Robert “Bob” J. Bowen, age 72, of Menomonie, formerly of Elmwood, passed away peacefully after a lengthy battle with cancer on Saturday October 7, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Red Cedar in Menomonie.

Bob was born May 21, 1951, in Menomonie to Gordon and Charlotte (Fischer) Bowen. He grew up on the family farm in the Township of Rock Elm and graduated from Elmwood High School. Bob continued his education at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire. Bob was employed at American Agco in South St. Paul for over 30 years.

Bob married Jane Freese on March 13, 1971, at the Rock Elm United Methodist Church, rural Elmwood. They lived most of their 52 years of marriage in Rock Elm Township, and during that time were blessed with two daughters and four grandchildren.

In his early years, Bob enjoyed traveling with family and friends, including driving to Florida, Oregon and multiple fishing trips to Canada. He and his friends enjoyed many nights playing cards and having drinks. Later in life he spent many hours playing online video games with family. Throughout the years, Bob was always an avid fisherman and loved being out on the lake whether summer in a boat or winter ice fishing. He always loved hosting or attending a good cook-out with family and friends. Bob and Jane were avid followers of professional and college sports, loyal Green Bay Packer supporters, and also fans of the Badgers, Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks.

In November of 2021, Bob and Jane moved to Menomonie and have met some wonderful neighbors who they enjoy visiting with.

Bob is survived by his wife, Jane; his daughters, Theresa (Chuck) Bowen of Menomonie and Becky Konsela of Deer Park; grandchildren, Troy (girlfriend Sam) Bowen, Tammy Eckert, Taylor (boyfriend-Logan) Schultz and Lili Schutz; siblings, Calvin (Pat) Bowen of Bastrop, TX, Greg (Carol) Bowen of Salem, OR, Nancy (Rick) Johnson of Menomonie, Debra (Jeff) Bischel of New Auburn, and Terry Bowen of River Falls; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and a son-in-law, Tim Konsela.

The family would like to thank each of the nurses and staff of Mayo Clinic Health System-Red Cedar Oncology Department for all the loving care and support that they gave to Bob.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday October 12, 2023, at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie.

Condolences may be made online at rhielfuneralhome.com.

Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Menomonie is serving the family.

Jean (Hase) Heppner passed away at Mayo Luther Hospital, under comfort care, on Friday, October 6, 2023, at the age of 90.

Rhea was born March 28, 1933, to loving parents, Hartzel and Bernice (Minder) Hase in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin.  She raised her children on a farm outside of Spring Valley, Wisconsin for 16 years.

After her marriage ended, she decided she wanted to stay home with her five children. They moved to Chippewa Falls where she worked at F&F Shoe Factory, Presto, and then started “Red Barn Antiques,” which she started in a two-car garage, then moved to the upstairs of a small barn. Mom was quoted saying “I knew nothing. I was a farm girl and thought I’d never make it.” Rhea’s future husband, Robert ‘Bob’ Heppner was a major part of the business. They eventually built a new home on property just up the street so they could build a large pole barn and use the existing house to furnish it all with antiques. They also brought in three log homes to furnish as part of the business. They offered winter sleigh rides through their wood, and often met Santa in his Santa House along the way. It was amazing! Fun was had by all. Rhea had her eye on a new piece of land closer to her hometown in Maiden Rock, on the corner of Highway 29 and Highway 63… “Red Barn Antique Mall.”  She opened that store in 1983 and sold it in 2003 and retired.

Rhea was an exceptional mother who always thought of her kids first. She married young and dedicated her life to her most important contribution…her children. Mom loved her flowers and plants, her neighbors and “lunch group ladies” on Wednesdays. Her legacy lives on through the family she leaves behind.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Bob; parents Hartzel and Bernice Hase; her brother Warren Hase; and her nephew Bobby Bohn.

She is survived by her children: Brian (Peggy) White; Brenda (Joe) Stangl; Brad (Giselle) White; Bridget (Marv) Pehlke; Bernie (Jay) Jaquish; Debbie (Victor) Offutt; and Bruce Heppner; 11 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; brother Fredrick (Marylou) Hase; fur baby Rudy; other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers are Ryan Stangl, Seth Pehlke, Jeff White, Tyson Jaquish, Jared Jaquish, and Matt Fesenmaier.

