Submitted by Liz Gunderson, PPCS

ELLSWORTH, WI – Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) is proud to announce the recipients of the Pierce Pepin Cares grants for the second quarter of 2025. Pierce Pepin Cares is funded by PPCS members who participate in Operation Round Up^®, rounding up their monthly energy bill and donating the change. This quarter, grants have been awarded to five outstanding local organizations that are making significant contributions to our community:

1. Staying Put, Inc.: Offers services and support to help seniors live independently in their homes. Their grant of $1,000 will be used to directly support key programs, volunteer driver reimbursement, client recruitment, and staff compensation.
2. Spring Valley Fire Department: Strengthen fire prevention and emergency response efforts. Their $500 grant will help them purchase an extrication tool quick-adjust chain package.
3. Basics for Local Kids: Supports children in need with essential items, especially winter clothing. This $1,000 grant will be used to help purchase winter clothing, especially in hard-to-find sizes.
4. Durand Fire Relief: Enhancing fire prevention and emergency response capabilities to improve community safety. This $500 grant will be used for new equipment and gear.
5. Ellsworth Ambulance Service: Provides medical emergency services and responds to calls within specified response times. This $2,500 grant will help purchase a LUCAS III Chest Compression device.

Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services is committed to supporting local organizations that enhance the quality of life in our community. Through Pierce Pepin Cares, we aim to provide resources and support to those who are making a difference.

“We are honored to support these organizations that are dedicated to serving our community,” said Nate Boettcher, president and CEO of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services. “Their efforts are invaluable, and we are proud to contribute to their missions. We are also grateful for our members who round up their monthly energy bill to make these donations possible.”

Pierce Pepin Cares provides charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations that offer programs and support projects to enhance the quality of life for those within the communities PPCS serves. Pierce Pepin Cares grants are awarded quarterly by the Pierce Pepin Cares board of directors. All nine PPCS directors serve on the Pierce Pepin Cares board of directors, along with one PPCS member and one PPCS employee. Nonprofit organizations interested in applying may visit www.piercepepin.coop or call 800-924-2133 for information. The next application deadline is Sunday. June 15, 2025.

Submitted by Ryma Lindquist, WWH

BALDWIN, WI – The Western Wisconsin Health (WWH) Foundation is honored to have received a $5,700 donation from the Collins-Spring Valley Masonic Lodge #192 in partnership with the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation. This generous contribution will directly support mental health services provided by the WWH Behavioral Health Department.

WWH offers comprehensive behavioral health services through a robust department consisting of 11 professionals, including four advanced psychiatric medication management practice providers, and seven mental health therapists.

Mental health counseling and psychiatric medication management are available at all three of WWH’s clinic locations in Baldwin, Roberts, and Spring Valley. In addition to in-clinic services, WWH is honored to provide behavioral health support for students in the Baldwin-Woodville, Spring Valley, and Elmwood School Districts, helping to increase access to care for children and adolescents within their learning environments.

The long-standing partnership between WWH and the Masonic Lodge (ML) has been championed by Lodge Treasurer Terry Blaedorn in memory of his son, Corey. For many years, the Collins-Spring Valley Lodge has raised funds annually through the popular Baldwin Car Show, held during Windmill Days each Friday. This event brings together classic car enthusiasts and community members in support of an important cause: expanding access to behavioral health care for those in need.

“We are incredibly grateful for the continued generosity of the Masonic Lodge,” said Natasha Ward, WWH Primary Care and Community Health Director. “This support has helped hundreds of individuals and families receive timely, compassionate mental health care. In a time when behavioral health needs continue to grow, this kind of community partnership has huge impact.”

Chad Svacina, Master of the Collins-Spring Valley Lodge, emphasized the importance of community involvement in breaking the stigma around mental health. “Mental health affects everyone, our families, our friends, and our neighbors. The only way we can end this crisis is by talking about it openly and offering support. The stigma must stop.”

Western Wisconsin Health Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to the Masonic Lodge and all who participate in the Baldwin Car Show. Together, this collaboration continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of those facing mental health challenges in our region.

For more information about how to support the WWH Foundation or Behavioral Health services, please visit wwhealth.org or contact Ryma Lindquist at ryma.lindquist@wwhealth.org.

Submitted by Amanda Lacey, UW-Madison Division of Extension

MADISON, WI – Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development is excited to announce the 2025 Hall of Fame Laureates including 10 volunteers, supporters and staff who have impacted Wisconsin 4-H. The newest classes of laureates were inducted in a ceremony at the Holiday Inn in Rothschild, Wisconsin on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Among the 10 Hall of Fame Laureates is Francis Ginther, Retired 4-H Youth Development Agent & Professor Emeritus.

“We are incredibly grateful to this year’s laureates and the countless hours of service they have provided to the youth of Wisconsin,” says Jessica Jens, Positive Youth Development Institute Director and Wisconsin 4-H Program Associate Director, UW-Madison Division of Extension. “Their dedication and passion for the 4-H program and the youth we all collectively serve is a testimony to their generosity, talent, and commitment to helping make this world the best it can be.”

