Eugene “Geno” Troka, age 89, of Colby, passed away on Monday, June 26, 2023, at his home under the tender care of Compassus Hospice. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the Memorial Hall in Unity, from 12-5 p.m. Eugene was born on December 4, 1933, the son of Joseph and Marie (Fitte) Troka in Chicago, Ill. He graduated from high school and attended Northwestern University. Eugene served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 195355. On June 28, 1958, he was united in marriage to Thelma Kohler in Chicago, where they began raising their family. In August of 1969, Eugene moved his family to a country home in Riplinger. He worked various jobs and retired from Felker Brothers in Marshfield, where he was employed for 37 years. Eugene lived a simple, laid back life. He loved his family as they were his heart and soul. Eugene gave the best hugs and you could feel his love after receiving one. Eugene is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Thelma; four children: Ginny (Chuck) Lundeen of Colby, Eugene Troka of Boscobel, JoAnne Troka (John Harding) of Abbotsford and Janice (Aaron) Jonesof Abbotsford;12grandchildren:Brandi,Ben, Beth, Carlee, Crystal, Chip, Autumn, Troy, Markie, Molly, Aaron and Chloe; 10 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his sister, Connie Sabatka of Chicago, Ill.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings: Florence, Virginia, Joe, Dolly, Richard and Robert. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. Paid obituary 138898

Richard “Dick” J. Slobodnik, age 88, of Withee, passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center in Owen. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 7, 2023, at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Owen. Rev. Nancy Amacher will preside. Interment to follow at the Maplehurst Cemetery with military honors provided by the Lublin American Legion Post #547, Owen American Legion Post #123, Owen-Withee Vets Club and the Thorp VFW Post #9057. Family and friends are welcome from 2 p.m. until the time of the service Friday at the funeral home. Dick was born on May 2, 1935, the son of John and Clara (Crystal) Slobodnik in Gary, Ind. He served in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. On October 15, 1955, Richard was united in marriage to Dolores Stangret in Stanley. She preceded him in death on August 13, 2018. They lived in Chicago for eight years and in 1965, they moved back to Withee. He worked for Wisconsin Gas Company for many years until his retirement. Dick was the commander of the Lublin American Legion Post #547 for many years and a member of the Owen-Withee Vets Club. He was very handy and enjoyed woodworking including remodeling the Legion Hall in Lublin. He also played in the Friz Band and had a DJ service, DJ Sound Connection. Richard is survived by his four children: Randy of Hartland, Bruce (Debbie) of Chisholm, Minn., John of Wausau and Julie (Steve) Christophersen of Owen; four grandchildren: Nicolette Slobodnik, Samantha (Andrew) Barabe, Orion (Ariel) Slobodnik and Jared (Macie) Jensen and five great-grandchildren. He is further survived by a brother-in-law, Bob Schara of Cornell; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dolores; his daughter, Roxanne Kay; his granddaughter, Jesse Jensen; his sister, Delores Stock and his brother, Larry. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. Paid obituary 138911

Rodney “Rod” R. Pohlman, age 59, of Owen, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 19, 2023, at the Marshfield Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. Interment to follow at Pine Hill Cemetery in Curtiss. Family and friends are welcome from 4 until 7 p.m. on Friday, June 30, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday all at the funeral home. Rod was born on November 29, 1963, the son of Robert and Karen (Beckman) Pohlman in Madison. He graduated from Colby High School. On May 4, 1984, Rod was united in marriage to Renee Foster. He farmed, drove milk truck for Stuart Mews and drove truck for the past 23 years for Wisco Feeds. Rod enjoyed gardening, deer and turkey hunting, fishing, listening to Johnny Cash and George Jones, watching the Packers, Brewers, Badgers and NASCAR and collecting toy tractors. He especially loved driving his Wisco “Papa” truck. Rod enjoyed his coffee at Jackie’s at OW Sports in Owen then going for rides. He was goofy, quirky and a jokester. He connected with everyone and especially loved talking to all his farmer friends on his route and hanging out with his Wisco family. Most importantly, Rod loved and cherished spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Rod is survived by his wife of 39 years, Renee; three children: Rhonda (Christopher) Reinhart of Marshfield, Rosie (Josh) Zastrow of Kronenwetter, and Rebecca Pohlman (Roger Hattamer) of Loyal; seven grandchildren: Michael and Kaitlynn Reinhart, Koda and Bentley Zastrow, McKayla Hattamer (fiancé, Kyle Mork), Weston and Makenzie Hattamer. He is further survived by his parents, Robert and Karen Pohlman of Owen; three siblings: Kim (Dale) Williams of Stetsonville, Curt (Mary) Pohlman of Loyal and Dawn (Kenny) Schmitt of Cadott; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, his Wisco Feeds family, other relatives and friends. Online condolences can be made to www. maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com. Paid obituary 138602

