05 January 2021

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Judith M. Reisetter

Judith M. Reisetter


Visitation:  Saturday, Jan. 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Service:  Saturday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m.  Location:  St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church in Iron Ridge Judith M. Reisetter, 80, of Iron Ridge, passed away on December 28, 2020, at her home in Iron Ridge. Judith was born August 5, 1940, in Oregon Township, Ogle County, IL, the oldest child of John and Mildred (Jones) Dyer. After graduating from Oregon Community High School, she worked in Dixon, IL, at J.C.Penney Co. and Shurhit Ignition Products. On December 28, 1963, in Compton, IL, she married Marion Reisetter of Lee, IL, where Marion was engaged in farming. A year later they moved to Iron Ridge, where Marion operated a mobile feed business and farmed. Judy was his bookkeeper, gopher, and helped wherever she was needed. Marion and Judy owned an apartment building for 20 years and a small laundromat for nine years, both of which Judy managed and operated. In later years she drove cars part-time for Ewald Ford in Hartford. Her hobbies were baking, reading, crossword puzzles, genealogy, and Iron Ridge history. She had an extensive collection of Iron Ridge historical information, postcards, and artifacts. She also enjoyed going to antique tractor shows with Marion. Judy was a member of St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, and a member of the St. Matthew’s Ladies Aid for 25 years. She was a member of the Neosho/Rubicon Historical Society, of which she was president for 10 years. Judy is survived by her husband, Marion; daughter, Carol (Lance) Rzepka of Hartford, and son, James (Stacey) Reisetter of Beaver Dam; grandchildren, Jennifer (David, Jr.) Saegert of Hartford, Kelsey (Aaron) Lofberg of West Bend, and Bethani Reisetter of Beaver Dam; great-grandsons, Owen and Lucas Saegert, and step-grandson, Chase Reisetter Wild of Ripon; sisters, Loretta “Lori” Falgout of Ocean Springs, MS, Suzanne Slyfield of IN; brothers, Arnold (Joyce) Dyer of Burnett, Reynolds “Butch” (Rose) Dyer of Huntley, IL, Kevin, (Terri) Dyer of Kenosha, Chris (Shawn) Dyer of Lenoir, NC; sisters-in-law, Sandra Dyer of Fort Gratiot, MI, Oliva Wright of Grinnell, IA; and nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by daughter, Beatrice; her parents; sister, Katherine Allen; brother, Marion “Jake” Dyer, and sisters, Helen and Iva in infancy; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dale Allen, Joe Falgout, Bervin and Kathy Nelson, Lucille Nelson, Luther and Karen Nelson, and David and Sheri Nelson. A visitation for Judith will be held on Saturday, Jan. 16, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church in Iron Ridge. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Larry Mose officiating. All in attendance are requested to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing. Memorials may be directed to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 308 Herman St. in Iron Ridge, or the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation. The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Mayville is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com.

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Lorraine Frieda (Brandt) Pluedeman