Francis Ginther spent 30 years as a 4-H Youth Development Agent, with 28 of those years spent in Pierce County where he guided one of the largest 4-H programs in Wisconsin, consisting of nearly 900 community club members and more than 200 adult volunteer leaders. Frank planned, coordinated, and conducted numerous youth experiential learning events including camps, field trips, conferences, adult and youth leadership trainings, and countless fair educational activities. In 2014, Ginther and the Pierce County 4-H staff team were recognized with the National Excellence in 4-H Club Support Award for their Multicultural Leadership Day program. Ginther was instrumental in training over 100 4-H interns in partnership with fellow Extension faculty, promoting Extension and Agricultural Education as a highly relevant and successful career path.

Because of his years of experience, he became a 4-H Program Area Liaison mentoring new Educators and helping experienced 4-H faculty and staff across Wisconsin. Ginther served multiple years as the Academic Department Chair for the UW-Extension Department of Youth Development and was Chair of the Committee of Professors for the Youth Development Section of the Department of Extension Faculty. His service to Extension earned him the Distinguished Service Award in 2003 and the Colleague of the Year Award in Colleague Development in 2015.

Ginther was also honored with the National 4-H Meritorious Service Award in 2018. Upon retirement, Ginther was named a Professor Emeritus of Youth Development.

The Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame was established to recognize 4-H volunteers, financial supporters, staff and pioneers who made major contributions to the 4-H movement at the local, state and national levels. The candidates represent 4-H in the broadest sense — people who had an impact on the lives of children, their community or state through significant contributions of time, energy or financial resources to 4-H and its members.

There were nine other 2025 Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame Laureates inducted as well.

Congratulations to all of the 4-H Hall of Fame Laureates!

By Julie Huebel, Pierce County Historical Association

ELMWOOD, WI – M is for Marson… It’s sometimes tricky deciding who to start with. For this one I decided to go with “Rene” (Marson) Sailer, wife of Frank Sailer, Jr. Most from Elmwood would have known or at least interacted with her as owner of Sailer’s Groceries and Meat Market. Rene, short for Lorena, and not pronounced like “Renee.” She was born in Elmwood in 1925 to Edward Marson and Hannah Kainz, the neighborhood news reported her birth stating that her father’s sister-in-law, “Mrs. Henry Marson” (Katherine Geiger) was staying with them caring for mother and baby.

Edward was born in Rock Elm Township in 1891 and sadly died at only 34 years of age just a few months after his daughter, Rene was born. Rene’s mother, Hannah would pass away at only 50. Rene was treasured by her family and friends until the age of 91, passing in 2017.

Edward’s parents were Nicholas Marson (1851-1938) and Mary Even/Evan (1858-1933).  Nicholas’s obituary says he was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin so his parents must have been there for a time, they moved around a bit. His obituary also states: “When he was 21 years of age he journeyed to Port Washington where he met Mary Even, whom he married December 1, 1874.

Five children were born to this union, only one of whom survives, a son, Frank of Elmwood. In the winter of 1875, he came to Eau Galle with his wife and infant son and lived there until the fall of 1884 then moving to their farm near Farm hill where they lived until 1916, when they moved to Elmwood.” Nicholas and Mary are buried in Elmwood’s Catholic Cemetery at Farm Hill.

Nicholas’ parents were Frank (1808-1891) and Josephine DeVillet (1810-1897).  Frank was born in Luxembourg (not positive, but a source says in the area that is now Luxembourg Province in Belgium, an area that borders the country of Luxembourg), originally going by “Francois Marseau.” Another name difference, Nicholas’ older brother Michael goes by the last name “Morson.” Here is what is on Frank’s Findagrave page:

“In his youth, at about the age of 17, Francois entered into the service of the Luxembourg National Militia at Ell. He served seven years until his term expired on 02 May 1834. Francois Marseau was united in marriage with Josephine DeVillet, age 24. The couple worked as hired hands on a farm at Post, Luxembourg Province, Belgium. Francois and Josephine with their five young children ranging in ages from eight months to eight years old, emigrated from Antwerp, Belgium, to New York City on board the Bark Manchester on 12 July 1843. The Marson family lived in New York state for a few years, most likely Buffalo, then in Ozaukee County, Wis. before removing to Eau Galle, Wisconsin in 1874 where he resided until his death. Mr. Frank Marson, aged 86 years and eight months died, Nov. 7th, 1891, in Eau Galle, Dunn county. The funeral was held at the Catholic church in Eau Galle on the 9th, and the remains were interred in the cemetery at that place, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. Kleine. Mr. Marson has been a resident of Dunn County for the past eighteen years. He was the father of eleven children. His wife and eight children, all of whom are married, survive him.”

Frank and his family are found on the 1860 federal census fittingly in Belgium Township in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin.

Frank’s parents were Jean Marseau (or Johannes Marceau) and Clare Martens (or Claire Mertens).