Claussen Funeral Home

Bradford E. Vail, 84, Lake Mills WI, died on Monday, November 27, 2023, at his home in Palm Desert, California. He was born on December 1, 1938, in Industry, IL, the son of the late Howard and Bertha (Russell) Vail. On April 28, 1957, he married Peggy Black. They would be seen still holding hands in public after 63 years of marriage. He was a devoted husband, father and man of faith. He enjoyed a successful banking career and was involved in the industry for nearly fifty years. He began his career at Citizen's Bank, in Macomb, IL and continued at Exchange State Bank in Lanark, IL. He served as president of Greenwood's State Bank in Lake Mills, WI from 1982 to 2000. During that...

After a fourteen-month courageous fight against the effects of pancreatic cancer, Charles Edward Schick III, 86, of Johnson Creek, was called to his heavenly home to be with our Lord and Savior - late in the afternoon of November 16, 2023. "Charlie" as he was called by friends and family, was born on January 17, 1937, in Perth Amboy, NJ to the late Charles and Ruth (Larson) Schick. The family moved to Waukesha, WI where Charlie grew up with his three younger sisters, Janice, Nancy and Carolyn. He attended a one-room country school through 8th grade, then attended Waukesha High School and graduated in 1955. He attended the University of Wisconsin- Madison and majored in Dairy Science, with...

Douglas John Fritsch passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI, at the age of 76. A loving, principled, and compassionate person, Doug was a lifelong educator who championed civil equality and inspired generations of students with his intellectual curiosity. His dedication to understanding current events through the lens of history helped many appreciate perspectives beyond their own. It was his honor and delight to be a part of the Lake Mills High School community for 28 years. The oldest of five children born to Harlan A. Fritsch and Mary Ann Fritsch (n?e Towell), Doug was born on March 7, 1947, in Milwaukee, WI. He graduated from Milwaukee...

Mary A. (Stenklyft) Wooley, 76, of Cambridge, passed away on Friday, October 27, 2023 at her home. She was born on August 3, 1947 to the late Everett "Smokey" and Thelma (Bailey) Stenklyft in Fort Atkinson, WI. She was a graduate of Cambridge High School, Class of 1965. Mary was a lifelong resident of Cambridge. Mary enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She also liked to garden, cook and learn about her family history. Mary is survived by her special friend Phil "Buzz" Stevens; sons Steve (Darianne) Nelson, John (Jayne) Nelson, and Ryan Wooley; grandchildren Natalyn Nelson, Nacaela Nelson, Jacob Peters, Alexandra Wooley, and Danielle Wooley; great grandchild Damian Wooley;...

Peter C. Silvers, 74, Lake Mills, died peacefully on Friday, October 20, 2023, at his home with family by his side. He was born on March 23, 1949, in Milwaukee, the son of the late Kenneth and Marcell (Knauer) Silvers. He was a graduate of Green Bay West, class of 1967. Peter first graduated from UW-Green Bay, where he played varsity soccer, and then earned his master's degree at UW-Madison in 1973. From 1974 to 1976 he served with the Peace Corps in South Korea, where his work included caring for patients with tuberculosis. Upon his return, he enrolled in the physician's assistant program at the Marshfield Clinic, graduating in 1979. On November 6, 1976, Peter married the former...

Gerald "Jerry" Tesch, 77, of Jefferson, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2023. He was born on June 21, 1946, to the late Norman and Bernice (Goers) Tesch in Watertown, WI. He was a graduate of the Lake Mills High School, class of 1965. Jerry worked at Lake Mills Concrete and later at Kolar Arms in Racine. He married the former Bonnie Duessler on February 13, 1971, at the new Trinity Lutheran Church on Pine Street. They were the first couple to be married there. Jerry was a member of the ATA (Amateur Trapshooting Association) and the WTA (Wisconsin Trapshooting Association) He was inducted into the WTA Hall of Fame in 1994. He was on the Wisconsin All State Team several times and won...

Barbara Mae (Wolfgram) Wendt Barbara made her journey to her heavenly home Friday afternoon, October 6, 2023. Barbara was born May 1, 1932, in Waterloo, Wisconsin. She went to school in Waterloo and graduated from Waterloo High School. After graduation she attended MATC in Madison. She would spend summers on a family farm where she earned her love of horses. She also learned to appreciate gardening and taking care of birds, especially cardinals. She always had a bird feeder outside her window so she could watch them. She met her husband Willie Wendt at a dance and they became lifelong partners and were married September 12, 1951 in the United Methodist Church in Waterloo, WI. They...

