1949-2021 Edward Roy Nikkila, 71, of Paoli, Ind. passed away June 27, 2021. He was born December 14, 1949 in Phillips to Roy and Bernice (Swanson) Nikkila. He married Bobbie Leighty June 15, 1995. Edward is a US Army Veteran and a retired dock supervisor for overnight transportation. Suvived by his wife and children, Steve, Devin, Christian, Cameron, Connor, Cailah, and Lorraine. Siblings Evelyn, Phyllis, Sharon, Allan, Dale, and Steven. Grandchildren Joyce, Gracie, and Kyler. Preceded in death by his parents, daughter Julia and brothers Duane and Mark. Funeral was July 5, 2021 in Indiana. Paid Obituary ad#107499

Reports of Area Deaths 1933-2021 and later sold the business to their son, Duane. Ellen loved working with people in the real estate business and often shared memories of those days. She enjoyed singing hymns in harmony with Mike while he played piano or guitar. Ellen’s life exemplified the words of Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Her kind and loving spirit was felt by everyone her life touched. In 2003, Ellen and Mike moved to Clever, Mo., until Mike’s passing in Aug. 2019, when Ellen moved back to Wisconsin for a short period of time. In January 2021 she moved to Flagstaff, Ariz., until the time of her death. Ellen is survived by her sons, Rodney (Gina) Wepfer of Springfield, Mo., and Duane (Carla) Wepfer of Marshfield; and daughters, Lou Anne (Steve) Klefstad of Flagstaff, Ariz.; Beverly (Brian) Suckow of Hudson; Laurel (Stanley) Shipton of Unity; Kristl (Tom) Kenny of Rudolph; 16 grandchildren; 26 greatgrandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She is further survived by two brothers and three sisters, and many nieces and nephews. Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Myron (Mike); son Myron Jr.; daughter-in-law, Vicki (Rodney) Wepfer; parents; one sister; and two brothers. Ellen Jeanette Wepfer, 88, passed into eternity at the Olivia White Hospice Home in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Friday, June 25, 2021. Memorial Services will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, July 18 at Hansen Schilling Funeral Home, 1010 E. Veterans Parkway in Marshfield. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home on Sunday. A private burial will take place at Hillside Cemetery on a later date. A livestream of the Memorial Service may be viewed on the funeral home website under the “Home” tab. Ellen was born on Mar. 29, 1933, in Berlin, Wis. to George and Agnes (Fralish) Thompson, where she grew up on a farm with four sisters and three brothers. Ellen was united in marriage to Myron (Mike) Wepfer on June 27, 1951, and moved to Abbotsford. There they raised six children; two sons, Rodney and Duane; and four daughters, Lou Anne, Beverly, Laurel, and Kristl. Ellen worked closely with her husband, Mike, in several sales businesses, subsequently opening Dairyland Realty together in 1955 in Abbotsford, Paid Obituary 107476

1932-2021 Donna was a character and easily put a smile on everyone’s face. She was a longtime member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Prentice. She is survived by her children, Linda (Brad Nelson) Weber of Ogema, Robert (Cindy) Klessig of Merrill, Sharon (Gerald) Hause of Ogema, James (Cheryl) Klessig of Maple Falls, Wash.; sisters, Geraldine Sargent of Sturgeon Bay, Karen (Gene) Utecht of Eau Claire, Faye Peterson of Eau Claire; sister-in-law, Jeanne Lattimer of Sturgeon Bay; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; many nieces; nephews; cousins; and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donna Mae Lillian Klessig, 88, of Ogema, died Friday, June 18, 2021 at Aspirus Pleasant View Nursing Home in Phillips. She was born Sept. 26, 1932 in Medford to Lillian C. (Mellberg) and Irving “Pete” Peterson. On Sept. 27, 1952, she married Harold “Otto” Klessig at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Institute. While residing in Door County, Donna waitressed at the Leathem Smith Lodge in Sturgeon Bay. She and her family moved to Ogema in 1974, where she and Otto owned and operated Klessig’s Kountry Kitchen for many years. In her younger years, Donna loved to ballroom dance and snowmobile. She also enjoyed cooking, baking and sewing. She will be remembered for her quick wit, charm, and Lucille Ball-like goofiness… Otto on Aug. 26, 2017; brothers-in-law, Jerry Sargent, Merton Klessig and Robert Klessig. Private services for Donna will be held in the fall, and she will be laid to rest next to Otto at Hillside Cemetery in Ogema. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com. Paid Obituary 107087

