Obituaries

Annette Marie Blumreich passed away at Woodland Village-Oconto on July 4, 2014, at the age of 100 years, 8 months, and 20 days.

Annette was born Oct. 15, 1913, to August and Louise (Braun) Beyer on a farm in the Manawa area. She married Ervin Blumreich on Aug. 11, 1934, and the couple moved to Gillett. He preceded her in death June 28, 1961.

Annette worked many years at Baldwin Plywood, also at the canning factory and the cheese factory in Gillett. She enjoyed fishing with a large cane pole, making quilt pieces and singing.

Annette is survived by her only child, Janice Blumreich, of Oconto, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and two brothers.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 9, from 9-11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church (the clock church), 101 W. Main St., Gillett. Services will be held at 11 a.m. with Pastors Doreen and Harvey Jeffers officiating. Burial will be at Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery in Gillett.

Olga H. Deckert, 85, Oconto Falls, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday evening, June 29, 2014. She was born Oct. 27, 1928, in Oconto Falls to Gustave and Louise (Reinsch) Milchner.

Olga grew up in Oconto Falls, where she was baptized, confirmed, married and was a lifelong member at Grace Lutheran Church.

On Dec. 29, 1945, she married Christian Deckert in Oconto Falls, and for the next 68 years, they remained in love and devoted to each other while giving constant thanks and praise to God Almighty. Many people may not have known Olga was an artist who took orders from around the world and has her paintings placed in Italy, England and the Hawaiian islands, as well as numerous other places in the continental United States. The couple spent their winters together in Port Charlotte, Florida, for 23 years. Olga’s strong commitment to the Christian faith was one in which she daily lived and was a witness to many.

Doris Anna Marie (Suring) Jansen, 94, Suring, was born to eternal life and reunited with her heavenly family on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at the age of 94 years young.

Doris was a lifelong, active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Hayes, where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Ladies Aid, LWML, choir and many other church functions. She was also a member of the Friends of the Suring Area Public Library and, most importantly, enjoyed spending time at Shay Lake.

Doris worked for many years at the Suring Red Owl and retired from the Suring Milling Company.

Anna Wirtz, 95, Oconto Falls, went to her eternal home Thursday morning, June 26, 2014. She was born July 17, 1918, in the town of Oconto Falls to Emil and Ernestine (Muth) Schindel.

In her youth, Anna worked in Chicago as a mother’s helper. On April 29, 1939, she married Chester R. Wirtz in Oconto Falls. The couple farmed all of their married lives in rural Oconto Falls, where they raised four children. Always a hard worker, Anna once did custodial work at North Morgan School, was employed at an area cheese factory, also worked in area canning factories during the summer months and, for many years, worked at Mid-Central Tool in Oconto Falls.

Anna’s family was her life, and she enjoyed helping them build houses, mixing cement, making wood, having a big garden every year, canning and raising chickens. She was a faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls for many years.

Allen J. Engebretsen, 72, Gillett, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at his residence surrounded by his family. He was born on March 22, 1942, in Shawano to Edmond and Ruth (Arneson) Engebretsen.

Allen was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church in the town of Green Valley and graduated from Gillett High School with the Class of 1960. On July 27, 1963, he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Kallies, at Bethel Lutheran Church.

Irene Forncrook, 78, Oconto Falls, died peacefully at home on Sunday, June 22, 2014. She was born Oct. 21, 1935, in Milwaukee to Stanley and Marie (Wall) Sutrick. When Irene was a young girl, she moved with her family to the Brookside area, where she attended grade school, later graduating from Oconto Falls High School with the Class of 1954.

On Nov. 5, 1955, Irene married her high school sweetheart, Eugene “Sonny” Forncrook. The couple lived in Oconto Falls their entire married lives where Irene’s early years were busy raising a family and working, her later years filled with many enjoyable pastimes.

An avid doll collector, Irene spent years accumulating a beautiful collection of porcelain, antique and vintage dolls. Chatty Cathy and Barbie were two of her favorites, and she was well-versed in their history, care and repair. She also loved jaunts to the casino and activities with the Red Hat Ladies.

John E. “Butch” Hermann Jr., 55, passed away unexpectedly in the Aurora Medical Center-Pleasant Prairie on Thursday, June 19, 2014. He was born in Racine on Sept. 5, 1958, the son of John E. and Carol (nee: Subotnik) Hermann Sr.

Butch graduated from Oconto Falls High School. He had been employed by Per-Mar Security as a supervisor. He was an avid citizens band radio operator, using the handle Orange Cowboy. Butch loved anything to do with computers. He collected all types of antique electronics. He loved the oldies, especially rock and roll from the ’50s.

Larry W. Rotter found peace on June 19, 2014, at the age of 61.

Loving husband of Barbara (nee Radtke). Dear father of Alex Rotter, John and Kelly Clough. Dear brother of Ron (Sharron), Dale (Jodi), and Patricia Rotter. Beloved son of Cora Rotter-Boerst. Also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial gathering was held Sunday, June 22, at Church and Chapel Funeral Home, 1875 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield, from noon until the time of the memorial services at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society are appreciated.

To receive this obit, text 1392571 to 414-301-6422.

Church and Chapel Funeral Home is serving the family.

Carol Cox, 76, lifelong resident of Abrams, died Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, following a longtime battle with COPD. She was born March 25, 1937, in Abrams to Alex and Florence (Knowles) Heider.

Carol enjoyed feeding and watching birds, reading, crossword puzzles, having campfires and watching all kinds of animals.

She is survived by three children, Robert Cox, Jesse and Terry Cox, Cara and Jack Lukasik; four grandchildren, Matthew (McKenzie) Cox, Bradley Cox, Logan Lukasik, Skyler Lukasik; great-granddaughter, Alexis Rose; brother, Jay (Arlene) Heider; two sisters, Edna Tylka, Gracie Krause; Russell Heider’s wife, Judy Heider; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Lavern; two sisters, Marion (Wilson) Smith and Margaret (George) Jendrusiak; a brother, Harold (Ruth) Heider; two brothers-in-law, Frank Tylka and Louie Krause; and Russell Heider, who was raised alongside of Carol.

Joan Chaput, 82, of Crooked Lake, passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2014. She was born in Milwaukee to the late Charles and Clara (Mueller) Bayer on Feb. 15, 1932.

She is survived by her sister, Marion Reik, of Milwaukee, many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Francis “Shorty,” on Nov. 19, 1994.

Visitation will be held at Gruetzmacher Funeral Home in Suring on Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at noon with Sister Marla Clercx officiating. Joan will be laid to rest next to her husband in Mountain Cemetery.

Gruetzmacher Funeral Home in Suring is assisting the family.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com.

Joan’s family would like to thank Rennes West Health and Rehab Center for the excellent care they offered to Joan during her time of need.