1

Obit: Hughes, Frank (1875? - 1957)

 

Contact: Stan

Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

 

Surnames: Hughes

 

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 03/07/1957

 

Hughes, Frank (1875? - 4 MAR 1957)

 

Frank Hughes, father of Richard Hughes Sr. of Owen (Clark Co., Wis.), passed away at Earlville, Ill. Monday night at the age of 81.  Funeral services were held this morning in the Catholic Church in Earlville.

 

Richard Hughes left this morning to attend the services.


2

Bio: Hantke Family Reunion (28th - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hantke, Wolf, Wiese, Kuchenmeister, Slocum, Schmidt, Short, Hallock, Novotny

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/18/1985

Hantke Family Reunion (28th – 30 June 1985)

Elsie Wolf’s 91st birthday was the highlight of the 28th Hantke family reunion, held June 30, at Listeman Park in Neillsville. Following lunch, birthday cards and gifts were opened, and attendance was documented.

Approximately fifty people attended from the Neillsville area, Menomonie, Neenah, Appleton, Fremont, Madison, and St. Paul. Youngest of those attending was Wilhelm Lee Wiese, great grandson of Anita Kuchenmeister Slocum of Menomonie. Arriving in their stylish 1926 Model T was the Steve Short family.

Coletta Schmidt Short and Ernst Kuechenmeister, who passed away during the year, were missed by everyone. New family member was Shauna Janelle Hallock, Neenah born October 5, 1984. She is the granddaughter of Nadine Hantke Novotny.


3

Bio: Richmond-Higby Reunion (19th - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Richmond, Higby, Pulak, Mack, Hamm, Volland, Dittmar, Spangler, Akin, Harp, Baker, Hudson, Carteron, Horn, Humke

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/8/1985

Richmond-Higby Reunion (19th - 1985)

The 19th annual reunion of the Richmond-Higby family was held Saturday, July 27, at Schuster Perk in Neillsville. Forty-nine members attended.

A potluck dinner was shared by the group. The afternoon was spent visiting and a variety of games were played.

Those present were, Floyd and Hilda Richmond, Royalton, Minn.; Ken and Eloise Richmond, Margaret, Carol and William Pulak, Pierz, Minn.; Floyd and Lynne Richmond, Little Falls, Minn.; John and Evelyn Mack, Elgin, Ill.; Paul ND Barbara Hamm, Cindy and Brian, Barrington, Ill.; Dick and Gloria Volland, Doug, Kris and Mike, Menomonee Falls; Al and Lorraine Dittmar, Allen and Laurie Dittmar and Robbie, Cy and Bev Spangler, Watertown; Edna Akin, Neillsville; Fred and Myrtle Harp, Chippewa Falls; Chris and Luann Baker and Eric, Hudson; Mary Carteron, Laura Richmond, Norman and Betty Horn, Herb and Lila Horn, Jerald and Myrna Richmond, Susan and Ellen, Paul and Rose Caryl Humke, Kurt, Todd, Joel, Dale and Tina, all of Greenwood.

The next reunion will be Saturday, July 26, 1986.


4

Bio: Van Gorden Reunion (Hundreds Attend - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Van Gorden, Potter, Beier, Holder, Wasserburger, Pratt, Northup, Keith, Sechler, Pratt, Kopp, Kelly, Doud, Dierauer

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/8/1985

Van Gorden Reunion (Hundreds Attend - 1985)

There were 108 descendants of Schuyler (S.H.) and Clara Potter Van Gorden present at a Van Gorden family reunion held Saturday, July 6, in Hatfield. The event was held at the Van Gorden-Beier cottage on Lake Arbutus. Hosts were Marv and Beth Biere, Viroqua; Mary Van Gorden, Black River Falls; and Don and JoAnn Holder, Oconomowoc. The afternoon program was conducted by Mary Van Gorden and Patricia (Van Gorden) Wasserburger of Neillsville.

The grandchildren and their families attending the reunion were, J. Bruce Van Gorden, Black River Falls; Bella Van Gorden, Taylor; Schuyler H. “Bunk” Van Gorden, Eau Claire; Edon Pratt, Spring Green; Ray Northup, La Crosse and Jeanette Van Gorden Keith, Eau Claire, and A.H. and K.S. Van Gorden families.