Ermine O. Singstock, age 97, of Abbotsford, passed away on June 16, 2023, at Abbotsford Health Care Center, under the loving care of Compassus Hospice. AMassof Christianburial was held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Saint Mary Help of Christian Parish in Colby at 11 a.m. Interment followed at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery. Father Joseph Redfern presided. A visitation was held at church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the arrangements. Ermine was born on January 3, 1926, the daughter of George and Anna (Dommer) Orth in Abbotsford. She graduated from Abbotsford High School. On October 12, 1946, Ermine was united in marriage to Roy Singstock. He preceded her in death in 1967. Ermine worked in Milwaukee and Weinbrenner Shoe Factory in Marshfield. She enjoyed her flower garden, watching and feeding the birds, crafting and playing cards. Most importantly, she loved and cherished her family. Ermine is survived by three children: Ann Marie (Dean) Loos of Colby, William Singstock of Schofield and Daniel (Debra) Singstock of Weston; eight grandchildren: Dawn (Bruce) Brossow, Mary Olson, Bradley Loos, Codey Loos, Brenda Singstock, Rhonda Singstock, Melinda (Josh) Thompson and Candice (Jesse) Roble; 11 great-grandchildren and two great-greatgrandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a daughter-in-law, Cynthia; a greatgrandson, Ayden; two brothers and two sisters: Marie, Myron, Marge and Raymond. Online condolences can be made to www. maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com. Paid obituary 138371

James “Jim” R. Brill, age 55, of Colby, passed away on June 12, 2023, at the House of the Dove with family by his side, under the loving care of Compassus Hospice. A Mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, June 19, 2023, at Saint Mary Help of Christian Parish in Colby at 11 a.m. Father Joseph Redfern presided. A visitation was held at church on Monday from 9-10:45 a.m. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Colby was entrusted with the arrangements. Jim was born on August 10, 1967, the son of John and Janet (Sazama) Brill in Marshfield. He graduated from Colby High School in 1986 and attended UW-River Falls. Jim was a successful dairy farmer in the Town of Hull. He enjoyed watching and attending the Packers and NASCAR, watching the Badgers and the Bucks on his big screen TV and deer hunting. Jim is survived by his siblings: Diane (Gene) Orth of Colby, David (Kathy) of Colby, Pat (Sue) Brill of Spencer, Mike (April) Brill of Abbotsford, Kim (Scott) Meier of Colby and Jayme (Meesun) Brill of Las Vegas, Nev.; his sister-in-law, Kalynn Brill of Provo, Utah; 24 nieces and nephews: Benji (Heather) Orth, Craig (Terra) Orth, Chara (Adam) Stange, Jana (Brian) Strasburg, Jason (Megan) Orth, Lindsey Brill, Alexis (Andrew) Matney, McKenzie Brill, Ross Brill, Kelly Brill, Sheyla, Amberly, Jonny, Keira and Eric Brill, Arianna, Alliesha and Emmet Brill, Hanna, Amelia, Maxwell Meier, David (Tanya) Clark, Chad Clark and Paul Clark; many great-nieces and greatnephews, other relatives and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers: Steve and Brian. Online condolences can be made to www. maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com. Paid obituary 138319

