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Bio: Stremikis, Larry – Inducted into USA Softball Hall of Fame (2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Stremikis

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 06 Dec 2023

Willard native inducted into USA Softball Hall of Fame

By Valorie Brecht

A Willard native has “hit a home run” in terms of softball accolades, demonstrating his commitment to a sport that has given him much more than trophies and plaques.

Larry Stremikis, 80, was recently inducted into the USA Softball of Piedmont VA Hall of Fame.

To be inducted, a player must receive the votes of at least seven of the nine Hall of Fame committee members. The purpose of the organization is “to honor those who have played a major role in the growth and development the game of softball into one of the greatest sports in the U.S. today.”

Stremikis, a pitcher and outfielder, was one of six inductees in the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.

Those accomplishments date back to as early as 2003 and include playing on several senior championship teams; winning the Mr. Stix batting accuracy competition; being named three times to the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) All-American Team and four times to the All-World Team, including twice as the All-World MVP; and being named the Offensive Player of the International Senior Softball Association 80+ AAA National Championship in the last year.

He attended the one-room Blackberry for school for grades 1-8. He then went to Greenwood High School for four years.

Although he didn’t play for the high school team, Stremikis was constantly playing softball or baseball on neighborhood teams along with his brother, Jerry (who later served as the longtime Greenwood postmaster). They would face off against other local teams such as Hixton or Humbird.

After retiring in 2000, Stremikis and his wife moved to Charlottesville, Va., where Stremikis started the Charlottesville Retreads senior softball team, open to any man 55 or older, or woman 40 or older. The team has twice-weekly morning practices, with weekly games from April through September. It would have never gotten off the ground if it wasn’t for Stremikis’ brother, however.


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School: Abbotsford – Heisman Scholarship Winners (2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Escalera, Falteisek, Ruesch

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 29 Nov 2023

Three Falcons tabbed to Heisman Scholarship list

The Heisman Trophy Trust announced the 2023 School Winners for the Heisman High School Scholarship. Three winners were named from Abbotsford High School including Briseida Escalera, Sydney Falteisek and Calley Ruesch.

Thousands of high school senior scholar-athletes graduating with the class of 2024 from 4,129 different schools across the country applied for the scholarship earlier this fall. From this talented group of accomplished, community-minded young men and women, more than 4,878 have earned the honor of becoming school winners in the Heisman High School Scholarship competition awarded by The Heisman Trophy Trust.

To apply, students must be graduating with the class of 2024, have a cumulative weighted high school grade point average of a B (3.0) or better, participate in at least one of the sports recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the Paralympic Games and/or the National Federation of State High School Association and be a leader in his/her school and community.

The Heisman High School Scholarship was created in 1994 through a partnership between Wendy’s and The Heisman Trophy Trust. From its inception, the program has leveraged the reputation of the Heisman Memorial Trophy as a symbol of great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.


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BioM: Marriage Licenses (Dec - 2023)

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

Surnames: Zeiset, Sensenig, Bogdonovich, Olson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/6/2023

Marriage Licenses (Dec - 2023)

Martin F. Zeiset, Town of Reseburg, to Martha S. Sensenig, of Pennsylvania, Dec. 16, at Town of Reseburg.

Tragen M. Bogdonovich, to Autumn L. Olson, both of Wood County, Dec. 16, at City of Neillsville. 


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News: Neillsville - Gross Motors (Doubling the Donations - 2023)

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

Surnames: Gross

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/6/2023

Neillsville-Gross Motors (Doubling the Donations - 2023)

Gross Motors of Neillsville has carried on with the 14th year of teaming up with local food banks in Neillsville, Loyal and Greenwood. Started Nov. 27, Gross Motors is still accepting non-perishable food items and cash donations until Dec. 14, Gross Motors will match each item and dollar donated. Donation locations are 404 E, Division St. and 124 W. Seventh St., Neillsville.


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Obit: Garagiola, Brenda K. (1942- 2023)

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

Surnames: Garagiola, Schoen, Neville, Bierbrauer, Ohler, Mosher, Betcher, Rangel, Saldana, Cypher, Finnessy, Loutzenhiser, Day

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/6/2023

Garagiola, Brenda K. (22 August 1942 – 12 October 2023)

Brenda K. Garagiola, Age 81, passed on Thursday October 12, 2023, at home peacefully surrounded by family holding her hands and telling her we love you.

