1962-2021 Kevin R. Nuernberger, age 59, Abbotsford passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 19, 2021 at his home. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Kevin was born on Oct. 19, 1962 to Rynold and Ann (Younker) Nuernberger in Medford. He graduated from Medford High School and took classes at NTC. Kevin worked for Coops IGA for 20 plus years until they closed and was a DJ for almost 40 years as KRN for car shows, weddings, and many other events. Kevin wasn’t dealt the easiest life, but was determined to not let it slow him down. He loved to ride snowmobile and 4-wheeler. He enjoyed shooting pool, darts, and horseshoes. Kevin looked forward to taking his annual fishing trip to Canada with his brothers. He is survived by his two brothers, Gary and Jim both of Medford; along with several nieces, nephews, other family, and friends. Kevin was preceded in death by his parents; and sister-in-law, Sharon Nuernberger. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the arrangements. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com Paid Obituary 114787

1934-2021 Harold E. Schopper, 87, of Sheffield, Penn. passed away peacefully Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021 at UPMC Hamot Hospital in Erie, Penn. Harold’s family welcomed family and friends on Friday, Dec. 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Borden Funeral Home of Sheffield. Funeral Services followed at 1 p.m. at the Funeral Home with Pastor David Pflieger, Chaplain of the Lutheran Home of Kane, officiating. Full military honors were accorded. Burial was private. While attending visitation and services, the wearing of masks and social distancing was respectfully requested by the family. He was born Oct. 24, 1934 in Rib Lake, Wisconsin, the son of August Schopper and Clara (Habeck) Schopper. Harold was a 1952 graduate of Rib Lake High School. Following graduation Harold enlisted in the Air Force, where he had assignments in Japan and Washington D.C. After he left the Air Force Harold continued his education earning a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. His love for the outdoors led him to a career with the United States Department of Agriculture as a Forest Ranger. Following his retirement from the Forestry Service, Harold helped his friend, Pete of Peterson Hardware in Sheffield. One of Harold’s jobs was running the green house, which Harold thoroughly enjoyed. Up until recently, Harold would continue to stop at the hardware on a daily basis to check on his buddies. Harold was a humble and generous man who took time for others. He was loved by so many and will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him, especially the communities of Sheffield and Rib Lake Wisconsin. Harold was an active member of the Bethany Lutheran Church of Sheffield where he sang in the church choir. Some of Harold’s interests included bowling, fishing and he was a diehard Green Bay Packers fan. Left behind to cherish Harold’s memory are his wife, Janet (Johnson) Schopper of Sheffield; his daughters, Lori Ann Schopper and Susan (Jason) Lewis of Florida; his step daughters, Jill Kring of Seattle, Wash., Debra (Ken) Spellman of Florida, Julie (Patrick) Lord and Lorelei Kring of Wisconsin; his step sons, Kerry (Sandra) Kring of Wisconsin and Kim (Lynn) Kring, also of Wisconsin and Timothy Kring of Florida; two granddaughters, Sarah and Ashley as well as five great grandchildren, Savannah, Keira, Jace, Rowan and baby Lylah. He is further survived by many nieces; nephews; two brothers, Eugene (Skip) Schopper and Marlyn (Duke) Schopper; and a sister, Phylis Dassow. To leave an online condolence for Harold E. Schopper, please visit www.BordenFuneralHome.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Sheffield Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 551, Sheffield PA 16347 or Bethany Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 824, Sheffield, PA 16347 Paid Obituary 114752

1944-2021 Tech. Sgt. Philip Warren Sulko, USAF, Ret. passed away peacefully at home at the age of 77 on Dec. 19, 2021 in the company of his family and under the care of Hope Hospice. Funeral services for Philip Warren Sulko were held on Wednesday, Dec. 22 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Stetsonville. Visitation was from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. with Father Michael Hayden officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the U.S. Air Force and the Medford Area Military Honors Team followed at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were Phil’s nephews. He was born in Chicago to Rudolph O. Sulko and Veronica A. (Adams) Sulko Nov. 10, 1944. In 1945 the family moved to rural Ogema to a house which