1952-2021 Bruce A. Brandner, 68, of Rib Lake passed away Thursday, Apr. 8, 2021, at his home. Bruce was born July 21, 1952, in Medford to Joseph and Celesta (Leischer) Brandner. He married Jayne Quednow in 1974 and they later divorced. Visitation and funeral services for Bruce were held on Tuesday, Apr. 13 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Rib Lake from 10 a.m. until the time of the services at 11 a.m. with Father Hrudaya Raju Sunkara officiating. Interment followed at the Chelsea Cemetery with military rights performed by the Rib Lake American Legion. Due to COVID concerns, masking was required while in the church. Bruce attended Westboro High School until he joined the US Army. He served in Vietnam and was a proud veteran. He also was a member of Lehman Clendenning American Legion Post 274, Rib Lake. Bruce worked in the woods for a while and later went over the road truck driving for himself, J Bauer Trucking and Roehl Transport. He enjoyed fishing, the outdoors, taking trips and spending time with his kids in his early years. He is survived by his daughters, Karla (Chris) Mc-Master of Melton South, Australia, Rebecca (Jason) Dake of Medford, Pamela (Kurt) Behnke of Marathon, Linda (Jason) Illikainen of Cornell, Mich.; sons, Luke (fiancé Kari Cottonaro) Brandner of Adams- Friendship and Thomas (Heather) Brandner of Osseo; 12 grandchildren; siblings, Marlene Rhyner of Medford, Ronald (Betty) Brandner of Richfield, Shirley Thums of Westboro, Boyd Brandner of Rib Lake, Danny (Diane) Brandner of Chelsea, Gail Brandner of Independence; and many nieces; and nephews. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother Robert Brandner; brother Larry Brandner; and sister, Janice Brandner; and brothers-in-law, Don Rhyner and Ed Thums. Memorial contributions will be donated to Lehman Clendenning American Legion Post 274 in Rib Lake. Hemer Funeral Service of Rib Lake and Medford is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com. Paid Obituary 103379

1934-2021 Henry “Hank” C. Behling, 86, Medford, a Township of Browning resident, died on Thursday, Apr. 8 at his residence under the loving care of his family and Hope Hospice. Memorial services for Hank were at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 13 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford with Father Patrick McConnell officiating. Visitation was at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. Military rites were performed by the Medford Area Military Honors Team, of which Hank served with for many years. Interment of his cremated remains took place at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery, Medford. Due to COVID concerns, masking was required at the church. Hank was born on Apr. 14, 1934 at the Town of Browning, the son of Henry William and Evelyn (Lewandowski) Behling. He attended the Town of Browning elementary school and Medford High School. His marriage took place on June 23, 1962 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford to Birdine May Hart. After his education, he served in the US Army. After the military, he returned to the area and served with the Medford National Guard for seven years. He worked at Mondeaux Millwork, 41 years at Weather Shield Mfg. and 10 years at Medford Motors as a janitor. He loved to spend time with his family, hunt, fish, dancing to polka music, motorcycle riding and climbing with friends in his earlier years. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford and the Medford American Legion Post. Surviving Hank are his wife, Birdine Behling of Medford; son, Duane (Christine) Behling of Medford; grandchildren, Kristie (Benjamin) Petznick and Travis Behling; and a great-grandson, Jacoby Petznick. Also surviving are his sisters, Bernadine (Robert) Schmeiser of Medford and Shirley (Thomas) Kurtzweil of Mosinee. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Richard William Behling in 1977. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the Medford VFW Post in his name. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com. Paid Obituary 103376

1935-2021 Jean M. Tauchen, 85, of Medford, passed away on Monday, Mar. 29, 2021 at Abbotsford Health Care Center. A memorial service for Jean will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Apr. 19 at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor James Krueger officiating. Burial will take place at Dorchester Memorial cemetery. Visitation will take place on Monday, Apr. 19 from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Jean was born on May 31, 1935 to Edward and Mary (Hansen) Pankonin in Palatine, Ill. She married Gerald Tauchen on Oct. 30, 1954, he survives. She was a homemaker and worked alongside her husband for many years on their farm. She was a member of Builders for Christ for many years, building churches in Arkansas, Florida, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Texas. She was also a member of the Good Sam Camping Club, where she met lots of friends from all over the country. In her spare time she enjoyed square dancing, attending over 100 RV rallies. She made handmade quilts and donated 30-40 to nursing homes per year. She was very proud of what her sons have accomplished. “Be satisfied with what you’ve got, wishing for more makes a lot of headaches”. Jean is survived by her husband, Gerald; sons, Bryan (Becky) of Huntville, Ala., Dale (Pat) of Dorchester, Gordon (Linda) of Stratton, Colo., and Bill (Candie) of Dorchester; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; five step-great-grandchildren; brother, Earl Pankonin of Ill. Jean is further survived by other family and friends. Jean was preceded in death by her sisters, Edna (Gus) Spitzberg and Margaret (Paul) Heinsohn; sister- in-law, Theresa Pankonin. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com. Paid Obituary 103422

