Irene E. Anderson, age 67, of Ogdensburg died unexpectedly on Thursday, May 25, 2017 in Appleton.

Alice M. Ehrenberg, age 57, of Manawa, WI passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

Alice was born in New London, WI on August 10, 1959, the daughter of the late Elvin and Dorothy (Fuhrman) Norder. On July 9, 1988, Alice married David Ehrenberg at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca. She is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and taught Sunday School for 25 years. She loved watching her hummingbirds, playing card games, doing jig-saw puzzles, reading, knitting and crocheting, making hats for other cancer patients and visiting with friends and family. She loved helping others, especially making them smile and was an avid wolf lover. Most of all, she had an unconditional love for her children.

Alice is survived by her husband, David Ehrenberg, Manawa; her daughters: Katrina (Gaylin Greetan II) Ehrenberg, Waupaca; Ciara (Peter Amador) Ehrenberg, Waupaca and Skyonna (Dakota Timm) Ehrenberg, Manawa; her siblings: Connie Hackett, Appleton; Dan (Paula) Norder, Bear Creek; David (Jennifer Reilly) Norder, Ripon; Wanda (Doug) Bowden, Fremont; Mary (Rick) Bowden, Neenah; Sue Williams, Appleton and Maurice (Debra) Norder, Caroline; her brother-in-law, Dan (Beverly) Ehrenberg, Waupaca; her sister-in-law, Jean (John) Tessen, Etowah, TN and her mother-in-law, Eva Ehrenberg, Waupaca. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Elvin and Dorothy Norder; her father and mother-in-law, Clarence and Cecelia Ehrenberg; a nephew, Doug Bowden Jr and a brother-in-law, Mike Hackett.

A Memorial Gathering will be on Thursday, June 1 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca. Per Alice’s wishes, there will be no funeral services following the memorial gathering. Holly Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Bertha A. Beyersdorf, age 92, of Marion passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Care Partners Assisted Living, Clintonville.

Bertha Augusta Schiesser was born December 26, 1924, daughter of the late Paul and Irene (Schmidt) Schiesser in Fremont. She was the first of four children born to their union. Her mother remarried Ben Guthu after the passing of Paul Schiesser. Her family included step and half siblings. She graduated from Waupaca High School. She was united in marriage to Glenn Beyersdorf on December 23, 1944 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waupaca. They settled on Glenn’s family farm and raised five children. Bertha worked for close to 20 years at Zwicker Knitting Mill in Waupaca and upon its closing she continued to work in housekeeping at the Clintonville Hospital until her retirement. Her husband preceded her in death on December 28, 1980. After retirement she was very active in St. Paul Lutheran Church in the Town of Dupont. She was president of the Ladies Aid for numerous years, organized many school kits and made quilts for donation. Bertha also volunteered as a Sunday School teacher for some years. She taught herself to crochet and made many gifts for family that are still enjoyed. Bertha also enjoyed vacationing with her siblings and gardening.

Survivors include four children: Gerald (Pamela) Beyersdorf, Florida; Ronald (Judith) Beyersdorf, Marion; George (LaVonne), Clintonville; and Virginia (Everett) Morgan; Scandinavia. She is also survived by daughter-in-law, Darlene Beyersdorf of Weyauwega. There are 11grandchildren: Jeffrey (Brenda) Beyersdorf, Manawa; Brian (Linda) Beyersdorf, CA; Michael (Andrea) Beyersdorf, Weyauwega; Christine (Scott) Becker, Weyauwega; Tammy Wisnefske, Clintonville; Clint Beyersdorf, Conover; Heather (Wes) Wendt, Marion; Pamela (Kirt) Kettenhoven, Clintonville; Allen (Nichole) Beyersdorf, Pella; Pat Beyersdorf, Clintonville; and Keith (Marnie) Morgan, Waupaca. There are 17 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ella Guthu and Gertrude Waller, Waupaca; and one brother, Leonard (Caroline), Waupaca. Bertha is further survived by many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Ben Guthu, her husband Glen, a son Duane, one sister Shirley Anne, and five brothers: Carl Schiesser, Sylvester, Everett, Eugene and Leslie Guthu.

Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, May 30th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Dupont. Pastor Karen Riemer will officiate and burial will follow at Roseland Cemetery, Dupont. Friends may call on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at the church. The Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Marion, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Dupont, in Bertha’s memory.