Visitation was from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. A private family burial will be in Maiden Rock Cemetery.

We want to thank the nurses, doctors, CNAs, and all who took such special, loving care of our dear mother.

Keehr Funeral Home, (keehrfuneralhome.com) Spring Valley is handling arrangements.

Marvin Kannel, age 88 of Elmwood, Wisconsin passed away at home on Saturday, September 23, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Marvin was born on November 29, 1934, to Earl and Rosella Kannel in Plum City, Wisconsin. As the eldest of eight siblings, he learned the values of responsibility and hard work early in life while growing up on the family dairy farm in Plum City. He attended St. John’s Catholic School and graduated from Plum City High School in 1952.

On October 5, 1954, Marvin married the love of his life, Dell Jane Wakefield, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Plum City. Together, they settled on a dairy farm in El Paso Township, where they raised their nine children. After years of hard work, they retired and moved to Elmwood where they have lived for the past 18 years.

Marvin’s faith and dedication were evident in his membership in the Knights of Columbus and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elmwood. For a decade, he and Dell Jane served as custodians of the church, embodying their commitment to their faith and community. Marvin had a gift for conversation, brightening the lives of all he met with his friendly demeanor. He cherished moments spent playing cards with friends and neighbors, and his love for fishing was unwavering, regardless of the size of the catch. A true sports enthusiast, he cheered passionately for Minnesota teams and relished any sporting event that came his way. In his later years, he found joy in crafting bird feeders for family and friends and creating rosaries to aid those in need.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, sister Virginia and brother-in-law Bill Webb, brothers Donald, Steven, and Kenneth and his wife Constance, as well as grandson Jonathan Nellessen and great-grandsons Channing, Beau, and Chase Kragnes, in-laws: Dorothy and Walter Hofacker, Bernice and Jim Wik, Darrel Wakefield, Larry Wakefield, and Vern and Dorothy Wakefield.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Dell Jane, and their nine children: Bob (Nancy) Kannel, Patti (Rick) Hayden, Ron (Caroline) Kannel, Jean (Pete) Nellessen, Debbie (Dave) Baier, Donna Bechel, Cherie (Mark) Hotter, Roger (Nancy) Kannel, and Jim (Jill) Kannel. Marvin’s legacy continues through his 30 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, and his siblings Edward (Marge) Kannel, David (Phyllis) Kannel , and Mary Ellen (Dale) Nevalainen. He is also remembered by sister-in-law Jean Kannel, in-laws Sandy (Larry) VeVang, Glen (Sharon) Wakefield, Michael (Dianne) Wakefield, Myrna Wakefield, and Hannalore Wakefield.

Pallbearers were Tony Kannel, Jason Kannel, Justin Kerg, Riley Kannel, Joe Kannel, Josh Nellessen, Bryan Bechel.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elmwood. Visitation took place from 9:30 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. at the church prior to the service, followed by a luncheon.

Burial was in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Spring Valley, WI.  The caring team at Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley, has handled the funeral arrangements.

Carol J. Yauch age 92 of Cottage Grove, MN, died Friday, September 22, 2023, at Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury, MN.

Carol was born April 14, 1931, in Elmwood, WI.  She was the daughter of Bernard and Hazel, (Gunvalson) Ottman and grew up in Elmwood.  She graduated from Elmwood High School in 1949. Carol married Charles “Bud” Yauch on March 24, 1951, in Elmwood.  After marriage they lived in Texas for a short time while Bud was in the U.S. Army.  After Bud was discharged from the Army, they made their home in St. Paul and raised their family.  Besides raising her family, Carol later worked several jobs outside the home, including St Paul Public Schools in multiple schools, and J C Penney in the catalog dept.

In 1988 they returned to Elmwood where Carol was active in local town government, until 1997 when they moved to Hayward.  In 2000, they moved to Menomonie until Bud’s death in 2011.  After Bud’s death, Carol moved to Cottage Grove to be closer to her family, where she remained the rest of her life.

