DAVID PAUL BREHM

David Paul Brehm, 74 of Rib Lake, a former Medford area resident, died on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Rib Lake Health Services, Rib Lake where he had resided for the past 5 years.

A funeral mass for David will take place at 11 AM on Saturday, November 9 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford with Father Patrick McConnell officiating. Visitation will be from 9 AM until the time of services at the church on the same day. Interment will be at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery, Medford. Pallbearers will be grandsons - Jake Brehm, Adam, Isaac, Blake & Brock Thums.

David was born on April 14, 1945 in Medford to George & Mabel (Lekies) Brehm. He attended Holy Rosary Grade School and Medford High School. His marriage to Grace Hoeck took place on June 5, 1965 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford.

From 1963-1966, he was enlisted in the National Guard. After working as a machinist and truck driver, in the 1970’s, he began producing and hauling pulpwood and logs as Brehm Forest Products. This led to becoming a veneer buyer for a Belgium market. Dave Eventually turned to his greatest passion as a hunting guide, which also included selling bear bait and dog food. His creative, adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit led to many hunting and fishing expeditions in multiple states and Canada. He loved his family and although he was not someone to sit on the sidelines, he enthusiastically attended school events to support his grandchildren.

Dave was a member of Holy Rosary Parish, Medford most of his life, and Good Shepherd Parish in Rib Lake in his later years.

Survivors include his wife, Grace of Rib Lake, children – Lana (Tim) Thums of Rib Lake, Lisa (Susanne Adams) Brehm of South Milwaukee & Scott (Michelle) Brehm of Westboro, 8 grandchildren & 7 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his mother, Mabel Brehm of Medford, siblings – Lyle (Pauline) Brehm of Schofield, Bruce (Joan) Brehm of Medford, Rebecca (Charles) Gerschefske of Lincoln, NB, Daniel (Cathy) Brehm of Ramsey, MN, numerous nieces & nephews. Dave was preceded in death by his father, George and infant son, Martin.

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com.

MARTHA A. DAMM

Martha A. Damm, 100, of Medford, passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at Country Gardens surrounded by family under the care of Hope Hospice.

Martha was born on December 16, 1918 in Medford. She married Ray Ludwig in June of 1938; he preceded her in death in June of 1982. She married Edwin Damm in November of 1985; he preceded her in death in of August 2008.

Martha lived a full life; whether it was working on their farm as a young girl, being a housewife & Mom, or slinging pizzas at Tombstone pizza.

They had six children,  Jan (Paul) Hirsch, Pat (Dick) Baumer, Terry (Elaine), Gary (Gabby), Deb Marvin and Doug (Connie), 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husbands, Martha is preceded in death by her son Terry and sons in law Bill Marvin and Paul Hirsch; also her grandson Kurt Hirsch.

A memorial service for Martha will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 8, 2019 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, with Father Patrick McConnell officiating. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will take place at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Friday, November 8, 2019 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM.

Hemer Funeral Services of Medford and Rib Lake have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.

Martha’s family would like to thank Country Gardens and Hope Hospice for the wonderful care.

JANET M. NIEMUTH

Janet Marcella Niemuth passed away on October 26, 2019 at the age of 81. Her body was cremated, and the cremains were interred in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Stetsonville. Hemer Funeral Home of Medford assisted the family with the arrangements.

Mrs. Niemuth, daughter of the late Martin Williams and Selma (Ludwig) Williams, was born in the Township of Hoard in Clark County. She received her education in the Medford Area Schools.

Her marriage to the late Vernon Niemuth took place on May 29, 1958 in Stetsonville, at which time they farmed in the town of Deer Creek before moving to the Medford area in 1968.

Mrs. Niemuth is survived by her children, Cindy Brost (Larry), Dan Niemuth (Susan), Linda Neumueller (Dennis), Amy Halopka (Brian), Rodney Niemuth (Brenda), 13 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.

Other survivors include two sisters, Norma Kraemer and Sharon Kraemer, and two brothers, David Williams (Shirley) and Dale Williams (Kimberly – friend).

She was preceded in death by her husband, one brother, two brothers-in-law, and one sister-in-law.