The family wishes to thank all the nurses and staff at Care Partners and Compassus Hospice for the loving and compassionate care given to Mom.

Carol A. Bydynkowski of Iola, age 72, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2017 at home with her family.

She was born in Milwaukee on July 28, 1944 to the late Harold and Tressie (Harris) Hunter. On June 27, 1965 she married Wayne Bydynkowski. Carol delivered Meals on Wheels and volunteered at Iola Living Assistance, helping with bingo. She enjoyed the summer at the cottage up north with her husband and dog Toto.

She will be missed by her husband, Wayne; sons: Wayne (Wipa) Jr. of Waupaca, Robert (Ann) of Iola; grandchildren, Nicholas and Amber and great granddaughter, Sophiah; brother-in-law, John (Judy) Bydynkowski and their family, aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. John Paulson of Aspirus Care and Heartland Hospice and all family members for their care.

According to Carol’s wishes no services will be held. The Maple Crest Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.

Kenneth L. Davidson of Weyauwega, age 84, passed away on Monday, May 29, 2017 at the Wisconsin Veteran Home.

He was born in Waupaca County on March 11, 1933 to the late John and Marie (Knueppel) Davidson. On May 5, 1956 he married Shirley Ann Steinbach. He attended Lind Center grade school and Waupaca High School. Ken was a veteran, serving in the Korean War. He worked for different tree services over the years. He worked for the City of Neenah Park Department. Ken started his own business, Ken’s Tree Service and also had a bait shop, Ken’s Bait & Tackle Shop. He enjoyed camping with family, hunting and fishing.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, Shirley; children: Janice (Roger) DeMars, Bruce (friend Mary Jo) Davidson, Ronald Davidson, Mitchell (Nancy) Davidson; grandchildren: Eric, Kurt, Timothy, Matthew, Randy, Emma and Anna, step-grandchildren, Jaime and Adam; great-grandchildren: Zaylee, Claire, Lyla, Keith, step-great-grandchildren: Chaseline, Katelynn, Hailey, Aiden, Brandon, Dakota; brothers-in-law, Wayne (Lorraine) Steinbach, Gary Steinbach, Dennis (Darlene) Steinbach; sister-in-law, Diane (Gary) Brummer; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Steven; siblings: Rogene, Neal, Retta and Pat, father and mother-in-law, Alfred and Evelyn Steinbach.

The Funeral Service will be on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Maple Crest Funeral Home. The visitation will be on Thursday at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and again on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in Lind Center Cemetery. A memorial has been established.

The family would like to thank the nurses, chaplains and staff of the Wisconsin Veterans Home and Thedacare Hospice for all their care.

Waupaca helped “stamp out” hunger Saturday, May 13, by donating 10,107 pounds of food to the Waupaca Area Food Pantry.

Letter carriers, volunteers, local business sponsors, VFW Post 1037 and the Waupaca Mobil Travel Center helped to make the food drive a success, according to Howard Pope, a U.S. Postal Service carrier in Waupaca.

Additionally, local businesses held their own collection sites for food donations in support of the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. These businesses include RE/MAX Lyons Real Estate, Lucky Tree, and Embellishments.

The largest single-day food drive comes at a time when the Waupaca Area Food Pantry’s inventory is depleted and school breakfast and lunch programs become unavailable.

The following people were convicted in Waupaca County Circuit Court of drinking and driving offenses or driving under the influence of controlled substances.

• Mason J. Melum, 24, Iola, was sentenced to 20 days in jail with 13 days stayed under the Safe Streets Treatment Options Program (SSTOP), assessed $1,534 in fines and court costs and his license revoked for 13 months for a second offense.

• Bree-Ann L. Leone, 32, New London, 80 days in jail with 73 stayed under SSTOP, assessed $1,660, revoked 15 months for a second offense.

• Jerrod J. Rieckmann, 28, Manawa, 40 days in jail with 33 stayed under SSTOP, assessed $1,723, revoked 14 months for a second offense.

• Zachariah L. Wheeler, 23, Waupaca, 40 days in jail with 33 stayed under SSTOP, assessed $1,723, revoked 14 months for a second offense.

• James L. Nowak, 63, Milwaukee, five days in jail, assessed $2,050, revoked 12 months for a second offense.

• Nicholas J. Dropp, 35, Waupaca, 10 days in jail, assessed $1,471, revoked 12 months for a second offense.

• Rusty W. Wied, 56, Weyauwega, assessed $874, revoked seven months.