1933-2021 Donna B. Rohrick, 88, of Medford, passed away on Sunday, Apr. 4, 2021 at her residence, under the care of Aspirus Hospice, surrounded by family, after a short battle with cancer. Medford High School. She married Bob J. Rohrick on Feb. 7, 1953 and together they had three children. He preceded her in death in 2001. Donna enjoyed crafting, sewing, dancing, and playing cards. She loved her family and friends and spending time with them was very important to her. Donna is survived by her children, Debra (Brian) Harder of Centreville, Mich., Bruce (Madelyn) Rohrick of Houston, Texas, and Thomas (Nadine) Rohrick of Anchorage, Alaska; brother, Carl (Lorraine) Nelsen of Wausau; devoted partner, Valerian Troyanowski of Medford; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. She is further survived by nieces; nephews; and other family and friends. In addition to her husband, Bob, she was preceded in death by her parents. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Donna’s honor. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com. A memorial service for Donna will take place at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 8, 2021 at Hemer Funeral Home, Medford Chapel, with Pastor John Hazen officiating. Burial will take place at Medford Evergreen Cemetery II at a later date. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Thursday, Apr. 8 from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 12 p.m. Due to COVID concerns, masking will be required at the funeral home. Donna was born on Mar. 22, 1933 in Marshfield to Jens and Pearl (Francois) Nelsen. She graduated from Paid Obituary 103124

Reports of Area Deaths acek 1947-2021 A gentle, kind friend to all who lived a life of service to others, William “Bill” J. Wacek, 73, passed away on Sunday, Mar. 21 at his Medford residence after a brief battle with cancer. Service information can be found at Bill’s online obituary at Hemer Funeral Service, www. hemerfuneralservice.com. Bill was born on May 28, 1947, in Medford to William and Verna (Smedegard) Wacek. He was a graduate of Westboro High School. Upon graduation, Bill enlisted in the Navy and briefly served on the USS Arcadia before being honorably discharged. After working at American Motors in Milwaukee, he returned home to Taylor County where he devoted his time to serving customers at Northern Auto, later Carquest, where he worked as a delivery driver, salesman and manager before his retirement. During this time, he also briefly drove school bus for the Rib Lake School District. Upon his parents’ deaths, he continued working the family farm in Westboro. Bill enjoyed farming and tractors, working with his hands, successfully fixing anything mechanical, watching Lawrence Welk on Saturdays and his daily phone calls with his sister. He was united in marriage to Mary Schumacher on May 26, 1979. She survives him. He is fondly remembered by his son, Mark (Beth) of Menomonie; and his two grandchildren, Zach and Miriam, who enjoyed their visits with him. He will always be known as the world’s best brother by his sister, Jane (Howard) Rokus of Saukville, and a beloved uncle by his niece, Laurie (Doug) Arendt of Grafton. He is also survived by cousins; and numerous friends, including his Westboro friends/neighbors. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; many aunts and uncles; and a stillborn son, Thomas. His extended family thanks Jeremy Voda, who was an immeasurable help to Bill, along with the staff of Hope Hospice, in his final days. Bill will be remembered for his deep, quiet, Lutheran faith, his love of tractors and his dislike of Chinese food. Please join his son, sister and niece in celebrating the things that made him the most happy by considering a memorial to North Central WI Antique Steam & Gas Engine Club, Inc., PO Box 272, Edgar, WI 54426. Paid Obituary 103100

