ALICE M. ROGERS

Alice M. Rogers, 77, Waukesha, a former Township of Hill resident, died on Thursday, January 21 at Waukesha Memorial Hospital where she had been a patient for the past 2 weeks. 

Due to COVID concerns, funeral services for Alice will be private family only.  Interment will take place at Leavitt Creek Cemetery, Township of Hill with family members serving as pallbearers. 

Alice was born on October 6, 1943 at the Town of Hill, Price County, the daughter of John Elovy and Alma Sophia (Leino) Frankki.  She attended Leavitt Creek Grade School, Town of Hill and was a 1961 graduate of Westboro High School.  Her marriage took place on September 2, 1961 at Medford to Larry D. Rogers. 

After their marriage, they moved to Waukesha where she spent most of her life as a housewife and mother.  She also was a self-employed caregiver and housekeeper.  She enjoyed camping, visiting with family and friends.  She was a member of the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church in Kenosha. 

Surviving are her husband Larry Rogers of Waukesha; daughters, Janice (Brian) Swanson and Joan Rogers both of Waukesha; siblings, Shirley (Jack) Smith, James (Dorothy) Frankki, Ruth (Wayne) Dupuis & Carol (Gary “Fuzzy”) Ellenbecker, all of Medford, Linda (Ronald) Schmitt of Waukesha, Paul (Judith) Frankki of Stetsonville & Elaine (James) Leppala of Watton, MI; sisters-in-law, Janice Frankki of Medford & Diane Disinger of Indiana; brother-in-law, Stanley Stenberg of Irma.  Also surviving are numerous relatives, friends, and brothers & sisters in faith.  She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Joseph Rogers in 1964; siblings, Charles, John, George, Alfred & Richard Frankki, Ethel Stenberg; and sister-in-law, Mary Frankki. As well as other relatives. 

Memorial contributions may be given to the family for a future designation.  Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family.  For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com.

 

JOSEPH "JOE" A. KATHREIN

Joseph “Joe” A. Kathrein, 89, Dorchester, a former Rib Lake resident, died on Sunday, January 24 at Aspirus Medford Hospital where he had been a patient for the past 3 days. 

A memorial mass for Joseph will take place at 2:30 PM on Saturday, January 30 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Rib Lake with Father Hrudaya Raju Sunkara officiating.  Visitation will be at the church from 1:30 PM until the time of services at 2:30 PM on Saturday.  Burial of his cremated remains will be at Lakeview Cemetery, Rib Lake at a later date. 

Joe was born on April 25, 1931 at Rib Lake, the son of Meinard and Emma (Heisler) Kathrein.  He attended Rib Lake elementary schools and was a 1949 graduate of Rib Lake High School.  His marriage took place on December 2, 1961 at St. John Catholic Church, Rib Lake to Malinda M. Rosenfeldt. 

While residing in Rib Lake, he worked for 37 years at Gem Products as a sewing machine mechanic until his retirement.  He enjoyed woodworking, polka music, traveling and taking care of his yard.  He was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Rib Lake and a past member of the Rib Lake Community Club.

Surviving are his wife, Malinda Kathrein of Rib Lake; children, Brian Kathrein of Medford, Diane (Jim) Seng of Owen & Brenda (Rodney) Fallos of Rib Lake; grandchildren, Christy (Luke), Brian (Sara) & Paula Peterson, Jena (Dylan) Klimpke, Cody (Gao Khang) Seng, Heather (Paul) Rachu, Bradley (Kasie) & Joseph (Kenzie) Fallos, Anthony Kathrein, Cassy (Matt) Ulrich and Sadie (Chee) Xiong.  Also surviving are 16 great grandchildren and a daughter-in-law, Jannis Kathrein.  He was preceded in death by his parents, son, David Kathrein; grandson, Rylan Kathrein; sister, Marie Krolnik; father/mother-in-law, Southwell and Lucile Rosenfeldt; brother-in-law, John Rosenfeldt, along with several aunts, uncles, cousins & friends. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be given to the family for a future designation.  Hemer Funeral Service of Rib Lake and Medford is serving the family.  For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com.