Lorraine Frieda (Brandt) Pluedeman


Visitation:  Saturday, Jan. 9, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.  Service:  Saturday, Jan. 9, at 11 a.m.  Location:  Hope Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac Lorraine Frieda (Brandt) Pluedeman, 85 years, formerly of Kekoskee, died peacefully on December 28, 2020, at Woodlands Senior Park. Lorraine was born the daughter of Herbert and Eleanor (Kuells) Brandt in the Town of Cedarburg on August 10, 1935. On September 29, 1956, she was united in marriage with Russell L. Pluedeman at Zion Lutheran Church in the Town of Theresa. She retired from Mayville Metal Products as a spot welder. Lorraine was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac and a former member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Mayville. Following retirement, she loved to rock the babies at St. John’s Child Care, play cards, drive her friends to the Amish store, and listening to polka music. Lorraine is survived by her four children, Kathleen (Rick) Korb of Fond du Lac, Roger (Carol) Pluedeman of Eagle River, Karen (Bob) Carroll of Leesburg, FL, and Richard (Wendy) Pluedeman of Eagle River; brother, Ronald (Marian) Brandt of Cedarburg; eight grandchildren, Sara Pluedeman, Jason Pluedeman, Elizabeth Sazama, Cassandra (Zachary) Vircks, Jacob (Amber) Pluedeman, Ashley (Kurt) Woodruff, Kimberly (Bryan) Barfknecht and Christopher Carroll; seven great-grandchildren, Lydia, Jonah, Nolan, Edward, Dawson, Kinsley, and Elise. She is further survived by her brother-in-law, Roland (Dorothy) Schroeder of Horicon; sister-in-law, Hildegarde Brandt of Cedarburg, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell, on October 9, 2020; brothers, Wilmer (Joanne) Brandt and Allen Brandt. Visitation will be held on Saturday, Jan. 9 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., with a service to follow at 11 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac with the Rev. Philip Enderle officiating. Due to Emergency Order #1 under Executive Order #82, masks are required while in attendance. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. at St. John’s Cemetery in Mayville. If desired, memorials may be directed to Hope Lutheran Church, Agnesian Hospice Hope, or to a charity, organization, or cause of choice. The family extends a special thank you to the caregivers and staff at Woodlands Senior Park for the care given to Lorraine. The Koepsell Funeral Home in Mayville is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www. koepsellfh.com.

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Margaret A. O’Brien

Margaret A. O’Brien


Graveside Service:  Thursday, Jan. 7, at 3 p.m.  Location:  St. Mary's Cemetery in Mayville Margaret A. O’Brien, 92, formerly of Mayville, passed away on December 29, 2020, at Hope Health and Rehabilitation Center in Lomira, due to complications after Covid-19. Marge was born Margaret A. Bath on November 17, 1928, in Mayville, to Paul and Caroline (Hefter) Bath (deceased.) On November 17, 1949, she was united in marriage to Bias C. O’Brien at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mayville. Marge enjoyed crocheting, reading, plants and watching birds. She liked to surprise her grandchildren (and children) with what was in the candy dish. A dessert could always be expected after every meal. At Hope Health and Rehabilitation Center, she enjoyed the challenge of word search books. Marge is survived by her children, Jo Ann Callis, Kathy (Fred) Dufer, Janice (Donald) Maum, Betty (Dan) Cousins, Judith (Stewart) Caisman, Michael (Pam) O’Brien, and Linda (Steve) Keller; her 14 grandchildren, Michelle, Brian, Joshua, Katrina, Cynthia, Francis, Christina, Ronnie, Jenifer, Ben, Zachary, Rachel, Mathew, and Noah; her 10 great-grandchildren, Keith, Samantha, Mathew, DeShawn, LaQuan, Marquez, James Owen, Alex, Martina, and Lyla; and four great-great-grandchildren. She is further survived by other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bias; her parents, Paul and Caroline Bath; 10 brothers and sisters; and two daughters, Geraldine A. O’Brien and Sandra J. O’Brien. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Mayville, with Rev. Tom Biersack presiding. Memorials in memory of Margaret can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or Hospice of St. Agnesian-Fond du Lac. The Koepsell Funeral Home in Mayville is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www. koepsellfh.com.

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Arlan A. Machmueller

Arlan A. Machmueller


Arlan A. Machmueller, 90, of Iron Ridge passed away on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, at his home. He was born on Feb 13, 1930 to Otto and Elenora (Griepentrog) Machmueller. Arlan lived in Iron Ridge and Mayville area his whole life. On June 9, 1951, he was united in marriage to Priscilla Enderle at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Mayville. He worked on his father’s farm from 1951 to 1960 before moving to Mayville and worked for the Frank Ryser Cheese Company for nine years. Arlan then went to work for Mayville Metal for 24 years until he retired in 1993. He worked part-time at Snow Way in Hartford, United/Co-Op Hartford, and Iron Ridge Recycle Waste Center. Arlan was a Fire Inspector for six years and was captain of the St. John’s Mayville Dartball Team for 18 years. He also was with the Iron Ridge Fire Department as a tanker driver for many years and a member of the State Firefighters Association of Wisconsin. Arlan was the Vice President and then President of the Mayville Metal Products Retirement Club. He enjoyed going polka dancing, playing cards, and going deer hunting with the guys up north. Those Arlan leaves behind to cherish his memory include his son, Dutch-Arlan (Karen) Machmueller; two granddaughters, Dannette Machmueller and Mary Machmueller; two great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Martin and Onyx Martin; son-in-law, James Medley; nephew, Duane (Kay) Enderle Sr.; other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Priscilla Machmueller; a daughter, Charmaine Marie Medley; and sister, Evelyn (Larry) Lehner. A private funeral service in remembrance of Arlan will be held. Please consider signing our online guest book (www.myrhum-patten.com) to share your condolences with the family. Cards addressed to the family may be sent in care of: Myrhum-Patten Funeral and Cremation Service, 1315 W. Washington Street, West Bend, WI 53095. Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Arlan’s arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.