Rudy and his brother built for Phil’s grandmother. Phil attended Sunnyside Grade School, a one-room school thru 7th grade, and 8th grade at Ogema Grade School, and was a 1962 graduate of Prentice High School. One of the highlights of high school was a class trip to New York City and Washington DC. Phil had a great love for airplanes and flying. After high school he attended Blackhawk Tech in Janesville for airframe and power plant courses. In 1963, he joined the Air Force. After schooling in Texas, he was assigned to Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. as a helicopter flight mechanic/engineer. From 1965-1966 he spent 13 months in sunny SE Asia at Udorn and Nakon Phanom, Thailand, from which they flew rescue and recovery missions over Thailand, Laos and North and South Vietnam. He was then at Duluth Air Force Base until discharge 1967. Following his service, Phil moved to the Medford area. He met his future wife Karen at Tombstone Tap, with one special date being watching in the back room of Tombstone Tap the famous Ice Bowl when the Packers beat the Cowboys. On Sept. 7, 1968 Phil married Karen Schneider at Holy Rosary Church in Medford. They moved to West Allis, but after nine months of “city living” they moved back to Medford. The call of airplanes brought Phil back into the Air Force in 1971, moving to Utah and rescue helicopters at Hill AF Base. In April 1972, Phil was assigned to Hahn AF Base, Germany for 4 years, where Phil and Karen lived in the little town of Sohren. Their daughter Carrie Ann was born there in June 1972. They traveled to 13 countries, including Finland to meet family. Phil & Karen learned to play golf on Hitler’s cow pasture in Berchtesgaden, Germany. They moved to Clovis, N.M. for a year, and then Edwards AFB, Calif., living in Lancaster. His helicopter detachment supported testing of the original Space Shuttle program. In 1981 Phil was assigned to Kirtland AFB, N.M. where he flew and taught helicopter flight engineer classes for five years, and where he got into hot air ballooning. In 1984 Phil bought his first balloon, The Fat Chance, which he and Carrie Ann flew almost every weekend on Albuquerque’s West Mesa, and each year at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, as well as being an officer of the local balloon club. In 1986 Phil was assigned to Indian Springs, Nev. where he finished his final year in the Air Force near the famous Area 51. In 1987, Phil returned to Medford, where Karen and Carrie Ann had moved the previous year and built their home. Phil worked at the elementary school and then at Taylor County Airport as assistant manager and later as manager. After moving back to Wisconsin, Phil continued to fly each year at Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, in addition to flying around Medford and at many Wisconsin balloon rallies. After retirement, Phil and Karen enjoyed traveling, including Alaskan cruises and two fishing trips to Ketchikan, three weeks in Europe, as well as a Baltic Sea cruise including St. Petersburg, Russia. He also loved NASCAR and enjoyed many trips to Talladega and one to Charlotte, and was a Packers season ticket holder at Lambeau Field. Survivors include Phil’s wife of 53 years, Karen; daughter, Carrie Ann Freas (Matthew Carter) of Texas; granddaughter, Britni (Jacob) Hainzlsperger of Medford; and grandson, Tyler Freas of Minn.; sister, Diane (Martin) Heier of Medford; brother, Duane Sulko of Florida; and sisters-in-law, Barbara (Jerry) Schreiner and Jean (Ben) Egle of Medford; plus many nieces and nephews and other family; and many, many friends. Phil was preceeded in death by his parents, Rudy and Vera Sulko; and parents-in-law, Roland and Amelia Schneider. Donations may be given to the family for future designation. 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 114746

1937-2021 MaryAnn Skripjok, 84, of Greenwood, passed away Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021 at Aspirus Hospital Medford. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 15, at the New Life Apostolic Church in Medford. Service will begin at 1:00 p.m. She was born April 2nd, 1937 to the late Elmer and Pearl (Freeman) Granstrom in Milwaukee. There she attended school and later moved to Lublin. She was employed at Presto in Eau Claire where she made bombshells for our military. Later she went to school to get a certificate in nursing. She worked at the Zastrow Care Center in Gilman for many years as a RN and did homecare until she retired in 1999. She enjoyed reading her Bible, adult coloring books, crocheting, hairpin lace, knit-wit, search-awords, watching old westerns, playing electric organ, the accordion, plastic canvases; playing 500 Rummy, Help-Your-Neighbor, and