• Dean A. Dalland, 58, Iola, assessed $854, revoked nine months.

• Sharonrose M. Ladue, 62, Waupaca, assessed $885, revoked seven months.

• Jacob P. Mroczynski, 23, West Allis, assessed $885, revoked seven months.

• Henry J. Dunbar, 53, New London, assessed $967, revoked eight months.

• April L. Scheid, 36, New London, assessed $967, revoked nine months.

• Matthew R. Clark, 61, Hollan, Michigan, assessed $937, revoked six months.

• Lakota J. Vaughan, 22, Weyauwega, assessed $967, revoked seven months.

* Weston K. Koehler, 25, New London, assessed $885, revoked seven months.

• Park A. Netherton, 50, Waupaca, assessed $998, revoked nine months.

• Kevin L. Vaughan, 48, Waupaca, assessed $1,030, revoked nine months.

• Grant M. Stearns, 21, Waupaca, assessed $854, revoked six months.

• Leonard S. Olson, 26, Iola, assessed $1,050, revoked nine months.

• Tina M. Schertz, 53, Bear Creek, assessed $967, revoked eight months.

• Matthew J. Mannel, 31, Waupaca, assessed $885, revoked seven months.

Huber hands down sentence for Clintonville killing

By Robert Cloud

Judge Raymond Huber sentenced Adam J. Ozuna, 25, Bear Creek, to 30 years in state prison.

On March 27, Ozuna entered a plea of no contest to first-degree reckless homicide for the April 11, 2016, killing of Matt Pagel near Clintonville.

Ozuna’s co-defendant, Zachary T. Hohn, 17, Tigerton, pleaded no contest to first-degree reckless homicide on May 23.

Ozuna appeared in court for sentencing on Tuesday, April 30.

Waupaca County District Attorney Veronica Isherwood argued that both men were equally responsible for Pagel’s death.

She described how Hohn and Ozuna planned “to do a lick,” which means they planned to rob Pagel rather than sell him drugs.

Initially, authorities believed Pagel met with Ozuna and Hohn to buy Adderal for himself.

Further investigation found that Pagel had agreed to obtain the drugs for his girlfriend, who was Hohn’s friend.

The girlfriend reportedly made arrangements with Ozuna to buy 100 Adderal pills for $200.

“Matthew had a bad feeling about the drug deal,” Isherwood said, noting that he purchased a small pocket knife from the same store where he withdrew $200 from an ATM machine for the drug buy.

She said Ozuna and Hohn picked up Pagel at the Clintonville Motel where he lived with his girlfriend.

Ozuna was the driver, Pagel sat in the front passenger seat and Hohn was sitting in the back seat.

They drove to several places, including an abandoned apartment, where Hohn pretended he was trying unsuccessfully to get the drugs, Isherwood said.

In describing Pagel’s death, Isherwood said Ozuna elbowed Pagel repeatedly in the face, while Hohn choked him from behind.

They then dumped Pagel in a ditch on Airport Road about one-tenth of a mile north of County Trunk D.

Ozuna told investigators that Pagel “was still alive, but gurgling,” Isherwood said.

Police say the two left, then returned to the scene to remove any possible evidence.

Ozuna and Hohn took Pagel’s wallet and his cell phone.

When deputies found his body, Pagel had injuries to his face, dried blood coming from his nose, swollen lips and significant bruising to the side of his face and eye socket.

Some of his clothes had been removed.

In Pagel’s pants pockets, investigators found DNA evidence that matched both Ozuna and Hohn.

“I believe the defendant (Ozuna) is as guilty of the robbery as Zachary Hohn and as guilty of the homicide as Zachary Hohn,” Isherwood said.

Ozuna’s defense attorney, Edmund Jelinski, argued that the two men were not equally guilty.

Jelinski said the autopsy report showed that Hohn’s strangulation was the cause of Pagel’s death.

He noted that Ozuna was guilty of hitting Pagel and guilty of driving away, but not guilty of causing Pagel’s death.

“He didn’t kill him. He didn’t intend to kill him,” Jelinski said.

Jelinski asked that Huber sentence Ozuna to seven to 15 years of initial confinement with 10 years of extended supervision.

Huber said he considered protection of the public and punishment for the crime when determining Ozuna’s sentence.

He observed that Ozuna has a crimial record going back to his childhood in Texas.

Ozuna was selling drugs by age 13 and transporting 50 pounds of marijuana at a time from Texas to Wisconsin while still in his teens.