1945-2021 Maynard Eugene Purgett, age 75, of Abbotsford, passed away on Monday Mar. 29, 2021 at his home under the tender care of Hospice surrounded by his loving family. tilling business with his wife for over 30 years. Maynard enjoyed being outside in his younger years. Together they traveled the United States on their motorcycle. Most importantly, he cherished his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Maynard is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rox-Anne; two sons, Scott Purgett and Todd Purgett both of Owen; 11 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Emily, Benji, Erica, Nichole, Bryce, Bailey, Natasha, Kelsey, Jessica and Zacharey; and 15 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his sister, Nadine Churkey of Stevens Point; and a brother, Mike (Roxane) Purgett from Greenwood; 11 brothers-in-law and sisters-inlaw, Jacqueline Suthard, Paula St. Clair, Linda Bruner, Bryon Thorson, Mark Thorson, Rhonda (David) Thorson, Brenda (Fazi) Behroyon, Wayne (Jackie) Thorson, Phil Moran, William (Lena) Thorson, and Susan Thorson; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wayne and Norman; and a sister-in-law, Merry Beth Moran. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. A Memorial Service will be held at the home of Maynard and RoxAnne at 12 noon on Saturday, Apr. 3 officiated by Pastor Bruce Jahnke. Following the service there will be a luncheon; all are welcome. Maynard was born on Nov. 28, 1945, the son of the late Ray and Eleanor (Wood) Purgett in Stanley. He lived on the home farm north of Owen. Maynard drove milk truck, worked at the whey plant in Owen and farmed with his father for many years. He married RoxAnne Thorson Mar. 6, 1965 at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Withee. They started their life on the home farm for two years before moving to rural Abbotsford. Maynard worked for PCA of Colby for 43 years. He also started his own lawn mowing and garden Paid Obituary 102885

1969-2021 Rhonda Kay Jakel, age 51, of Curtiss, passed away on Friday, Mar. 26, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family under the tender care of hospice. A Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, Mar. 31, 2021 at 7 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Abbotsford. Rev. Donald Bruce officiated. Family and friends were welcome from 4 p.m. until time of funeral Wednesday at the church. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford was entrusted with the arrangements. We encouraged those in attendance to abide by the Covid-19 guidelines by sanitizing, wearing a mask (if able) and social distancing. Rhonda was born on Apr. 1, 1969, the daughter of Larry Cooper and Dianne Bargenquast in Marshfield. Rhonda worked at Aspirus Hospital in Medford for 25 years as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Rhonda was united in marriage to Thomas Jakel on Oct. 21, 1995 at Christ Lutheran Church in Abbotsford. Her most important thing in life was raising and loving her children. Rhonda loved taking family vacations and especially loved being on any beach. She loved playing violin, collecting and decorating her house that she loved with antiques and photography. Most importantly, Rhonda was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. Rhonda is survived by her husband, Tom; her two children, Jesse and Josie; four sisters and two brothers, Laura (Daniel) Murray, Chris (Brittney) Esselman, Lindsay Brandner, Cassie (Tim) Schafer, Carrie Korth and Larry Cooper, Jr. She is further survived by her mother, Dianne (Ray) Esselman; her father, Larry (Linda) Cooper; many nieces; nephews; other relatives; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ralph and Evelyn Bargenquast; and her great-grandparents, Willard and Meta Brunner. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. She received a degree from Midstate Technical College in Marshfield in Respiratory Therapy. Paid Obituary 102828

1940-2021 Helen B. Obscherning, 80, Medford, a former Town of Deer Creek resident, died on Friday, Mar. 26, 2021 at Marshfield Medical Center where she had been a patient for the past nine days. Funeral services for Helen will be private family only graveside services at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Apr. 1 at Zion Ev. Lutheran Cemetery, Stetsonville with Rev. Richard Russow officiating. Pallbearers will be Dave Fischer and Jeff Jaenke. Helen was born on Sept. 12, 1940 in the Town of Ogema, Price County, the daughter of Nicholas and Astrid (Westberg) Hallberg. She attended Ogema elementary schools, was a 1958 graduate of Prentice High School, and was a 1994 graduate of NTC-Medford with a degree in information processing specialist. Her marriage took place on Sept. 22, 1962 in Ogema to Alfred F. Obscherning and he preceded her in death on Aug. 17, 1990. They farmed in the Town of Deer Creek from 1962-1990. She also worked at Stokely USA in Merrill, US Forest Service and Copps IGA both in Medford. She moved to the City of Medford in 2001. She enjoyed reading and flower gardening. She was a member of Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, Stetsonville and its Ladies Aid. Surviving are her children, Gail, Lynn and Leland Obscherning, all of Medford and Brent Obscherning of Mosinee. Also surviving are two sisters, Esther Johnson of Phillips and Annette (Ronald) Larson of Prentice; a sister-in-law, Mary Vircks of Lander, Wyo.; a brother-in-law, Will Petrill of Minn.; nieces/nephews; and great nieces/ nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; siblings, Rune Hallberg, Louise Barr and Lillie Malovrh. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com. Paid Obituary 102900