Darlene Ann Hazel Singstock, age 82, of Abbotsford, passed away on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at her home under the tender care of St. Croix Hospice with her daughter, Deanna, by her side. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023, at Christ Lutheran Church in Abbotsford with Reverend Donald Bruce presiding. Family and friends are welcome from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford for visiting and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Friday. Burial will take place at the Abbotsford Public Cemetery following the church service. Pallbearers include Brandon Schreiber, William Ola, Clyde Raymond, Jason Wesenick, Ken Morrow and Kurt Braun. Honorary pallbearers include Darell Krueger and Ardayne Poland. Darlene was born on January 7, 1941, in Abbotsford, to Henry and Edna (Laabs) Krueger. ShewenttoschoolandgraduatedfromAbbotsford. Darlene worked at Employers Insurance Co. for a while and became a daycare provider. She met her husband, DeLyle Singstock, and got married in 1960, where they then resided in Abbotsford together. She enjoyed doing daycare, vacationing, camping and creating memories. Her hobbies included gardening, crafts, crocheting, sewing, dominoes and puzzles. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Darlene is survived by her two daughters: Deb (Kurt Braun) Schreiber of Abbotsford and Deanna (William) Ola of Minneapolis, Minn.; three grandchildren: Tara Poland of Sun Prairie, Brandon (Jill) Schreiber of Athens and Ashlee Ola of Minneapolis, Minn.; five great-grandchildren: Ardayne Poland, Greysen Poland, Anara Poland, Nella Schreiber and Noah Schreiber; and one brother, Darell Krueger. She will be missed and loved by her family and all the kids she helped take care of. She was preceded in death by her husband, DeLyle; her parents; her two sisters: Lucille Wisnewski and Adeline Barfknecht, and her sonin-law, Allen Schreiber. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. Paid obituary 138405

On Friday, June 16, 2023, a great man departed our lives to be home with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dennis Robert Hinrichsen, 62, of Abbotsford passed away unexpectedly in his home where he and his wife of 39 years, Renee Hinrichsen, raised their four precious children, hosted family gatherings, and cheered on the Packers. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Colby on Saturday, June 24, 2023, with Pastor James Groleau presiding. Burial will take place at West Spencer Cemetery in the Town of Sherman. Visitations will be on Friday at the church in Colby from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again on Saturday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. For those attending the visitation, please feel free to wear your Packer apparel. The honor of pallbearer belongs to: Mike Biese, Mike Bretrick, Darin VenRooy, David Bonsack, Randy Cournoyer and Larry Lang. Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis’ grandsons: Cruz, Jace, Sterling Niemann and Jackson Zarnke. Dennis was born July 26, 1960, in Marshfield to Robert and Dorla Hinrichsen. He grew up in Spencer, where he was very proud to be a Rocket. He attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in dairy science and a minor in business. In 1982, he met the love of his life, Renee, and was happily married in 1984. He then started his own business (Quad County Dairy Nutrition) in 1989 as a dairy nutritionist and retired in 2021. He was a longtime and dedicated member of Zion Lutheran Church. Dennis was an incredibly generous man, an avid hunter, and a die-hard sports fanatic. He loved grilling big meats for his family, talking and joking to anyone that crossed his path and attending morning coffee with his buddies. In his younger years, he loved playing hours of Sheepshead, coaching girls basketball, raising and running Beagles, camping and fishing with his family, and taking an annual family vacation. His wife, Renee, was his best friend and he loved her beyond words. The two spent their time together taking road trips, drinking coffee, and attending every sporting event, recital and program of their nine grandchildren. Dennis is survived by his wife, Renee (Luchterhand) Hinrichsen; their children: Jill (Mark) Niemann of Greenwood, Jodi (Tim) Sandquist of Coon Rapids, Minn., Jessica (Zach) Zarnke of Marshfield and James Hinrichsen of Eau Claire; and his precious grandchildren: Cruz Niemann (9), Jace Niemann (7), Emerald Niemann (4), Sterling Niemann (2), Paisleigh Sandquist (5), Gianna Sandquist (2), Alainna Zarnke (7), Jackson Zarnke (7) and Grace Zarnke (5). He joins his beautiful granddaughter, Amelia Sandquist, in the courts of heaven. Dennis is furthered survived by his parents, Robert and Dorla Hinrichsen of Spencer; Laurie (Dale) Scheunemann, sister and brother-in-law of Wisconsin Rapids, Patrick (Julieanne) Hinrichsen, brother and sister-in-Law of Sacramento, Calif., Perry (Melissa) Hinrichsen, brother and brother’s fiancé of Spencer, and Kurt (Albina) Hinrichsen, brother and sister-in-law of Marina Del Rey, Calif. He also joins his sister, Arla Hinrichsen, father-inlaw Gerald Luchterhand and his brother-in-law Gary Luchterhand in heaven. For all those that knew Dennis, his laugh was contagious and his jokes out witted anyone. His favorite people called him “Dad,” “Mr. H.,” “Santa,” “Grandpa Buck,” “Coach,” and “Papa Dennis.” He will be deeply missed. Any monetary donations given in Dennis’ memory will be going towards a Green Bay Packers Memorial brick at Lambeau Field, Zion Lutheran Church, and/ or secondary educational memorial scholarship(s). Dennis’ arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home, Spencer. Paid obituary 138363

