peggy (Kenny) Lichtl, Kelly (Mark) Schmitz, Susan Staab, Tamara Bansemer, and Amy (Bud) Hahn; his brothers, Pat (Darla) Gilles, Todd Gilles, and Lee Gilles. He was preceded in death by his son Abe; his parents, Ken and Bonnie; and his brother, Timothy Gilles. 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 117809

1960-2021 Randall Eugene Rothamer, 61, Glen Burnie, MD, loving husband, father, brother, and friend to many, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. Randy was born on May 25, 1960 to Eugene and Shirle Rothamer in Medford where he grew up and lived through much of his adult life. Randy grew up on a farm in Little Black. He attended Medford Schools and received his Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering from NTC, Wausau. He had his own business, R& R Construction, where he remodeled and shingled homes. He also refurbished and painted cars and could fix anything from electrical to mechanical. He was truly a “jack of all trades.” Randy married Donna Strebe on Nov. 28, 1987. They adopted four daughters; Rosie, Amanda, Melinda, and Shalaya. Randy worked various jobs including Bach Electric, Greenheck of Wausau and helped his parents run their dairy farm. In 2009, he became employed by American Wood Fibers in Wausau. In 2012, Randy, his wife and daughters moved to Maryland when he was offered a position as the Operations Manager with American Wood Fibers. Randy was a dedicated family man and loved coming back to Wisconsin to visit family and friends. He enjoyed woodworking, snowmobiling, golfing, camping, and fishing in Canada with his best friend and brother, Ryan and other family members. He could often be heard saying “It doesn’t get any better than this!” as he enjoyed the simplicities of life. He was a gifted man who was generous, brilliant, and hilariously funny. Randy will be dearly missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Randy is survived by his wife, Donna; his daughters, Rosie, Amanda, Melinda, Shalaya, and one granddaughter, Makiyla of MD; five siblings, Judith (the late Russell) Hosler of Owen, Victoria (Richard) Schaetzl of Athens, Pamela (John Kramer) Philipp of Wausau, Ryan (Pam Nelson) Rothamer of Medford, and Melissa (Terry) Pernsteiner of Champlin, MN; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Shirle Rothamer; grandparents, George and Margaret Rothamer, and Leo and Cleo Smrstick; nephew, Chad Rothamer; and brother-in-law Russell Hosler. A Celebration of Life was held for Randy on Jan. 2, 2022 from 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Kirkley Ruddick Funeral Home in Glen Burnie. Funeral service followed at 4:30 p.m. This service was live streamed/recorded and can be viewed at the following address: https://www.facebook.com/kirkleyruddickfuneralhome/ videos/ 425244989344421. Interment private. Paid Obituary 117394

1941-2022 Theodore E. “Butch” Goerg, 80, formerly of Medford, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 at The Waterford in Colby where he had resided since October of 2021. He was under the care of Heartland Hospice at the time of his death. As per Butch’s wishes, no services will be held. Butch was born June 9, 1941 in Medford to Clarence and Lucille (Cooper) Goerg. He graduated from Medford Area Senior High, then proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1959 until his honorable discharge in 1963. In 1965, Butch married Carol Anderson in Medford. They had one daughter, Debbie. They later divorced. He is survived by his daughter, Debbie Goerg of Medford; and a brother, Fred (Marilyn) Goerg of Clayton, N.C. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his nephew, Derek Goerg. In honor of Butch, memorials may be made to the veterans’ organization of your choice. 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 117468

1925-2022 Vear Dean Laabs, age 96, of Colby, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 at The Waterford at Colby under the tender care of Heartland Hospice. A Graveside Service will be held in the spring at Pine Hill Cemetery in Curtiss. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Colby is entrusted with the arrangements. Vear Dean was born on Aug. 8, 1925 in Green Grove. She graduated Valedictorian from Abbotsford High School in 1943. Vear Dean later served on the Abbotsford School Board for 25 years. She was united in marriage to Fred “Fritz” Laabs and he preceded her in death in 1997. She worked for 35 years at Abbotsford Hardware as a bookkeeper. Vear Dean was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Curtiss. She was an avid reader and an awesome cook. Vear Dean bowled for 50 years with her good friends and loved going to the casino with family and friends. Vear Dean is survived by her three children, Steve (Annette) Laabs, Paul Laabs and Nancy (Darrell) Degenhardt; four grandchildren, Mike (Jo) Rosciam, Eric (Cathy) Rosciam, Erin (Brad) Kimmel, Talon (Rachel) Laabs; two great-grandchildren, Alexa Kimmel and Lane Laabs; step-grandchildren, Mary (Jan) and Scott (Val) Schjoneman. She is further survived by her sister-in-law, Donna Krueger; nieces; nephews; and good friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Patricia “Pat” Rosciam; brothers, Elroy Krueger and Lester Krueger; sister, Valoris Crement; and step-granddaughter, Kim. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. Paid Obituary 117383