1

Obit: Abel, Lester (1933 – 2017)

Transcriber: Stan 

Surnames: Abel, Irwin, Vollrath, Meyer, Haen, Pribusch, Putman, Megna, Priewe

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) – 14 Jun 2017

Abel, Les (6 MAY 1933 – 31 MAY 2017)

Les Abel, 84, Kaukauna, formerly of Greenwood, passed away peacefully at his home on the river on Wednesday evening, May 31, 2017. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m., on Sunday, June 4, at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Kaukauna. Rev. Gail Irwin officiated. A private burial was held at Union Cemetery.

Les was born on a dairy farm in Greenwood on May 6, 1933, the son of Theodore and Verna (nee Vollrath) Abel. He received his education at a country school in Clark County and was a 1951 graduate of Greenwood High School. Les moved to Kaukauna in 1954 and worked at Thilmany Pulp and Paper until 1967 when he founded Abel Insurance. On Sept. 1, 1956, Les married Joyce Meyer at Zion United Church of Christ in Greenwood, and the couple recently celebrated 60 wonderful years together. Over the course of his professional life, Les was a voracious learner. He took many additional courses and classes, all intended to improve himself and his professional career. He was also extremely active in the community, having been a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ where he served on the Christian Enlistment Community, the building committee, and as a head usher for many years. He was also a member of the Kaukauna Alcohol and Drug Abuse Board, Kaukauna Educational Enhancement Network (KEEN), the Redevelopment Authority for the City of Kaukauna, Kaukauna Development and Design Committee, as a strategic planner for the Kaukauna School System, and was a member of the Kaukauna Kiwanis Club and the Appleton Masonic Lodge #349. Les enjoyed volunteering at the Grignon Home and 1000 Islands Environmental Center.

Les is survived by his loving wife: Joyce Abel of Kaukauna; a son: Mark (Jackie Haen) Abel of Kaukauna; a daughter: Kay (Mark Priebusch) Abel of Sherwood; two granddaughters: Marie (Dan) Putman and Janel (Kyle Megna) Abel; a brother: Ronald (Jean) Abel of Marshfield; and a sister: Janis Priewe of DePere.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother-in-law: Daniel Priewe. For more information or to share a memory of Les, please visit www.wichmannfargo.com.  Memorials may be directed to the Les and Joyce Abel Fund at the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region or the Immanuel United Church of Christ Music Fund.

The family would like to thank everyone from St. Paul Hospice, especially Melissa and Kelly, for the love and care shown to Les and the family. We will never forget your kindness.

“Maintain a positive attitude, and make your dreams come true.”

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Obit: Abel, Lester W. #2 (1933 - 2017)

Transcriber: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Surnames: Abel, Vollrath, Meyer, Haen, Priebusch, Putman, Megna, Priewe, Irwin

----Source: Fargo Funeral Home, Kaukauna, WI) 6/01/2017

Abel, Lester W. (6 May 1933 – 31 May 2017)

Les Abel, age 84 of Kaukauna, passed peacefully at his home on the river on Wednesday evening, May 31, 2017. Les was born on a dairy farm in Greenwood, Wisconsin on May 6, 1933, son of the late Theodore and Verna (Vollrath) Abel. He received his education at a country school in Clark County and was a 1951 graduate of the Greenwood High School. Les moved to Kaukauna in 1954 and worked at Thilmany Pulp and Paper until 1967 when he founded Abel Insurance. On September 1, 1956, Les married Joyce Meyer at Zion United Church of Christ in Greenwood, and the couple recently celebrated sixty wonderful years together.

Over the course of his professional life, Les was a voracious learner. He took many additional courses and classes, all intended to improve himself and his professional career. He was also extremely active in the community, having been a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ where he served on the Christian Enlistment Community, the building committee, and as a head usher for many years. He was also a member of the Kaukauna Alcohol and Drug Abuse Board, Kaukauna Educational Enhancement Network (KEEN), the Redevelopment Authority for the City of Kaukauna, Kaukauna Development and Design Committee, as a strategic planner for the Kaukauna School System, was a member of the Kaukauna Kiwanis Club and the Appleton Masonic Lodge #349. Les enjoyed volunteering at the Grignon Home and 1000 Islands Environmental Center.

Les is survived by his loving wife: Joyce Abel of Kaukauna; a son: Mark (Jackie Haen) Abel of Kaukauna; a daughter: Kay (Mark Priebusch) Abel of Sherwood; two granddaughters: Marie (Dan) Putman and Janel (Kyle Megna) Abel; a brother: Ronald (Jean) Abel of Marshfield; and a sister: Janis Priewe of DePere. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother-in-law: Daniel Priewe.

