Ronald H. Reitz, 89, passed away peacefully on his birthday, November 15, 2025, at the American Lutheran Home in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

Ron was born and raised on the family farm in Weber Valley, Township of Eau Galle, near Elmwood, Wisconsin. Farming was in his blood from the beginning, and it remained at the center of his life. In February of 1965, he purchased the farm neighboring the homestead where he grew up — a place that would become the heart of his work and family for decades to come.

On December 11, 1969, Ron married Cleo A. Meixner. Together they raised their family on the farm Ron had worked hard to acquire. While tending to his 80 acres, Ron also worked several jobs over the years, most notably at Sanna Dairies in Menomonie, where he was employed until his retirement in 1998. Even after retiring, Ron continued farming until he rented out the land, though he never fully stepped away — always willing to lend a hand to the farmer working his fields until moving to the American Lutheran Home in 2022.

Ron enjoyed the simple things of rural life: farming, deer hunting, fishing, and taking long rides around the countryside on his Gator. At the nursing home, he proudly earned the title of “Bean Bag King,” a testament to his friendly competitive streak. He enjoyed feeding the birds, squirrels, rabbits, and the occasional deer outside his window.

Ron is survived by his daughter, Jennifer (John) Einum of River Falls; his stepchildren, Vicki (Steve) Meixner of Ojibwa, Luann (Norm) Cummings of Brookfield, Laurie Ellingboe of Wilson, Jim (Virginia) Meixner of Menomonie, and Rebecca (Dat) Nguyen of Milwaukee. He is further survived by his grandchildren: Ryan (Emily), Chad (Felipe), Ian, Nathan, Angela, Anessa, and Adrik; great-grandchildren, Madeline and Addison; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 41 years, Cleo Reitz; his parents, Elmer and Hazel Reitz; his brother, Larry Reitz; his sister, Lois Bee; brother-in-law, Duanne Bee; stepson-in-law, Rob Ellingboe; and grandson, Brennan Einum.

Memorial services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday December 4, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elmwood, with burial in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the services at the church on Thursday.

Condolences may be made online at rhielfuneralhome.com.

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

Vickie Lynn Russett, age 63 of Baldwin, Wisconsin, formerly from Renton, Washington and Woodville, Wisconsin passed away peacefully in her sleep November 15, 2025, at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, Minnesota, due to complications from long term medical conditions.

Vickie was born June 9, 1962, to Sherman and Delores (Bengtson) Russett at the Baldwin Hospital, growing up in Woodville across from the school. She attended Baldwin-Woodville schools, graduating with the class of 1981. After high school she continued her education with studies in the medical testing profession, going on to a 42-year career with a single company, rising through their ranks. An accomplishment she was quite proud of.

Her volunteer services included 10 years as an EMT with Woodville Fire and Rescue along with being a certified CPR instructor.

Vickie was the sweetest, most wonderful person you could ever meet, loved by everyone who knew her. She in turn loved everyone she cared about.

She loved her home and family, including her two cats, Lena and Lainey, along with the ones that preceded them. She loved being in God’s nature, raising both indoor and outdoor plants and flowers, tending to her extensive plantings in and around her homes. She also loved animals in her yard, both wild and pets.

She loved ATV riding. In the dunes, on the beach at the ocean and in the mountains of Washington state.

She loved going on spontaneous road trips, traveling with her Aunt Bing, along with many other family members and friends. (Oh, the stories that she would tell of those adventures…)

Any and all family get-togethers were very important to her as well. Yearly family vacations to cabins up north at a lake, canoe trips, holiday parties, birthdays and the Syttende Mai.

She enjoyed photography, sharing pictures with her Facebook friends of her flowers, her “find the cats” challenges, pictures of special moments and her adventures.

She was an avid Green Bay Packers fan both in Wisconsin and in Washington as a member of the Northwest Packer Backers club.

Her many loves also included enjoying music, listening to recorded songs, attending concerts and going to karaoke at Luthers Table, her church home, near her home in Renton, WA

She was proceeded in death by her parents.

Carrying on her memory are her loving husband Chris Anderson. Her best friend and sister at heart Sandy Reed. Her brothers Duane (Ann) Russett, David “Spud” Russett, Dennis (Lori) Russett, God-daughter/niece Mary Ann Lynum, Sister- in-law Leona Colbeth, along with many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, her cousins, and many, many wonderful friends.

Celebration of her life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville, Wisconsin, with Visitation on Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 3 to 6 p.m. A memorial service will also be held at Zion on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation for one hour prior to the service. Lunch will follow the service in the fellowship hall.

