1928-2023 Raymond James Jaeger, 95 of rural Gilman, died on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. A Celebration of Life was held from 10-11:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 at the Gilman Funeral Home with lunch following. Visitation was from 10 a.m. until time of service. Inurnment will be in Meadowbrook Cemetery at a later date. He was born on Jan. 27, 1928 near Crescent, WI to the late Carl and Mary (Sedivy) Jaeger. Ray moved to the Gilman area when he was very young and grew up on the family farm. He married Dolores Mundell on June 23, 1951 at the Hannibal Presbyterian Church. Ray farmed all his life and logged for many years as well. He also was on the Town of Ford Board for 40+ years and ran the town grader. Ray was also proud of the projects that he also helped build including the Manex Pipeline and the excavation of land for the Miller Dam Flowage. With his “down time” he could be found in his shop fixing his and neighbors machinery. Ray also served his country in the National Guard from 1950-1960. He is survived by his children, Randall Jaeger and Evelyn (Tom) Goebel both of Gilman, Cheryl (Stanley) Aldinger of Medford, and Jill (Michael) Reed of Port Washington; 14 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren, and one sister, Wilma Mravik of Gilman. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dolores (2015); sisters, Florence Jaeger and Lydia Tkachuk; and his brother, Rudy. Paid Obituary 145767

1957-2023 Erhardt G. “Shotz” Lemke, 66, of Medford, the town of Goodrich, died Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Goodrich with Rev. Kenneth Bittorf officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m., Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated and may go to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church of Goodrich. Erhardt was born March 18, 1957 in Medford to Rudolph and Gertrude (Graumann) Lemke. He graduated from Medford High School, class of 1975. During high school, he worked for Brandner Logging, which he continued for many years after high school. Once the business closed, Erhardt started working at Kraft/Nestle where he was currently working in maintenance. On Dec. 30, 1981, he married the love of his life, Catherine Poncek at St. Andrew’s Church in Goodrich. Erhardt was a lifelong member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and formerly served as President of the Congregation. He also served as Goodrich Town Chairman. He enjoyed being outdoors and found solace in being in the woods and watching the wildlife. He was always busy doing something, taking things apart, or working on improvements. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting but later he became more of a fisherman. He and Cathy loved going on road trips, sometimes not knowing where they would end up, but always had a great experience. He was known for his quirky sense of humor that he passed on to his children. He especially loved to spoil and tease his only grandchild. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Catherine of Goodrich; children, Adam Lemke (Melissa Peterson), Alex Lemke (Amanda Koncel), all of Medford, Cassie Lemke of Arlington, Va.; a granddaughter, Breanna Lemke of Medford; siblings, Fay (Paul) Risch of Abbotsford, Rudy Jr. “Sonny” Lemke of Medford, Joyce (Andy) Hoeft of Hamburg, Judy (Gary) Peche, Corless Lemke, all of Medford; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online. Paid Obituary 145850

1966-2023 James “Jim” F. Aldinger, age 57, of Dorchester, passed away on Nov. 22, 2023 at Marshfield Medical Center. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Jim was born on Nov. 14, 1966, the son of Raymond and Linda (Uren) Aldinger in Medford. He graduated from Gilman High School in 1985. Jim was united in marriage to Lori Mehner on June 6, 1992 in Perkinstown. Jim worked as a welder for different companies. He enjoyed music, video games, fishing, chess and Harley Davidson motorcycles. Jim also had a love of animals and had many pets over the years. Most importantly, he loved and cherished his family. Jim is survived by his wife, Lori; two children, Harley and Kendra Aldinger; two grandchildren, Mabel and Liam. He is further survived by his sister, Wilma Clarkson; and his brother, Stanley Aldinger; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Friends may send online condolences to www. maurinaschilling.com Paid Obituary 145765

