Patty Rose Schneider, age 87, of Redgranite, formerly of Menomonee Falls, was born to eternal life on Friday, January 31, 2025.
She was born in Milwaukee, WI, the daughter of Andrew and Helen Klawiter Dillett. Patty was a graduate of St. John Cathedral High School in Milwaukee.
Patty was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking. She loved golf and playing bridge. Patty was a member of the Ladies of Columbus (KofC) and St. Mary Catholic Church in Menomonee Falls. She always volunteered when needed and graciously gave to numerous charities. Patty will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Wendy Ann Pongratz, age 45, of Oshkosh, died unexpectedly at home on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
She was born July 26, 1979, in Neenah, WI, the daughter of Michael and Debra Hall Pongratz. Wendy was a 1997 graduate of Wautoma High School. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science from UW-Oshkosh and also attended Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac
. Wendy worked in the lab at SSM in Fond du Lac and in Admissions at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, crafting, Sushi, Lilo & Stitch and spending time with her family and friends.
Richard Joseph “Dick” Trochinski, age 79, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at ThedaCare Medical Center-Berlin.
He was born December 28, 1945, at Berlin Memorial Hospital, the son of Carl and Marcella Makurat Trochinski. Dick attended St Joseph Catholic School and was a 1964 graduate of Wautoma High School. In January 1966 he enlisted in the US Navy. When he returned from basic training in March, he took Judith Doro to Menomonie, Michigan, where they eloped on March 31, 1966.
Dick spent the next seven months in New York at the Brooklyn Naval Yards. When they came home on leave at Christmas, they were united in marriage on December 31, 1966, at St Michael Catholic Church in Berlin. He spent another 4 months in NY before being transferred to Charleston, SC, where he served at The Charleston Naval Yards and aboard the USS Hunley, which included a six-month deployment to Guam. In 1970, after his honorable discharge, they returned to Berlin where they would raise their two children, Dawn & Douglas.
Diane Rae Dowell, age 80, of Berlin, died peacefully on Monday, January 27, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton.
She was born September 14, 1944, in Berlin, WI, the daughter of Walter Sr. and Runette Brechlin Alf. Diane was a 1962 graduate of Berlin High School. She received her Bachelor Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. On August 6, 1966, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Harold Dowell at St. Paul Lutheran Church at Fairburn.
Diane shared her love of history by teaching 6th grade Social Studies in the Wautoma School District. She enjoyed traveling, weekend get-aways to the casino and reading. Diane lived life to the fullest and especially loved spending time with her family and friends. Although Diane is gone, she will live in our hearts. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Omro.
Sharon Jean Johannes, age 65, of Ripon, died peacefully at home on Saturday, January 25, 2025.
She was born August 15, 1959, in Berlin, WI, the daughter of Delbert and Eileen Sonju Johannes. Sharon was a 1977 graduate of Berlin High School.
Sharon worked in assembly for Alliance Laundry, bartended at several places and also worked as a security guard. Sharon loved being outdoors riding her Harley, hunting, fishing and gardening. She liked guns and her cats. Most important to her was the time she spent and treasured immensely with her grandkids. She was instrumental in organizing the Ronnie Eichsteadt Memorial Scholarship for 15 years.
Wanda Virginia Farmer, age 44, of Berlin, died unexpectedly at home on Saturday, January 25, 2025.
She was born May 16, 1980, in Wild Rose, WI, the daughter of Calvin and Joyce Dittman Miller. She spent the majority of her adolescence bouncing around parts of Wisconsin and finished high school at Slinger High. Wanda went on to study Phlebotomy and graduated from Waukesha County Technical College with a GPA of 4.0. In 2000, she was united in marriage to Joseph Farmer. They had three wonderful children.
Wanda’s unexpected passing has been a shock to anyone who knew and loved her. She was a free soul and was never afraid to be herself. Although she was self-conscious about her smile, she never failed to light up a room with her infectious laugh. Wanda was an extremely hard-working and loyal individual. She often helped those she loved without question, or without expecting anything in return. She had a goofy personality and she definitely knew how to have a good time. Wanda’s sister, SueAnne, recalled working together at K-Mart around 2016-2017, and enjoyed the chaos they created together.
Dolores Maria “Dee” Nardi, age 89, of Berlin, formerly of Cudahy, died peacefully on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Patriot Place in Berlin.
She was born November 16, 1935, in Jarales, New Mexico, the daughter of Antonio and Crucita Montono Torrez. On June 15, 1973, she was united in marriage to Robert Nardi in Waukegan, IL.
