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Evelyn L. Gorman, Charlotte (Shorty) D. Hatfield, Elizabeth S. Olsen, Mark B. “Beetlejuice” Folkerts, Justin L. Griffin

Evelyn L. Gorman

Evelyn L. Gorman, 87, of Rothschild, died on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at the Allison House in Rothschild. She was under the care of the Ministry Home Care Hospice Services of Stevens Point.

Funeral services were at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at Rembs Funeral Home with Rev. James J. Logan officiating. Burial was in Quinnesec Cemetery, Quinnesec, MI. Military rites will be conducted at the cemetery on Oct. 3, 2009, at 1 p.m. by the American Legion Post #50 of Iron Mountain, MI.

Evelyn was born on Sept. 25, 1921, in Spalding, MI, to William and Blanche (LaReau) Riopell. She graduated from Kingsford High School in Kingsford, MI, and then attended Miss Brown’s School of Business in Milwaukee. Before finishing her education, she enlisted in the U.S. Army WAAC on July 2, 1943, and served until her honorable discharge on Oct. 23, 1945. She left for the Southwestern Pacific Theater on Aug. 20, 1944, arriving in New Guinea. Her unit followed General McArthur into Manila and from there she was flown home after contacting hepatitis. Evelyn received the WAAC Service Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, two Bronze Stars and one overseas bar.

During her military service, she was married to Joseph Gorman on Aug. 17, 1945.

After her discharge, she moved to Madison and worked at Oscar Meyer. They then moved to Kingsford, MI, in 1955 and she worked at the VA Hospital as an administration secretary. She later transferred and moved to Tomah and retired from the VA Hospital in Tomah, but continued to work part-time at Tomah Memorial Hospital. Prior to living at the Allison House, she lived in Schofield, Portage and Marshfield.

She is survived by her children, Carol Graewin of Marshfield, Susan (Ace) McLaughlin of Kronenwetter, Patricia (Bill) Schaal of The Villages, FL, Nanette (Griffith) Matthews of Wausau and Dan Gorman of Pittsville; 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by one brother, William (Dolores) Riopell, and four sisters, Cyrene (Eugene) Hintz, Elaine Rogers, Lorraine (Richard) Schaefer and Betty (Jerome) Fleury.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Elizabeth, one brother and two sisters.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.

Charlotte (Shorty) D. Hatfield

Charlotte (Shorty) D. Hatfield, 81, of Tomah, died Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, surrounded by her family at the Serenity House, Tomah. She was born April 26, 1928, to William and Myrtle (Sertle) Harris in Galena, IL, where she spent all of her childhood. She was joined in marriage to Raymond Hatfield. They enjoyed 32 years together raising their eight children. She worked and retired from the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Tomah. She did many different cleaning jobs including Fort McCoy, CenturyTel, Gundersen Lutheran Clinic and many others. She enjoyed bowling and had many treasured friends at the Strike Zone.

She is survived by three sons, Terry (Cindy), Keith, and Rodney (Linda); five daughters, Tammy (Kenneth) Newcomb, Cindy (Timothy) Slater of Tomah, Darlene (Claire) Muenzenberger of Warrens, Linda (Ronald) Thurston of Sparta, and Lisa (Paul) Boehme of Viola, 15 grandchildren, 22 plus great-grandchildren, and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, and three brothers, Donald (Gussie) Harris of Texas, Cletus (Bobbie) Harris of Wisconsin, and Harold (Gwen) of Georgia; two sisters, Edith (Donald) Wetter of Wisconsin and Barbara (Bill) Burroughs of Illinois; a brother-in-law, David Schick; and a “special helper” great-granddaughter Paige Gebhardt. She also treasured many special moments with her wonderful neighbors Walter and Cathy Gnewikow, and is furthered survived by many other relatives and friends. The family would like to give a special thank you to the all the ladies at the Serenity House.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Morris Harris; a sister, Ardith Schick; an infant son, Ray Alvin Hatfield; a grandson, Timothy Muenzenberger, and an infant sister.

A celebration of Charlotte’s life took place on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 3:30 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah.

Relatives and friends called at the funeral home on Sunday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.