The funeral service for Les will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at IMMANUEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 510 Sullivan Avenue in Kaukauna. Rev. Gail Irwin, and private burial will take place at Union Cemetery. Family and friends of Les are invited to greet the family directly at the church on Sunday afternoon from 1:00 PM until the time of the service. For more information or to share a memory of Les, please visit www.wichmannfargo.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Les and Joyce Abel Fund at the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region or the Immanuel United Church of Christ Music Fund.

The family would like to thank everyone from St. Paul Hospice, especially Melissa and Kelly, for the love and care shown to Les and the family. We will never forget your kindness.


2

Bio: Abel, Mark William (Birth - 1960)

 

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

 

Surnames: Abel, Meyer

 

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) February 25, 1960

 

Abel, Mark William (Birth - 18 February 1960)

 

Mr. and Mrs. Lester Abel of Kaukauna are the parents of a son, Mark William, born on February 18.  The mother is the former Joyce Meyer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Meyer.  Mr. Abel is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Abel of Greenwood.

 

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Bio: Abel, Mark William (Birth – 18 Feb 1960)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Abel, Meyer

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Clark Co., Wis.) 03 Mar 1960

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Lester Abel, Kaukauna, on Thursday, February 18, 1960, a 7 lb., 6 oz. baby boy named Mark William. Mrs. Abel will be remembered here (Greenwood, Clark Co., Wis.) as Joyce Meyer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Meyer, and Lester is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Abel.


3

Bio: Brekke, Emily (BS Degree - 2024)

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

Surnames: Brekke

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/2024

Brekke, Emily (BS Degree - 2024)

Emily Brekke of Neillsville, with a bachelor of science, early childhood through middle childhood education major and highest honors, completed degree requirements at the University of Wisconsin (UW)-La Crosse in December.


4

Bio: Dickinson, Macey - February Junior Kiwanian (2024)

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

Surnames: Dickinson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/2024

Dickinson, Macey-February Junior Kiwanian (2024)



Macey Dickinson was selected as the Junior Kiwanian for the month of February by the Neillsville Kiwanis Club. Submitted photo)

Continuing its long-standing recognition of outstanding senior students, the Neillsville Kiwanis Club welcomed Macey Dickinson as its Junior Kiwanian for the month of February. She is the daughter of Paul and Alison Dickinson. As Junior Kiwanian, she will participate in the meetings and see the workings of a service club whose focus is on the youth of our community.

Academic achievements include straight-A honor roll throughout high school and academic letter recipient for the past three years. Dickenson’s extra-curricular activities are concert and pep band and first chair flute in the Cloverbelt All-Conference Band.

Dickinson was selected as recipient of the Society of Women Engineers Merit Award through Michigan Technological University. She was a participant in the Viterbo University Health Science Scholarship Competition, and will have an entry in the up-coming Woodson Art Museum Student Art Exhibition.

Volunteer activities include in the Clark County Humane Society, and assisting with the Clark County Youth Hockey Learn-to-Skate program.

Following graduation in the spring, Dickinson plans to attend Viterbo University and major in biochemistry. Post-graduate plans are to enter medical school for physician’s assistant studies, with a specialty in dermatology.

The Neillsville Kiwanis Club welcomes this high-achieving senior student as its Junior Kiwanian, and wishes her continued success as she pursues the next chapter in her education.


5

Bio: Gulcynski, Ross (Diploma - 2024)

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

Surnames: Gulcynski

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/2024

Gulcynski, Ross (Diploma - 2024)

The UW-Platteville awarded diplomas to Ross Gulcynski of Thorp, fine arts, for the fall of 2023.


6

Bio: Holmes, Mary (Reading Challenge Winner - 2024)

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

Surnames: Holmes, Ribar

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/2024

Holmes, Mary (Reading Challenge Winner - 2024)



Mary Holmes was the winner of the Neillsville Public Library 2023 reading challenge. Holmes read books on 33 of 52 prompts. Her name was entered into the drawing three times, and she won a book set by Joy Ann Ribar, a featured author at the library in 2022.

Submitted photo


7

Bio: Leinbach, Grace (President’s List - 2024)

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

Surnames: Leinbach

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/2024

Leinbach, Grace (President’s List - 2024)

NTC announced Grace Leinbach of Unity to the president’s list for outstanding academic achievement for the summer 2023 term.


8

Bio: Reinart, Lizzy - State FFA Officer (Member Advocate - 2024)

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

Surnames: Reinart

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/2024

Reinhart, Lizzy-State FFA Officer (Member Advocate - 2024)



Neillsville resident and 2023 Granton High School graduate Lizzy Reinart currently serves as the Wisconsin FFA section seven state vice-president. “To me, being a state officer is being an advocate for all 25,000+ Wisconsin FFA members,” Reinhart said. Submitted photo

‘The title I have would mean nothing without the members of the Wisconsin FFA organization’

By Edward DuBois

Lizzy Reinart, Neillsville resident and 2023 Granton High School graduate, currently serves as the Wisconsin FFA section seven state vice-president.