He has two felony marijuana-related convictions and is currently in prison because Ozuna’s probation was revoked after his arrest for Pagel’s death.

While Ozuna minimizes his participation in Pagel’s death, Huber said it was a mutual plan to “do a fake drug transaction and actually rob Mr. Pagel.”

Huber also noted that Hohn was a juvenile and Ozuna was an adult at the time.

Ozuna showed “a complete lack of empathy with his victim and a complete disregard for the sanctity of life,” Huber said.

“I think protection of the public is paramount in this case,” Huber said. “Mr. Ozuna needs to be taken off the street.”

In addition to the three decades Ozuna will be incarcerated, he will also be on 10 years of extended supervision.

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Waupaca goalkeeper Kylie Hiddemen makes one of her 17 saves May 25 during the Comets' 1-1 tie with Marinette. Waupaca will open WIAA state tournament play Thursday, June 1, at Shawano. Greg Seubert Photo

Waupaca receives No. 8 seed

By Greg Seubert

The Waupaca girls’ soccer team didn’t record a single win during the regular season, but the Comets aren’t the lowest-seeded team in its WIAA Division 3 state tournament sectional.

That distinction belongs to Antigo, which received a No. 9 seed for the tournament, which got underway May 30.

Waupaca received a No. 8 seed and will open tournament play at No. 2 Shawano at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1. Another area team, Amherst/Iola-Scandinavia, received a No. 4 seed and will host No. 5 Clintonville at 5 p.m. June 1 at the Portage County Youth Soccer field in Stevens Point.

Waupaca wrapped up the regular season May 26 with a 4-1 loss to Amherst/Iola-Scandinavia and by tying Marinette 1-1 May 25 in the North Eastern Conference finale.

Amherst/I-S 4, Waupaca 1
Amherst/I-S scored three unanswered goals in the second half.

Waupaca’ Emma Pagel tied the game at 1-1 four minutes into the second half with an unassisted goal.

“Playing games two days in a row is never a good situation,” coach Mark Polebitski said. “This was a makeup game from earlier in the season and we did not have the legs to keep up. The game got rough and physical, which did not help the situation at all.”

Amherst/I-S outshot the Comets 14-6.

Marinette 1, Waupaca 1
The Marines took a 1-0 lead on Maria Bieberitz’s goal 32 minutes into the game, but Waupaca’s Robin Miller converted a penalty kick in the 71-minute mark for the game’s final score.

“This was our best match to date,” Polebitski said. “Ball possession was improved. A hand ball in the area set up a penalty kick in the 71st minute. Robin placed a hard-driven ball past a diving keeper. It was perfectly played.”

Goalkeeper Kylie Hiddemen stopped 16 of Marinette’s 17 shots.

“Kylie did a great job in the net for us,” Polebitski said. “She made all the routine saves and a couple nice extension dives to keep the game close.”

Polebitski likes his team’s chances at Shawano.

“We played Shawano earlier in the season,” he said. “We got beat 4-0, but had chances to score throughout the match. We are a much better team at this point in the season. It should be a good high school soccer match.”

Anita M. Button, age 95 of Waupaca, passed away on Monday, May 29, 2017.

Anita was born on December 9, 1921, the daughter of Fred and Hedwig (Borsych) Geyser. Anita married the late Eugene Button Sr. on March 3, 1945.

Anita is survived by one son, J.R. (Becky) Button; five grandchildren: Tracy, Kelly, Megan, Amber and Trevor; five great-grandchildren: Derek, Dylan, Draven, Logan and Hazel, many other relatives and friends. Anita was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Hedwig Geyser; husband, Eugene Button Sr.; daughter, Barb Kolberg; great-grandchild, Drake and her brothers and sisters.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 12 p.m. at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca. Rev. Eric Taylor will officiate with a private family burial to follow at the Parfreyville Cemetery. A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 12 p.m. at the Holly Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank the staff at Iola Living Assistance.

Glenn A. Giersbach, age 87, of the Township of Larrabee, passed away Sunday, May 28, 2017, at ThedaCare Medical Center, New London surrounded by his loving family.