The family would like to thank Hemer Funeral Home for their assistance. The family would also like to thank the staff of Aspirus Care and Rehab in Medford for their compassionate care, as well as the supporting staff of Aspirus Hospice Care.

A celebration of life for Janet will be held 11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at BS Bar in Medford.

ALICE LORRAINE GENGLER

NAME OF DECEASED:  ALICE LORRAINE GENGLER        AGE:  95

ADDRESS:  Care Partners Assisted Living, Medford; A former Township of Molitor resident

PLACE, DATE & TIME OF DEATH: Friday, October 25 at Care Partners Assisted Living, Medford where she had resided for the past 18 months, most recently under the care of Hope Hospice

TIME & PLACE OF SERVICES: a memorial mass will take place at 11 AM on Wednesday, October 30 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford

OFFICIATING:  Father Patrick McConnell

INTERMENT:   Interment of her cremated remains will take place at Molitor Catholic Cemetery, Town of Molitor 

VISITATION:  Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford from 10 AM until the time of services at 11 AM on Wednesday, October 30

DATE & PLACE OF BIRTH: August 19, 1924 at the Township of Molitor

EDUCATION: Town of Molitor elementary schools

MARRIAGE: November 25, 1943 in San Diego, CA to Matthew P. Gengler and he preceded her in death January 20, 2004

PRINCIPAL EVENTS IN LIFE: They farmed in the Town of Molitor for a period of time.  She drove school bus, worked as a housewife & mother, and worked at Weather Shield Mfg. in Medford for many years until her retirement.  She enjoyed playing cards, birds, flowers, baking and was known to her grandchildren as the “Jellybean Grandma.”

MEMBER OF:  Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford

SURVIVING CHILDREN:  Sally (Ron) Banks of Dorchester, Peggy (Dale) Obernberger of Stratford, Vicky Gengler of Chippewa Falls, Terry (Cindy) Gengler of Chippewa Falls, Matt Jr. (Sue) Gengler of Medford

Daughter-in-law:  Patty Gengler of Medford

# OF LIVING GRANDCHILDREN:  15     GR-GRANDCHILDREN:    numerous

CHILDREN DECEASED:  Sons:  Gerald in 1944 and Tom in 2016

SURVIVING BROTHERS/SISTERS: Richard (Irene) Higgins of Medford Roger (Faye) Higgins of Medford, Florence Hein of Medford

BROTHERS/SISTERS DECEASED: Genevieve Gengler, Caroline Butler, Glen Higgins, Marie Nelson

DECEASED FATHER: Sherman William Higgins  DECEASED MOTHER: Beulah Mae (Donaldson) Higgins

OTHER INFORMATION:  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be given to the family for a future designation

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake serving the family

-For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com 

ELAINE B. PILLER

Elaine B. Piller, 88, passed away on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at Palliative Care Aspirus Hospital at Wausau, WI. Cremation rites have been accorded and a private family service will be held.

Elaine Fischer was born on October 27, 1930 at Marathon City, WI to the late Peter and Agnes (Lemmer) Fischer. She attended Medford area schools.

On August 5, 1950 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford, she married Harold O. Piller, who preceded her in death.

She was a homemaker and partner with her husband in various area businesses. Elaine always enjoyed reading, a love of the outdoors and going on road trips with her children during her later years. She had a deep interest in the bible and sharing this with family and others.

Elaine is survived by her six children: Kenneth (Maryann) of Marshfield, James of Medford, Debra of Medford, Joseph (Anna) of New Jersey, Mary of Chicago, IL and Anthony of Minneapolis, MN; two sisters: Angeline Patton of Medford and Maryann Curly of Florida; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; two brothers Marvin and David; two sisters Alice in childhood and Deloris “Lori” (Glen) Higgins.

Hemer Funeral Services of Medford and Rib Lake have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.

ELAINE E (VALENTINE) SERVAIS

Elaine E. (Valentine) Servais, age 94, passed away on October 17, 2019 at Aspirus Care and Rehab under the care of Hope Hospice, where she had been residing for the past 3 weeks.

