Claussen Funeral Home

Mary J. Perschke, 80, Lake Mills, died on Friday, November 15, 2024, at her home following her 5-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was born on November 24, 1943, in Watertown, the daughter of the late Edwin and Lorraine (Schwartz) Dornfeld. On July 14, 1962, she married Ewald Perschke at St. Paul's Church in Ixonia. He passed away on May 11, 2014. Also preceded in death by her son Gregory Perschke and her brother, Edwin Dornfeld. Mary was an active member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, the Model A Club, and had volunteered her time at St. Vincent de Paul. Mary was a great mother and grandmother, loyal friend, and devout Christian. She began every day with Bible study...

James R. Sakar, 77, Lake Mills, died on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at The View in Johnson Creek. He was born on July 8, 1947, in Milwaukee, the son of the late Robert and Betty (Karl) Sakar. On June 21, 1969 he married Carol Emich. Jim and Carol moved to Lake Mills in 1989 and he had been a Family Law Attorney. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, selling Christmas trees and spending quality time with his family. Beloved husband of Carol for 55 years; father to Eric and Kirk (Carla); grandfather to Benjamin, Evan, Gabriella, Isabella; brother to Laurence Sakar. Also preceded in death by his in-laws, Edward and Helen Emich and his grandparents. A Celebration of Jim's Life will be held from 1...

John H. Radke, 66, Janesville, formerly of Lake Mills, died on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at SSM Janesville surrounded by his children. He was born on December 11, 1957, the son of the late Raymond and Ruby (Homan) Radke. John loved his family and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved being Silly Papa to his grandbabies. John was a craftsman in woodworking and made the most beautiful birdhouses. He was skilled in gardening and always enjoyed sharing his knowledge with his kids. Anything outdoors is where his heart was, and he had a big love for animals. Survivors include his children, Priscillaanna (Alex) Taylor, Benjaminjohn (Stacy), Jacob (Gabby), Sophia (Danny) Curtis, Roger; 13...

Jeanne Caldwell Manley died peacefully at home in Lake Mills, WI, on Oct.29, 2024 at age 91. She was born Dec. 31, 1932, in Madison, WI to Eunice and Stan Caldwell. After an early teaching career, she found her calling in the world of fashion. Jeanne grew up in Madison, WI and married Edward Manley in 1955. She is survived by her three adult children, Paula Manley, Phil Manley and Carolyn McCarter; her brother Stan Caldwell, and many grandchildren and cousins. The Manleys lived in Rockford, IL and Munster, IN before moving to Lake Mills. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Nov. 3 at First Congregational UCC Church, Lake Mills, WI. www.claussenfuneralhome.com

Donald Lee Hermann, 76, Aztalan died on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center. He was born on December 18, 1947, in Watertown, the son of the late Lawrence and Agnes (Rantzow) Hermann. In 1965 he graduated from the Oconomowoc High School. Don proudly served in the United States Army National Guard, loved his country often painting items around his farm in red, white, and blue, and recently participated on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC on October 12, 2024. He was a devoted member of the St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Lake Mills and Johnson Creek American Legion Post #305. Don loved his family, was a champion skeet shooter, great welder and could fix...

Carole J. (Soper) Wollin, 88, Lake Mills, WI died on Thursday morning, October 10, 2024, at the LakeHouse surrounded by her family. She was born on January 22, 1936, in Elgin, IL, the daughter of the late Arwin and Gertrude (Marks) Soper. Carole graduated from Lake Mills High School with the class of 1954 and married her high school sweetheart Roger Wollin, on November 5th, 1955, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Lake Mills. He died on July 3, 2014. Carole was a member of the First Congregational UCC in Lake Mills and Order of the Eastern Star. She loved being social. She enjoyed playing many card games- bridge was her favorite, golfing at Lake Ripley Country Club...

Laura L. Jacobson, aged 42, of Jefferson, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 7, 2024, at her home surrounded by family. Born on August 6, 1982, she was the daughter of Roy and Joann (Lueck) Haas. Laura graduated from Jefferson High School in 2000 and went on to earn her bachelor's degree in nursing. She married Willie Jacobson on July 10, 2004, at the Lake Mills United Methodist Church. Laura worked as a registered nurse and breast care coordinator at Fort Memorial Hospital. She was a member of the Lake Mills United Methodist Church and the Twin Rivers 4-H club. Laura cherished spending time with her family, enjoyed gardening and working around her home, and was passionate about...