Glenn Arthur Giersbach was born May 28, 1930 in New London, to the late Arthur and Irma (Drake) Giersbach. He grew up in the Clintonville area and attended Clintonville High School. Glenn was a starting end for the undefeated 1947 Conference Championship Trucker football team; he also played high school basketball. After graduation in 1948, he worked for a time, and later enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve his country. He was assigned to a post in Alaska, and served from 1951-1953. On October 24, 1953, Glenn was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Barbara Holmes, at the United Methodist Church, Clintonville. Glenn was a life-long member of the church serving as a Sunday school teacher, and in many other ways. He started working as a welder for the company his father started, Utility Tool & Body, first in Marion then in Clintonville. He later became general manager and worked well into his seventies until the business was sold. Glenn was a well respected member of the community both through business leadership and civic projects. He was a member of the Rotary Club and active with the Clintonville Area Foundation. Glenn was a man with love and kindness in his heart and he loved his foreign exchange student daughters like family, Grace Gogchigol (AFS 1975) and Lucia Yee Estrada (AFS 1976). He will be fondly remembered as a loving and devoted husband to Barb, and an attentive father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife Barbara; daughter, Susan Rascon, Clintonville; granddaughter, Sarah Rascon, Buckeye, AZ, and brother, Robert (Gloria) Giersbach, Sierra Madre, CA. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters, Ruth Shaffer and Pat Kenfield

Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the United Methodist Church, Clintonville with the Rev. Keith Wolf officiating. Military honor rites will be conducted at the church by members of the VFW Post #664, American Legion Post #63, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit #63, all of Clintonville. Inurnment will take place at Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to be directed to the United Methodist Church, Clintonville. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville is assisting his family. An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.

Sharon Josephine Oreskovich, age 72 of Embarrass, died peacefully on May 30, 2017 in Appleton.

Linda Mae Meshke, age 68, passed away on May 26, 2017 with her children by her side.

Linda was born in New London, WI, on March 29, 1949, the daughter of the late John Alfred and Mary Jane (Brault) Millard. Linda was an avid reader, a classic movie fan, a lover of gardening and fishing, and a top-notch housekeeper and caregiver. In addition to delivering Meals on Wheels, she often took friends to appointments and shopping, cleaned their apartments, and made them cookies and meals. Above all, Linda’s greatest legacy is her three exceptional sons whom she raised to be kind, capable and independent, and to whom she gifted her honesty and dry sense of humor. Their success in life and work are testaments to her love and guidance.

Linda is survived by her sons: Michael (Susan) Meshke, New London; Mark (Lynn) Meshke, De Pere; and Matthew (Jessica) Meshke, Appleton; as well as her grandsons, Henry and Jack, and her sisters, Jo Ann Bassett, Winneconne; Paula Millard, Appleton; Donna (Larry) Thorpe, New London; Ann Captain, California; Patricia Millard, Minnesota; Barbara (John) Millard, Oregon; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service will be held for Linda on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home to remember Linda from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. The Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London is serving the family. www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com

The Meshke family would like to thank the AMC ICU staff for their compassionate care of Linda in her final days.

Dinner and movie night at the Gerold

By Angie Landsverk

A screening of “Heroes Rising: A New Hope” will take place on Thursday, June 8, at Weyauwega’s Gerold Opera House.

The screening, which includes dinner, will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets for the dinner and movie are $5.

They are available online at wegaarts.com and also at the door on the night of the screening.

“Parents need to watch it and realize that it’s not only happening to someone else. It’s happening to us. Kids are dying,” said Linda Rydberg, who is working with Wega Arts on Heroes Rising outreach.

Rydberg, of Appleton, has thrown herself into volunteering and supporting various organizations since her son, Kyle, died last October.

He overdosed on methadone in her home one month before he would have turned 26.

“We thought we were going to be one of the success stories,” she said. “After he died, the grief was so intense for everyone in our family.”

Rydberg said her son was a sophomore in high school when he began using drugs.

In March of 2011, he told her he was addicted to heroin and was scared.

They moved him back home several days later, and he remained there for about nine months.

Kyle seemed to be doing better but later turned to alcohol.

Last year, he again moved back home and was receiving methadone treatments for his heroin addiction.

A prior acquaintance asked him to buy methadone from her last October because she needed money for crystal meth.

Rydberg said he eventually gave in, bought it from her and overdosed on it.

Charges have been filed in his death in Outagamie County.

“I had to write my son’s obituary,” she said. “I should not have had to write his obituary and plan his funeral.”

Rydberg learned about the efforts of Wega Arts through her involvement in other substance abuse organizations in the Fox Cities.

Wega Arts and Helios Recovery produced the film in 2016.