Charlotte "Patsy" "Pat" Esther (Erlandson) Schroeder passed away on October 5, 2023, with Rainbow Hospice services in place. Pat was born on March 17, 1928, in Elmhurst, Illinois to Bill and Charlotte June (Rathmann) Erlandson. It was there that Pat met her lifelong friend May Marie. Pat and May Marie remained best friends for 90 years. When Pat was 8, her family moved to Lake Mills, WI where her parents owned and operated the Lake Mills Leader newspaper. Pat and her parents were members of the Moravian Church next door to their home. Pat was a proud graduate of Lake Mills High School, class of 1946. She attended reunions and remained in contact with her many friends from high school....

James R. Markgraf, 84, Lake Mills, died on Monday, October 2, 2023, at the William S. Middleton Veteran Hospital in Madison. He was born on May 31, 1939, in Norwood, WI, the son of the late Ralph and Christine (Guenther) Markgraf. He was a graduate of the Lake Mills High School, class of 1959. In 1961 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, proudly serving his country until his honorable discharge in 1964. James had been a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Lake Mills American Legion Post #67, the Jefferson County F&A.M. Lodge, the former Lake Mills JayCees, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and the Lake Mills Optimist Club. Survivors include his son, Todd of West Bend; his...

Barbara (Rome) Stelter, 80 of Lake Mills, Wisconsin passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Barb was born on November 6, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Robert and Agnes (Cechvala) Rome. Barb was raised and spent most of her adult life in Milwaukee, she attended South Division High School class of 1961. Following graduation Barb met the love of her life John Stelter and they were soon married on February 2, 1963, in Milwaukee Wisconsin. They immediately began to build and raise their family. Barb was a proud and dedicated stay at home mom until the early 80's when she decided to take a job at Quad Graphics. There she worked in the bindery...

Memorial services for Irene are planned for November 11, 2023, at 2:00pm at the Lake Mills Moravian Church. Private family burial was held at the Mamre Moravian Cemetery. www.claussenfuneralhome.com

Irene K. Kirst, 85, of Lake Mills, died peacefully at home on Sunday, September 17, 2023 surrounded by family. Irene was born in Watertown on May 4, 1938, the daughter of the late Benjamin and Laura (Soldner) Altenburg. Irene graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1956. In 1961, she graduated with a BS in Rural Education from Whitewater State College. Later she obtained a MS in Reading from UW Whitewater. Irene married Marvin Kirst on June 15, 1963, at the Mamre Moravian Church. He predeceased her in 2017. Survivors include her children, Kevin (Sarah) Kirst, Kristine (Sean) Steinke, Kenneth Kirst (Karen Gummo); eight grandchildren, David Kirst, Thomas Kirst, Solomon Steinke,...

Irene K. Kirst, 85, of Lake Mills, died peacefully at home on Sunday, September 17, 2023 surrounded by family. Irene was born in Watertown on May 4, 1938, the daughter of the late Benjamin and Laura (Soldner) Altenburg. She confirmed her faith at Mamre Moravian Church. She attended a one-room school in North Milford, then attended Lake Mills High School, graduating in 1956. Irene completed a Bachelor of Science in Rural Education at Whitewater State College, graduating in 1961. Irene began her teaching career in fourth grade at Blackhawk Elementary in the newly established Sauk Prairie School District. It was at Blackhawk that she met Marvin Kirst when he stopped by on a sales call. ...

Velma (Gehring) Lohmann, age 89, of Lake Mills, WI, originally from Waseca, MN, passed away on September 7, 2023 of natural causes. Velma lived in Grand Rapids MI from 1976 to 2015. For most of the years, Velma was better known to students, fellow colleagues and education staff as Mrs. Lohmann. She began her many years in education in Minnesota, Iowa and then in Michigan, having retired in 1995. Her work continued in retirement working for several colleges and Universities such as the University of Chicago, IL, Research Triangle Institute in Raleigh-Durham, NC and Westat Inc. in Rockville, MA. This work entailed Educational Research as well research in other areas. For many years she...