1959-2023 Donald J. Nelson, age 64, of Athens, passed away on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Don was born on Aug. 9, 1959, the son of Harold and Bernice (Boos) Nelson in Watertown. He was united in marriage to Diane Blackwell in Watertown on Aug. 1, 1987. She preceded him in death on May 14, 2017. Don worked at Sierra Pacific in Medford and Frahm Woodworking in Athens. He enjoyed woodworking and drawing. Don was artistic and had his own creative style. He collected records and comic books. Don is survived by his three siblings, Judy Bickel, Jeanne Lapp (Jim Jorgenson) and Bill (Denise) Nelson; two sisters-in-law, Sandy Nelson, Connie Pippin; brother-in-law, Steve Wilson; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Diane; and his brother, Larry Nelson. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the arrangements. Paid Obituary 145463

1934-2023 In Loving Memory of Elizabeth Helen “Betty” Zak. Betty Zak, born to John and Helen Mueller on Oct. 6, 1934, in Dorchester, peacefully departed this world on Nov. 23, 2023. She was united in marriage with Victor Zak on Aug. 15, 1953, at the Peace United Church of Christ in Dorchester. Their love story began at an Easter Dance in Stetsonville, and together they embarked on a life journey, farming in rural Dorchester, and nurturing a growing family. Betty and Victor celebrated their union with a honeymoon adventure through the western states and Yellowstone National Park. Family was the cornerstone of Betty’s life. A devoted wife and mother, she lovingly raised her four children: Vicky, Gregory, Karla, and Bonnie. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought immeasurable joy, and she cherished every moment spent with them. Betty’s warm and welcoming nature made family gatherings the heart of her existence. Betty’s love for travel was as boundless as her spirit. From camping adventures with family and friends to exploring Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, and various corners of the United States, she embraced the beauty of the world. A 1952 graduate of Dorchester High School, Betty continues her journey in 1953, attending Cosmetology school in Eau Claire. Becoming a talented beautician, her career blossomed across Wausau, Athens, Medford, Colby, and Dorchester before finding its home in Abbotsford, where she established Fireside Beauty Salon in her home. Her dedication to her craft endured until her retirement at the age of 80. Betty’s zest for life extended beyond her professional pursuits. She reveled in playing cards, enjoyed bowling with friends, baking and was a founding member of the Green Acres Homemakers Club in 1973. Her infectious positivity and cheerful demeanor were a testament to her active involvement in the Peace United Church of Christ in Dorchester, where she served and volunteered. Betty and her husband, Victor, shared a passion for snowmobiling, and together they were active members of the Midnight Riders Snowmobile Club for many years. An avid painter, Betty found solace and expression in both oil and watercolors. Her artistic spirit was reflected in the vibrant strokes that mirrored her vibrant personality. Whether tending to the farm in rural Dorchester until 1979 or riding bicycles around Abbotsford with her grandchildren, Betty embraced each chapter of life with enthusiasm. Betty Zak’s legacy is one of love, joy, and an unwavering commitment to family and community. She will be remembered for her radiant smile, bubbly nature, and the positive impact she made on the lives of those fortunate enough to know her. May her soul rest in eternal peace. Betty is survived by her husband, Victor; as well as her children, Vicky Kollmansberger, Gregory Zak, Karla (Joe) Feldbruegge and Bonnie (Lenny) Zawislan; 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and a half brother, Christ Mueller. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. at First United Church of Christ in Colby on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Reverend Teri Hanson will officiate. Interment to follow at Dorchester Memorial Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at the church. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the arrangements. Friends may send online condolences to www. maurinaschilling.com Paid Obituary 145500