John F. Laabs, Sr., 77, of Tomahawk, passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Legacy of the Northwoods Memory Care Center in Eagle River. John was born February 4, 1946, in Marshfield to Bernard “Ben” and Florene (Hutt) Laabs. John graduated from Abbotsford High School in 1964 and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1969. He married Joan Roth on May 14, 1966. He had a career as a claims adjuster, and later as a sales representative for Wausau Insurance in the Milwaukee Regional Office. He was a long-time baseball umpire and football referee in the Milwaukee area and served as president of the Wisconsin Umpires Association. For over 30 years, John and his wife greatly enjoyed their former lake home at Long Lake in Waushara County. John also greatly enjoyed over 20 years of hunting and working on his rural land in Owen. John and his wife, Joan, enjoyed tandem biking and served for many years as co-presidents of Couples on Wheels Tandem Bike Club of Wisconsin. They also enjoyed cross-country skiing in winter and vacationing in Orange Beach, Ala. John is survived by his wife; one son, John Laabs, Jr. of Appleton, and one granddaughter, Kelsey Laabs of New York City. He was preceded in death by his only brother, Bernard “Bernie” Laabs. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the Laabs family gravesite at Abbotsford Cemetery. Memorials are appreciated to Compassus Hospice or Camp Victory-Laabs Family Memorial. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. Paid obituary 138054

Albert G. “Junior” Podevels, Jr., age 92, of Colby, passed away at The Waterford at Colby on Sunday, June 4, 2023, with his wife and children by his bedside, and under the tender care of Promedica Hospice. A private service for the family will be held at a later date. A celebration of Junior’s life will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at the Colby Lion’s Club from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Albert G. “Junior” Podevels, Jr. was born May 19, 1931, in Wausau, to Albert F. and Ida A. (Schorer) Podevels. He was raised on the Podevels family farm in the Town of Hull in Marathon County. Junior and Everdeen Viegut were joined in matrimony on November 15, 1952, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in the Town of Wien, Marathon County. Following their marriage, the couple took over the Podevels family farm and Junior also delivered gas for Harmony Co-op of Colby. They moved to Colby in 1965 where Junior was hired as the Colby police chief. In 1968, Colby and Abbotsford created a combined police department and Junior was named as its first police chief. During this time, he also served as a volunteer firefighter and ambulance driver for the Colby Fire Department. On one memorable incident as police chief, he helped deliver a set of twins in Colby. In January 1974, he was hired by the Clark County Sheriff’s Department as part of a new two-man night car. Later that year, he was transitioned to Detective Sergeant. He served in that position until his retirement in September of 1990. Following his retirement from the Sheriff’s Department, he worked as a driver for Social Services and as a courier for Abby Bank. Junior and Everdeen were long-time members of Zion Lutheran Church of Colby. Junior loved playing cards, but especially cribbage. He participated in cribbage tournaments throughout the state, winning a few along the way. He is survived by his wife; seven children: Diane (Matt) Del Fatti, Rick (Donna) Podevels, Loni (Bob) Klinke, Kent (Joan) Podevels, Dawn (Randy) Klieforth, Brad (Trish) Podevels and Jon (Jenny) Podevels; 18 grandchildren; 27 greatgrandchildren andtwogreat-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters-in-law and two grandchildren. Online condolences may be expressed at www. cuddiefh.com. Cuddie Funeral Home of Greenwood is assisting the family with arrangements. Paid obituary 138053

George M. Johnson, age 54, of Marshfield, passed away after a long illness on Monday, May 22, 2023, at his home. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. Interment to follow at Abbotsford Public Cemetery in Abbotsford. Family and friends are welcome from 5 p.m. until the time of service Friday at the funeral home. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is assisting the family with arrangements. George was born on May 15, 1969, the son of Lowell D. and Christine M. (Nelson) Johnson in Berwyn, Ill. He was a graduate of Gilman High School. He worked for Phillips Plastics in Medford and then the City of Medford, and recently was a caregiver for his mother and nieces and nephews. George enjoyed drinking coffee and spending time with his friends and family. He loved and cherished his family and will be greatly missed. George is survived by his brother, Dennis D. (Dixie) Johnson of Titusville, Fla.; his significant other, Alan Esselman of Marshfield; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Lowell D. Johnson Jr. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. Paid obituary 137574