Carol enjoyed jig saw puzzles, and spent time with the many new friends in her senior living community.  She enjoyed meals, bingo, cribbage and other games with them.

Carol was also a talented painter (water color & oil), did beautiful cross-stitch projects and extensively researched and documented both the Ottman and Yauch families.

Carol is survived by her seven children, Shari Colaizy of Menomonie, David (Elaine) of Arden Hills, MN, Diane (Mike) Hoffmann of Oakdale, MN, Doug (Doreen) of Brooklyn Park, MN, Mike (Maureen) of Cottage Grove, MN, Scott (Penny) of Arkdale WI, Julie (Tom) Schneider of Eagan, MN; 15 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; Two sisters, Rosie Burke and Jane Weber, both of Milwaukee.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Charles “Bud” in 2011, a son-in-law, Robert Colaizy, two brothers, Leo and Leon Ottman, two sisters, Bernadine? Tommet and Joy Sahagian

Funeral services were held at 1:00 PM Monday October 2, 2023, at Christ The Lord Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, MN with Rev. Dave Barkow officiating.  Burial was in the Poplar Hill Cemetery, Township of Rock Elm, Elmwood, Wisconsin.

Visitation was held from 11:00 AM Monday until the time of the services at Christ The Lord Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove.

Condolences may be made online at rhielfuneralhome.com.

Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Menomonie is serving the family.

Dennis Gilbertson of Arden Hills, MN passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Friday, September 15, 2023, at the age of 84.

Dennis was born on April 12, 1939, in Spring Valley, Wisc., the first of four children born to G. Lester and Vera (Stratton) Gilbertson. He was born with a caring soul that he shared with the world, a deep love of nature, and a steadfast loyalty to family and friends.

Dennis attended Spring Valley schools from K through 12. He earned a BS degree from the U of Wisc, River Falls, and a MS from the U of MN.

Dennis was a devoted educator, spending the majority of his 36-year teaching career teaching biology, anatomy, and other science classes in the Mounds View School District. He was an inspiration to his students and never gave up on them no matter what. His caring nature reached far beyond the classroom. Strangers quickly became friends, and as one said, “His friendship knew no boundary.”

Mistymoon Lake in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming was a cherished spot for Dennis. He and Claudia spent many summers leading church and school groups as they backpacked to Mistymoon and beyond. These ten-day hikes were a perfect platform for Dennis to deliver not only lessons about nature, but also lessons about life.

Dennis lived his life advocating for justice. His children remember being brought to protests and rallies at a very early age. He walked the talk by being a good example of loving all people. He was especially happy when, after hundreds of hours of volunteer work in support of same-sex marriage, an attempt to disallow this was soundly defeated in Minnesota.

In his last two years, he and Claudia joined Giving Voice – a choir for people living with dementia and their caregivers. He started singing more loudly in church and around the house while helping with chores. During a recent hospital stay, while he was highly medicated, this love for singing literally gave him a voice. He would sing with visitors even when he was too sleepy to talk.

He was a marathon runner, a scuba diver, a world traveler, and he loved his church family at Peace Lutheran Church.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Ruth Lynum and Carol Bergum. He is survived by his wife Claudia, daughters Nancy (Chris) Erickson, Laura (Kent) Dirks, son Joel (Michelle Tolub), grandchildren Tyler, Jens, Ellie, Kelsey, and Henry, sister Vivian Mundt, many nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews, cousins, inlaws, and friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, October 14 at 12 noon at Peace Lutheran Church, 1744 Walnut Street, Lauderdale, MN 55113. Visitation will begin at 10:30 am.

Memorials preferred to Giving Voice (givingvoicechorus.org) or Peace Lutheran Church (peacelauderdale.com).

Mary Louise (Olson) Olson was born and grew-up on “the house on the hill” in Spring Valley, WI.  She was born to Harold Sr. and Louise (Blegen) Olson on November 25, 1935. A “Monday’s Child, fair of face,” she had blonde hair and brown eyes and was known for her beauty.