1952-2023 Timothy “Hauler” E. Adams, age 71 of Lake Holcombe, passed away on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at Hayward Health Services in Hayward. A celebration in his honor will be held at the Lake Holcombe Lions Club on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Tim was born on Sept. 26, 1952, the son of Carl E. and Myrtle A. (McPhatter) in Tampa, Fla. He attended school in Tampa until joining the Marines in April of 1971. He was a member of Free Spirit motorcycle club. Tim enjoyed hunting with friends and family, fishing and working on motorcycles. Tim was always willing to help out a person regardless of who they were. Tim worked at various businesses prior to his retirement. Tim is survived by his children, Dale (Vicki) Adams of Elk Mound, Patrick Adams of Rib Lake; four grandchildren; nieces; nephews in addition to his brother, Michael (Betsy) Adams, Linda A. of Fla. He was preceded in death by his mother, Myrtle, and father, Carl. Online condolences may be left for Tim’s family at www.bratley-nelsonchapels.com. Paid Obituary 145568

1931-2023 Dorothy May Steen, age 92, of Dorchester passed away Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at Colby Senior Care, Colby, under hospice care. She was surrounded by family. A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of her funeral service at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, at Zion Lutheran Church in Colby. Pastor James Groleau will officiate. The burial will follow the service at the Abbotsford Public Cemetery. Dorothy was born March 22, 1931, to Charles and Leola (Albright) Hoffeditz in the Town of Ogema. Dorothy was united in marriage to Galen Steen on August 6, 1949, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Medford. She worked as an activity director at Abbotsford until the position was eliminated in 1976 due to funding. After which, she volunteered her time until she reached age 85. In earlier years she was a Sunday School coordinator for 10 years at St. Peter Lutheran Church. Dorothy and Galen also traveled in the summertime Paid Obituary 145534 as volunteers with Laborers of Christ. She enjoyed her church family, her plants, coloring pictures, any type of games or puzzles, and knitting over 1300 hats for the troops. Dorothy is survived by sons, Calvin Steen of Medford, Darrell (Cindy) Steen of Dorchester; daughter, Cheryl Steen (Ron Sopik) of Lecanto, Fla.; grandchildren, Jenny Steen (Jamie Pester), Corey (Lisa) Steen, Sara Steen, Shane (Sarah) Steen, Chad (Kasey) Steen, Justin (Nikki) Duranceau, Neil Duranceau; and 19 great-grandchildren. Dorothy is further survived by her sister, Shirley Walden; and a sister-in-law, Wanda Hoffeditz. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Galen Steen; her parents; her brother, Fred Hoffeditz; a sister-in-law, Cora Hoffeditz; a sister, Rose (Harvey) Tomter; her son, Myron Steen in infancy; granddaughters, Stacy and Stephanie Steen in infancy; daughterin- law, Barbara Steen; and grandsons, Shawn Steen and Jamie Steen. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dorothy’s name may be given to Ronald McDonald House. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the arrangements. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.

1936-2023 Ronald D. Isaacson, 87, of Medford, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 at his home, surrounded by family, under the care of Hope Hospice. A memorial service for Ronald will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 at the Medford United Methodist Church, with Pastor John Hazen officiating. Visitation will take place at the Medford United Methodist Church starting at 10 a.m. before the service. Military honors will be performed by the Medford Military Honors Team following the service. Ronald was born on Nov. 22, 1936 to Gustav and Anna (Engberg) Isaacson in Minneapolis, Minn. He attended Amery grade school and graduated from Amery High School. He continued his education and earned a Bachelor’s Degree at River Falls University. He served in the Navy on the USS Randolph in the control tower in the Mediterranean Sea, before being honorably discharged. Ronald worked for Wilson Meat Corporation after graduation. He then worked for Production Credit Association in Dodgeville and later moved to Medford to open a PCA office there. He then worked in St. Paul at the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank before returning in 1968 to Medford to work at the State Bank of Medford, later Mid-Wisconsin Bank, where he served as CEO and on the Board of Directors until his retirement in 1998. In his spare time Ronald enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, and spending time with his family. Ronald is survived by his wife, Muriel; children, Laurie (Gary) Long of Wausau, Linda (Jeff) Brost and Brad (Angie) Isaacson, both of Medford; grandchildren, Cindy, Tom, Ryan, Lea, John, and Dalton; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Nancy (Marlyn) Bottolfson and Margaret (Bob) Lunde. Ronald is further survived by other family and friends. Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Elaine Miller; brother, Gary Isaacson; grandson, Andrew Long. In lieu of flowers memorial donation may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online. Paid Obituary 145567