Brenda was born August 22, 1942, in Neillsville, to William and Eleanor (Shoen) Neville. From the beginning Brenda was always a. The second oldest of eight children and the only girl. She cared for her seven brothers, while her mother worked the farm. Cooking, cleaning and caring for children would follow her.

After leaving home in Neillsville, in 1961, she went to work at the Veteran Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. Brenda later took a job at Buckbee – Mears in St. Paul, MN where she met the love of her life, Verne. They relocated to Glenwood City, in 1976, She worked at the Kernel Restaurant in Menomonie while attending WITC. She followed up by working for American Family Insurance in New Richmond. She later retired after for working the Farm Services Bureau in Baldwin, until 2006, all while caring for her family.

She bn her own company called BG’s Naturals, working with flowers she grew in her own garden. Brenda made wreaths, swags and bouquets she filled with whatever someone needed to bring a beautiful arrangement of God’s creations to your home. She also made jams, jellies, cookies, pies and her famous salsa, for craft fairs and the Farmer’s Market.

She will forever be remembered for her love of God’s creations, horses, homemade food, Mexican cooking grass and willow baskets, gardening, crocheting rugs, pies and her friendships, and the love for her children and her beautiful smile.

Brenda is preceded in death by her parents, husband Verne Sr. and brother James Neville.

Brenda is survived by children, Ronda (Robert) Bierbrauer, their children Christina (Matt) Ohler, Jessica (Tony) Mosher, Kurtis ((Shannon) Bierbrauer and Troy (Erin) Betcher and their children, Kinsey, Alba, Sloane, Ray, Frankie, Mal and Quinn Ohler. Isabel and Ryder Mosher, Rylie Bierbrauer, Luke, Emily and Elise Betcher. Son Augustine (Sue) Rangel and his children Zachary and Mariah Rangel. Son John Rangel and children Johnathan and Amanda Rangel and their children, Ashley, Noah, Emma, Jared, Kaitlyn and Kiley Rangel and a great grandchild Azariella Rangel-Saldana, Daughter Alicia Cypher, children Alexandria (David) Finnessy and Chasity (Larry) Loutzenhiser and their children Willow, Leo and Sebastian Finnessy and Levi Loutzenhiser, Daughter Jennifer Garagiola and child Aramus Day and son Verne Garagiola Jr., brothers, William, Richard (Shar), Terry (Jana), Rodney (Shelley), Robert and Dallas (Rebecca) Neville. She is further survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friendship.

Visitation services will be held 10 to 12 on Sunday October 22, 2023, the Anderson Funeral Home Glenwood City, WI With burial at the Greenwood Cemetery, Emerald WI.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Brenda, please visit our Tree Store or plant a tree.


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Obit: Uhlig, Delbert I. “Toby” (1935- 2023)

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

Surnames: Uhlig

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Colby, Clark Co., WI) 12/6/2023

Uhlig, Delbert I. “Toby” (18 May 1935 – 2 November 2023)

Delbert “Toby” L. Uhlig, age 88, of Colby, passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at the Colonial Center in Colby under the tender care of St. Croix Hospice.

A Graveside service will be held at Pine Hill Cemetery in Curtiss in the spring.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Toby, please visit our Tree Store or plant a tree.


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School: Neillsville - School District (Give/Take Tree - 2023)

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

Surnames: None

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/6/2023

Neillsville School District (Give/Take Tree - 2023)

The School District of Neillsville Annual “Give and Take Tree” up once again, set by the office of the Elementary/Middle School. Every year at Christmas time, the school district tries to help its students and community members with basic needs they may have. Unwrapped items are placed on or underneath the tree to pick for those in need. All that are able to are invited to add items to the tree.


