Daniel T. 'Digger' Nordine
Daniel T. “Digger” Nordine of Bruce Crossing, Mich., died Friday, July 6, 2007, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield. He was 61.
Mr. Nordine was born Nov. 5, 1945, in Wakefield, Mich., the son of Thomas and Seere (nee Huhtala) Nordine.
He graduated from Ewen High School in Ewen, Mich., in 1963, attended Lake Superior State College and graduated from Milwaukee Technical College.
Mr. Nordine traveled and worked in various places including Montreal, Canada; Chicago, Ill.; Washington, D.C.; and Cleveland, Ohio.
He married Jayne Culver Nov. 7, 1981, in Bruce Crossing.
With his wife, he owned Digger’s Alley in Bruce Crossing, then they moved to Alaska for three years before moving to Watersmeet, Mich., where they owned D&J’s Tavern.
Survivors include his wife; parents; four brothers, Dave of Watersmeet, Terry (Dawn) of Phelps, Jeff (Jean) of Bergland, Mich., and Todd of Bruce Crossing; and a sister, Connie (Sam) Schlabach of Gurnsville, Calif.
He is further survived by three nieces and three nephews.
A funeral service was held July 10 at Wandersee Funeral Home in Bruce Crossing with the Rev. Ted Trudgeon officiating.
Interment
will be in Kenton Cemetery in Kenton, Mich.
Don Tess Sr.
Don Tess Sr., a longtime resident of Eagle River, died Sunday, July 8, 2007, at his home. He was 64.
Mr. Tess was born Jan. 11, 1943, in Milwaukee.
A resident of Eagle River for 39 years, he had worked as a carpenter in the area and was employed by Cornerstone Builders for 17 years.
He was active in area bowling leagues.
Survivors include his wife Sharon; three daughters, Denise (Kevin) Krein, Venette Tess and Joneil (Rick) Tess, all of Eagle River; a son, Don Tess Jr. of Eagle River; a sister, Ann (Gary) Barich of Milwaukee; a mother-in-law, Mary Ann Marr of Eagle River; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 13, from 9 a.m. to noon at Our Savior Lutheran Church. A funeral will follow at noon at the church with the Rev. William Trosien officiating.
Burial will be in Eagle River Cemetery.
Doris Peterson
Doris Peterson of Sugar Camp died Friday, June 29, 2007, in Rhinelander. She was 84.
Mrs. Peterson was born Sept. 1, 1922, in Hamlet, Ind., the daughter of Julius and Esther (nee Thomas) Lipke.
Her family moved to Merrill where she attended schools, graduating from Merrill High School.
She married Lyle Peterson June 28, 1942, in Irma.
With her husband, she moved to Rhinelander and then Sugar Camp where they resided for many years. She was employed as an office clerk for Meyer Insurance Agency in Eagle River.
Her hobbies included gardening and sewing. She was a past member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Greg.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Connie (Dale) Habeck of Mahomet, Ill., and Sandra (Gary) McCandless of Washington, Ill.; a son, Dennis Peterson of La Crosse; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Leslie "Les" B. Jacobson
Leslie Jacobson, a man of Norwegian descent and upbringing, was born in Chetek and grew up on the family farm in Scandinavia, Wis. In the late 1930s he sold a crop of potatoes and used the money to buy passage to Alaska to seek his fortune. He obtained employment helping build the Alaska Railroad.
In October 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and was soon posted aboard the USS Wakefield, a U.S. Army transport ship which delivered troops and supplies to the Pacific theater. He rose to the rank of Carpenters Mate 1st Class and served as Ship’s Director. He was an active member of Mercer American Legion Post 424 and Mercer VFW Post 9536. Until this year, Les marched every Memorial Day and 4th of July. His last day was at the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home.
While in the service, Les met Eleanor Tellefsen of Staten Island, N.Y. They wed on Aug. 7, 1942, in New York. After the war, they raised their children in Manitowish Waters, Wis. He was a carpenter contractor and well-respected builder.
In his youth, Les was a ski jumper and member of the New London Ski Club, and traveled extensively for competitions, winning many. Les’ club sweater is on display in the National Ski Jumping Hall of Fame. While in Alaska, he won the ski jump competition at the 1939 Alaskan Rendezvous.
Les and Eleanor stressed to their children and grandchildren their belief in the importance of family, education and a strong work ethic. Les had a great love for the environment and worked tirelessly as a caretaker to preserve the earth for future generations. For more than 30 years, Les worked with local, national and international groups to preserve the sturgeon in the Manitowish River and was a member of two organizations dedicated to helping the river and sturgeon, Friends of the Manitowish River and Sturgeon for Tomorrow. Les was a charter member of the Norlandet Lodge 5-620 of the Sons of Norway, a Deacon of Manitowish Waters Community Presbyterian Church and had served as a volunteer firefighter for many years. Les also wrote poetry and for many years had been working on documenting his family’s history.