“I represent 26 FFA chapters,” Reinart said, “including Abbotsford, Amherst, Athens, Auburndale, Colby, DC Everest, Edgar, Gilman, Granton, Greenwood, Loyal, Marathon, Marshfield, Medford, Merrill, Mosinee, Neillsville, Owen-Withee, Pittsville, Rosholt, Spencer, Stevens Point, Stratford, Thorp, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids-Lincoln.
Reinart had transferred from Neillsville to Granton the summer before her seventh-grade year.

“Granton was a big change,” Reinart said. “Neillsville is very sports-centered, while the tight-knit community of Granton wholeheartedly supports FFA. My classmates were so excited to be able to join FFA in their seventh-grade year and I decided to hop on the trend. I have been active in FFA for the last seven years and have no plans to stop.

“I decided to run for FFA State Office in my junior year of high school. That same year, section seven did not have a state officer to represent the [26] FFA chapters in my section. It was during that year that I realized state officers do not just conduct workshops, but the immense impact they have on members.

“During that year, state officers from other sections traveled to section seven to visit chapters and attend section seven events. Although these state officers were not from my section, they still put in the effort to remember my name and have meaningful and impactful conversations with me. It was one of those conversations that showed me I wanted to be there for not only section seven members but every member of Wisconsin FFA.”

In May, state officer candidates have to turn in an application consisting of FFA activity experience and other questions. Then, in June ,at the Wisconsin FFA State Convention, candidates went through five different interviews. A personal interview which was “more or less like a regular job interview,” a stand-and-deliver where candidates were given a week to prepare a five-minute speech candidates presented during the interview, the discussion interview which demonstrates conversational skills, an FFA knowledge interview and a group interview with the other candidates from a sections to hear how other candidates work in a team setting.

After all of the interviews were scored, the top two scoring individuals for each section went into the delegate round. Within the delegate round, candidates were asked three impromptu questions, and they answered those questions in front of high school members from their section. Those members then voted for which candidate they supported.

“As a Wisconsin FFA state officer,” Reinart said, “I spend a lot of time traveling and advocating for agriculture, but I do have a few responsibilities that stick out.

“As a state officer team, we put on conferences for members including the Fall Leadership Workshop, which is a conference for any member with multiple workshops about agriculture, FFA and leadership skills, and the Foundations in Reaching Excellence Conference is for the fifth- through ninth-grade members and is a day-long conference with six different workshops.

“The team and I also attend events for the Wisconsin FFA Alumni and Supporters and the Wisconsin FFA Foundation throughout the year. On my own, there are a few things that keep me busy throughout the year. Aside from social media posts and miscellaneous articles, I travel to every chapter or school in section seven and conduct a chapter visit. A chapter visit is a full-day visit where a state officer travels to the school and does fun activities or workshops with the agriculture classes at the school. I also attend different FFA contests and competitions held throughout section seven.

“To be a state officer is to be a supporter, motivator and encourager for Wisconsin FFA members. The role that I have allows me to connect with so many students and be there for them within the FFA organization. The title I have would mean nothing without the members of the Wisconsin FFA organization.

“To me, being a state officer is being an advocate for all 25,000+ Wisconsin FFA members.

“When I became a state officer, the first piece of advice I can remember being given was to do it so well that I never want to do it again. I have taken that to heart. I live every event, interaction and moment to the fullest. I have made it my mission to take every opportunity and give everything I have at every event and everything I do because, at the end of the year, I do not want to look back wishing that I had done more. I want to look back thinking my year could not have been better.”


9

Obit: Lewan, Raymond Clarence “Ray” (1935 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Lewan, Szemraj, Sweda, Pogodzinski, Turenne, Klarr

----Source: Cuddies Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 2/25/2024

Lewan, Raymond Clarence “Ray” (19 November 1935 – 22 February 2024) With Flag

Raymond C. "Ray" Lewan, 88, of Lublin, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at Oakbrook Health & Rehab in Thorp.

Raymond Clemence Lewan was born on November 19, 1935, in the Township of Roosevelt to the late Stanley and Frances (Szemraj) Lewan. He was raised in Lublin, on the family farm and attended area schools, graduating from Gilman High School in 1954. Growing up, Ray played a lot of baseball which made him a very successful baseball pitcher. He continued his baseball career by signing a contract to pitch in the minor division of the New York Giants after graduation. In 1955, he attended his first baseball training camp in Melbourne, Florida. Ray’s impressive pitching skills elevated him from Class D to Class B which landed him in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He later signed a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. He also had offers from the Dodgers among other teams. Due to an arm injury and missing his family, Ray returned home to Lublin.

