Mark Jeffrey Westerlund, age 66, of Pine River, died peacefully on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at his home in the Township of Bloomfield.
He was born August 9, 1958, in Illinois, the son of Robert and Virginia Archer Westerlund. Mark was united in marriage to Cheryl Arnold.
Mark worked for International Harvester as a young man, and eventually found working in heavy collision restoration of autos and trucks was his passion, and did that for many years.
Wade Allen Gallert, age 55, of Berlin, formerly of Watertown, WI, was born April 3, 1969, in Oconomowoc, WI, to RosaLee Barnard and Carl Gallert.
Wade was a simple man. He worked hard and loved to play even harder, spending his time fishing, cracking a cold Budweiser, and hanging with the best of them, making memories that will be told for the rest of our days. As he grew older, he enjoyed time spent in the solitude of his home that he shared with his niece, Heather, in Berlin. But it was his sense of humor that truly set him apart. Even in the face of illness, he’d weave jokes into conversations. His timing was impeccable, and his laugh was infectious. Whether it was a family gathering, a hospital room or bedroom at home in his last days, his humor remained unyielding.
Ronald Allen Harke, age 73, of Berlin, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Juliette Manor in Berlin.
He was born January 21, 1951, at Berlin Memorial Hospital, the son of Arnold and Ella Meyer Harke. Ron was a 1969 graduate of Berlin High School and attended Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Ron was owner/operator of Hark Com in Berlin for 35 years. He was an FCC Licensed Radio Engineer and member of MSOE Alumni Association and CET (Certified Electronic Tech). Ron actively gave back to his community as a former City of Berlin Council member, past Commadore of Berlin Boat Club, former Berlin Chamber of Commerce Board member and past President of MSS “Motorola Services Stations” WI Chapter. He also enjoyed working with the ABC Group (Achieving a Better Community) and playing keyboard for Big Boomba’s Boppers for many years. Ron followed Grace English Lutheran Church in Berlin on their Facebook streaming.
Mary Louise Grambsch, age 88, of Waupaca, formerly of Poy Sippi, died peacefully at her daughter’s home on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
She was born at home on June 10, 1936, in Wittenberg-Birnamwood, WI, the daughter of Chester and Lois Beck Snell. Mary attended Berlin High School. On Aug. 29, 1959, she was united in marriage to Russell Grambsch in the parsonage for First Lutheran Church in Poy Sippi.
Mary spent her life as a caring mother and grandmother. She was known for her beautiful garden, especially her petunias. Mary loved all animals and enjoyed sewing plus doing word search puzzles. She was an original member of the Poy Sippi Firettes.
Joseph Anthony Felske, age 87, of Pine River, died peacefully at home on Monday, October 7, 2024. He was born November 14, 1936, in West Allis, WI, the son of Joseph and Catherine Mayer Felske. Joe was baptized and confirmed at Saint Mathias. On November 6, 1958, Joe was united in marriage to Judy Kau of New Berlin. They lived in Racine while he worked construction and then farmed. On June 6, 1966, they moved north and bought a dairy farm in rural Pine River where they farmed until retirement in 2008.