Cumberland Advocate: Obituaries

Martin V. Evenson was born in Soldier, IA February 21, 2008 to Martin and Anna (Melby) Evenson. Martin was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Conrad of Soldier, IA, sister, Gladys Kroll of Denison, IA and sister, Alice Moore of Mapleton, IA.

Martin grew up and spent his early adult life in Soldier where he was active in the Soldier Norwegian Country Church, school, sports, working at the Evenson General Store, and his passion, music and singing. He spent much of his spare time singing with various bands for local dances, one of which was Lawrence Welk.

On September 22, 1939 he married Vivian L. Jordan of Charter Oak, IA. They made their first home in Soldier before Martin joined the US Army in March 1943 to serve during World War II. Martin continued to serve his country in the military for the next 21 years; during that time he gave service in the Korean War and Cold War tensions, retiring in May 1964 as Lieutenant Colonel. Martin’s vocation was surveyor with the Army’s Corps of Engineers. Working many years on the Missouri River and in the district office in Omaha, NE. After retiring from the Corps he took a job with the county of Monona, IA as a zoning commissioner.

After returning home from overseas during World War II, Martin and Vivian made their home in Onawa, IA where they raised their two daughters, Vicky and Jeanna; and later taking an active role in the lives of their granddaughter, Heidi and her son, their great-grandson, Wade Martin. Martin was active in his chosen community of Onawa; taking part in the fellowship of Faith Lutheran Church, Masons, Shriners and Eastern Star where he eventually took the office of Worthy Grand Patron of Iowa.

Later in their lives, Martin and Vivian moved from Onawa to Brentwood assisted living in Rice Lake, to enjoy more time with their children.

Martin passed away at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, WI on July 17, 2008.

He is survived by a brother, Loyd of Hollywood, CA; his wife of 68 years, Vivian Evenson (Jordan); two daughters, Vicky (Ron Neitge) of Spooner, and Jeanna (Clark Elliott) of New Richmond; a granddaughter, Heidi (Wayne Richey) of Cumberland; and a great-grandson, Wade Martin Jordan Richey of Cumberland.

Graveside services will be held Monday, July 28, 2008 at 3:00 PM at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery at Spooner, where Military Rites will be accorded by the State of Wisconsin Honor Guard.

In memory of Martin please send any memorials to: Soldier Country Church, c/o Jane Holt, 108 2nd Street, Soldier, IA 51572.

Donald E. Wohlk, Sr, 76, of Almena died Thursday, July 17, 2008 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.

He was born September 10, 1931 in Almena, to Herman and Elizabeth (Reyer) Wohlk, Sr.

Donald was raised in Almena and graduated from Barron High School in 1949. He farmed with his father near Almena. Donald was married in Rice Lake on May 26, 1954 to Betty Haus.

He entered the US Army and served in Korea in the military police. After the service, he returned to farming and managed the feedmill in Almena for several years. Donald was also a part time carpenter with M & W Builders.

He is survived by his wife, Betty of Almena; five sons, Donald (Cindy) Wohlk, Jr., Dennis Wohlk, Daryl Wohlk, Jay (Melissa) Wohlk, all of Almena and Jack (Carol) Wohlk of Riverside, CA and three daughters, Beverly (Jeffrey) Zondag of Cottage Grove, Lynda (David) Ritsche of Superior and Sandra (Karl) Lindquist of Eau Claire; 33 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Donald was preceded in death by one son, Dale; two granddaughters, Jackie and Sue Ellen and two brothers, Herman and Randy.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM Monday, July 21, 2008 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Almena, with Rev. Norman Peterson officiating.

Burial was in St. Matthew Cemetery, Almena.

Pallbearers were Daniel Wohlk, Steven Wohlk, Scott Zondag, Cole Zondag, Mark Zondag, Jeremy Zondag, Gregory Wohlk and Justin Wohlk.

Honorary pallbearers were Gunnar Lindquist, Timothy Wohlk, Kevin Ritsche, Keith Ritsche, Brian Wohlk and Austin Wohlk.

Military honors were accorded by Almena VFW Post #8512.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Skinner Funeral Home of Cumberland.

Dale A. Nyberg, 60, of Minneapolis, MN formerly of Timberland, died Saturday, July 12, 2008.

He was born April 17, 1948 in Shell Lake to Lloyd and Ruby (St. Clair) Nyberg, who both preceded him in death.

Dale grew up in the Timberland area and was both baptized and confirmed at the Timberland Lutheran Church. He graduated from Shell Lake High School in 1966.

From 1967 to 1971 he served in the Army during Vietnam.

He was married on June 17, 1972 to Sandra Borrman and they moved to Minnesota.

Dale also resided in Nevada, Missouri and most recently moved back to Minnesota.

He is survived by his son, Sean Nyberg (Jessica Owens) of Somerset; four brothers, William (Vicki) Nyberg of North Branch, MN; David Nyberg of Ladysmith; Richard Nyberg of Minneapolis and James Nyberg of Minneapolis; three nephews, special friend, Cindy and numerous relatives and friends.