On June 21, 1958, he was united in marriage to Pauline Sweda at Holy Assumption Orthodox Church in Lublin. He enlisted into the U.S. Army, and two weeks after their marriage, he served his country until his honorable discharge on July 8, 1960. Ray returned to Lublin and hauled milk for Bellinger Dairy and then went to work for Midland Co-op in Thorp, where he was employed for 35 years. In addition, he also sold Klearwater water softeners from 1969 until 2022, and mowed lawns for several businesses and schools in the area. Ray was a member of the Lublin American Legion Post #547, and past president of Roosevelt Rod & Gun Club for many years.

He had many interests, but especially enjoyed baseball, fishing, hunting, polka dancing, and watching the Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Green Bay Packers.

Ray is survived by his wife, Pauline, of Thorp; four children: Randy (Pam) Lewan and Tim (Deb) Lewan, Michele (Eugene) Pogodzinski, all of Thorp, and Lisa (Jim) Turenne of Merrill; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, other relatives and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Elmer “Butch” and Sylvester "Silver" Lewan.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Thorp Funeral Home in Thorp. Rev. Hermann Klarr will officiate, and burial will follow at Holy Assumption Orthodox Cemetery in Lublin. Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Jared Lewan, Derek Lewan, Brandon Lewan, Aaron Pogodzinski, Austin Pogodzinski, and Bailey Turenne. Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and again on Friday from 9 a.m. until time of service.

Ray's family would like to thank the staff at Traditions Assisted Living, Oakbrook Health & Rehab, and Lily Hospice for their compassionate care given to Ray.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.


10

Obit: Pawlowicz, Yvonne Elaine (1954 - 2024)

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

Surnames: Pawlowicz, Kelnhofer, Amo, Schwoch, Forrett, Edwards, Schlais, Wangerin, Swink, Pinter, Pope, Kovatch, Galler, Ladd, Andersen

----Source: Life Tributes Funeral Home (Spencer, Clark Co., WI) 2/29/2024

Pawlowicz, Yvonne Elaine (10 April 1954 – 28 February 2024)

Yvonne Elaine Pawlowicz, age 69, of Dorchester, passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at House of The Dove after a brief battle with brain cancer.

Yvonne was born on April 10, 1954, in Marshfield, the daughter of Theodore “Ted” Schwoch and Faye (Kelnhofer) Amo. She graduated from Colby High School, in 1972. She then went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and worked as a Registered Nurse for many years. She began her nursing career at the Rib Lake Nursing Home and then was the ADON at both the nursing homes in Abbotsford and Colby. Yvonne then began working Home Health for Ministry Home Care when they started their program. She spent numerous years working to help develop and strengthen that program. She also worked for Hope Hospice providing care for hospice patients in their homes. Lastly, she worked at the Marshfield Clinic – Colby Center as their Triage Nurse up until the time of her retirement in August of 2019.

She was united in marriage to Bruce Pawlowicz on August 10, 1974, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Dorchester where she was a member up until the time she passed. Together they adopted two daughters. In her free time Yvonne enjoyed working on stained glass projects, bike trips with the “Medford Ladies”, shopping at Warren’s Cranberry Festival, family vacations, and spending time with her friends and family. She was an advocate for things she found value in and worked to help build and strengthen many programs/agencies.

Those that will lovingly cherish her memory are her husband: Bruce Pawlowicz and their daughters, Angela Forrett (Josh Edwards) and Ashley Pawlowicz, Her grandchildren, Landon, Teegan, and Brynlee Forrett and their father Nick Forrett. Her siblings: Wenda Schwoch and her husband Larry Schlais and Kurt (Kathy) Schwoch. Bruce’s siblings: Shelley Wangerin, Chet (Diane) Pawlowicz, Bryan Pawlowicz, Dawn (Mike) Swink, Camille (Mike) Pinter, and Sandy (Shaye) Pope. She is further survived by her mother-in-law Claire Pawlowicz and her aunts: Elaine Kovatch and Caryl Galler, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and other relatives.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, Ted Schwoch and Faye Amo; her father-in-law Bruno Pawlowicz; her grandparents; numerous aunts and uncles; and a cousin in infancy.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dorchester with Rev. Shawn W. Andersen presiding. She will be laid to rest following the service at Dorchester Memorial Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service. The honor of pallbearers belongs to Gary Schwoch, Mark Kovatch, Greg Kovatch, Pierce and Preston Pope, and Shawn Ladd. Honorary pallbearers are Landon, Teegan, and Brynlee Forrett.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Yvonne’s name are being accepted by the family to go to a charity to be determined.

Yvonne’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.

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

 

 

 

 

 


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