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Obit: Long, Bonnie Jean (1961 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Long, Mess, Dick, Bragee, Nollenberg, Johnsrud, Woodkey, Erickson

----Source: Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 4/23/2024

Long, Bonnie Jean (25 July 1061 – 20 April 2024)

Bonnie Jean Long, passed away on April 20, 2024, at her home in Spencer, at the age of 62, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on July 25, 1961, in Marshfield, to George “Diddy” and Jean Mess. Bonnie grew up making memories with her two brothers as the middle child, and she never missed an opportunity to crack a joke about them, laugh with them, or at them. She attended Marshfield High School, and graduated in 1979.  After graduating, Bonnie worked at Diamond Dave’s briefly, before discovering her passion for caring for people. She dedicated 41 years of her career to Marshfield Living Center, where she served as a CNA, Dementia Unit Coordinator, and finally as an Activity Director. Even after leaving the skilled nursing home setting, Bonnie continued helping others as the Adult Daycare Director for Companion Day Services. She loved her clients and her staff as if they were her own family.

On August 19th, 1989, she married John Dick Jr. Shortly after their marriage, they became parents to their daughter, Ashley, on May 1, 1990. Years later they divorced. Bonnie remarried on September 9, 1998, to Patrick Long. In December of 2020, Bonnie’s most cherished title was given as “Grandma,” after the birth of her grandson, Ira, and again in August 2022 to her granddaughter, Renna.
Bonnie was a shining light and a ray of sunshine to all who knew her. She was kind, generous, and a natural caregiver, who always prioritized the needs of others before her own. Her beautiful and kind soul touched the lives of many, and there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for her loved ones. Her smile was contagious, and her laugh was one of a kind – you couldn’t help but smile and laugh along with her while in her presence. In her free time, Bonnie enjoyed being with her family, especially her grandchildren playing with toy trains and cars, traveling to new places, spending time at her friend Teresa’s cabin on the lake, visiting wineries, savoring margaritas, and planting flowers. She also had a love for shopping and spending time with her girlfriends over a good Bloody Mary.

Bonnie was a devoted wife to Patrick Long, a loving mother to Ashley (Conrad) Bragee, a doting grandmother to Ira and Renna, a caring aunt, niece, cousin and friend. She is also survived by her mother, Jean Mess; brothers Randy (Rodi) Mess and Glenn (Bobby Nollenberg) Mess; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, George “Diddy” Mess; maternal grandparents, Al & Lillian Johnsrud; paternal grandparents, George Sr. & Gladyce Mess; uncle, Teddy Woodkey; nephew, Derek Mess; niece and godchild, Rodi Erickson.

A memorial service and celebration of Bonnie's life will be held at Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home in Marshfield, WI, on May 4th, 2024. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m., up until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, monetary contributions to support her grandchildren's future education endeavors would be preferred. Bonnie's legacy of love, kindness, and selflessness will forever be cherished by all who were fortunate to have known her.

Those who knew Bonnie well, knew she was always wearing bright colors (rarely black) or something with a pattern, with her matching shade of lipstick, and her hair “just perfect.” Please honor her memory by wearing anything but black; and (if you wear it), your favorite shade of lipstick!

 
Online condolences may be made at www.hansenschillingfuneralhome.com  for your convenience.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bonnie J. Long, please visit our floral store.

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Obit: Hempleman, Donna Mae (1943 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Hempleman, Johnson, Karshbaum, Hanson, Payton, Linsie, Oldenburg, Antony

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 4/23/2024

Hempleman, Donna Mae (7 May 1943 – 20 April 2024)

Donna M. Hempleman, age 80, of Altoona, formerly of Thorp, passed away peacefully on Saturday April 20, 2024, surrounded by her family.

Donna Mae Karshbaum was born on May 7, 1943, in Durand, to the late John and Edna (Johnson) Karshbaum. She graduated from Lima High School and went on to Cosmetology School in Eau Claire. On May 15, 1965, Donna married Edward Anton George Hempleman at Lima Catholic Church, rural Durand. Together they raised a family on a dairy farm in Thorp. The farm was a home away from home for all their nieces and nephews every summer and the gathering place for relatives year-round.