 

CHARLES "CHUCK" G. MAYER

Charles “Chuck” G. Mayer, 94, of Chelsea, passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Rib Lake Health Services, under the care of Hope Hospice.

Private family services will take place with military honors with a celebration of life to take place at a later date.

Chuck was born on May 20, 1926 to Henry Sr. and Mary (Kestler) Mayer in Chelsea. As a senior in high school he drove milk truck before school in the morning. He served overseas in the Philippines at the end of World War II. After the war he went to Japan for 13 and a half months and was in the military police. He married Anna M. Gosbee on October 9, 1948 at Whittlesey Church in the Township of Chelsea; she preceded him in death.

After his service, Chuck bought three milk trucks and serviced Westboro to Medford area. He sold two routes and kept one for 22 years. He also hauled peas to Medford Pea Cannery then to Stratford Pea Cannery. Along with farming his own land, which had three barns full of livestock and chickens, he did thrashing oats, and then changed to combining for 29 farmers and filled 11 silos a year. He converted his milk truck into a pulp wood truck and hauled logs and pulp wood. He worked for Farmers Union in Medford installing furnaces, electrical work, and delivered propane gas. He also drove school bus for the Westboro School District and drove gravel truck for Jochimsen & Schmidt.

Chuck was a County Board Supervisor in Medford, Chairman of the Township of Chelsea, was on the Westboro School Board, member of VFW Westboro, American Legion in Rib Lake, and Chelsea Conservation Club. In his spare time he enjoyed camping, woodworking and maintenance of work shop in Texas, and playing cards with his family.

Chuck is survived by his children, Kathleen M. Kleutsch of Medford, Teresa A. (Doug) Kleutsch of Winter, WI, Susan J. (Dennis) Jensen of Medford, Sandra J. (Gary) Scheithauer of Medford; grandchildren, Katelyn (Juan Pablo Berón) & Allisyn  Kleutsch, Jesse (Amanda) & Brandon (Casey) Jensen, Nathan (Jenna) Scheithauer & Nicole (Dustin) Misener; great-grandchildren, Sierra, Miles, Lucas & Mackenzie Jensen, Eden and Grayson Misener; sister, Joan (Jim) Tlusty. He is further survived by other family and friends.

In addition to his wife, Chuck is preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia; son-in-law, Jerome Kleutsch; brothers, Frank, Henry Jr, George, and Bill Mayer; sister, Mary Koontz.

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

GARY L. WESTRICH

Gary L. Westrich, 67, of Medford, passed away at home unexpectedly on Friday, January 22, 2021.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date.

Gary was born on July 19, 1953 to Donald and Enola (Meyer) Westrich in Medford. He graduated from Medford High School. After high school he entered the Navy. He married Patricia “Patty” A. Henke of June 17, 1972; she survives. He worked for Doberstein Lumber for many years. He was then self-employed until his retirement.

In his spare time Gary enjoyed fishing, hunting, and riding his Gator.

In addition to his wife Gary is survived by his son, Gary (Terri) Westrich Jr. of Medford; granddaughter, Karlee Westrich of Medford; sisters, Jean (John) Vogt of Tennessee, Linda Westrich of Florida, Julie (Robin) Hartzell of Cadott, and Carol (Mark) Anderson of Weston; brothers, Kim (Beth) Westrich of Medford, Jason Westrich of Wausau, and Russell (Sheri) Westrich of Jump River. Gary is further survived by other family and friends.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Enola and his stepmother, Lorraine Westrich.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Gary’s name may be given to the family for use at a later date.