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Russell A. Fleischer

Russell A. Fleischer


Russell A. Fleischer, 71, of Mayville passed away on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, at his home in Mayville. Russ was born the son of Gerald and Charlotte (Olson) Fleischer on June 12, 1949, in Milwaukee. He was united in marriage to Margaret Walczak on April 3, 1971, in Mayville. Russ was employed at Ru-Mar Manufacturing in Mayville. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, boating, gambling, Wisconsin sports, and WWE wrestling. Russ also cherished the time spent with family. Russ is survived by his wife, Margaret of Mayville; his daughters, Tami (George) Jacob of Lomira, Tricia Ballbach of Fox Lake, and Melissa (Ali) Kamberi of Prairie du Chien; his siblings, Dennis (Mari) Fleischer of Horicon and Christine Stortz of West Bend; his nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; further survived by other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joel; sister, Jeri Ziegler; and great-grandson, Hunter. No formal services will be held. Koepsell Funeral Home in Mayville is serving the family. For online condolences and other information please visit www.KoepsellFH. com

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Margaret Pauline Feucht

Margaret Pauline Feucht


Margaret Pauline Feucht, 94, of LeRoy passed away on December 30, 2020, at Hope Senior Living in Lomira. She was born on July 24, 1926, the daughter of George and Agnes (Bauer) Feucht in LeRoy, the youngest of seven children. Margaret moved to Pomona, CA in the mid 50s. She worked as an optometric assistant for Drs. Jack and James Worden. In 1974, she was named Pomona California Business and Professional Woman of the Year. Following her retirement, she worked several part time jobs, one of her favorites was working for Mrs. See’s candy, and she was often told she looked just like Mrs. Sees. Margaret returned to Mayville, WI, in 2011, to be closer to family. Margaret was an avid crafter; she especially enjoyed knitting, sewing and crocheting. She was the family historian. In recent years her short term memory waivered, but she recalled with great detail her memories of the depression, war years and the Feucht family life of her youth. Margaret is survived by her sister, Isabelle Guse of Lomira, and many nieces and nephews who will miss her greatly. She was preceded in death by her brothers, August (Lorene), Alex (Vernie), Albert (Agnes), Norman (Florence), Gilbert (Florence); and her brother-in-law, Erwin Guse. A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Jan. 8, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mayville with the Rev. Tom Biersack presiding. The family would like to thank Hope Senior Living of Lomira for the care and compassion they gave Margaret the past few years. The Koepsell Funeral Home in Mayville is serving the family. Online condolences can be made at www. koepsellfh.com.

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Marianne (Ingles) Brown

Marianne (Ingles) Brown


Marianne (Ingles) Brown, 81, of Pahrump, NV, formerly of Horicon, passed away from complications of COVID 19 on November 25, 2020. Marianne was born on June 1, 1939, in Bushnell, IL, the first-born child of William and Marian Ingles (Swanson). The Ingles family moved to Horicon in 1952 and Marianne graduated from Horicon High School in 1957. She married Donald Blodgett in 1958 and the couple had two children, Debra and Mark. Donald predeceased her in 1989. She later married Wilson Brown and he predeceased her in 2006. Marianne worked as a business professional her entire life and was very accomplished in many aspects of office management and sales. She retired in 2015. Marianne had a great passion for writing and was also a talented cook. She also loved to camp, read, sew, knit and spend quality time with her family. Marianne is survived by her daughter, Debra Bumgarner of North Las Vegas, NV; grandson, Alex Finn; sister, Monilou Carter of Half Moon Bay, CA; sister, Barbara Teekle of Delhi, CA; and brother, John Ingles of Lowry City, MO. She was predeceased by her parents; son, Mark; her two husbands; and her brothers, Dr. Jerry Ingles and James Ingles. The family is planning a memorial service at a later date.