1934-2021 Lorraine “Sis” F. Clarke, age 86, of Medford, passed away on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at Care Partners Assisted Living under the care of Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. Memorial services for Lorraine “Sis” Clarke will be held on Saturday, July 3, at Perkinstown Community Church at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends for visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of services owning and operating a craft store in Burlington. Sis was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Blue Mondays Bowling League. She was an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan, attending many games with Harvey, and never missed watching a Green Bay Packers game. Sis loved everything Elvis Presley and was his #1 fan. Survivors include her brothers, Earl (Joanne) Emmerich of Tripoli, Glenn (Eileen) Emmerich of Medford, Roger (Susan) Emmerich also of Medford; two sisters-in-law, Virginia Emmerich, of Gilman, and Rita Emmerich, of Medford. She is further survived by two very special great-nieces, Amber Bartelt of Medford and Brianna Emmerich of Wausau. Sis was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Maude; her husband, Harvey; two brothers, Vernon Emmerich and Kenneth Emmerich; her sister- in-law, Leah Emmerich; and her great-nephew, Coltyn Emmerich. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory of Tomahawk is assisting the family. View Lorraine’s obituary and leave online condolences at generationsfuneral. com. at 11 a.m. Lorraine was born in Medford on Nov. 23, 1934, to the late Alfred and Maude (Dodge) Emmerich. She was married to Harvey Clarke on May 28, 1955, he passed away in 1997. Sis lived in Perkinstown, for several years after marriage and later moved to Waterford. She returned to Perkinstown in 1989 where her and Harvey purchased their retirement home on Lake Kathryn, Paid Obituary 107188

2018-2021 Colton Henry Nicholas Bratland, age 2, of Lublin, died Tuesday, June 29, 2021. A funeral service will be held at 6 p.m., Friday, July 2 at Hemer Funeral Home in Medford, with Fr. Herman Klarr officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until the time of service at 6 p.m. at Hemer Funeral Home, 555 and play outside. His smile and his big beautiful eyes with his long eyelashes melted everyone’s heart. He will be sadly missed by his parents, Kyle and Natasha Bratland of Lublin; his brothers, Jossiah and Ansen; maternal grandparents, Susan (Ricky) Jackson, Tim (Lisa) Tyler; paternal grandfather, Henry Bratland; paternal great-grandparents, Henry and Rita Bratland; aunts and uncles, Shelby Tyler, Caitlin (Zeven) Meyers, Christopher Tyler, Sydnie Tyler, Austin Zimmerman, Arianna Jackson, Cody (Whitney) Bratland, Hannah Bratland; cousins, Deandré, Braylen, Taryn, Tara, Amiah, Kaylin and Silas or as Colton called him “Baby Bean”; and numerous great aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his maternal greatgrandparents, John and Patricia Bentz; sibling, Baby Bratland; baby cousin, also Baby Bratland; great uncles, Dana Bentz and Kelly Jackson. Memorials to the family are appreciated. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www. hemerfuneralservice.com. W. Cedar St., Medford. Colton was born Aug. 16, 2018 in Marshfield to Natasha (Tyler) and Kyle Bratland. Colton A.K.A. Colt 45, was a little spitfire always looking for an adventure. He loved playing with his brothers, his cousins, and aunts and uncles, and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse which he called “Crumbhouse.” He loved to sing, dance, run Paid Obituary 107326

1926-2021 Harold “Bud” Odau, 94, originally of Westboro passed away June 1, 2021 in Colorado. Graveside service for Bud and Gladys will take place at Mt. Olive cemetery, Westboro, Saturday, Aug. 21 at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome. He was born July 8, 1926 to George and Amelia (Kruschat) Odau. Bud served in the Navy in the Pacific Theater. After the war he studied music at the University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point. He married Gladys Petersen on Aug. 20, 1947 and they were married 70 years. They lived and worked in Chicago for three years before returning to Westboro to operate the Phillips 66 station purchased from his father. They moved to Colorado in 1996. He is survived by his children, Jamey, Suzanne, Brian, Kelley and their spouses; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one greatgrandchild due in July. Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys in 2018. Paid Obituary 106612