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

KENNETH "KEN" O. MANNEL

Kenneth “Ken” O. Mannel, 94, of Rib Lake, passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Rib Lake Health Services.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Ken was born on July 28, 1926 to Erwin and Viola (Dreier) Mannel in Wilton. He graduated from Wilton High School in 1944. He entered into the Navy in 1944, during World War II, and served on a Destroyer Escort in the Pacific. He married Ruth Shaw on June 11, 1950 at the United Methodist Church in Sparta; she preceded him in death on March 5, 2020. He was recalled to the Navy during the Korean War. He then attended Mortuary School in Milwaukee.

Ken worked for Schmidt and Bartelt Funeral Home in Milwaukee. He moved to Rib Lake in August of 1956 and worked with Elmer Taylor at Taylor Funeral Home, eventually purchasing the funeral home and owning and operating it from 1961 until 1977. He also built and operated the funeral home in Prentice. After selling the funeral home Ken and Ruth bought Ed Thum’s Phillip 66 Oil Company until selling it in 1990.

Ken was a member of the Shriners, transporting children to the Shriners Hospital in Minneapolis. He was also a member of the Rib Lake Fire Department, Rib Lake Village Board, Rib Lake United Methodist Church, Lehman-Clendenning American Legion Post, and a charter member of the Rib Lake Lions. He bowled for many years, including the State Tourney. As a member of the Taylor County Board, he was instrumental in establishing and preserving the Wood Lake County Park for future generations.

Ken is survived by his children, Karon (James) Dallmann of Rib Lake, Kim (Leon) Gasek of Medford, Kevin (Shirl) Mannel of Menomonie, Kyle (Penny) Mannel of Fremont, and Kurt (Petti) Mannel of Rib Lake; 14 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Ken is further survived by other family and friends.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Keith, and sister, Idell Marshall.

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

LILA M. CZARNEZKI

Lila M. Czarnezki, 90, Medford died on Friday, January 15 at Our House Senior Living, Medford where she had resided for the past 2 years. 

Memorial services for Lila will be private family only with Father Patrick McConnell officiating.  Burial of her cremated remains will take place at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery, Medford. 

Lila was born on May 8, 1930 in the Town of Deer Creek, the daughter of Ambrose and Helen (Schneider) Retterath.  She attended Stetsonville Grade School and was a 1948 graduate of Medford High School.  Her marriage took place on October 2, 1948 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Stetsonville to Milan G. Czarnezki and he preceded her in death on January 10, 2016.

They farmed in the Town of Hammel until 1957.  Then they moved to Medford and she was a dedicated housewife and mother; nothing was more important to her than her family.  For over 45 years, she provided loving childcare to grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many other  children who she loved and cherished as her own.  She was known as the “cake lady” as she baked and decorated many cakes for special occasions.  She enjoyed baking, making quilts, playing cards, gardening, flowers and spending time with her family.  Always having a smile on her face, she touched many lives.  She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford, and the Council of Catholic Women. 

Surviving are her children, Jim (Cas) Czarnezki of Tennessee, Gary Czarnezki of Medford, John (Nancy) Czarnezki of Rib Lake, Cheryl Bach of Weston and Joanne (Perry) Wolf of Athens; 11 grandchildren and  13 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, son-in-law, John Bach, brothers, Leonard and Joe Retterath, great-grandchildren, Tori Jean Czarnezki, Ethan Ryan Czarnezki and Aaron John Czarnezki.

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

 

LOIS M. PERNSTEINER

Lois M. Pernsteiner, 91, of the Township of Little Black, passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Aspirus Care and Rehab.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Lois was born on January 10, 1930 to Norman and Alice (Rudolph) Jensen in Medford. She married Henry Pernsteiner on September 27, 1946; he precedes her in death. She farmed alongside her husband. She also worked on a mink ranch and drove school bus for many years. She loved her flowers and gardening.

Lois is survived by her children Janis Brehm of Medford, Gale (John) Resech of Lac du Flambeau, June (Jeff) Jones of Washington, and Gary (Linda) Pernsteiner of Medford, 10 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren; brother, Leroy (Lyn) Jensen of Medford; brother-in-law, Jim Zuleger.

Lois is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sister, Joan Zuleger.

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