Private family internment will be at a later date.

Honorary pall bearers include the members of the former Woodville Area Fire and Rescue Service.

The family prefers memorials go to Zion Lutheran Church or the Woodville Historical Society.

Keehr Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Brian C. Krueger, age 69, of Menomonie, WI, passed away Thursday, November 13, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at Luther Hospital.

He was born April 13th, 1956, in Baldwin, WI, to Herbert George Krueger and Geraldine Esther (Thompson) Krueger. He grew up on his family farm in the township of Lucas and graduated from Menomonie High School in 1974.

Brian began his working life as a farmer, a beginning that reflected his deep connection to the outdoors and the steady, honest labor he valued. After graduation, he continued working on the family farm before enlisting in the Marine Corps. He was medically discharged and went on to work at a sawmill as a logger in Spring Valley, Elmwood, and the surrounding areas. He later hit the road as a trucker, and his favorite route was always the long haul down to Texas. He always felt most at home, at a truck stop, or with a cup of coffee in hand, swapping jokes and stories with anyone willing to listen.

Brian also found happiness in the simple things: tending to his animals, enjoying his Kools, and making maple syrup each spring, a tradition that kept him connected to the land in a way nothing else did.

Brian will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his stubborn charm, and the deep love he held for the few he kept close. He also shared a deep, lifelong bond with family friend Phil Pax.

Brian is survived by his sister, Barbara Knopps of Menomonie, and his granddaughter, Haley Krueger of Baldwin. He is also survived by other grandchildren, many nieces, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Geraldine Krueger; his sister, Lynn Lahti; one son, Kyle Krueger; and a special companion, his shih tzu, Miley.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Wilson Lutheran Church in Wilson, WI, with Pastor Doug Brandt officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial with Military Honors will be at Wilson Lutheran Cemetery, in the Town of Cady, St. Croix County, WI.

A special Thank you to the staff and doctors at Mayo Health System Menomonie, Mayo Health System Eau Claire, Mayo One Helicopter transport. A very special Thank you to Dr. M. Rentzepis and his team for the wonderful care, concern, and attention you have given Brian these past 4 years. Thank you to Sara, Home Care RN at Lakeland Home Health and Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a donation in Brian’s memory to a charity of your choice.

Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI is serving the family.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at olsonfuneral.com.

Coleen Donath, age 72, of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Our House Senior Living in River Falls.

Coleen was born April 4, 1953, to Donald and LaVera (Kohn) Schramski in Amery, Wisconsin. She grew up in the Turtle Lake area and attended Turtle Lake Schools and St. Croix Falls High School before earning her GED later in life.

On July 31, 1970, Coleen married Ronald Donath in Centuria, Wisconsin. They started their family in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, before making the Spring Valley area their home in 1975.

Coleen enjoyed beautifying the world around her – creating meticulous needlepoint and stamped cards, growing flowers, setting a stunning Christmas table with a delicious meal and amazing homemade cookies next to a perfectly decorated tree. She took pride in her work at McMillan Electric, Anderson Windows, and Bergquist Company and made friends wherever she went. But her greatest love was for her family. Her beloved husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were what she treasured most in life and what she saw as her legacy.

Coleen sacrificed for her family and deeply taught them a sense of fairness and justice, a love of music and dancing while doing chores, life skills, a sense of humor, the value of any job well-done, and the importance of family above all else. Even as she lost her ability to verbalize, her hugs and tears of joy upon seeing family members made them feel valuable and connected. Her gentle and loving presence is deeply missed by all.

Coleen was preceded in death by her husband, Ron, her brother, Steve, and her parents.

Survivors include her children: Michele (Eric) Huppert; Bridget Johnson; Brenda (Brandon) Johnson; and Jeremy (Emily) Donath; grandchildren: Christien (Nicole) Huppert; Sedrick (Patrick) Huppert; Brittany (Raj) Bohini; Katelyn (Justin) Brathall; Jonah and Jaden Johnson; Adia Johnson; Dominic, Dakota, Dalton, and Cloe Donath; and great grandchildren: Aria, Tristan, Phoenix, Kiana, Raina; siblings: Paula Henck; Laurie Hughes; Mary Schramski; Joe Schramski; Tim Meyer; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, other relatives and friends.

Coleen’s children and their children take comfort in knowing that her suffering from dementia has come to a peaceful end and she has rejoined Ron where they can be together forever.

A prayer service will be held from 5:00 p.m. .to 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Keehr Funeral Home in Spring Valley. A Celebration of Life will follow at the funeral home until 8:00 p.m.

Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley is handling arrangements.