Elaine was the fourth of nine children born at home in Detroit, MI on July 8, 1925 to Cecelia (Detloff) and Alphonse Valentine. After graduation from Annunciation Catholic High School in 1943, she was employed at Hudson Motor Company and the Veterans’ Administration. At the end of WWII, the adventurous Elaine, along with one of her sisters and two friends, traveled to Great Lakes Naval Base for the opportunity of earning $50 a week to process the large volume of naval personnel returning home from the war.

 It was while employed there that she met her future spouse, Donald Servais, from Kenosha, WI. The couple was wed on June 7, 1947 in Detroit, MI. They then moved to Madison, WI, where Donald pursued his education at the University of WI and Elaine held various clerical jobs.  After Donald completed his studies, the couple made their home in Kenosha, WI. Like many other woman of her generation, Elaine was primarily a housewife and mother until her children were raised. She was a member of two monthly Women’s Bridge Clubs, an Adoptive Mothers’ support group, Sweet Adelines  Chorus and Catholic Women’s Club. Once her daughters were older, she was employed at S.P.E.B.S.Q.A (Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartets of America) in Kenosha.

After Donald’s death in 2005, Elaine moved to Medford, WI to be closer to family and she became a much loved resident at Country Gardens, Care Partners and most recently, Our House Assisted Living. While she was able, she enjoyed participating in the Country Gardens float in the Halloween parade, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the Red Hat Ladies visits, playing cards and bingo. She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

In addition to her spouse and parents, Elaine was preceded in death by sisters: Cecilia Allor, Mary Dietz, and Jean Valentine and brothers: George Valentine and Anthony Valentine.

Elaine is survived by daughters: Terri (Mark) Hubbard of Medford, WI and Nancy Servais-Ford of Norfolk, VA; sisters: Lenore Biebel of Michigan, Margaret Ramant of Florida and Carol (Frank) Ferri of Illinois and sister-in-law: Janet Valentine of Michigan. She is further survived by four grandchildren: Vanessa (Ryan) Hillebrand, Jared (Tara) Hubbard, Noah (Kim Smith) Hubbard and Chelsea (Jeremy) Zenner and 10 great-grandchildren: Ezra, Raina, Brandon, Ethan, Isaiah, Kai, Myah, Tanner, Bryer and Willow.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, November 1, 2019 at Hemer Funeral Home, Medford, with Rev. David Clements officiating. Visitation will be on Friday, November 1, 2019 at Hemer Funeral Home, Medford from 10 AM until the time of service. Interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of your choice or perform a random act of kindness in Elaine’s memory.

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake serving the family. For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com.

BERNARD "BERNIE" E. SCHATZ

Bernard “Bernie” E. Schatz, 87, of Ogema, passed away at Clark County Rehab, due to Alzheimer’s, with his wife by his side.

Bernie was born on March 8, 1932 to Martin and Otilla (Locks) Schatz in Ashland. He graduated from Ondossagon High School in Ashland. He earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture from UW-River Falls and his Master’s of Science from UW-Madison. He also attended North Dakota State University and UC-Berkley as a recipient of National Science Grants. He taught middle school in Port Wing, Beloit, and Minneapolis before retiring from teaching.  He then went to work for the Minneapolis Post Office, where he worked in Mechanical Maintenance, installing the bar code machines for envelopes until his retirement. He married Barbara A. Andree at the Ogema Baptist Church on June 8, 1957, she survives.

Bernie loved to spend time on the Ogema farm, caring for his honey bees, tapping maple trees, cutting firewood, and playing with his great-grandchildren. Bernie was well traveled, having visited the Galapagos Islands, the 4 Scandinavian countries, and all the states except Alaska.

In addition to his wife Bernie is survived by his children, Randy (June) Schatz of Robinsdale, MN, and Ricky Schatz of Shakopee, MN; grandchildren, Teliah, Mariah, Lydiah, Andrew, and Amanda; 8 great-great-grandchildren. He is further survived by one sister Carole Provorse of San Antonio, TX and many other family and friends.

Bernie is preceded in death by his parents, and sibling, Carl, Ervin, and Doris.

Per Bernie’s request, his body was donated to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Hemer Funeral Services of Medford and Rib Lake have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.