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, 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.