The Fond du Lac Reporter

Dennis L. "Digger Denny" Olsen, 83, of Waupun passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at his home. Dennis was born on August 9, 1938 in Horicon to Armond and Iona (Brandenberg) Olsen. He was the oldest of eight children living in Burnett, Waupun, and attending Horicon High School. He worked with his father as a whitewasher before joining the US Marine Corp, Cpl E-4 from 1958 until 1962. Dennis was married to Mabel Mesman on February 16, 1962. They were married 54 years until her passing in 2016. He later worked at Prichard Moving Company and Michels Pipeline before starting his own excavating business for 34 years. After his retirement he continued to plow snow. Dennis was a member...

Gregory T. Nelson (Gregg Nelson), 75, passed away peacefully at his home in Randolph, WI on July 18, 2022. Gregg was born March 3, 1947 in St. Paul, Minnesota, where his lifelong love of hockey started at an early age, playing for Hayden Heights on the St. Paul City champion team. In 1958, he and his family moved to Fond du Lac, WI, where he played for Don Kohlman in the very first WAHA Bantam State Tournament, and he poured his heart out into various sports, earning all-state recognition. After graduating from Fond du Lac High School in 1965, Gregg attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where he played right wing for the Badger Hockey team under "Badger Bob" Johnson from...

Marjorie "Marjie" L. Ruiz-Scharf, age 59 passed away on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. This was a peaceful end to her fight with ALS. Marjie was born on February 11, 1963, in Monroe WI. She was the daughter of Joseph and Maria (Ruiz) Gurns and grew up in her hometown of Albany WI. Marjie married Philip Scharf July 18, 1992. They would have celebrated 30 years of marriage this year. After moving to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin in 1989 she earned her degree in Police Science/Criminal Justice at Moraine Park Technical College. Marjie started her career with the Department of Corrections for the state of Wisconsin in 1993. She was dedicated to her career for 25 years and retired in 2018. Marjie's...

Craig N. Berwig, age 76, of Knoxville, TN formerly of Waukesha, WI passed away after a brief illness on June 17, 2022 at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. Craig retired several years ago from his position as a purchasing agent and recently moved to Knoxville. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and was a member of "The Bowers Nest" in Boulder Junction, WI. Craig proudly served in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1970 with Attack Squadron Twelve on board the aircraft carries USS Shangri-La and the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt as an aviation electrician. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medial, 1 star and Republic of Vietnam Campaign...

Bruce Alfred Tessner, 85, of DeForest, passed away the morning of June 3, 2022. He was born August 7, 1936 in Fond du Lac, WI. Bruce was the eldest son of Alfred and Ruth (Lemke) Tessner. After graduating from Fond du Lac High School, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1956. Bruce served three years in the Marines, primarily stationed at Camp Pendleton near San Diego. After his honorable discharge, Bruce returned to his beloved hometown of Fond du Lac. Later on, he graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He taught English and History, and coached forensics, at several Wisconsin schools. Bruce was a lifelong political junkie. He classified...

Mrs. Patricia Alene Malson, 75 of Albany, GA. Died May 15, 2022 at her residence. A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Mathews Funeral Home. Ross Powell will officiate. Interment will follow in Leesburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday May 19, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Mrs. Malson was born March 29, 1947 in Fitzgerald, GA, daughter of the late Hudson Louis Adams and Doris Lee Mims Adams. On May 18, 1968 she married John Rapheal Malson of Fond du Lac, Wi. Wednesday will mark their 54th Wedding Anniversary. She was a supportive wife and together they built a family where ever his career took them. She was a...

Rick A. Schumacher, age 60 of Madison and formerly of Beaver Dam, lost his battle with alcoholism on May 13, 2022. Rick was born on February 4, 1962, to Ronald and Eva (Klapper) Schumacher. Rick graduated from Waupun High School in 1980, where he excelled at Track & Field, Cross Country, and Wrestling. After graduating, Rick worked at Grande Cheese, Mayville Metal, and Rechek's Food Pride. In his free time Rick enjoyed horticulture and taking walks, especially during the summer months. When Rick wasn't tending to his plants or on walks, he could be found spending time with family and his special friend, Lori. Rick is survived by daughters, Heidi and Erica; grandchildren, Ariana,...

