Obituaries

Verona D. Bliss, age 82 years, of Wonewoc, Wisconsin, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, surrounded by her loving family, giving her the ability to finally meet her infant daughter, that had passed, so many years ago.

She was born on March 9, 1942 in Vernon County, Wisconsin, the daughter of Glen and Yula (Berg) Revels and attended the Hillsboro Schools.

Verona was united in marriage to Donald Bliss on December 14, 1957 at the Mount Pisgah Church near Ontario.  Together they farmed and raised their family in the rural Elroy area.  Don preceded her in death on April 10, 1994.

Verona was an active lady who enjoyed so many things and there was always room for one more……of anything or anyone it seems.  She was an avid grower and gardener of flowers and plants and continued looking for more at Amish greenhouses, you know all roads lead to somewhere. 

She enjoyed cooking, attended all the family functions, and gave blood – she was a donor of 15 gallons and 2 pints.  She also worked at La Crosse Footwear in Hillsboro and seasonally at Swiss Colony.  In more recent years you could usually find her sitting on her front porch in Wonewoc, watching the people and traffic go by in her squeaky rocking chair.

Survivors include her family that she enjoyed so much, children, Barb Bliss, Brad (Amy) Bliss, Mark (Drea) Bliss and Chris Bliss (Dave Waterman); grandchildren, Logan (Theresa) Bliss, Jacob Bliss, Branda (Tyler) Muller, Mitchell Bliss and Olivia Bliss; great grandchildren, Sophie and Maxsin; sisters, Veda Hatfield and Lois Revels; sister-in-law, Diane Revels and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Donald; she was preceded in death by her Parents; infant daughter, Rebecca; longtime partner, Marlin “Ray” Gehri; brothers, Carl, Ronald and Alvin Revels and sister, Linda Kettle.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro, with Rev. Alan Tripp officiating.  A time of visitation will be held on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to a charity of your choice.

The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting, for online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com

Claudette LaRaine Sawyer, age 86, of Friendship, Wisconsin, died Monday, October 28, 2024, at Villa Pines Living Center in Friendship, Wisconsin.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adams, Wisconsin. Rev. John Krebs will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Claudette was born on October 5, 1938, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Harold (Happy) Strand and Mildred Strand (née Meiller). The family moved to the Adams-Friendship area in 1948. She graduated from Adams-Friendship High School in 1956. She enjoyed high school and was a cheerleader and baton twirler. Her sons believed she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Winning the Adams County Fairest of Them All in 1956 and her occasional striking resemblance to Jackie Kennedy Onassis only reinforced their heartfelt admiration.
Claudette’s greatest love, Tom Sawyer, first noticed her cheerleading at a high school basketball game and felt compelled to pursue her. After a year of dating and several proposals later, they embarked on a beautiful love story that lives on through their “4 Lads,” grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Claudette and Tom spent their early years in Germany while Tom was stationed in the U.S. Army. Upon returning, Claudette embraced her greatest role as a mother; raising her four boys while also working in various positions, including Adams City Treasurer, school cook, waitress, and bookkeeper at Roberts Motors.

In addition to motherhood, Claudette was active in her community, serving on the Adams-Friendship School Board in the late 1970s, as a Cub Scout Den Mother, Sunday School teacher, and PTA member. She loved playing softball and teaching her boys baseball, rarely missing their games, and continued to attend her grandchildren’s sports activities until she could no longer travel.
As her health declined and after losing Tom, Claudette found joy in family visits and cherished photos of her grandchildren. Known for her sense of humor and quick wit, her mind remained sharp until her final days.

While she could no longer attend church over the last several years, she became a prayer warrior for her family. Her love for the Lord Jesus was real, quiet, and firm. She is now enjoying worshiping Him face-to-face alongside her lifelong love, Tom. They are both more alive than ever, and her boys look forward to that soon-coming day when Jesus will gather us all to Himself for the best church service ever.

Claudette is survived by her sons, Alan (Chris) Sawyer, Coy (Mary) Sawyer, Lance (Amy) Sawyer, and Jay (Misty) Sawyer; 17 grandchildren: Scott Sawyer, Brett (Becky) Sawyer, Jacob Sawyer, Talitha (Nate) Groshek, Josiah (Rebekah) Sawyer, Moriah (Ethan) Keller, Sara (Zane) Skiff, Chad Sawyer, Ashlee Sawyer, Chantz Sawyer, Olivia (Kolt) Rogers, Haley (Spencer) Kuehl, Matthew Sawyer, Courtney Sawyer, Jerrica Pierce, Jaina Pierce, and Jaryn Sawyer; 19 great-grandchildren: Millie Sawyer, Peyton, Landon, Piper, and Lukas Groshek; Elsie and Laura Sawyer; Thomas, Carolyn, and Abigail Keller; Brielle, Tenley, and Paisley Cammack; Declan Kolstad; Ryla Kuehl; Goku Sawyer; Aidyn and Alaina Schneider, and Lilith McCartney ; along with her sister Sharon Boersma, brother-in-law Raymond (Rose) Sawyer, and sister-in-law Dorothy Sawyer.