2021 Elizabeth “Betty” Kauer, 74, of Rib Lake, passed away in the early morning hours of June 21, 2021. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Rib Lake on Saturday, June 26. Visitation will take place at Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Saturday, June 26 from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Born and raised in the outskirts of Milwaukee, Betty worked as both a hairdresser and for Briggs and Stratton before marrying her late husband, James Kauer and moving north to his hometown of Rib Lake. There she worked until retirement at Weathershield and raised two sons, Brad and Anton Kauer. She was an active member of her community, working part-time at the Rib Lake Public Library in addition to reading to local grade school children. Her sassy and cheerful manner endeared her to everyone around her. She will be deeply missed. She is survived by her sons, Anton and Brad Kauer; her brother, Charles; her sisters, Kathrine and Patricia; and numerous nieces and nephews. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com. Paid Obituary 106855

iembo 1947-2021 William “Willie” Patrick Ziembo, age 73 of Brooklyn Center, Minn. passed away unexpectedly on June 7, 2021. A celebration of Willie’s life will be held on Friday, June 18 at 5 p.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service at the First Memorial Funeral Chapel/Cremation Society of Minn. in Brooklyn Park, 7835 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park, Minn. 55445, 763-400-4484. Please wear a mask while in the facility during service. Willie was born on Dec. 22, 1947 in Medford. After graduating from Medford Senior High in 1966, Willie attended Tech School in Wausau for two years before being drafted into the Marines in 1968. Although short-lived, he was very proud of his service as a marine and was a member of the VFW and American Legion. After being discharged in 1969, he moved to Minnesota, where he began his life-long career in the automotive industry, first as a parts runner, then working in the parts department at various dealerships around the Twin Cities before becoming the President of Teamsters Local 974 in 1998, where he served his fellow Teamsters until his retirement in 2010. On May 24, 1974, Willie married the love of his life Barbara (Carstensen) Ziembo. They settled in Brooklyn Center, Minn. where they raised their four children. He was an avid gardener, animal lover, fisherman, tool collector, football fan, and gun enthusiast. Willie LOVED the State Fair, went multiple times per year and was often one of the first in line at the gates. He could talk on the phone for hours with his “brother” Jim, enjoyed going fishing in Grandpa’s old boat with his good buddy Cooper, and shooting the breeze over “Miller Time” in the evenings with Ma and his dear friend and neighbor David. But more than anything, he loved his family, which included many furry children over the years. We could always count on him to drop everything and come help us if we needed it and the grandkids loved seeing Grandma and Pa cheering them on at their sports events and school activities. We all called him “Pa” and already greatly miss his big laugh, booming voice, warm bear hugs, and that mischievous little twinkle in his eyes. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years Barb and their Newfoundland, Charlie; their four children, Trisha (Nicholas) Sandmann, Timothy (Carla) Ziembo, Katie (Christopher) Adair, and Danielle (Kevin) Johnson; 11 grandchildren (Billy, Georgie, Alice, Breanna, Benny, Kristopher, Crayton, Sandra, Hazel, Kevin Jr., and Piper), and many other extended family and friends. Willie was preceded in death by his parents, William and Bernice Ziembo. Willie was a great man, son, husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, neighbor, and friend and will be sadly missed. We didn’t get enough years with him. Paid Obituary 106317

1982-2021 Shauna Marie Ludvigsen, 39, of Sheldon, died unexpectedly on June 4, 2021. Memorial services were held on Thursday, June 10 at the Sheldon Church of Christ with Jeremy Allard officiating. Shauna was born on Feb. 16, 1982 in Rice Lake to Jeff Lehman and Karen Lehman. She grew up in Park Falls and loved playing volleyball and had a knack for music and being able to catch on to almost any instrument. She enjoyed spending summers with her grandparents down by Lake Holcombe. On Aug. 25, 2007, she was married to Jeffrey Ludvigsen of Sheldon on the 9th green at Entwood Golf course, the same golf course where they met. Shauna enjoyed being with family and friends especially in the outdoors. Her love for pure nature was obvious by her love for camping, gardening, golfing, taking the ATV’s and side by sides down the trails and traveling to new places. She loved to travel to the beach to just spend time along the Jump River with family and friends. She loved sports, especially volleyball, where she coached high school volleyball and always cheered for the Badgers in every sport. She loved to collect family pictures, necklaces, and family trees. She loved to cook for others especially the family she loved, her husband Jeff and their three wonderful kids Adrian, John and Laura. Shauna had the purest heart and example of love. Her devotion to husband, children, family and friends will live with them and her into Eternity. She will always be remembered as a beautiful, caring “hub” of the family, her radiant smile and laugh, and for her witty humor and uncanny ability to make anyone laugh. Shauna Marie Ludvigsen is loved by her Husband and children as a perfect, beautiful, warm, always loved wife and mother. Family and friends who knew her not only liked her but loved her. She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Ludvigsen; and their three children, Adrian, John, and Laura of Sheldon; her parents, Jeff and Kathy Lehman of Fifield and Karen Lehman of Kenosha; and her sister, Ashley Lehman of Sheldon. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ramona and Kenny Lyons. Nash-Jackan Funeral Home assisted the family. Paid Obituary 106319