Dee raised her family in Cudahy and worked for Master Set in St. Francis. She loved to spend time with her grandkids, great-grandkids, watch birds, color and collect photographs. Her favorite TV shows were Law & Order and Golden Girls.
Ralph William “Bill” Fabricius, age 65, of Berlin, died unexpectedly on Thursday, January 23, 2025, as the result of an automobile/pedestrian accident.
He was born January 14, 1960, in Berlin, WI, the son of Ralph “Lefty” and Judith Gustin Fabricius. Bill was a 1979 graduate of Berlin High School. On November 1, 1986, he was united in marriage to Kathy J. Forseth at St. John Lutheran Church in Saxeville.
For several years Bill was co-owner and employed at W. C. Russell Moccasin Company in Berlin. He and Kathy were active members of the Oshkosh YMCA, where they participated in many events. As a couple, they loved going on cruises, especially in the Caribbean. Bill’s other pastimes included an interest in motor vehicles of all makes and models, and technology of all kinds. He was a wonderful grandpa or “Papa” to his grandkids. Bill also enjoyed knee boarding, adventurous sports and “thrill rides”; (he never got sick!).
Kevin Gabriel Sloan, age 30, of Berlin, died unexpectedly on January 22, 2025, as a result of an automobile accident in Winnebago County, WI.
He was born March 11, 1994, in Royal Oak, MI, the son of Terrence and Susan Taylor Sloan. Kevin was a 2012 graduate of Farmington High School in Farmington, MI. On February 20, 2018, he was united in marriage to Shannon L. Sims in Novi, MI.
Kevin and his family moved to the Berlin area in 2024 where he was the area technical operations manager for Fresenius Kidney Care in Milwaukee. He loved his children and wife and was a devoted husband & father. Kevin enjoyed barbecuing and grilling, was an avid shooter, liked motorcycles and snowboarding, and was very involved with his work. He will be deeply missed.
Mary Ann Catherine (Schmidt) Wolff of Berlin, Wisconsin, passed away Sunday afternoon, January 19, 2025, with her family at her side at Country Villa Assisted Living in Omro. She was 87 and had suffered from dementia for the past seven years.
The daughter of Walter and Loretta (Marx) Schmidt, Mary Ann was born on Tuesday, August 17, 1937, at the home of her grandparents, Nicholas and Catherine Marx, in Mayville Wisconsin.
Mary Ann attended St. Mary's Catholic grade school and graduated from Mayville High School in 1955. While in high school, she was asked to write a weekly column for the Mayville News reporting on activities at the high school. This experience prepared her for becoming the wife of a newspaper editor, having met James Wolff at Wisconsin State College-Whitewater. They were married on September 19, 1959.
Kenneth Eugene LaSure, age 92, of Poy Sippi, died peacefully at home on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
He was born October 17, 1932, in Janesville, WI, the son of Melvin and Pearl Christiansen LaSure. Ken was a 1950 graduate of Janesville High School. On June 14, 1952, he was united in marriage to June Snell at First Lutheran Church in Poy Sippi. They celebrated 72 years of marriage.
Ken retired from Waupaca Auto Supply after managing Weyauwega Auto Supply for 30 years. After retiring, he drove school bus for 17 years for Mascoutin Transportation. He genuinely enjoyed the kids and the trips with the different bus drivers. Ken also loved to relax and go deer hunting up at his cabin in Mercer. What he treasured the most was the time he was able to spend with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially during Christmastime. He would have fun making them pancakes.
Pat Quillen, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on the morning of January 16, 2025. She was 73 years old and will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Born and raised in Roslyn, Long Island, NY, Pat moved to Los Angeles in her teenage years after the passing of her mother. It was in California that she graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in History. Her adventurous spirit took her to Anchorage, Alaska, where she spent several years documenting the implantation of the Alaskan oil pipeline.
After her time in Alaska, she moved back to the Bay Area, where she built a life with her two children, Robert and Christopher. While in the Bay Area, she developed an interest in electronics, an interest that would turn into a lifelong passion. She studied electronics, ultimately becoming an accomplished electronics technician. Her talent and dedication led her to open her own business, wiring office buildings for local businesses.
Phillip J. Sass passed away peacefully at home on January 13, 2025.
Phil was many things to many people. Husband, father, brother, and grandfather. Coach, business owner, friend. Or simply “Uncle Phil.” He was loved and will be missed.