Memorial services were held at 3:00 PM, Friday, July 18, 2008 at Skinner Funeral Home, Cumberland with Rev. David Halaas officiating.

Honorary pallbearers were Eric Nyberg, Brian Nyberg, Patrick Mclellan, Scott Hill, Nate Cheney and Jerry Ganley.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Skinner Funeral Home of Cumberland.

Jeremy “Jerry” Gagner, age 83, of Rice Lake, died Thursday, July 17, 2008 at his home.

He was born June 2, 1925 to Sipblian and Maude (Arneson) Gagner in Rice Lake.

They moved to Sheboygan where he attended school until moving to Franklin, VA where he completed his schooling. He then entered the US Army serving in the Philippines during World War II. After receiving an Honorable Discharge he was married to Lois Hantsman in 1947 in Haugen.

He worked as a meat cutter for George Cross at Cross’s Market until purchasing the business in 1967 and in 1972 he bought the adjoining Johnson Grocery Store. He closed the store in 1978 and went to work as a professional scouter working as the Executive for the Blue Hills District. He and his wife Lois moved to Camp Phillips where he was employed as Camp Ranger until retirement in 1993. His wife Lois preceded him in death in 1992.

He later married Donna Meggers on May 25, 1997 in Rice Lake.

Jerry Gagner was Cub Master for Pack 28 for a number of years, and Scoutmaster for Troop 28 for 14 years. He received the St. George Award from the Catholic Church in 1961, and the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts in 1971. He served as the Scout Religious Award Coordinator for the Superior Diocese for many years. He was an active member of the Parish Council at St. Joseph’s Church including several years as chairperson. Jerry was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Haugen and the Golden “K” Kiwanis Club of Rice Lake.

He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the VFW Harold Nelson Post in 1993, the Community Service Award given by the VFW Post - Ladies Auxiliary in 2003 and the Citizen of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce in 2006. He served on the Lakeview Medical Center Auxiliary for many years. Jerry was a member of the Rice Lake Elk’s Lodge.

Jerry Gagner is survived by his wife, Donna Gagner of Rice Lake, WI; five sons, Michael (Annette) Gagner of Janesville, WI, Richard (Gayle) Gagner of Altoona, WI, Robert Gagner (Donna Young) of Eagan, MN, Bradley (Kris) Gagner of Dallas, OR and Timothy (Nancy) Gagner of Cumberland, WI; two stepdaughters, Roxanne (Joseph) Diederich of Ann Arbor, MI and Jill (Harlan) Anderson of Walker, MN; 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lois Gagner.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:30 AM Monday, July 21, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rice Lake, with interment in St. Joseph Cemetery where Military Rites were accorded by the Rice Lake Veterans Center Honor Guard.

Memorials to the Boy Scouts of America or the charity of your choice are appreciated.

Kayla S. Evenson, 19, of Turtle Lake died Sunday, July 13, 2008 at Cumberland Memorial Hospital.

She was born June 18, 1989 in Cumberland to Chad and Sheryl (Effertz) Evenson.

Kayla was a 2007 Turtle Lake High School graduate.

She is survived by her mother, Sheryl Effertz (Kelly Sain and sons, Steven and Harley) of Turtle Lake; her father, Chad Evenson (Sabrina Verby) of Turtle Lake; one brother, Will Evenson of Turtle Lake; paternal grandparents, Dale and Carol Evenson of Hillsdale; maternal grandmother, Joyce Effertz of Almena; special friend, Lael Lee of Turtle Lake; Godparents, Cindy Williams and Wade Evenson and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Kayla was preceded in death by her grandfather, Edward Effertz and uncle, Rodney Evenson.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 AM Thursday, July 17, 2008 at St. Ann Catholic Church, Turtle Lake, with Father Dave Lusson officiating.

Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery, Turtle Lake.

Pallbearers were Ross Morton, Brad Triebold, Hallie Waltz, Jeremy Feidt, Adam Feidt, Kari Feidt, Russell Evenson, Amber Evenson and Trenton Nyhus.

Honorary pallbearers were Amanda Sherwin and Christina Kline.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Skinner Funeral Home of Turtle Lake.

Kurt R. Arnes, 61, of Barronett died Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at his home.

He was born April 7, 1947 in Madison to Allen and Dorothy (Bergman) Arnes.

Kurt was raised in Superior and attended school there.

He served in the US Air Force for five years and was stationed in Okinawa and Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. He was married in Barronett on August 1, 1981 to Leslie Moe and they later divorced.

Kurt was employed at Stella Cheese and later at Sanmina in Turtle Lake for many years. He lived in Barronett since 1971.

He is survived by one son, Dustin Arnes of Menomonie; two brothers, Steve Arnes of Iron River, and Brad Arnes of Foxboro; three sisters, Pat Lenfestey of Eau Claire, Cathy Arnes of Beaverton, OR and Dawn (Ed) Dubuque of Chippewa Falls and nieces and nephews.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at the Barronett Civic Center, Barronett, on Saturday, July 26 from 1:00-3:00 PM.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Skinner Funeral Home of Cumberland.