Michael "Mike" Cameron Bade, 78, died peacefully at home on Monday, August 28, 2023, after a courageous battle with COPD. He was born in Watertown, Wisconsin on December 4, 1944, the first of four children of the late James and Mabel (Erikson) Bade. He graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1963 and later from Black Hills Teachers College, majoring in music. On July 8, 1980, he married Mary Haberman, his high school sweetheart. A year later, their lives were enriched by the birth of their son, David. Growing up, Mike spent summers on his uncles' ranches in South Dakota and always had stories to tell about that time. After college, he taught school and directed the bands in Belle...

Walter "Bud" J. Crossman, age 86 passed away Friday, August 25, 2023, at his home surrounded by family. Bud had always said, "I was born in this house, and I want to die in this house," so we honored his wishes. Bud was born October 4, 1936, in Lake Mills Township to Walter and Ruth (Strasburg) Crossman. He graduated with the Class of 1955 in Lake Mills. He and his classmates were very close. Bud joined the family farm prior to graduation. He married Sandra "Sandy" Cross on September 14, 1957, at the U.C.C. Church in Lake Mills. Bud was a wonderful husband and father. He had a love for football, especially the Wisconsin Badgers, which he attended home games for 70 years. He also loved...

Glenn Williams, 80, of Lake Mills, passed away on Monday, August 21, 2023 with his family by his side. He was born on June 11, 1943 to the late Morris "Joy" and Wilma (Smith) Williams in Cambria, WI. He was a graduate of Cambria High School Class of 1961. Glenn married Susan Pfaffenbach at the First Presbyterian Church in Cambria, WI on January 19, 1985. They moved to Lake Mills in 2011. He retired from John Deere Horicon Works in 1992 and then from Pioneer Hi-Bred in 2007. Glenn was a member of the Lake Mills United Methodist Church. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and hunting. He also liked to read and travel. He was an avid Badger and Packer fan. He is survived by his wife Susan;...

Ruth Janet Stenzel, 85, of Lake Mills, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at Brook Gardens Place. She was born on January 11, 1938 to the late Carl and Grace (Toppe) Stark in Watertown, Wisconsin. She was a graduate of Watertown High School Class of 1956 and then went on to earn her nursing degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. She was a very proud industrial then psychiatric nurse until retirement. Ruth was a member of the St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. She enjoyed creating art, going on trips and spending time with dogs. She is survived by her two daughters Dawn (Greg) Foreyt and Tami (Gregg) Mailloux; grandchildren Mandy (Matt) Butzine, Nicholas (Janessa)...

Lawrence "Larry" W. Paluch, 78, of Lake Mills, passed away on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 with loved ones by his side. He was born on May 21, 1945, and is the son-in-law to the late Darrell and Mae (Yarmark) Wilson. Larry married Arlene Wilson on December 2, 1981 in Milwaukee. They then moved to Lake Mills in 1987. She passed on July 19, 2021. He was a long-time member of the Lake Mills United Methodist Church. Larry and Arlene, avid Elvis fans, enjoyed square dancing, bowling and taking many trips together. He loved the Lake Mills community and found joy in connecting with people around him in his immediate neighborhood and at all the establishments he frequented. Lake Mills gave him a...

Lilabelle "Snooks" Jean Armstrong, 94, of Lake Mills, passed away on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Lilac Springs. She was born on February 12, 1929 in Kroghville, WI to Arnum and Gladys (Gottschalk) Behling. Lilabelle was a graduate of Cambridge High School Class of 1947. She went to college to study journalism. She married Willie Harlan Armstrong on October 1, 1949 at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. Lilabelle was a proud member of the Women's Auxiliary Club. She also was a Packers Shareholder and avid fan. She was a great cook and baker. Lilabelle also enjoyed going dancing with Willie. She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Willie; son Terry (Debbie) Armstrong;...

Shirley Ann Ebert, 85, Fort Atkinson, died on Friday, August 4, 2023, at the St. Mary's Hospital in Madison with her family by her side. She was born on December 18, 1937, in Watertown, the only child of the late Ernest and Ruth (Thorman) Hasel. In 1956 she graduated from the Jefferson High School. Shirley married Leroy Ebert on November 16, 1957. He died October 21, 2019. She began her career at local hardware stores at the age of 16, having worked at Ace Hardware, True Value, and the former Coast to Coast. She was a member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church and enjoyed volunteering at Twice As Nice for many years. Shirley had a deep love for cats, enjoyed baking, reading, and watching...