OBITUARIES
Recent Obituaries
The obituaries in the in Marquette County Area reflect the region's close-knit population, featuring individuals from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Some were pioneers in their fields, while others dedicated their lives to community service or philanthropy. Their stories serve as a reminder of the richness and complexity Wisconsin's history and identity.
Idella Nelson
Nov 9, 2024
Idella M. Nelson, age 91 of Oxford died peacefully on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Riverwood Senior Living in Wisconsin Dells, the daughter of Gerald and Erna (Manteufel) Rice. Idella graduated from Oxford High School in the Class of 1952. She married Hubert Nelson, Sr. and together they raised five children and later divorced. Idella found companionship again with Jerry...
Robert Bennett Jr.
Nov 4, 2024
Robert “Rob” Howard Bennett Jr., age 68 of Montello passed away Monday, November 4, 2024 at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee. Rob was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1956 to Robert and Nancy (Frazier) Bennett. He moved several times in his youth and graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School in 1974. Rob proudly served his country as a...
Kathryn Prate
Nov 2, 2024
Kathryn “Kit” Ann Prate, age 85 of Portage (formerly of Endeavor) passed away Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital in Portage. Kit was born in West Chicago, IL on November 12, 1938 to Stephen and Zelda (Brown) Wiesbrock. She graduated from high school in West Chicago and married Jerry Prate Sr. on April 1, 1956. Together they...
Romain LaFlex
Oct 20, 2024
Romain Mae Laflex, age 88 of Oxford passed away Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Our House Assisted Living in Portage. Romain was born in Stevens Point on April 7, 1936 to John and Verona (Kieliszewski) Shuda. She graduated from Messmer High School in Milwaukee in 1954 and married Arthur Laflex on April 27, 1957 in Milwaukee. Together they moved several...
June Weiss
Oct 14, 2024
June Elaine Weiss, age 99 of Montello (formerly of West Bend) passed away Monday, October 14, 2024 at home. June was born in Wauwatosa on June 27, 1925 to Arthur and Veronica (Klumb) Benike. She attended West Bend High School and married Milton Weiss on June 29, 1946 in the Town of Herman, Dodge County. Together they were blessed with...
Nancy Maricle
Oct 14, 2024
Nancy S. Maricle, age 78 of Oxford passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 14, 2024 at her home. Nancy was born in Arthur, Illinois on January 21, 1946 to Rudolph and Besse Reeh. She graduated from Arthur High School and furthered her education earning degrees in Music Appreciation from University of Illinois, then later Accounting from Millikin University in Decatur,...
Anna Jones
Oct 11, 2024
Anna L. Jones, 91 of Endeavor passed away Friday, October 11, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family.
Honoring Anna's wishes, she will be laid to rest at the Moundville Cemetery with private family services.
Eleanor Erdman
Oct 8, 2024
Eleanor Sharon Erdman, age 78 of Princeton passed away peacefully in her loving husband’s arms on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at the SSM Hospice House of Hope in Fond du Lac. Eleanor was born in Mountain, Wisconsin on May 27, 1946 to Ruben and Eleanor (Bean) Shier. She graduated from Montello High School in 1964 and married Carl Erdman at...
Randy J. Hardell
Oct 6, 2024
Randy J. Hardell, age 67, of Montello passed away peacefully early Sunday morning October 6, 2024, at home surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Ripon, WI on November 12, 1956 to Armin and Ruth (Warnke) Hardell. Randy attended St. John’s Lutheran School and graduated from Montello High School in 1975. Later, Randy attended...
Donna Dreisbach
Oct 4, 2024
Donna Jean Dreisbach, age 86 of Portage, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, October 4, 2024 at Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital in Portage. Donna was born on September 9, 1938 in Chicago to Michael and Lillian (Glasscock) Kubica and an older sister to Carole and Sandra. Donna graduated from high school where she excelled in sports...
Joan Mydlach
Oct 3, 2024
Joan “Joanie” L. Mydlach, age 86 of Montello.
To all of Joanie's family, friends, and loved ones: Joanie woke up in heaven on Thursday morning, October 3, 2024, and we can only imagine she's already the life of the party up there. Simply being herself, she always made everyone feel like they were the most important person in the room. As...
William DeWitt
Sep 29, 2024
William “Bill” Allan DeWitt, age 58 of New Berlin passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at his home. Bill was born in West Allis to Lacy “Herman” and Mavis (Mittlesteadt) DeWitt on January 14, 1966. He graduated from Muskego High School in 1984 and furthered his education at Waukesha Area Technical College earning a degree in Tool and...
David Nelson
Sep 23, 2024
David Arthur Nelson, age 86 of Packwaukee (formerly of Poynette and Winchester) passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024 at Columbia Health Care Center in Wyocena. David was born in Portage on October 13, 1937 to Alfred and Blanche (Kohlman) Nelson. David attended the rural Leeds School until he enlisted in the United States Army where he served for four...
Mary Hitchcock
Sep 18, 2024
Mary Ann Hitchcock, age 75 of Palmyra (formerly of Montello) passed away Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at her son’s home. Mary was born in Poynette on October 20, 1948 to Elmer and Dorothy (Fredrick) Schwochert. She graduated from Montello High School in 1966 and was united in marriage on February 20, 1971 to Gerald Hitchcock at St. John Lutheran Church...
Norma Bitner
Sep 2, 2024
Norma Louise Bitner, age 68 of Watertown passed away peacefully Monday, September 2, 2024 at Bedrock Health Care Services in Watertown. Norma was born in Chicago, IL on June 13, 1956 to John and Norma (Bowe) Bain. She was raised and attended school in the Chicago area before having a family of her own. Norma loved to be around people,...
Mildred Wildt
Aug 27, 2024
Mildred “Millie” Rita (Berna) Wildt, age 88 of Montello passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at SSM Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac. She has been rejoined with her husband of 56 years, John “Jack” Wildt. Millie was born on Nov 9, 1935 to Micheal and Anna (Kurutz) Berna and grew up on the family farm....
Lester "Butch" Grant
Aug 24, 2024
Lester “Butch” Z. Grant Jr., age 81 of Oxford passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at his home. Butch was born on October 6, 1942 in Waukesha to Lester Sr. and Dorothy (Neale) Grant. He graduated from Oxford High School in 1960 and on December 8, 1969 he married Karen Richardson. Together they owned...
Walter Thole
Aug 17, 2024
Walter V. Thole, age 91 of Montello passed away Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Villa Pines Nursing Home in Friendship. Walter was born in California on May 7, 1933 to Henry and Mae (Cass) Thole. His father was a traveling preacher and Walter moved several times settling in Michigan. On March 13, 1968, he married Patsy Lou (Lienke) Will in...
Dolores Dulaney
Aug 16, 2024
Dolores “Dody” M. Dulaney, age 89 of Montello passed away peacefully Friday, August 16, 2024 at Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital in Portage. Dody was born at home in Dalton, Wisconsin to Arthur and Esther (Wolf) Mulhern on November 1, 1934; she spent her early years on the family farm and graduated from Sauk Prairie High School in 1953. Dody married...
Robert Knickerbocker
Aug 8, 2024
Robert “Knick” James Knickerbocker (“Valentino” to his family) of Montello entered into eternal rest on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at the age of 74. Knick was born on February 14, 1950 in Portage to Harold and Eloise (Tobin) Knickerbocker and he attended Montello Schools graduating in 1968. He continued his education and attended UW Madison as well as SMU.
Throughout his...