She was preceded in death by her beloved Tom; her parents, Harold and Mildred Strand; sister Wanda Strand; brother-in-law Ronald Boersma; and brother-in-law Robert Sawyer.

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

Josephine M. (Jo) Bartz, age 102 of Mauston and formerly of Wilton, passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at the Fair View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Mauston, WI. She was born on June 8, 1922, to Joseph and Maude (Johnson) Druschba in Griggs County, North Dakota where she began to develop the strong will and determination she will be remembered for. Life on a small farm on the Prairie was difficult and brought many challenges, but she always felt love and her values of faith and family grew. After graduating from high school as Valedictorian of her class, Josephine attended vocational business training.  On September 17, 1949, she was united in marriage to Kermit L. Bartz in Shell Lake, WI.  He preceded her in death on February 21, 1983. In addition to raising their children, they spent their early years together on a farm raising chickens and then opening and operating Kermy’s Supermarket in Wilton. Later, Josephine worked at Fort McCoy in the civilian personnel department until retiring from Government Service. She continued to work at various jobs including Burnstads Department Store and Tupperware sales. She lovingly helped care for her grandchildren, filling their hearts with sweet joy and lasting memories. With a gracious and giving heart, she volunteered for many years with Church functions, Pro Life groups, and while in Champaign, IL with The Daily Bread Soup Kitchen.

She was a faithful and devoted member of St. Johns and St. Patrick Catholic churches.  She was a member of the Hanson-Stark-Leath-Peth Post 508 Ladies Auxiliary.  Although she came from humble beginnings, she always shared what she had with numerous charities. Life to her was not about things but rather sharing time and talents.

In her spare time, Josephine enjoyed quilting and sewing. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were blessed with beautiful handmade clothing, quilts, and creative crafts and toys.  Her works were very often gifted to others and will live on in their memories.  Her workmanship was detailed, and her creations filled with love. She was also a fabulous baker and cook and loved to can and freeze all kinds of produce from Kermy’s garden.

She will be remembered by all who knew and loved her for her longevity, her strong faith, her love of God, family, and country, her wit and humor, and her giving and compassion for those less fortunate than herself.  She truly represented what many call “The Greatest Generation,” and her presence in this world made it a better place.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Wanda) Bartz of Fitchburg and Ann (Christopher) Graham of St. Joseph, IL; 6 grandchildren Kyle (Anna) Bartz, Jessalyn Bartz, Derek Bartz, Ashley (Ben) Gorman, Rachael (Austin) Dallas, Hannah (Steve) Oxley, Morgann Graham; 4 great grandchildren Lincoln Bartz, Chase Gorman, Jack Gorman, and Olivia Oxley. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Maude Druschba, her husband Kermy, two sons Daniel and John, her sisters Leone Haas & Edna Peterson, and her brother Leonard Druschba.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024, 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 504 Enderby Street, Wilton.  Father John Ofori-Domah will officiate.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.  The Smith-Nelson/Sonnenburg Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.

Memorials in Josephine’s memory can be given to St. Patrick Catholic Church, Mauston and St. John’s Catholic Church, Wilton. 

Wywanda Jane Raisner of Baraboo, Wisconsin passed away on October 23,2024,peacefully at home surrounded by her daughters following a lengthy and very hard fought battle with multiple chronic illnesses. She was born on November 15, 1950 in Portage, Wisconsin and was raised on the family farm in Lewiston Township. Wanda spent her working years as a cook, waitress, school bus driver and most proudly, the mother to her 3 daughters. She enjoyed fishing and camping and was well known for her amazing pies and potato salad.

Wywanda was preceded in death by her parents, Violet and Edward Raisner; sister, Donna (Raisner) Benson and special aunt, Florence Ebert.

She is survived by her daughters, Niccolle (Kurt) Boaz, Robin Raisner, Michelle (Tanya) Raisner. Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren Joshua (Nicole) Boaz, Tanner (Taylor) Boaz and Nychelle Raisner and great-grandchildren Emery, Jovie, Marli and Jameson Boaz who all brought her so much joy.

Per her request, there will be no services.