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News: Neillsville-CART Center (Three Days for Cookies - 2023)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
 
Surnames: Brugger, Voss

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/6/2023

Neillsville-CART Center (Three Days for Cookies - 2023)



Cookies were donated by members and volunteers of CART Cente3r for the CART Cookie Walk Nov. 30 – Dec. 2. Proceeds from the cookie walk help support the various programs offered by the CART. Above, Francis (left) from Neillsville grabbed an assortment of cookies and two loaves of potica. Kathy Brugger (right), a volunteer at CART, weighed the cookies and used her math skills to tally up the total. Brugger mentioned she enjoys volunteering at the CART. “It used to be my church before it closed,” Brugger said. (below) JoAnn Voss grabs a plate of lemon poppy seed thumbprints to refill. Nancy Curtin/Clark County Press photos


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News: Mama’s G’s Consignment (Kids Buy Gifts - 2023)

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

Surnames: Strangfeld, Hinkelman

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/6/2023

Mama G’s Consignment (Kids Buy Gifts - 2023)



Mama G’s Consignment, in downtown Neillsville, hosted the first of three shopping events for children ages 4-12, a chance to shop for the special adults in their lives. Paired with a volunteer to help children pick out and wrapped budget friendly gifts for parents, grandparents, teachers, childcare providers, etc. (Above), Devani Hinkelman (left), Fairest of the Fair, assists Emily as she shopped for her family. (Below), Melissa Strangfeld (right) helped Addie and Olivia wrap gifts they selected for mom, and dad.

 

Nancy Curtin/Clark County Press photos

 


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Obit: Mech, Michael V. “Mike” (1954- 2023)

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

Surnames: Mech, Buker, Deutsch, Hester, Webb, LeGault, Kraut, Buker

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 12/7/2023

Mech, Michael V. “Mike” (5 May 1954 – 3 December 2023)

Michael V. "Mike" Mech, age 69, of Hudson, unexpectedly passed away on December 3, 2023.

Michael Vernon Mech was born on May 5, 1954, in Marshfield, to Vernon T. and Elaine B. (Buker) Mech. Mike grew up in Greenwood, and graduated from Greenwood High School in 1972 as salutatorian of his class. He attended the University of Minnesota and was a Study Coordinator/Nursing Supervisor at the University at the present time. Mike was united in marriage to Tina M. Deutsch on September 28, 2002, in Afton, MN.

He had a passion for music, both in playing the guitar and attending concerts with Tina. Mike also had a great love for baseball, bowling and the Green Bay Packers. In his free time, he would enjoy bowling with his league, going on motorcycle bike runs, watching Christmas Hallmark movies and making his mother’s homemade Christmas cookies.

Mike was strong-willed and often had the nickname of “Mule” because of his strong, stubborn personality. He had an enormous heart and wonderful sense of humor. He was generous, loyal, and loving. Mike was an avid outdoorsman who spent much of his time at the family cabin mowing, managing the lake, and determined to get rid of the Beavers. He was full to the brim with knowledge about managing his home away from home, which he gained from his own father, and loved sharing it with his children and grandchildren. He was the family’s “go to” for all repair related questions.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Tina Mech; his sister, Vicki Mech-Hester and her husband, Richard Hester; his daughters, Stacey Mech, and Jennifer Webb and her husband Sean; his son, Bryan Mech and his wife Brittney; and his grandchildren: Addison, Jase, Averianna, Harper and Peyton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his maternal grandparents, Art and Mae (LeGault) Buker; and his paternal grandparents, Theodore and Amanda (Kraut) Mech.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Loving Steps Riding Academy, an organization founded by his oldest daughter Stacey.

Loving Steps Riding Academy
P.O. 20078
Amarillo, Tx 79114

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Cuddie Funeral Home of Greenwood, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.


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School: Greenwood - Learning From Afar (2023)

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

Surnames: Freibergs, Riethmiller, Brandt, Green, Justin, Jordan, Alvarez, Thomas, Klein

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/6/2023

Greenwood-Learning from Afar (2023)



The week of Nov. 16 was International Education Week, and Greenwood High School hosted four foreign exchange students this year: (above) Aleksandrs Freibergs form Latvia, hosted by George and Jenny Riethmiller; Jana Brandt from Germany, hosted by Joe and Michele Green; Laura Justin from France, hosted by Deanna Jordan; and Helena Munoz Alvarez from Spain, hosted by Troy and Brenda Thomas. (Below), as a requirement of her exchange program, Youth for Understanding, and its CBYX scholarship program, Brandt made a presentation for Marissa Klein’s fourth-grade class and spoke about Germany, its traditions, language and culture. The class wore German Karneval masks they made during Brandt’s presentation. Submitted photos


 

        


 

 


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