spending time with the people who meant the most to her. She had a huge heart and always thought of others before she thought of herself. She was devoted to Jesus and His word and read His word every day until her eyesight prevented her to do so. MaryAnn was baptized on December 23, 2018 at the New Life Apostolic Church in Medford. MaryAnn is survived by her children, Robin (Skipp Swanson) Mravik of Greenwood, Rose (Kerry Stransbury) Offord of Cornell; three grandchildren, Misty Mravik of Lublin, David and Chelsea Offord of Ellsworth, Tracy Offord of Eau Claire, and one great-grandchild Marcella of Ellsworth; a brother, Richard Granstrom of Gilman; and a sister, Barb (Richard) Holtz of Batesville, Ark. She also had nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews, and six step-grandchildren, Justin Mravik, Lublin, Marissa Mravik, Eau Claire, Connor Mravik, Lublin, Tyrel Mravik, Lublin, Andrew Swanson, Athens, and Rhiannan Swanson, Greenwood, of whom she loved very much. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Arlene. Plombon Funeral Home of Gilman assisted the family. Paid Obituary 114779

etzer 1925-2021 Marjorie H. Retzer, 96, of Medford, died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, at Eau Claire following a hip injury. A funeral was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 15, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Medford with Rev. Nancy Amacher officiating. Interment was at Evergreen II Cemetery. Visitation was held beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the church. The use of masks and social distancing was appreciated. Marjorie was born Nov. 27, 1925, in Barron, to Harry and Florence (Thompson) Caldwell and graduated from Barron High School in 1943. Active in music from a young age, she played violin in the orchestra and sang in the school choirs, often singing solos. After a year of factory work in Zion, Illinois, Marjorie attended Superior State College, now known as UW-Superior. Again, Marjorie was involved in a host of choral activities, including Choir, and Glee Club. She sang in a double trio which served as an ambassador for the college, appearing at outside engagements and school assembly programs throughout the area. A highlight of her college career was singing the contralto selections of Handel’s “Messiah” her junior year. She graduated in 1948, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in education. Marjorie began her teaching career in Medford in the fall of 1948, teaching English and vocal music at Medford High School. There, she met another student from Superior, Robert Retzer, who was a math and science teacher at the high school. They got married on July 9, 1949, in Barron. Marjorie continued teaching at the high school until May, 1953, when she retired to start a family. Marjorie intended to remain a homemaker, raising their three children. In October, 1962, she was contacted by the school’s district office. The outlying elementary schools would need art, music, and physical education teachers or lose state aid. Marjorie was hired as the elementary vocal music teacher for those outlying schools, given a road map and a schedule, often traveling to four different buildings in a day. As time went by, elementary schools in the city of Medford were added. Most of those years she moved from classroom to classroom; students remember her playing an autoharp to accompany them. The last two years of her career, Marjorie finally had a classroom at the new Medford Area Elementary School in addition to one at Stetsonville Elementary School. She retired in May, 1989, serving the district for 33 years. In retirement, she helped her daughter, Cathy, volunteering in the library at Medford Area Elementary on Mondays (and other days when she felt like it) for 27 years. Marjorie was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, being a member of the women’s group and helping with funeral meals, in addition to serving as an organist and choir director over the years. The past few years she sewed quilt tops for Lutheran World Relief. In 2019, she sewed 85 tops; in 2020, she sewed 70 quilt tops and made 120 face masks. At the time of her death, she had completed 94 quilt tops, hoping to finish 100 by the end of the year. Marjorie was recognized twice for her volunteerism in the 1990s by an organization presenting a Volunteer Recognition Award to volunteers from numerous organizations throughout Taylor County, representing Medford Area Public Schools and Medford Area Performing Arts, where she served on their board for over 35 years. She sang with Central Chamber Chorale, an auditioned choral group in Marshfield for over 33 years, retiring from the group when she was 89 years old. She founded Medford Community Choir in 1982, directing area singers in performing music too difficult for most church choirs, through 2002. Marjorie is survived by her three children, Cathy Retzer and Nancy (Dennis) Jones, Medford, and Todd (Kathleen) Retzer, Hager City; one sister, Lucy Nicklow, Barron; two step grandchildren, three step greatgrandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert, in 2008; siblings, Zona Poulter, Shirley Leonard, and Marion Swedo. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated and will be designated at a later date. 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 114566

