Obituaries

Karen Marie Townsend, 52, of Abrams, passed away peacefully on Nov. 5, 2013. She was born in Oconto Falls on May 21, 1961, daughter of Dr. Wallace and Edith Townsend.

Karen was a 1979 graduate of Gillett High School and pursued a career in nursing as a registered nurse.

Karen is survived by her partner of 32 years, Gene Lepak, and their 13-year-old son, Kelton; mother, Edith; sisters, Nancy (Joe), Terri Sue (Joe), Amy (Sean); brother, Suha (Ayten); nieces, Bridgette and Daphne; nephews, Blake (Cindy), Bif (Annelise), Luke (Jess), Casey (Morgan) and Hans (Karla).

She was preceded in death by her father, Wallace.

A memorial celebration service was held Saturday, Nov. 9, at Lyndahl Funeral Home, 1350 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.lyndahl.com.

Robert James Mortell passed away Nov. 1, 2013. He was born on Aug. 29, 1921, to John and Athlene (Meetz) Mortell.

He was active in the Boy Scouts and graduated from West Green Bay High School in 1941 and attended Badger Business College. He enlisted in the Army in the early years of World War II and served as a corporal technician from May 1942 until October 1945. He spent two and a half years in the Aleutian Islands. After discharge, he followed his interest in photography and worked as an apprentice for four years at Schneider-Nuss Studio in Green Bay.

On Aug. 3, 1946, he married Alice Landreman in St.Patrick’s Church in Green Bay. In 1950 they moved to Oconto Falls, where they owned and operated Mortell Studio for 50 years. They then turned the ownership over to their son Mark.

Alice M. Metzler, 79, Green Bay, formerly of Oconto Falls, died Thursday morning, Oct. 24, 2013, at Woodside Rehabilitation Center. She was born May 23, 1934, in Oconto Falls to Jacob “Jake” and Evelyn (Lambert) Bohl.

Alice grew up in Oconto Falls, where she attended St. Anthony Catholic Grade School and graduated from Oconto Falls High School with the Class of 1952. Following graduation, she worked at the Gambles store and then in the lab at Scott Paper Co. On Aug. 7, 1954, she married Robert “Bob” Metzler at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Oconto Falls. Alice called Oconto Falls home for all of her life. She started out as an assistant librarian before eventually serving for over 20 years as the Oconto Falls Library librarian. She was a lifelong member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, where she once led a Madonna Bible Study Group.

David Paul Jacobson, 62, Wausau, died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

David was born Nov. 7, 1950, in Oconto Falls to the late Orace and Caroline (Slang) Jacobson. He worked for Prange Distribution in Green Bay for 20 years before moving to Wausau and working 15 years for Eastbay as a warehouse manager.

David enjoyed playing solitaire on computer and golf. Most of all, he loved his time spent with his partner of 30 years, watching cooking shows or on one of their many vacations around the U.S. and the world.

David is survived by his beloved partner, Ed Bahr; siblings, Neil Jacobson, Donald Jacobson and Dr. Kathryn Jacobson; many nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

No services will be held. You may contact Helke Funeral Home for further information.

You may sign our family guestbook at www.helke.com.

Charles Harold Malueg Jr., 65, formerly of Suring, passed away on Wednesday, Oct, 16, 2013. Charles was born April 19, 1948, to the late Charles Sr. and Rose (Otradovec) Malueg.

He farmed with his father in the town of How and took great pride in his occupation. Charlie was courageous, going through the undeserved struggle to retrieve his livelihood and his farm that was taken from him.

Charles is survived by five sisters, Myrna, Mona, Marsha, Sonja, Goldie; four brothers, Spencer, Gary and two other brothers; and his niece, Gigi Perez, of Nashville, Tenn. Charles is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Margo.

Visitation was held at Gruetzmacher Funeral Home in Suring on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013, from 11 a.m. until the funeral service at 1 p.m. with Pastor Kevin Kuhn officiating. Charles was laid to rest in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Jeanne Lawniczak, 87, Krakow, died peacefully Friday evening, Oct. 18, 2013. The daughter of Percy and Lillian (Wilson) Hudson was born Dec. 21, 1925, in Oconto Falls. On Sept. 9, 1950, she married Leonard Lawniczak. The couple raised their family and farmed in the town of Green Valley.

Jeanne was a good mom and a fun-loving woman. She enjoyed gardening, playing Red Eye and card games, going out for dinner, and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include three daughters and three sons: Karen (Jim) Faust, Colfax; Linda (Bob) Luebke, Morgan; Gale Lawniczak (fiancé, Kenny Winter), Krakow; Dennis (Holly) Lawniczak, Krakow; Kenneth Lawniczak, Krakow; Randall (Pam) Lawniczak, Krakow; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one sister, Beverly Schroeder, Ormond Beach, Fla; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Joan “Joanie” Conrad, 79, Lena, went to be with her husband, Cletus, on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013. She was born on Aug. 21, 1934, in Hickory to the late Bernard and Lois (Wood) Gilligan.

On July 6, 1957, Joanie married Cletus Conrad at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Suring. He preceded her in death on Oct. 29, 2003.

She was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Joanie loved traveling with Cletus, trips to the casino with family and friends, crossword puzzles, and she enjoyed the many dogs that she had over the years. No one will ever forget her strong Irish sense of humor.

Marie Konitzer, 87, Oconto Falls, died Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 8, 2013, at Community Memorial Hospital. She was born Oct. 31, 1925, in Escanaba, Mich., to Charles and Irene (Servant) Vorron.

As a little girl, Marie moved with her family to the Klondike area and graduated high school from the Monastery of Our Lady of Charity in Green Bay.

On June 22, 1946, she married Marcel Konitzer at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Oconto Falls. The couple lived in various parts of eastern Wisconsin.

Marie once worked as an assistant activity director for Rennes Health Center in De Pere. Over the years, she also did house cleaning for numerous families in the area.

As a dedicated member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Marie served with the Women’s Christian Club as well as on the welcoming and funeral dinner committees. She was a member of the Oconto County Legion Auxiliary and volunteered at the local hospital auxiliary and senior citizen center.

Dale Roy Gerndt, 62, was suddenly called home to heaven on Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, at his home by Suring. He was born Jan. 8, 1951, to Leslie and Helen (Lemke) Gerndt.

As a young man, Dale enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War.

Dale enjoyed fishing, farming, gardening and the outdoors. He was a devout member of the Hickory Church of Christ and even more devout to his family. Dale had two daughters whom he loved and spoke about often. Dale was also a talker and was known for always making people smile and laugh; it was certainly his gift in life.

Phillip “Phil” H. Dumas Sr., 63, was born May 26, 1950, in Oconto, to Daniel Dumas Sr. and Phyllis (Smith) Dumas. He passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 14, 2013, in Hudson, Fla.

He is survived by a son, Phillip Dumas Jr. (Maria), and a daughter, Jennifer Weddel (Larry); five grandchildren, Anthony Dumas and Emily, Mathew, Jacob and Ryan Weddel; one brother, Daniel Dumas Jr. (Pat), and three sisters, Alice Blood (David), Barbara Bubolz and Patricia Temple (Ronald); and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, half sister, stepson, two nieces, a nephew and some very good friends.

Phil grew up in the Lena area. He attended grade school and high school there. Phil worked many years as a maintenance man at Bond Pickle factory in Oconto until he retired. He enjoyed watching old movies and socializing with his buddies. He moved to Florida in 2008, were he loved the warm weather.