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Craig A. Batzler

Craig A. Batzler


Craig A. Batzler, 60, of Lomira was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, at his home. He was born on May 19, 1960, to Hillary and Joy (Riffel) Batzler in West Bend. Craig worked for Mayville Engineering for 25 years until he retired in 2019. On March 19, 2010, he was united in marriage to Tabetha Schneider in Lomira and were together for 25 years. Craig was a big Green Bay Packer fan as well as the Wisconsin Badgers. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be missed by all who knew him. Those Craig leaves behind to cherish his memory include his wife, Tabetha Batzler; three children, Heather (Henrique) Hilgenberg, Anthony (Rachel) Batzler, and Sarah (Charles) Bock; a step-son, Steven (Miranda) Neuy; 13 grandchildren, Elizabeth Hilgenberg, Evelyn Hilgenberg, Leonardo Hilgenberg, Emily Hilgenberg; James Batzler, Nathan Batzler, Olivia Bock, Paige Bock, Edwin Bock, and baby Hilgenberg coming this June; four step-grandchildren, Damien Kenowski, Danton Kenowski, Athena Neuy, and Gwendolyn Neuy; a sister, Debby Lewis; two brothers, Steven Batzler and Clayton Batzler; sister-in-law, Whisper Batzler; many nieces nephews, other relatives and friends In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Darryl Batzler; and brother-in-law, Jim Lewis. A private service will be held. Please consider signing our online guest book (www.myrhum-patten.com) to share your condolences with the family. Cards addressed to the family may be sent in care of: Myrhum – Patten Funeral and Cremation Service, 1315 W. Washington Street, West Bend, WI 53095. Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Craig’s arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.
30 December 2020

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DeLoris VanderVelde

DeLoris VanderVelde


DeLoris (Dee) Madelyn Schwantes VanderVelde died of Covid at age 100 years, 11 months Friday, December 18, 2020. She was born to Arthur and Alma (Rohde) Schwantes at Rushy Glen farm in Juneau on January 25, 1920 during a blizzard. Dee always prized education. At age four, Dee convinced her parents and ultimately the school board, to allow her to attend school early, along with her older sister at the nearby one-room school, Riverview School. Dee eventually became the teacher there at age 17. She was the first in her family to graduate from high school, riding her bicycle along country roads the five miles to Horicon High School. She then attained her teacher’s license from Dodge County Normal and UW-Oshkosh. She eventually earned a master’s degree (UW-Madison) in reading. All in all, Dee taught in Wisconsin schools for almost 50 years in Dodge County, Monona, Madison, and McFarland. She found innovative ways to reach struggling and reluctant students. She made friends and visited teachers in Wales. In her 60s, Dee became the reading and GED instructor at Taycheedah and Fox Lake Correctional Institutions. At 17, Dee met her future husband, Harry VanderVelde. They were engaged before he enlisted in the Army in WWII. While Harry was stationed in the Pacific, Dee taught school and they corresponded daily for years. After the war, they married and settled in Monona where they worked hard and raised two daughters. Dee always dedicated herself toward improving communities and institutions where she lived. In the 1950s, Dee co-founded one of the first nursery schools in the Madison area, the Monona Grove Nursery School, which still serves children today. She saved trees along Monona Drive and preserved land from unnecessary development. She was a founding member of Lake Edge United Church of Christ in Madison. In the 1970s, she opposed the Vietnam War and in the 2010s protested changes that would harm Wisconsin’s education system. In the 1980s she served as a senior intern for Democratic Congressman Robert Kastenmeyer, living in Washington, D.C. As a reading teacher at Taycheedah, she initiated a program that allowed inmates to qualify for drivers’ licenses, so they would gain that skill on their parole. Even in retirement, Dee continued to develop a reading pedagogy and materials with the intention of reaching developing readers at Nichols School. She made sure that she voted in the last election. She travelled widely, exploring the U.S, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. Dee had a creative side and she loved to dance. She designed and built two homes in Monona. She enjoyed fashioning original holiday decorations for her home, which Harry would help her execute. Every year, she invented Easter Egg hunts with rhyming clues for her children. She enthusiastically designed her flower beds and sought out new varieties of blooming plants. She wrote short stories. Dee was a loyal friend and a devoted mother. She followed closely the lives of each child, grandchild and greatgrandchild and delighted in their development. In later life, she found sustenance from monthly gatherings with Lake Edge friends to study the teachings of Jesus. Dee is survived by her daughters, Lea VanderVelde (Johannes Ledolter) and Lori VanderVelde (Geoffrey Herbon); her grandsons, Keenan Herbon (Goldy), Will Herbon (Allison Kirby), Thomas Ledolter and Jeffrey Ledolter; and her great-grandchildren, Jack Herbon, Bodhi Herbon and Ryo Herbon as well as several close relatives. Dee is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Harry; granddaughter, Sarah Helena Ledolter; and sister, Pearl Vellema. She will be buried beside her husband in a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree or donating to the Nature Conservancy or to Monona Grove Nursery School, 4200 Buckeye Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53716. Koepsell Funeral Home in Mayville is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com.