He is survived by his sister, Margaret Matson of Waupaca; children, Roy (Judith) Jacobson, Judith (Eduardo) Paz and Lois (John) Egelhof; grandchildren, Eric (Sherre) Jacobson, Edward (Pamela) Paz, Robert (Susan) Paz, David Paz, Katherine Egelhof, Jessica Egelhof, Anders Corbett, Carl Corbett and Jack Corbett; and great-grandchildren, Kathryn Paz and Alexander Paz.
Les was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Eleanor Tellefsen; daughter, Cathy Jacobson; parents, Louis Bernard and Inga Caroline (Alm) Jacobson; sister, Thelma Pauline; and three brothers, James, Arden and Russell Jacobson.
A funeral service will be held Friday, July 20, 2007, at 11 a.m. at the Manitowish Waters Community Presbyterian Church in Manitowish Waters. The Rev. Chips Paulson will officiate. A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday at the church. Burial will be at Pinelawn Cemetery in the town of Manitowish Waters following the services on Friday. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Sturgeons for Tomorrow or the Manitowish Waters Community Presbyterian Church. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.--
Gerald J. Wahlberg
Gerald J. Wahlberg of Iron River, Mich., died Saturday, July 14, 2007, at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay. He was 68.
He was born Aug. 15, 1938, in Rockford, Ill., the son of Joseph and Anna (nee Johnson) Wahlberg. He attended Rockford area schools.
Mr. Wahlberg married Sallie Spongberg Sept. 19, 1957.
Upon moving to the Three Lakes area in 1976, Mr. Wahlberg was employed as a butcher at Al’s SuperValu for many years. After moving to the Iron River area, he owned and operated Northwoods Pier Service in Bates Township.
An avid hunter and fisherman, he owned a moose camp on Long Lake in Quebec, Canada. He was a member of Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall of Iron River.
In addition to his wife, survivors include three sons, Joe (Melissa) of Caspian, Mich., John (Rebekah) of Iron River and Michael of Three Lakes; one daughter, Chris (Karl) Gaffron of Three Lakes; one brother, Ralph of Key West, Fla.; one sister, Vi (Melvin) Backus of Rockford; and six grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 21, at 2 p.m. at Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall in Iron River. Larry Phifer will officiate.
Condolences may be offered online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com.
Leon Holewinski
Leon Holewinski of Sugar Camp died Thursday, July 12, 2007, at his home. He was 81.
Mr. Holewinski was born May 28, 1926, in Rhinelander.
He was raised and attended schools in Sugar Camp.
A veteran, he had served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Mr. Holewinski served as the Sugar Camp constable for 40 years. He also was employed by Rhinelander Paper Mill and operated heavy equipment for Pitlik and Wick for 37 years. In addition, he was a logger and operated his own sawmill in Sugar Camp.
He enjoyed going on fishing trips to Canada with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Leslie and Richard; and a son-in-law, Glenn Woods.
Survivors include two daughters, Susan Woods and Tammy (Wes) Levan of Sugar Camp; seven sons, Snuffy, Scott (Debbie), Mike (Vicki), Pat (Chris), Gary (Anita), John and Robby (Heide), all of Sugar Camp; one sister, Karen Fontana of Wausau; 20 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held July 16 at Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home in Eagle River.
Burial was in Sugar Camp Memorial Cemetery.
Paul Harr
Paul Harr of Three Lakes died Saturday, July 14, 2007, at his home. He was 86.
Mr. Harr was born June 1, 1921, in Whitesburg, Ky.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS Nevada stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
A former resident of Marshfield, Neillsville and Lexington, Ky., he worked for many years as a master plumber. He has been a resident of Three Lakes since 1981.
He was an avid fisherman and gardener as well as a Three Lakes sports fan and Kentucky Wildcats basketball fan. In addition, he was a member of Eagle River Knights of Columbus, Three Lakes American Legion, the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and the USS California Association.
He was preceded in death by his son, Chuck; a grandson, Nicholas; and five brothers.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Kathleen; a daughter, Susanne (Bruce) Edwards of Green Bay; six sons, Thomas (Rosada) of Carrollton, Ky., Douglas of Three Lakes, William (Jo) of Red Wing, Minn., Kenneth (Jill) of Green Bay, Richard (Michelle) of Lexington, Ky., and David (Kathy) of Foley, Ala.; 19 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Three Lakes with the Rev. William Horath officiating. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 10 a.m. at the church.
Burial will be in Three Lakes Cemetery.
Barry 'Snuffy' Edwards
Barry “Snuffy” Edwards of Eagle River died Wednesday, July 11, 2007, at his home. He was 68.
Mr. Edwards was born March 28, 1939, in Rhinelander.
He attended schools in Rhinelander and Osseo.