Kenneth John Long, 77, passed away on Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 at his Markesan home with his family by his side. Ken was born on January 24, 1945 to John and Ella Long. He graduated from Markesan High School. Ken married Sharon (Zuehls) on February 22, 1969, and together they had two children, Trish and Jay. Flying was not only Ken's profession, but his lifelong passion. He was a great instructor who empowered many to fulfill their dreams. Ken is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children, Trish (Steve) Audi and Jay (Heather) Long; his grandchildren, Gabrielle, Morgan, Emma, Joseph, Meghan, and Michael; and his sister Rose (Richard) Ebert; and further survived by other relatives and...

Jeffrey J. Kohlmann, age 54, died Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Clearview Health and Rehabilitation in Juneau. There will be a memorial gathering for Jeff at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. A memorial service will follow at the funeral home beginning at 12:00 noon. Inurnment will be at St. Michael Cemetery in Beaver Dam. Jeffrey was born on August 11, 1967 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Joseph and Gertrude (nee: Fehringer) Kohlmann. In 1970, Sabino and Phyllis Rigotti welcomed Jeff into their family and cared for him for the remainder of their lives. Jeff graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1988. He worked at Green Valley...

Catherine (Kay) Joan Brown, age 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Kay was born on October 14, 1933 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to Irvin and Mildred Griepentrog. Kay grew up in Waupun, Wisconsin. She was a 1951 graduate of Waupun High School where she was a cheerleader, played the clarinet, and participated in drama. She graduated from St. Mary's School of Nursing, in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1954. She worked in pediatrics in Madison for several years before moving to Texas where she spent the next 40 years of her nursing career working in a pediatric practice for Dr. Ben Dildy, and associates, in Richardson, Texas. In 1955, Kay married David C. Brown of...

Betty J. Wodill lost her battle to cancer on March 27, 2022. She was born on April 10, 1936, to parents Alex and Ruby Prieve and she was the first born, and only daughter, of five children. She spent the early years of her life on a farm near the small town of Princeton, WI. She later moved with her family to Beaver Dam, and attended Beaver Dam High School, where she met the love of her life, and eventual husband, Arnold Wodill Jr. Betty and Arnie were married on April 28, 1951. Shortly thereafter, Arnie was drafted into the Army, and went to fight in Korea. Betty resided with his parents while he was away. Betty gave birth to their first child, Cathy Jane, in 1953 while Arnie was in...

Patricia Ann Kilburg, 68, Ripon, passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at her home with her husband and mother by her side. Patti was born on August 26, 1953 in Baraboo, WI to Lowell and Saffia (Simonson) Page. She graduated from Watertown High School and went to MATC for accounting. Patti married Gerald Kilburg on April 7, 1973 in Lowell, WI. She was employed as a secretary at the National Forensic League in Ripon from 1995-2009. Patti was a cub scout leader, a member of the Rosendale-Brandon Players Theater Group, and was active in cancer walks. She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Rosendale as a deaconist, choir member and Sunday school director/teacher. She is...

David Lee Schepp, age 75, passed away on Friday, February 11, 2022, at Clement J. Zoblocki Veterans' Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. David was born on October 4, 1946, at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Beaver Dam, the son of Gerhard and Marion (Hron) Schepp. Dave was a graduate of Beaver Dam High School in 1965. After graduating, Dave went to work at Mayville Engineering Company where he worked for 35 years before retiring. He was blessed with two children by Sandy Wagner: Troy Schepp on September 30, 1971 and Adam Schepp on April 9, 1979. Growing up, Dave helped out in the family-owned, Schepp's Bakery in Fox Lake. He enjoyed music and even played in a band for the majority of his...

John L. Ford, Sr., 64 of Fond du Lac, passed away on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac. John was born in Chicago, IL on April 3, 1957. He grew up in the Chicagoland area and attend school there. John worked as an automobile mechanic and truck driver for most of his working years. In July of 1992, John married Corrine Zimmerman in Fond du Lac. The couple enjoyed their nearly 30-year marriage. Being outdoors was where John wanted to be. He loved fishing and camping, especially with his grandchildren. He is remembered for his dedication to whatever he was involved in. He worked hard, made friends wherever he went, and loved his family dearly. Times spent...

Mary Scheer passed away peacefully on January 13, 2022 at Froedtert Inpatient Hospice, surrounded by loving family. Mary was 69 years old. Daughter of Helen Ann Schmitz (nee Coyne) and the late Elmer J. Schmitz. Mary attended S.C. Johnson Elementary School in Racine, West Bend High School, then graduated from University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. She married Francis (Frank) Scheer on March 26, 1977 at St. James Catholic Church in Mequon. Later they moved to Indianapolis, IN, where they met many close and dear friends. Mary worked for Methodist and Wishard Hospitals in Indianapolis, then at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. She was employed in the laboratory as a Medical Technician. Mary will...