The movie’s theme centers around a group of resilient teenagers who draw on their inner superheroes to fight the heroin/opioid epidemic.

It may be used as a tool to bring children and adults together to have a dialogue about substance abuse.

The film was made in Weyauwega by teens who worked with professional filmmakers.

A preview screening of the film took place in late January.

“The message of the movie is so strong. It just hits home,” said Rydberg, who has four children and two grandchildren.

“Kyle has a 5-year-old son who now will be growing up without his dad,” she said.

Rydberg said there were people in their family who did not know Kyle had a heroin problem until he died.

She is passionate about educating students – particularly middle school students – about the coping skills they need so they do not use drugs.

Rydberg recently spoke to middle school students in Appleton and was in the Weyauwega-Fremont School District on May 26 when the movie was shown to its high school students.

“I am an executive assistant by trade, so that is how I can help. This is my therapy,” she said.

Rydberg is working with Wega Arts to get the movie screened at every middle school in the state and to also have someone at the schools to talk about the topic.

“It’ll probably take two years to get into all the schools in the state,” she said. “Then we want to take it to the other states.”

She will share some of Kyle’s story when the movie is screened in Weyauwega next week.

“It’s important for kids and parents to know that it’s such an epidemic here and all over the place,” Rydberg said.

She wants to build awareness, let people know there are resources and give children the coping skills they need to make good decisions.

“It’s still difficult,” Rydberg said of her son’s death. “I don’t think you ever get over it. He had a good job and was spending time with his family and with his son.”

Communities remember fallen soldiers

Waupaca, King, Iola, Weyauwega and Fremont joined communities throughout the nation to commemorate Memorial Day Monday, May 29.

Waupaca County Post staff shot video and photos of local communities remembering America’s fallen soldiers.

Wayne Eisentraut, with the Waupaca VFW, noted that the thousands of soldiers who died over the decades are more than numbers, they have names that should not be forgotten. Many of those who were lost in war were neighbors, family and friends living in these communities.

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Representative from the Old Abe Camp 8 Department of the Wisconsin Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War attended the annual Memorial Day service at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King. Greg Seubert Photo

Younger students cheer seniors

By Angie Landsverk

Days before Waupaca High School’s graduating seniors walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, they took a stroll down memory lane.

Wearing their navy blue graduation caps and gowns, the seniors walked through Waupaca Learning Center and then to Waupaca Middle School as part of the district’s first Senior Grad Parade.

Students, teachers and staff lined the route on Wednesday, May 24. It included the students and staff from Chain O’ Lakes Elementary School.

They held signs, waved pom pons, cheered and high-fived the members of the Class of 2017.

“Being a part of the Grad Parade really made me remember and appreciate all of the years it took to get to this point in my life. I had a great time, and I think all of the teachers and younger students enjoyed this, too,” said Drew Moloney.

The idea of having a Senior Grad Parade was thrown around numerous times during the past couple of years in multiple buildings by teachers, students, parents and community members, said Danielle McHugh, WHS’s at-risk teacher,

The school district’s PBIS Committee, which includes McHugh, Rocky Mondello, Jody Pankratz and Lori Christian, discussed and planned it.

“Teachers at the elementary and middle levels often do not get a chance to see students when they ‘grow up.’ Having the chance to tell these seniors how proud they are of them and show them they are not forgotten just because they left was powerful,” said Pankratz, WLC’s PBIS coordinator.

She said it was great for the students to see how much their past teachers care about them.

Mary Erspamer, a kindergarten teacher at the school said, “As my current kindergarten class was preparing for the big parade today, I realized how special this graduating class is to me. They were the last class that attended Riverside School, which is where I began my teaching career in Waupaca. They were in kindergarten at Riverside.”

She said Riverside was a close-knit school, where everyone knew everyone, and they “developed very close relationships, not only with the students, but the families.”

McHugh said Moloney told her some seniors had not been too excited about the idea of the Senior Grad Parade.

However, their feelings changed once it began.

Many got emotional, she said.

Advice for students
Last week’s event also included members of the Class of ‘17 speaking to the district’s fourth and eighth graders about their upcoming transitions to middle school and high school.

Seniors volunteered to talk to the students in their homerooms.

It was Moloney’s idea to do so.

“I think it was a useful way for us to communicate to the fourth- and eighth-grade students what to expect in the upcoming years, how to get involved and to ease the nerves they may have going into a new school,” he said.