Betty Ann Hasel, age 93, of Lake Mills, passed away peacefully at LakeHouse, Lake Mills, on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Born at home on September 25, 1931, in the Town of Aztalan, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Celia (Heller) Eilenfeldt. Betty was baptized on November 29, 1931, and confirmed on April 2, 1944, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Johnson Creek. She attended Aztalan school and graduated from Lake Mills High School in the class of 1949. On September 23, 1950, Betty married her high school sweetheart, Eugene Hasel, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Johnson Creek. Together they raised two sons and farmed until their retirement in 1995. They enjoyed their travels to Europe,...

Mavis Ann Weber, 85, of Lake Mills, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, September 19, 2024. She was born on September 10, 1939, to the late Edward and Goldie (Foye) Schultz in Black Earth, WI. Mavis graduated from Black Earth High School Class of 1957. She went on to study cosmetology and began working in a salon. She met Wayne Ernest Weber at Turner Hall in Madison, WI, while attending a polka dance. They married December 10, 1959. Together, they raised three daughters while operating a dairy farm. Mavis's contributions to the success of the business were invaluable. She continued to maintain the farm after Wayne's passing on April 29th of 2009. Mavis was a very kind,...

Jeanette Edna (Wolff) Hills, 97, departed this world for her Heavenly Home, peacefully of natural causes at her residence at LakeHouse Lake Mills on September 18th. Jeanette was born August 18, 1927. The daughter of Herman and Esther (Robisch) Wolff. Jeanette was a lifetime resident of Lake Mills. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. She was a graduate of Lake Mills High School Class of 1945. Following WWII, Jeanette married the love of her life Wayne (Windy) Hills on December 7, 1946 in the Lake Mills Moravian Church. They enjoyed together a blessed marriage of 76 years. They continued as members of that Moravian Church for the rest of their lives. Jeanette and...

Gail L. Opgenorth, 67, Lake Mills, formerly of Baraboo, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the UW Hospital in Madison. She was born on January 16, 1957, in Milwaukee, the daughter of the late James and Anita (Fischer) Salisbury. In 1975 she graduated from Waukesha South High School. She was a member of the St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. Gail loved being active outdoors. She enjoyed kayaking and doing crafts. Survivors include her two sons, Greg (Erin) of Arvada, CO, Matt (Rachel) of Arvada, CO; one granddaughter, Ellery; two sisters, Ruth (Roy) Ruehl, Jill Piller; other relatives and friends. Also preceded in death by her two sisters, Karen Salisbury...

Moses Joseph Walsh, son of Ryan and Emily (Bartlett) Walsh, died suddenly and unexpectedly in utero on September 5, 2024, mere weeks from his due date and in the thirty-seventh week of pregnancy. He is survived by his siblings Lawrence, Lucy, George, Anne, Patrick, Monica, and Mary; his grandparents Joseph and Rebecca Walsh and James and Elinor Bartlett; and his great grandmother Mary Brennan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Watertown, followed by lunch. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Private family burial will be at the St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery. www.claussenfuneralhome.com

Moses Joseph Walsh, son of Ryan and Emily (Bartlett) Walsh, died suddenly and unexpectedly in utero on September 5, 2024, mere weeks from his due date and in the thirty-seventh week of pregnancy. His mother had noticed a drop-off in typical movement in the womb and, when she went to be seen, learned that no heartbeat could be detected. This was quickly confirmed at Meriter Hospital in Madison, where labor was induced, and around three o'clock the next morning, Moses' beautiful body?to be reunited with his soul in Heaven at the resurrection of the dead?was delivered. His umbilical cord was found wrapped tightly around his neck three times and, in a separate place, knotted. Moses' parents...

Timothy W. Finn, 92, of Lake Mills, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 23, 2024, surrounded by family at the Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek. He was born on January 22, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Timothy and Evelyn (Hutchinson) Finn. He went to Farraget High School in Chicago and then went into the U.S. Air Force. He was in the service from 1947-1953, a Korean War Veteran. Tim was a Lieutenant for the Westchester Police Department in the Chicago area for 28 1/2 years. He was acting Chief of Police as his last role in the department before his retirement. He was a member of the Clarence Bean - Warren George American Legion Post #67 in Lake Mills for...