Phil was born in 1945 to Eugene and Stella Slivon Sass. The second oldest of six children, he spent his childhood climbing trees, hanging out at the swimming pool, and raising a ruckus with his brothers and sister. A 1963 graduate of Pulaski High School in Milwaukee, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was a member of the men’s swim team and later the men’s water polo team.
Maria Selthofner, age 89, of Redgranite, formerly of Pine River, died peacefully on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Preston Place in Redgranite.
She was born December 24, 1935, in the village of Bunic, Croatia, in war torn Europe, the daughter of Johann and Elizabeth Hernitz Keller. She and her mother traveled and worked on government farms in her youth. Her father escaped Russian controlled Europe and reconnected with them in Austria after the war. They then moved to Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1955 through the Catholic Charities organization. Maria and her family were supposed to go to St. Louis, Missouri, but through an act of God, they went to Milwaukee where other members of the family were. That is where she met her husband. On January 11, 1958, she was united in marriage to Fredrick Selthofner in Milwaukee.
Ronald James Haase, age 81, of Berlin, died peacefully on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Juliette Manor in Berlin.
He was born May 10, 1943, in Oshkosh, WI, the son of Jack and Arlene Pollack. In 1954 after his mother’s death, he was adopted by Wilbur and Verna Angel Haase. Ron was educated in Berlin schools and shared friendships with members of the Class of 1961. He served four years in the Navy on a destroyer. After serving in the Navy, he worked in construction and especially enjoyed the construction time he spent at Disney World. On August 4, 1979, he was united in marriage to Judith Meschke in Morristown, MN.
Holdorf Laundry Service and Speed Queen were employers before he became the first security and safety officer for Green Lake Conference Center. Ron retired in 2005 after 30 years of service there.
Diane Joyce Holz, age 63, of Redgranite, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
She was born March 19, 1961, in Kenosha, WI, the daughter of Richard and Carolyn Peterson Holz. Diane was a 1979 graduate of Oshkosh North High School and attended Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton.
Diane worked doing security for Securitas in Appleton. She was a talented crafter and photographer and would often show in Open Class at many area fairs, even receiving some Grand Champion ribbons. Diane loved making new accessories and working on her Christmas village, which took up an entire room. She loved lighthouses, going to casinos and listening to Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Juliana "Julie" Swartz, at the age of 84. Julie passed away peacefully at Crossroads Care Center of Mayville on January 4, 2025.
She was born June 20, 1940, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the daughter of John and Anna Valentine Hall. Julie graduated from Bradford High School in 1957 and began her career working at Lepp’s Department Store. She later became a produce manager at Kohl’s Food Store and continued to serve her community by working at St. Joseph Nursing Home. On December 2, 1961, she was united in marriage to Charles Swartz at St. George Catholic Church in Kenosha, and together they shared a life full of love, laughter and enough playful arguments to keep things interesting. Julie was an incredibly devoted mother and grandmother, playing a pivotal role in the lives of her grandchildren, offering support, guidance, and endless affection.
Kurtis Kyle Kirk, age 58, of Auroraville, died peacefully at home on Friday, January 3, 2025.
He was born April 26, 1966, in Waupaca, WI, the son of Robert and Donna Madison Kirk. Kurt was a 1984 graduate of Berlin High School. He attended Marquette University and graduated from Ripon College in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management. He also completed coursework at UW-Oshkosh to prepare for taking the CMA exam. On January 22, 1994, he was united in marriage to Anne Stemler at Grace English Lutheran Church in Berlin.
Kurt worked for 19 years at Oshkosh Truck in the Defense Division, retiring as Finance Director. He had a passion for life and everything he set his mind to. Kurt was an avid hunter and outdoorsman who thoroughly enjoyed special hunting trips, shooting skeet and trap, bird hunting, cutting wood, riding his bike, visiting National Parks or anything outdoors. Kurt enjoyed reading and listening to live bands, especially Blues music. He was an enthusiastic collector of miscellaneous sporting items.
It's with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Mary J. Trochinski, age 80, who passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025, with her family by her side.
Mary was born December 13, 1944. She was the second of nine children, born to Leon and Katherine Owens Kurczek, who taught her the value of faith, family and hard work, which in turn she passed along to her children and grandchildren.
She married her high school sweetheart, Dave Trochinski, on April 4, 1964, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Berlin. Together they raised four children. Mary's favorite job was being a domestic engineer. She enjoyed being a girl scout leader. She worked in a grocery store, cleaned many homes and businesses, and also took care of the elderly. Mary truly had a servant's heart.