Mary Louise cherished growing up in Spring Valley, the “best little town near a dam site.”  The Spring Valley flood of 1942 and the impact of WWII loomed large in the memories of her early childhood.  In high school, she was voted Homecoming Queen, cheered for the Cardinals, played saxophone in the band, learned to forge Principal R. Syverson’s signature, and sang in a girls group called “The Tulips” which performed on WCCO’s “Stairway to Stardom”. She graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1953 and kept close ties with her classmates throughout her life, maintaining friendships that went all the way back to kindergarten and confirmation.

She met her future husband, Craig Olson of Baldwin, at a Luther League event.  They loved attending dances in the area, including at the Prom Ballroom in Saint Paul.  They were married at Gilman Lutheran Church on June 30, 1956 and would refer to theirs as a “mixed marriage” because he was Swedish and she Norwegian.  Mary Louise attended UW-River Falls, where she made more cherished lifelong friendships. During her college years, she sang with a trio called the “Y-Tones” and was voted Campus Cover Girl.  She graduated from UWRF in 1957 with a degree in Education and Library Science. Throughout her career, she worked in Petersburg and Prince George, VA; Elmwood, WI; Rosemont, MN; Decatur, AL; and finally, for 17 years at River Falls High School. Countless students remember the influence of ML’s “I-Search” paper, Great Works class, Advanced Composition class, and high expectations in (and out of) the classroom. In each location she worked, she developed special relationships with students and colleagues and always loved attending reunions.

When her children Trygve and Kjersti were born, she initially stayed at home. Upon returning to work, she continued to prioritize caring for needs at home: clean clothes ready for the next day, warm meals eaten together as a family, game nights around the round kitchen table, regular church attendance and participation, and holiday traditions that incorporated the family’s Scandinavian heritage.  An incredible baker and cook, she loved making cheese straws with her son and krumkake with her grandson.  Mary Louise was also known for her cheese rolls and cinnamon rolls and would welcome new neighbors with freshly baked bread.  She taught her children to set a nice table, hand write thank-you notes and sympathy cards, and to place value on responsibility, integrity, and good citizenship.

A patriot, Mary Louise always kept up with (and had opinions about) current events; wrote countless published Letters to the Editor; served 8 years on the St. Croix County Board; and volunteered many hours toward campaigns and the Republican Party.  She served as an alternate delegate to the GOP National Convention in 1976; served as 3rd District Secretary; and received the Alvan E. Bovay Award.  Always committed to lifelong learning, she and Craig attended 22 Road Scholar educational trips.

As a family, and as a couple, Craig and Mary Louise traveled the world extensively and enjoyed camping where “there’s plenty to do and see in Wisconsin.” Until the end of her life, whatever Mary Louise read, she’d highlight salient points and write comments in the margins.  She was a lifelong owner of much-loved dogs (and one special cat), a green thumb, a piano player and singer, an international student host, a proud hockey and Marching Wildcat mom, and an avid Packer fan.  (Days before she died, Mary Louise enjoyed one last Packer victory and a Vikings loss surrounded by her children, son and daughter in law, and grandchildren; she stated she “loved Love”).

As a niece astutely wrote upon Mary Louise’s death on September 27, 2023, “Her fierce opinionated temperament sometimes overshadowed her caring funny side.  Aunt Mary was one of a kind.”

Mary Louise is preceded in death by her husband Craig W. Olson; parents Harold Sr. and Louise Olson; granddaughter Vilté Louise Olson; brothers Harold Olson and Gayle Olson; nephews Scott Olson and Chris Olson; and niece Julie Seeley.

Mary Louise is survived by her children Trygve (Erika Veberyte) Olson and Kjersti (Brian) Duncan; grandchildren Ula Louise Olson, Kaja Olson, Espen Duncan, Marit Louise Duncan; sisters-in-law Karin Brown, Dorothy Olson, and Janice Olson; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and students.

Her students called her “M.L.”; her other favorite people called her “Mom” and “Bestemor.”

The family would like to publicly thank Woodland Hill, Hudson Clinic, and Lakeview Palliative & Hospice Care Staff for the many ways they provided care to Mary Louise and her family during this final year. Family felt very blessed by the opportunity to be with her to share and receive her love at the end of her earthly life.