1953-2021 Michael Wade Krug, 68, died unexpectedly Dec. 9, 2021 at an Eau Claire hospital. A celebration of life is being considered for a later date. Mike was born Nov. 17, 1953 in Stanley, the son of Dean and Adeline Krug. Mike attended Owen- Withee Schools. He worked in maintenance and automotive fields after high school. He was married to Janet Faude, having two daughters, Lynn and Penny. They divorced and he later married Cindy Colby, having two sons, Chase and Chance and also a daughter, Brandi Kallenbach. They were later divorced. Surviving are his children Lynn (Jesse) Niggemann, Penny Krug, Chase Krug and Chance Krug. He is also survived by his sister, Christine (Gary) Fritz; brothers, Mark (Melissa) Krug and Ricky (Sandy) Krug; grandchildren, Dustin, Autumn and Tucker Niggemann, Kashton and Kolton Krug; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mike was predeceased by sister, Kathleen and brother, Wayne. Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. Paid Obituary 114527

1952-2021 John V. Kulesa, Jr., age 69, of Thorp, passed away at Our Lady of Victory Hospital, in Stanley, on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lublin. Rev. Vijay Kumar Madani officiated, and burial followed in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Jeff Kulesa, Ron Kulesa, Ben Abramowicz, Derek Orlikowski, Joey Shatwell, and Brandon Falkenberg. Military rites were conducted by the Lublin American Legion Post #547. Visitation was held at the church, on Thursday, Dec. 16, following an 8 a.m. rosary service. John Vincent Kulesa, Jr. was born on Oct. 6, 1952 in Stanley to John V. and Eleanor G. (Ehlert) Kulesa, Sr. He was raised on the family farm in the Bellinger area, attended Lublin School, and graduated from Gilman High School in 1970. John was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1972, served during the Vietnam Era in Giebelstadt, Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1974. He was united in marriage to Linda M. Abramowicz on Oct. 25, 1975 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lublin. John worked for Pete Witek in his sawmill, and later worked in construction for Mike Lew and Mark Lew. He eventually started his own business building/remodeling barns and house basements, laying stone walls, blocks, etc... John always said he spent most of his life fixing everyone else’s “screw-ups.” He took great pride in doing his work and doing it right. John was known in the Mennonite community as the “Barn Doctor” and the “Barn Chiropractor.” John was also a Berg Equipment Dealer from 1989 until the present. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, and the Lublin American Legion Post #547 for 44 years, where he was Sergeant at Arms most of those years. John had many interests, but especially enjoyed playing with his grandkids, having the family around for big gatherings, playing guitar and singing, and hunting. John always loved helping others out and would never ask anything in return, only that they would pay it forward and help out others in need. He is survived by his wife, Linda, of Thorp; 10 children, Jesse (Jamie) of Abbotsford, Alex (Angie Middleton, the wife he never married) of Thorp, Christopher (T’Neal) of Schofield, Sharon (Tim) Sutliff of Boyceville, Katherine (Tim) Ramer of Versailles, Mo., Amanda (James) Couch of Black Creek, Justin (Breanna Nesthus) of Elk Mound, Jacob (Alyssa Geimer) of Plum City, David (Jordyn Anderson) of New Auburn, BreeAnna (Josh) Lewan of Dunlap, Tenn.; grandchildren, Jesse James, Sophie, Caleb, Carter, Wyatt, Piper, Kenli, Titus, Judah, Elias, Isaiah, Zachary (Abby), Rachel, Madilynn, Jasmine, Elanor, Kloe, Brynlee, Olivia, Brantley, Rose, Claire; great-grandchildren, Avery, Grace and Maisey; two brothers, Jeff (Laurie) and Joel (Val), both of Thorp; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. John was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Jerry and Justin. Online condolences may be expressed at www. cuddiefh.com. Thorp Funeral Home of Thorp, WI is assisting the family with arrangements. Paid Obituary 114505