Courtland A. Sperger, Sr., age 96, of Waupun, passed away at home on Sunday, January 2, 2022. Courtland was born on February 1, 1925, at home in LeRoy, Wi., to Ruben and Vida Sperger. Courtland was united in marriage to Romona Bauer, on September 7, 1946, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, LeRoy. In 1950, Courtland and Romona moved to the Town of Alto, where he farmed with his sons and grandsons. He continued living there until his death. Despite having only an 8th grade education, he had many accomplishments and was well respected in the community. He was chairman of the Alto Fair Board for many years, chairman of the Alto Dairy Board, the Alto Town Board, served on the Wisconsin...

Michael John Lamers died on December 31, 2021 at the Beaver Dam Care Center from dementia complicated by pneumonia. Visitation for Mike will be at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Thursday, January 6, 2022 from 10:30 am to 11:50 am. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home on Thursday at 12:00 pm with John Leiting as celebrant. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens with military honors provided by the American Legion John E. Miller Post #146. He was born Sept. 14, 1951 to Marguerite (Coulter) and Myron Lamers and raised in Theresa. He graduated from Lomira High School in 1970. He began working at Mayville Metal Products after high school. He enlisted in the...

James Anthony Nett was born in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin on August 2, 1948 to Arnold John and Lucille Nett the 5th of nine children. He graduated from Campbellsport High School. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, and motorcycling. James married Rosemary Kollars at St. Anthony's church in Pocatello, ID on April 2, 2005. Jim bartended for Esther Boehnlein, and Bill Brill; He worked for Manowski Bottle Gas Delivery. In Idaho he worked for SME, INL, Double L, American Cabinets, and Unique Wood Products. He was well known in Pocatello as a Bratwurst maker. He served on the Parish Council at St. Anthonys Church. He also served as an usher at St. Josephs Church. The family would like to...

Arlene R. Roberts, age 85 of Markesan, passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2021, at Randolph Health Services. Arlene was born on August 4, 1936, in Rosendale, the daughter of Carl and Adela (Dehne) Teetz. She was united in marriage to David Roberts on June 20, 1954, in Rosendale. She worked at Speed Queen in Ripon for 25 years. An avid Packers, Brewers and Bucks fan, Arlene also loved feeding and watching birds. Arlene is survived by her children, Jeff (Tina) Roberts and Linda (Elmer) Bock, both of Markesan; grandchildren, Bob (Jennifer) Bock, Jenni (Keith) Flash, Jeffrey Roberts, Daniel Wetzel, and Josh Courts; step-grandchildren, Sadie (Brandon) and Brad; 5 great-grandchildren; 2...

Jerry J. McKerac died at age 70 on December 15, 2021, at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada after a long struggle with cancer. He is a Vietnam veteran of the United States Army. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, formerly of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He was an extremely devoted husband to his wife Pamela of 35 years. He is preceded in death by their daughter, Jacqueline J. McKerac, his parents James and Eleanor Czerwinski and brothers Jeffrey and Michael Czerwinski. Loving father and awesome grandpa of son Mark Moreno (Gabriella) their children Rebecca, Raquel, Isabella and Mark Gabriel, son Eric Czerwinski and his children Austin, Troy, Dominik and Madalynne, son Michael Brunke (Melissa) their...

Christine M. Laich (Durrell) passed away on Thursday, December 2, 2021. She was born on August 17, 1942 Biddeford, Maine to Charles and Ruth (Stoddard) Durrell. Chris graduated from Portland Maine Medical Center in 1963, and she went on to have a successful career as a nurse. Chris married Thomas W. Laich on May 1, 1964 in Brunswick, Maine. Chris is survived by her husband Tom; children Joy (Paul) Strutz, Marie Laich, and Carolanne (James) Bilitz; grandchildren Rachel (Dan) Schultz, Russell Strutz, Randall (Christel) Strutz, Andrea Bilitz, Robert (fianc?e Ellie), Michael Bilitz, Jacob Bilitz, and Ryan Strutz; and great-grandchildren Addison, Micah, Mollie Schultz, and Baby Strutz due in...