He married his wife, Vicky, March 27, 1965, in Rhinelander.
Mr. Edwards was employed as a trucker for Nagel Trucking for 28 years.
His hobbies included riding his all-terrain vehicle, and he participated in coffee klatches at Friendship House.
He was preceded in death by his wife Aug. 16, 1996.
Survivors include a daughter, Glenda Webie of Tomahawk; two sons, Rick of LaPoint and Harvey of Ione, Calif.; two brothers, James (Colleen) Coates of Olympia, Wash., and Jack Coates of Gulf Shores, La.; three sisters, Carol (Gary) Ramsey and Debbie (Rick) Rudloff, both of Rhinelander, and Helen (John) Petersdorf of Menomonee Falls; a step-sister, Beulah Mikkelson of Rhinelander; a half-sister, Betty Gilley of Las Cruces, N.M.; and five grandchildren.
He is further survived by nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held July 14 at Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home in Eagle River with the Rev. Gary Spurgeon officiating.
Burial will be in Hildegard Cemetery in Conover at a later date.
William J. 'Bill' Beecher
William J. “Bill” Beecher of Jacksonville, Fla., died Sunday, July 8, 2007, at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville after a two-year battle with leukemia. He was 47.
Mr. Beecher was born Oct. 10, 1959 in McMinville, Ore., the son of Charles and Maxine (nee Bond) Beecher.
He was raised in Kansas, Iowa and Wisconsin before graduating from Phelps High School in 1978.
A veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years before retiring to the Jacksonville area in 1998.
He married Vivienne Mary Adams in October 1981 and they resided near the Naval base in Norfolk Va., before his transfer to the Naval base in Jacksonville.
After retiring from the U.S. Navy, he was employed as head of maintenance for Taragon Condo Management Inc. in Jacksonville.
An avid Jaguars and Packers fan, his hobbies also included fishing and home-improvement projects.
He was preceded in death by his father; his grandparents, Evelyn Watts and Melvin and Martha Scott; and an uncle, Bob Beecher.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Dameon; his mother, Maxine; a sister, Linda Johnson of Minocqua; two brothers, Charles Jr. (Amy) of Eagle River and Curtiss (Connie) of St. Germain; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home in Eagle River.
Jeffrey L. Schmitt
Jeffrey L. Schmitt of Eagle River died Sunday, July 8, 2007, at his home. He was 53.
Mr. Schmitt was born Sept. 17, 1953, in Two Rivers, the son of Paul and Audrey (nee Kafka) Schmitt.
He attended St. Luke’s Catholic School and graduated from Washington High School, both in Two Rivers, then attended UW-Eau Claire, graduating in 1971 with a degree in business administration. He was a member of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity.
He married Sharon Jebavy June 26, 1981, at Holy Innocents Church in Manitowoc.
In the 1970s, he sold insurance for New York Life with his father in Two Rivers; in the 1980s he owned and operated Cornerstone Tavern with his wife in Two Rivers; then established Jeff Schmitt Builders in 1992. In 1997, he relocated with his family to Eagle River and continued his construction business. He retired earlier this year.
A certified scuba diver, his hobbies included deer hunting, fishing and traveling.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Matthew and Michael, both of Eagle River; three brothers, Timothy (Elaine) of Inverness, Ill., David (Linda) of Ridgewood, N.J., and Daniel of Two Rivers; three sisters, Christine (Mike) Beck of Maribel, Karen (John) Pierce of Richardson, Texas, and Michele (Osborne) Focht of Hobokin, N.J.; two brothers-in-law, Richard (Peggy) Jebavy of Virginia Beach, Va., and Terry (Yu-Yi Liao) Jebavy of Morgantown, W. Va.; his parents-in-law, Roddy and Marlene Jebavy of Two Rivers; and one granddaughter.
He is further survived by eight nieces and nephews, other relatives and special friends Jim and Rosie Bartels of Three Lakes.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 29, at 6 p.m. at Grace Congregational United Church of Christ in Two Rivers with the Rev. Kim Henning officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 5 p.m. at the church.
Violet Engstrom Peterson
Violet Engstrom Peterson, a longtime resident of Watersmeet, Mich., died Saturday, July 21, 2007, at Colonial Manor Medical and Rehabilitation Center in Wausau. She was 95.
Mrs. Peterson was born Dec. 30, 1911, in Iron Mountain, Mich.
She married Harold Carl Peterson, and together they owned and operated two lumber mills, one in Watersmeet and another in Parrish.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, who died in 1988; a son, Arthur; and a daughter, Edith Marie Wright.
Survivors include two daughters, Susan Alexander of Washington, D.C., and Karla Jean Mirick of Wausau; 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Labor Day weekend at Ely Memorial Church in Land O’ Lakes.
Online condolences may be left at www.petersonkraemer.com.