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Lester Unferth

Lester Unferth


Lester George Unferth, 97, from the Town of Lomira, went home to the Lord on December 26, 2020, from Hope Health and Rehabilitation Center in Lomira. Lester was born June 2, 1923, to the late Arthur and Irene (Fritz) Unferth. He attended Lomira area schools, graduating from high school in 1941. He was the fourth generation to run the family farm which his great-grandfather, Frederick Unferth, established in 1869. In 1969, the homestead dairy farm was named a Century Farm at the Wisconsin State Fair. Lester was active in Associated Milk Producers Incorporated and the South Byron Grange. After selling his dairy herd, he continued crop farming and had more time to enjoy other interests like traveling; attending shows at the Fireside Dinner Theater, where he was a season ticket holder for over 20 years; and making occasional trips to casinos. Lester was a selfless, active, and outgoing member of the community involved in a number of organizations. Lester practiced his faith as a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and served on the Ebenezer Cemetery board in Lomira Township. He was involved with the Lomira Lions Club and Lomira High School FFA alumni helping with the annual brat fry and chicken barbecue among other events. Since 2003, the Lester and Arlene Unferth Scholarship has been awarded to a Lomira High School graduating senior intending to study an agriculture-related field, and Lester enjoyed selecting the recipient each year. In 2011, he was awarded Lomira Citizen of the Year for community involvement. In addition to these organizations, Lester enjoyed bowling in leagues and golfing until the spry age of 95! Lester was especially proud when inducted into the Fond du Lac Bowling Hall of Fame in 2013, based on both his 27 years of service as league secretary for the Brownsville Senior Leagues and his instrumental role in getting the leagues sanctioned with Fond du Lac USBC. Lester loved being at and talking about all things related to the farm, visiting family, driving cars for Ernie von Schledorn, talking about local history, having a well-cooked meal, and stopping at Gilles or Culvers for a sweet treat. Those he leaves behind include his three daughters, Vickie (Boris Pritychenko) Unferth, Julie (Jeff) Richter, and Debra Unferth; three grandchildren Craig Richter, Kelsi (Chris) Kaczmarek, and Carly (Joe) Mattson; and two great-grandchildren, Rhett and Clare Mattson. Lester also leaves behind many bowling and golfing buddies, cousins, nieces and nephews, and special friend, Kathy Mintner. Lester is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Arlene (Marquart) Unferth. The family will be having a private memorial service due to current circumstances. An event to honor Lester’s life will be held at a later time. Condolences may be shared online or mailed to the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home (1315 W Washington St., West Bend, WI 53095). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church in Lomira in Lester's name. The Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home in Lomira has been entrusted with Lester's arrangements.