The progenitor, “S.H.” Van Gorden was born in Breesport, Chemung County, New York in 1852. He married Clara Potter in 18772 in Iowa. The family moved to Sechlerville-Hixton area in 1874 where S.H. taught school in the winter months and sold pumps and windmills during the summers. In 1882 he and J. R. Sechler erected the first creamery in Jackson County at Sechlerville.

S.H. entered the general merchandise business in Hixton in 1889 and in time expanded to stores in Taylor, Alma Center and Osseo. These new stores were operated by his sons.

In the course of time his grandsons came into the business and the firm of S. H. Van Gorden & Sons spread its activities into many other places, including Black River Falls, Neillsville, Eleva and Whitehall.

The children of S.H. and Enna Van Gorden were Bert, Harry, Clyde, Lottie (Pratt) and Emma (Northup).

Local families attending were, Mrs. A. H. (Hazel) Van Gorden, Dick, Janet and Peggy Van Gorden, Nancy (Van Gorden) Kopp and son Joey, Pink and Ruth Van Gorden, Marcia (Van Gorden) Kelly and sons Ian and Sean, Minneapolis, Minn.; Charles and Pat (Van Gorden) Wasserburger, David Wasserburger, Marshfield; Mike and Debra (Wasserburger) Doud and Jennifer and Lucas, Mount Horeb; Robert and Cyrena (Van Gorden) Dierauer and Debbie, Minneapolis; and Van Dierauer, Minneapolis, Minn.


5

Church: Neillsville - Calvary Lutheran Church (Ground Breaking - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Forde, Heineck, Solberg, Olson, Osegard

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/8/1985

Neillsville-Calvary Lutheran Church (Ground Breaking - 1985)

Construction commenced on a building addition to Calvary Lutheran Church, 213 Hill Street, Neillsville, during groundbreaking ceremonies held Sunday, August 4. The new space, measuring 100 x 25 feet, is scheduled for completion in Spring of 1986 and will house facilities for a kitchen, storage, office, and education. Cost is estimated to be, at most, $150,000 and is being funded by a pledge drive. Larry Osegard’s building trades classes at Neillsville High School will be providing carpentry skills. Participating in the groundbreaking are Pastor Paul Forde, Mary Heineck, Chairman of the building committee, Bob Solberg, and Ken Olson.


6

News: Clark Co - Extension Homemakers Scholarships Given ($300 - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Jodarski, Zorman Chaltry, Genteman, Kipp, Verkuilen, Newman

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/18/1985

Extension Homemakers Scholarships Given ($300 - 1985)

Two Clark County students have been awarded $300 to further their education. Mrs. Nancy Jodarski of Loyal was awarded the Extension Homemakers scholarship. Nancy will be a junior at UW-Stevens Point next fall, majoring in Elementary School Teaching. Ann Zorman, daughter of Edward and Theresa Zorman of Greenwood received the 4-H and Extension scholarship. Ann will be a sophomore at UW-La Crosse next fall, majoring in nursing.

The Extension Homemakers scholarship alternate is Denise Chaltry of Eau Claire, daughter of Leonard and Arlene Chaltry, of Neillsville. The 4-H and Extension scholarship alternate is Cherri Genteman, daughter of Edward and Marian Genteman, of Neillsville.

The two winning youth competed with 20 other Clark County students. The selection of the winners was based on their application, recommendations and an essay on why they wanted to study in their educational field.

Money for the scholarships is earned by Extension Homemakers at the Clark County Fair Dairy Bar and 4-H Leaders Federation through plat book sales. Members of the 1985 Scholarship Committee were, Mary Kipp, Chairman of Loyal; Diane Verkuilen of Thorp; and Dorene Newman of Unity.


7

School: Granton - FHA Receives Grant ($375 - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Grover

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/18/1985

Granton-FHA Receives Grant ($375 - 1985)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Herbert J. Grover has notified the Granton Future Homemakers of America (FHA) chapter, that it will receive $375 to fund a nutrition education project.

The federal funds are made available through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Nutrition Education and Training (NET) Program under Public Law 95-166, the Child Nutrition Act of 1977 which is designed to provide nutrition education and training for school personnel and students.