Moloney, Elle Miller and Spencer Sondrol were among the seniors who spoke to eighth graders.

The topics the students concentrated on were the Waupaca Way, time management, after school clubs and activities, procrastination, school life, good study habits and their future plans as new graduates, McHugh said.

“High school is what you make of it,” Miller said.

McHugh said the seniors used their experiences – good and bad – to explain how to overcome challenges and be successful.

Carl Eggebrecht, WMS’s principal, said it showed the eighth graders the many opportunities they will have in high school.

Going from eighth grade to high school is a big transition, he said.

“I think the bar gets raised a little bit,” he said. “There’s lots of discussion about what you’re going to pursue,” Eggebrecht said.

In kindergarten, students are encouraged to work hard and to be what they want to be, Erspamer said.

“It was great for my kindergartners to see what they can earn if they work hard,” she said. “It was a wonderful experience for them. What a wonderful tradition Waupaca has started, and I am looking forward to seeing many of my former kindergartners as seniors through the years.”

McHugh said the benefits of the Senior Grad Parade were felt throughout the district.

“Seniors benefited by reminiscing about their childhood school memories – seeing some of their former teachers and realizing those former teachers haven’t forgotten about their past students. Those past teachers truly enjoyed seeing former students and the transformation of the once young child to an adult today,” she said. “Younger students benefited from seeing where they are headed and watching their role models stroll the halls they once did when the seniors were their size.”

McHugh said the PBIS committee received a positive response to the Senior Grad Parade.

The 2017 graduates were the first of many senior classes who will now have this parade.

As Moloney walked into WMS to speak to eighth graders last week, he began to remember his days in elementary and middle school.

“When we actually paraded through the two schools as a class, seeing all the faces of the kids and teachers really made me remember my days in the halls of those two buildings. It made me remember all of my old friends, all of my teachers and all of my favorite memories made there,” he said. “I was really happy this was able to happen, because it was great seeing all of my previous teachers, and I could tell by looking at their faces, that they were very happy to see us.”

A 17-year-old with six pending criminal cases is currently in jail on a $5,000 cash bond.

Jonathon S. Pomerenke, Weyauwega, is most recently charged in two separate cases with disorderly conduct, resisting an officer and two counts each of felony and misdemeanor bail jumping.

At 8:17 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, Sgt. Brent Krueger was called to a home on State Street where he spoke with the father of a 12-year-old girl.

The father reported Pomerenke wanted to date his daughter. When the father told him to stay away from his daughter and stay off his property, Pomerenke allegedly threatened the father with a vodka bottle he was carrying.

According to the criminal complaint, Pomerenke had attempted to enter the home by removing a screen.

Krueger requested a warrant for Pomerenke’s arrest.

At 3:24 a.m. Friday, May 26, Krueger was patrolling on Union Street when he saw Pomerenke near the library.

Krueger recognized Pomerenke due to his multiple pending charges, his prior arrests and his bond violations.

Krueger shined his flashlight and ordered Pomerenke to stop.

Pomerenke reportedly fled on foot and Krueger chased him, losing sight of him momentarily, then finding him on West Fulton Street.

When Pomerenke failed to stop running, Krueger drew his electric stun gun and ordered Pomerenke to drop to the ground. He eventually complied and was taken into custody.

Pomerenke is currently in custody on a $5,000 cash bond. He is scheduled for an initial court appearance on June 13.

On March 6, Pomerenke was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and released on a $500 signature bond.

On March 29, Pomerenke was charged for two separate incidents – a misdemeanor bail jumping offense on March 22 and violation of a harassment restraining order on March 28.

Judge Vicki Clussman set a $1,000 cash bond as a condition of his release from custody.

The bond was amended to a $1,000 signature bond with the conditions that Pomerenke’s grandmother co-sign it and that he live with his grandmother in Weyauwega.

On April 17, Pomerenke was charged with felony child abuse for a March 22 incident at the former catholic church building.

He was accused of punching and kicking a 14-year-old boy whom Pomerenke suspected him of having relations with his 12-year-old girlfriend.

Eunice Elaine Mansee, age 83, of New London, passed away on Friday, May 26, 2017 at ThedaCare Appleton.