2023 Dennis John Shewczyk, 71, passed away from cancer the morning of Nov. 21, 2023. He was at home and wearing his “I may be old, but I got to see all the cool bands” t-shirt at the time. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Brown Hut in Chippewa Falls, on Friday, Dec. 8 from 2-6 p.m. There will be free food and drink-please join if you knew Dennis. Dennis worked as an electrician until his retirement and was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. In addition to being devoted to his profession, he loved many outdoor activities, and found joy in hunting, fishing, and golf. As a teenager, Dennis was a foreign exchange student in Argentina, and in later years fondly recalled his youthful adventures there; he also was an avid concert goer, especially in the 1970s, and saw many iconic national and local artists perform. Some of his favorites included Jethro Tull and the Mickey Larson Band. Dennis is survived by his children, Barry and Larisa Shewczyk; siblings, Elizabeth Metz, Nancy (Larry) Dietzler, and David (Barbara) Shewczyk; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Magdalene Shewczyk; his niece, Tammy Henrich; and his beloved English bulldog, Zoey, who was his best companion and a very good girl. The family would like to thank Mayo Hospice and Cornerstone Caregiving– especially Cassandra – for their support and services in Dennis’ final weeks of life. Paid Obituary 145536

1932-2023 Henry G. “Hank” Deml, also known as “Hammering Hank”, age 91, of Medford, town of Little Black, died Nov. 15, 2023 at his home while under the care of his family and Hope Hospice. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford with Fr. Patrick McConnell officiating. Military rites will follow the service at the church and will be provided by the Medford Area Military Honors Team. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 12 at the church. Memorials are appreciated and may go to Holy Rosary Catholic School or to Hope Hospice. Hank was born July 16, 1932 in Medford to John and Mary (Ertl) Deml. He attended Thielke Grade School and graduated from Medford High School, class of 1951. He worked on the family farm until 1954 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in the Army from 1954 until his honorable discharge in 1956 and spent most of his service in Germany. On Sept. 8, 1956, he married Patricia “Pat” Baumgartner at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford. They resided in the town of Little Black where he and Pat owned and operated a mink ranch for 40 years. In his retirement, Hank did some ginseng farming, drove truck for Bauer and Pernsteiner Trucking, and worked at Cenex. Over the years, Hank was involved with and a member of several organizations, including the Mink Association; the Knights of Columbus where he was a Deputy Grand Knight and Grand Knight; and the Medford VFW Post #5729. He volunteered his time at Holy Rosary, where he organized and started the BBQ chicken dinners which he ran for many years. He also enjoyed bowling, golfing, hunting, fishing, wood crafts, trips with Pat, and treasured time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by five sons, John (Jeannie) Deml, Steve (Patti) Deml, all of Medford, Tom (Amy) Deml of Little Falls, Minn., Paul Deml of Medford, Doug (Jessica) Deml of Cameron Park, Calif.; a brother, Ray (Janet) Deml of Medford; sister, Agnes Robida of Medford; in-laws, Mary Jane Deml, Mary Deml, both of Medford, Theoma Deml of Pa., Joanne Schuster of Medford, Mike (Cathy) Baumgartner of Wausau; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Francis and Frances Baumgartner; his wife, Pat on Dec. 27, 2022; granddaughter, Laura Deml; siblings, Andy, Joe, and Romie Deml, Madlin (Marcel) Kulig, Mary Emmerich Molitor; in-laws, Lee Schuster, Bill Robida, Gerald, David and Robert Baumgartner. Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online. Paid Obituary 145571