Margaret Leslie Demuth died in peace on August 14 at her home in the loving company of her husband, Steven Bower, and a small circle of friends. She was 69. Diagnosed with late stage cancer in October of last year, Leslie was fiercely determined to own the fullness of life - connecting with people and active in community work, even running a training the week before passing. An artist and art teacher, Leslie had a parallel career as a community organizer. She helped establish the Art Alliance of Greater Lake Mills, the Lake Mills PIE Social (People Involved & Engaged) and Indivisible Jefferson County. She was co-chair of the Jefferson County Democrats. There she drove the party's deep...

Barbara Ann Johnson, 78, Lake Mills, passed away on August 13, 2024 in her home of renal failure. Barbara was born on August 16, 1945, in Madison, the daughter of the late Lyle and Marie (Scherer) Butler. She grew up in Madison and attended Edgewood School. She married the late Benny Collins in 1966 and had two sons, Jon and Thomas. Barbara and Benny divorced. She then married Donald Collins and moved to Lake Mills in 1970. Donald passed away in 1981 and Barb later married Lewis "Lewie" Johnson on October 13, 1984. He died recently, on July 27, 2022 of lung disease. Barbara had been employed as a cook for the Corner Cafe, Lake Mills Truck Stop, Country Chef and the Lake Mills Golf Club...

Richard C. Maahs, 60, of Johnson Creek, passed away on August 10, 2024 at Rainbow Hospice Care in Johnson Creek. He was born on February 17, 1964 to Clarence and Rachel (Toppe) Maahs. He was a farmer. Richard enjoyed stock car racing. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Larry. Richard is survived by his friends and family. A burial will be held at a later date. www.claussenfuneralhome.com

Shelly Sue Piper, 68, of Lake Mills, passed away on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024 at Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center surrounded by her husband and 3 girls. She was born on February 24, 1956 in Watertown, WI to the late Orville and Marlene (Kottwitz) Scheel. Shelly graduated from Watertown High School Class of 1974, and then went on to Beauty School. She married Daniel Reed Piper on December 22, 1979 in Lake Mills, WI. Shelly worked as a hairdresser at Patti's Beauty Salon for over 25 years. She was a member of the Lake Mills Moravian Church and its women's church circle group. Shelly enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking and entertaining. She spoiled her grandkids and loved her dogs, Sunny...

Lawrence "Butch" C. Herold, 81, Lake Mills, passed peacefully on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek. He was born on August 25, 1942, at St. Mary's Hospital in Watertown, the son of the late Melvin and Dorothy (Wendt) Herold. Butch married Yvonne "Vonnie" C. Hermann on July 3, 1965. She preceded him in death one day after their 59th Anniversary on July 4, 2024. Prior to retirement he had been employed by the Jefferson County Highway Department for 32 years. In 1970 he was honorably discharged from the Army National Guard after serving 6 years. He was a member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. Butch enjoyed collectibles,...

Dianne K. Latsch, 85, died peacefully July 29th, following a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was born on September 20th, 1938, in Dane County the daughter of the late George and Helen (Buechner) Deans. Dianne graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1956 and married Donald Latsch on June 1st, 1957. They had five children: James, Marie, Steven, Cynthia and Michelle. Don died on December 9, 2023. Dianne was a homemaker until her children were in school. She then worked part time as a school bus driver. Later in life Dianne and Don moved to Arizona to be with her boys Jim and Steve. They returned to Lake Mills and Dianne became Dr. Edward Fischer's receptionist until her retirement....

On Saturday, July 27th, 2024, Robert (Bob) J Campbell, 67, loving husband to wife Heidi, son of Cail and Judy (Roelke) Campbell, and brother to Bill and Beth passed away. Bob and Heidi had spent their last day together enjoying a belated anniversary before he died unexpectedly that night. Bob was born on April 8, 1957, in Madison, Wisconsin at what was then Madison General Hospital and now Meriter Hospital (significant as this is where Bob and Heidi met). Bob graduated from Lake Mills High School Class of 1975. Bob excelled in Track & Field and was a WIAA State Track & Field contender multiple times. The summer of 1975 following his high school graduation Bob was invited to compete...