Eunice was born on September 1, 1933 to the late Gus and Alma (Popendorf) Starosta in Marion. She was united in marriage to Donald Mansee on August 1, 1952 in Clintonville. He preceded her in death in 2011. Eunice was a lifelong member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in New London and a member of the Ladies Aid. She loved flowers and formerly worked at Gabriel’s Flowers and Rice’s Greenhouse in New London. Eunice was an avid card player and belonged to three Bridge clubs.

Eunice is survived by her children, Brenda (Richard) Persson, Metro Detroit, MI; Mark (Sandy) Mansee, Vad Nais Heights, MN and Steven Mansee, Chicago, IL and five grandchildren: Josh, Erin, Kendall, Zach and Taylor. Eunice was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

The funeral service for Eunice will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2017 at Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London. Pastor Mark Tiefel will be officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. The Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London is serving the family. www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com

David Don Lubinski, age 59, of Weyauwega, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends after an aggressive battle with ALS on Monday, May 29, 2017.

David was born in Clintonville on November 9, 1957, son of Don and Sally Lubinski. David worked as an automotive mechanic for his entire career. An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing, gardening, and planting trees. He also enjoyed taking trips to the U.P.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Natalie Lubinski; sons: Kory Lubinski, Weyauwega; Clint and Jennifer Lubinski, Waupaca; Kevan and Emily Lubinski, Hortonville; siblings: Jeff and Rhonda Lubinski, Waupaca; Tom and Audrey Lubinski, Waupaca; Mary Schmick and friend Greg Giese, Bowler; grandchildren: Lilly, Sophya, and Ronin Lubinski and Lyle David Lubinski. He is further survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Bob Lubinski, and nephew, Justin Lubinski.

The Christian funeral for David will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church in Weyauwega with Rev. Newlin Schafer and Rev. Dennis Lemke officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Weyauwega. A visitation for David will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. The Cline Hanson Dahlke Funeral Home in Weyauwega is serving the family. www.clinehansondahlkefuneralhomes.com

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Ryan Schuelke chips his ball up onto a Glacier Wood Golf Club green May 30 in Iola. The Manawa junior shared medalist honors with Mishicot's Austin Schnell at the WIAA Division 3 sectional. Holly Neumann Photo

Schuelke, Johannes turn in medalist rounds

By Greg Seubert

Ryan Schuelke and Robert Johannes picked the perfect time to shoot a solid round of golf.

The juniors from Manawa and Amherst, respectively, were medalists at their respective WIAA sectional meets May 30 and competed this week at the state boys’ golf meet in Verona.

Schuelke and Mishicot’s Austin Schnell led all golfers with a 74 at the Division 3 Iola-Scandinavia Sectional at Iola’s Glacier Wood Golf Club, while Johannes shot a 77 at the Division 2 Xavier Sectional at Butte des Morts Country Club in Appleton.

Division 3
I-S Sectional
Pacelli and Coleman advanced to state as teams with scores of 382 and 385, respectively. Iola-Scandinavia finished third at 394, while other team scores were Marathon (403), Wabeno/Laona (416), Sevastopol (418), Crandon (424), Bonduel (429), Mishicot (431), Thorp (436), Lena (438) and Crivitz (440).

Iola-Scandinavia scores were Jon Bauer (89), Cody Breitzke (93), Carter Przybylski (104), Ben Cady (108) and Justin Krause (115).

Division 2
Xavier Sectional
Johannes, Marinette’s Dakota Langlois (78) and Peshtigo’s Bryce Jacobson (79) qualified as individuals, while Xavier and Winneconne qualified as a team.

Team scores were Xavier (326), Winneconne (333), New London (335), Waupaca (337), Peshtigo (340), Marinette (344), Luxemburg-Casco (356), Oconto (360), Mosinee (363), Wrightstown (364), Freedom (367) and Two Rivers (368).

Mason Gardner led the Comets with an 80, followed by Issac Wright (82), Noah Carrick (86), Logan Bunge (89) and Spencer Grams (91).

“We missed out going to state as a team by four strokes and Mason Gardner missed by one stroke as an individual,” coach Tom Noltner said. “It was another great year, as we advanced the entire team to sectionals and just missed out on the team going to state. This was a great group of guys to work with and I look forward to coaching the team we have coming back next year.”

New London’s scores were Landon Elsner (81), Matt Luebeck (82), Matt Fletcher (84) and Dylan Leahy and Will Cooley (88).

Amherst’s Vince Omernik shot a 90.

Division 1
Neenah Sectional
Hortonville’s Lucas Van Handel carded a 99 at Ridgeway Country Club to place 44th.