This is one of 13 grants awarded statewide totaling nearly $4,000 that will assist Wisconsin’s FHA chapters in providing training and information to local communities about sound nutritional habits and attitudes.


8

School: NHS - Class of 1932 (Gathering - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Musil, Allen, Olson, Strausborger, May, Volz, Milton, Engstrom, Counsell, Johnston, Pagenkopf

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/25/1985

NHS Class of 1932 (Gathering - 1985)

Members of the 1932 graduating class from Neillsville High School gathered at the home of Jim and Iris (Allen) Musil for their annual picnic Sunday. Attending from away were Bill and Mildred (Olson) Strausborger, Mesa, Ariz.; George and Esther (May) Volz, Wis. Rapids; Lucille (Milton) Engstrom, Geneva, Ill.; Neil and Ila (Counsell) Johnston, Loyal; Victor and Marian (Counsell) Pagenkopf, Platteville. The group plans another picnic for July 20, 1986.


9

School: NHS - Class of 1950 (35 Year Reunion - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Tibbett, Wall, Sydorowicz, Trachte, Wang, Buxton, Hantke, Hiles, Frie, Krause, Stanley, Rosenkranz, Casey, Anderson, Galbreath, Schneider, Knoop, Spiegel, Vandeberg, Kuehn, Hohenstein, Grap, Pietenpohl, Mattson, Suckow, Kernz, Wedekind, Greeler, Gress, Schmidt, Kotcon, Stiemke, Thoma, Dux, Hantke, Drescher, Patey, Kessler, Perkins, Lauscher

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/25/1985

NHS Class of 1950 (35-Year Reunion - 1985)

Twenty nine members of the Neillsville Class of 1950 gathered at the Neillsville Country Club for their 35th anniversary banquet. Richard Tibbett was master of ceremonies and Invocation was delivered by Pat Wall.

Thos attending from out of town were, Charles Sydorowicz, Menomonee Falls; Mr./Mrs. Byron Trachte, Prattville, Ala; Keith and Carole (Wang) Buxton, Appleton; Mr./Mrs. Douglas Hantke, St. Paul, Minn.; Mr./Mrs. Bruce Hiles, Arlington Heights, Ill. Mary Jane Frie Eau Claire; Mr./Mrs. Wallace Krause, Menomonee Falls; Laura Stanely (Rosenkranz) and Bill Casey, Mundelein, Ill.; Mr./Mrs. Charles Anderson, Holman; Mrs. Burl Galbreath (Schneider), Rockford, Ill.; Bob and Florence (Knoop) Spiegel, Granton; Jesse and Virginia (Vandenberg) Richmond, Granton; Darrel and Joyce (Kuehn) Hohenstein, Granton; and Ronald Grap, Chino, Calif.

Attending from Neillsville were, Dick and Joanne (Pietenpohl) Tibbett, Mr./Mrs. Todd Wall (Pat Mattson), Mr./Mrs. Glen Suckow, Mr./Mrs. Tony Kernz (Arlene Wedekind), Mr./Mrs. Erland Greeler, Mr./Mrs. Lowell Gress, Mr./Mrs. LaVerne Schmidt, Mr./Mrs. Felix Kotcon (Roselyn Stiemke), Mr./Mrs. Gordon Thoma (Gladys Dux), Pauline (Polly) Hantke, Mr./Mrs. Vernon Drescher, Mr./Mrs. Dan Patey (Elvira Thoma), Mr./Mrs. Louis Kessler.

Honored guests and former teachers were Mr. and Mrs. John Perkins and Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Lauscher.


10

Obit: Colwell, Etta Myra (? - 2024)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Colwell, Farrell, Reynolds, Drinka, Spuhler, Krause, Chirhart, Hodgson, Hill, Keehn, Wentz

----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/15/2024

Colwell, Etta Myra (? – 8 March 2024)


Etta Myra (Reynolds) Colwell, Willard formerly of Neillsville went to be with her heavenly father on March 8, 2024, at the age of 65. She passed away at home surrounded by family.


Etta was born in Milwaukee, to Charles and Clara (Farrell) Reynolds. She graduated from High School in Belleville. In 1982, she met the love of her life. She moved to Neillsville in 1985. She married Thomas Colwell Sr. on April 11, 1987, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Neillsville.