When you couldn’t find Donna on a tractor in the field, you would find her in the kitchen. She was known as a great cook and baker. Her baking skills included cake decorating. Every birthday party wasn’t complete unless there was an elaborate, hand decorated cake by Donna. She was also an excellent gardener. Every Fall she enjoyed canning and freezing her large produce crop. Donna also enjoyed sewing and often sewed clothes for the family. In her later years, she got into bird watching and feeding the birds. Donna’s greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. “Her kids”, as she called them, were her pride and joy.

After retiring from the farm, Donna worked several years at Cray Research/TTM/Honeywell, where she enjoyed working and making new friends.

Donna leaves behind her husband, Edward; her children: Deb (Rick) Hanson, Gary, Brian (Sarah), James, Lisa (Nathan) Payton; daughter-in-law Carrie; grandchildren: Doulgas (Vanessa) Linsie, Bradley, Amanda (TJ), Melanie, Aiden, Laura, Violet, Ernie, Alex, McKenize (Nick), Lance, Saharra, Damian, Olivia and Addison; great-grandchildren: Bella, Jackson, Justus, Ansley, Kase, Brecken, Lincoln, Lynnlee and Ember; sister: Joanne Karshbaum; brother-in-law: Richard Oldenburg; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, as well as all her dog and kitty friends who brought her joy with their visits.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Jason; father and mother-in-law, Edward and Lillian Hempleman; sisters-in-law: Jean, Carol and Nancy; and brothers-in-law: Bob, Don and Jim.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Stanislaus Michael Antony will officiate, and burial will follow in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9 a.m. until time of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Donna’s name to St. Croix Hospice or your local humane society would be greatly appreciated.

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Obit: Vahl, Joyce E. (1930- 2024)

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

Surnames: Vahl, Hanna, Blume

----Source: Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 4/22/2024

Vahl, Joyce E. (26 January 1930 – 22 April 2024)

Joyce E. Vahl, age 94, of Abbotsford, passed away Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Colonial Health and Rehabilitation Center in Colby.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Joyce was born on January 26, 1930, the daughter of Virgil and Edna Hanna in Linn, Kansas. She was united in marriage to Raymond Vahl on April 16, 1949, in Topeka, Kansas. Joyce worked at car dealership and a bank in Illinois. She loved gardening, crocheting and traveling.

Joyce is survived by her three children: Wayne Vahl of Stratford, Gary Vahl of Indiana and Joy (Neil) Blume of Dorchester; 11 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her five siblings: Virgie, Linda, Jackie, Jerry and Johnny; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; nine siblings and two daughters-in-law: Sandy and Patti.

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

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Obit: Waltemate, JoAn A. (1939 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Waltemate, Walker, Durham, Taylor, Rollins, Schneider, Anderson

----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 4/22/2024

Waltemate, JoAn A. (11 May 1939 – 16 April 2024)
JoAn (Durham) Waltemate 84, of Neillsville, much beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother went home to the loving arms of God on April 16, 2024, at Colonial Living Center in Colby surrounded by her loving family.

JoAn A. Durham was born May 11, 1939, to Alvin and Charlette (Walker) Durham. She graduated from Neillsville High School in the 1957. JoAn married Earl Waltemate on December 21, 1957, at St. John's Parsonage in Neillsville. They celebrated 51 years of marriage.
She is survived by her children; Roxanne (David) Taylor, Ronald (Kari) Waltemate, Roger (Renee) Waltemate, Robyn Rollins and Roberta (Keith) Schneider. She is further survived by 20 grandchildren, 63 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

JoAn was preceded in death by her husband, Earl, daughter, Rochelle, great granddaughter, Zandaya, great grandson, Jonah, her parents, in- laws, brothers; Keith, Darrel and Wendell, sister, Nadine and several other family members.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Friday, April 26, 2024, at Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville with Pastor Chad Anderson officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friday prior to the service. Burial will take place at a later time with a private family service.

JoAn's family would like to thank the staff on 6 North of Marshfield Medical Center-Marshfield, the Colonial Living Center and St. Croix Hospice for their care.

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

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

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