Obituaries

Donald F. McGowan, age 58, of Montello, Wisconsin passed away of natural causes on Monday, September 2, 2024, at his home.

Memorial services will be 12:00 noon on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at Roseberry’s Funeral Home. Donald was born October 25, 1965, in Mauston, Wisconsin to Merlin and Joan (Smith) McGowan who brought him home to their farm in Brooks, Wisconsin. He attended Adams-Friendship area schools all throughout his school years, first attending Brooks grade school, then Grand Marsh middle school and finishing at Adams-Friendship high school in 1984.

Donald worked on the family farms near Brooks, WI from a very young age until his 20s, he moved onto Castle Rock Container in his 30s, had his own painting business in his 40s and worked at Brakebush in Westfield, WI until his death. Donald enjoyed driving around in old cars since before he had a driver’s license and in his later years, he acquired older cars because they needed a good home. He also enjoyed spending time on his land, hunting, making trails in the woods and having fun at the fire pit with friends and family. His biggest achievement was raising his son Austin with former Partner Jan Baumgartner of Adams. Their greatest joy came when they became grandparents to two very loved granddaughters.

Donald was preceded in death by his father, Merlin McGowan, paternal grandparents Hugh F. and Ada B. McGowan, maternal grandparents Walter Smith and Bertha (Marsh) Green, uncle Bernard McGowan, aunts Marlis (Robert) McLean, Marcella (Irvin) Erickson, Marie (Frank) Srb, Dorthy (Curt) Kleeman. Cousins Frank Srb, Larry (Sigi) Laing, Cynthia Baumgartner, Keith (Terry) Russell

Survivors include his son Austin McGowan of Rhinelander, WI; mother Joan (Nate) Kronstedt of Friendship, WI; sisters Deb Stevens (Frank) of Mauston, WI, Julianne McGowan of Madison, WI; and Sherrie (Karl) Bluedorn of Lyndon Station, WI; granddaughters Aria and Aliyah McGowan of Rhinelander, WI; nephew Brandon Stevens of Reedsburg, WI; nieces Bethany Sonnick of California, Travis Airforce Base; Devon Lem of New Lisbon, WI; and Samantha Lem of Lyndon Station, WI; uncles James Smith of Adams, WI; and Hugh Duane McGowan (Loretta Swinehart) of Brooks, WI; aunts Betty (Kenneth) Dehmlow of Friendship, WI, and Margaret (John) Laing of Westfield, WI; and Friend Linda Lauer of Montello, WI. Donald is further survived by many great nieces & nephews, cousins, and dear friends who were like family spread near and far but always close to the heart.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.

Anna Boehm, age 86 of Lyndon Station, Wisconsin passed away on Monday, September 2, 2024 at Meadow Ridge in Baraboo surrounded by her family.

A mass of Christian burial for Anna will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. with Fr. Cryton Outschoorn celebrating. Visitation will be at Conway-Picha Funeral Home from 9:00 until 10:45 A.M. and at 10:45 A.M. we will process over to St. Mary’s to begin mass at 11:00 A.M. She will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery following mass. 

Anna is survived by her sons, Randy (Vicki), Paul (Barb), Jim (Kirsten), and Don Boehm, and daughter Sue (Doug) Teska. She is also survived by her sister Viola Boehm and 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Anna is preceded in death by her parents, husband Julian and daughter Mary Boehm.

The Conway-Picha Funeral Home and Crematory of Lyndon Station, Wisconsin assisted the family with arrangements. For On-Line condolences and information, go to www.pichafuneralhome.com.

Myrtle L. Gurecki, age 95, of Adams, Wisconsin passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at Serenity House in Tomah, Wisconsin.

Memorial services will be 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 15,2024, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Friendship, Wisconsin. Pastor Philip Waldschmidt will officiate. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service on Sunday at the church.  Interment will be at the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin at a later date.

Myrtle was born March 17, 1929, in Taylor, Wisconsin to Clarence and Esther (Brown) Halverson. She grew up on the family farm with her 9 siblings where they relied on their own resources. Myrtle met Chester Gurecki at a diner in Melrose and they were later married on April 10, 1948, in Taylor, Wisconsin. They were blessed with three children, Norma Jean, Tom, and Lisa.

Myrtle was a fabulous cook and loved to bake. In her earlier years she worked for several restaurants before working for the West Bend Company and lastly before her retirement she worked for Farnum in Necedah.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her parents: Clarence & Esther; husband: Chester; daughter: Norma Jean; siblings: Marion, Grace, Gordon, Curtis, Genevieve, Beatrice, Lila, Edith, and Junice; son-in-law Rodney Babcock, and special friend Jack McManus.

Survivors include her son: Tom (Kathy); daughter: Lisa; grandchildren: Chris (Debbie), Kaitlyn (BJ), Matt (Amber), Josh, and Connor; great-grandson: Hunter, and nieces, nephews.

Myrtle’s family would like to thank Serenity House in Tomah for their excellent care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family would be appreciated.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.

Francis Larson Jr., age 75 of New Lisbon, WI passed away on Monday, August 26, 2024.

There are no services planned at this time.

Francis was born March 30, 1949 in Mauston, Wisconsin the son of Francis and Ella (Raemish) Larson. He loved spending his time hunting and fishing and telling tall tales about all his trips in the woods or on the water.

He is survived by his brother, Robert (Doreen) Larson, brother-in-law Larry Firlus.; further survived by many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister June Firlus.

The Conway-Picha Funeral Home and Crematory of Lyndon Station, Wisconsin assisted the family with arrangements. For On-Line condolences and information, go to www.pichafuneralhome.com.