She worked a variety of jobs in her lifetime. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends in her free time. She also enjoyed hunting in her luxury stand, and fishing in her favorite bull head spots. Later in life she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also came to accept Jesus as her savior and loved him dearly.


Etta will be dearly missed by her children, Patty (Adam) Drinka of Willard; Diana Reynolds of Marshfield; Thomas Colwell Jr and Mathew Colwell both of Neillsville. She will also be missed by her grandchildren, Cheyenne Spuhler (Jordan Krause) of Marshfield; Lexi (Caleb) Chirhart of Marshfield; Trevor Drinka (Makayla Hodgson) of Marshfield and Zech Drinka of Willard. Her great-grandchildren, Kinsley Chirhart, Weston Spuhler, Joseph Drinka and Zaxton Hill. She will also be missed by family and many church friends.


Etta was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Clara Reynolds, her husband, Thomas Colwell Sr; her brothers Charlie Reynolds, Fred Farrell, Thomas Reynolds, Patrick Reynolds; her sister Virginia Keehn; her sister-in-law Nancy Farrell; her father-in-law, Donald Colwell Sr., brother-in-law Donald Colwell Jr and a great granddaughter Mya Drinka.
A Memorial Service for Etta will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Living Hope Evangelical Free Church in Neillsville. Pastor Steven Wentz will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23rd at the church.


The family would like to thank Compassus Home Health and Hospice Care for the time and loving care for Etta.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes you to make a donation to Huntington's Disease Society of America.


Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Etta's family with funeral arrangements.


To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Etta Colwell, please visit our flower store.

 


11

Obit: Gilbert, Brenda Lee (1960 - 2024)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gilbert, Davis, Zaruba, Humboldt, Thyrion, Johnson, Rooney, Anderson, Miller, Hericks, Pozega

----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/15/2024

Gilbert, Brenda Lee (29 January 1960 – 13 March 2024)

Brenda Lee Zaruba Gilbert was known by many for her loving personality, kind heart, and generosity. She passed away from health complications at the age of 64 at Marshfield Hospital on March 13, 2024.

Brenda was born in Eau Claire on January 29, 1960, to Laverne Charles Zaruba and Ardis Joy Davis Zaruba at Luther Hospital. Brenda and her family moved several times before settling in Stanley, Wisconsin.

It was in Stanley where she met and fell in love with her first husband, Mark Gilbert. Brenda and Mark were wed in October of 1977, and moved shortly after to Neillsville. Together they had two wonderful children, Jamie and Heather. When the children were grown, Brenda and Mark decided to go their separate ways.

In June of 2002, Brenda had the very good fortune of reuniting with friend Gary Humboldt after not seeing him for many years. They began dating shortly after, fell in love, and became soul mates, they have been together ever since. Alongside Gary, Brenda helped to raise his two sons, her stepsons, Brandon and Dylan Humboldt.

Brenda was an amazing person who loved her family, friends, pets, and life in general. She would not hesitate to help anyone that was in need. She enjoyed hosting loved ones for holidays, cooking, gardening, canning the best spicy dill pickles, and socializing with friends. She was an incredibly hard worker, who took various jobs over the years while also taking care of her family and helping Gary care of his family. For the last nine years Brenda worked at the Christine Center in Willard, as kitchen manager and cook. Brenda enjoyed her job there and loved her coworkers and the center's guests.

Brenda is preceded in death by her parents Laverne and Ardis, siblings Jeff and Pam, her beloved dog Foxy, and many aunts and uncles. She is survived by her soulmate Gary, son Jamie Gilbert (Patricia Thyrion), daughter Heather Gilbert (Jerome Johnson), stepson Brandon Humboldt (Lacie Humboldt), stepson Dylan Humboldt (Mackenzie Rooney), grandchildren Aubrey Anderson (Jagger Miller), Evan Gilbert (MaKendri Hericks), Kegan Pozega, and Kira Johnson, her beloved dog, Daisy, and many nephews and nieces.

Funeral Services for Brenda will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23rd at the Gesche Funeral Home. The Funeral Services will also be livestreamed at www.geschefh.com beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23rd.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Brenda's family with Funeral arrangements.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Brenda Gilbert, please visit our flower store.

 

 

 

 


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