Elizabeth S. Olsen

Elizabeth S. Olsen, 61, of Tomah, died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at her home surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born Aug. 9, 1948, to Leo and Elsie (Scherf) Woyach at Oak Creek, WI. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Helenville. She graduated from Oak Creek High School in 1966.

She was united in marriage to Kenneth N. Olsen at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Tomah, on March 20, 1993. She worked at Meca Sportswear in Tomah prior to her battle with cancer. She enjoyed the outdoors and traveling to the Blue Ridge Mountain Range, the Amish Colonies and Glacier National Park. Elizabeth loved spending time caring for the lawn and various flower gardens and spending time with her family, especially spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a faithful member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church. She was a devoted wife and loving mother, stepmother, grandmother, and great-grandmother

She is survived by her husband, Kenneth; a daughter, Sarah (Michael) Stoll of Hartland; a son, Matthew (Amy) Engel of Adams; step-daughters Kimberley Hudsinski of Madison and Karyl (Robert) Henkes of Kennesaw, GA; sisters Shirley (Paul) Horning of Morris, IL, Ann Woyach of Milwaukee, Patricia Sigrist of Racine and Delores (Bruce) Engel of Hancock; a brother, John Woyach of Glideen; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and always together with her loyal dog Katie.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Kathleen Huybers and Joan Bahrs.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave., Tomah. Pastor Donald R. Buch and Pastor David T. Brandt officiated. Burial was in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, in the Town of Tomah.

Relatives and friends called at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, on Friday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of the service.

Mark B. “Beetlejuice” Folkerts

Mark B. "Beetlejuice" Folkerts, age 41, of Tomah, WI, died August 27, 2009, at the Newman Hospital in Emporia, Kansas. He was born, September 7, 1967, in Rockford, IL to Ronald and Patricia (Clifford) Folkerts. Mark grew up in Rockford, IL. Following graduation from Guilford High School in Rockford, he moved to New Jersey, where he began his trucking career.

See Obituaries, page 6A

He traveled across the country and truly enjoyed the many people and places that his work brought him in contact with. When he wasn’t working he appreciated time spent hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed photography as a pastime. Mark lived life to its very fullest and very few days went by that he didn’t relish a good laugh with his friends and especially his mother.

He is survived by his mother, Patricia Nichols of Tomah, one brother, Ronald D. Folkerts of Rockford, IL, and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ronald; his stepfather, Jeffrey Nichols and one brother, Daniel Brian Folkerts.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 1, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Burial will be in the Willwood Burial Park Cemetery, in Rockford, IL, on Wednesday September 2, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited for visitation on Tuesday, at the funeral home, from 5:00 p.m. until the time of service at 7:00 pm. The family has requested that memorials be given in memory of Mark. The Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah will be assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.torkelsonfuneralhomes.com

Justin L. Griffin, 23, of Tomah, died Saturday, August 29, 2009 . He was born Sept. 24, 1985 to Robert and Linda (Baldwin) Griffin at Tomah Memorial Hospital. He was a member of the Tomah High School Graduating Class of 2004. He enjoyed being with his family. He was a proud uncle, he especially enjoyed spending time with his niece and nephew, Abby and Dawson. Justin loved the outdoors; hunting and fishing with his uncles, camping especially their camping and fishing trip to Cornell. He enjoyed working outside with his hands, whether it be mowing the lawn, cutting wood, or helping in his mother’s garden. He had a gracious heart and was always willing to help out whenever help was needed. He was a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew and a very devoted friend.

He is survived by his mother Linda (Mike Sherwood) Griffin of Tomah, 3 sisters, Roberta (Robert) Noggle of Tomah, Shelly and Amie, a brother, David (Shantelle) Sherwood of Tomah, his paternal grandmother, Elaine Hatch of Tomah, his maternal grandmother, Agnes Baldwin of Tomah, uncles, Leonard (Betty) Cox of Friendship, Meredith Baldwin of Tomah, Asa Baldwin of Tomah and Spencer (Bonnie) Baldwin Sr. of Tomah, 4 aunts, Mary Ostlie of Tomah and JoAnne Bejma of TN, Helen Schaller of Tomah, and Nancy (Sheldeen) Springer of Tomah, a niece, Abby Sherwood, a nephew, Dawson Sherwood, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Robert, paternal grandfather, Virgil Griffin, maternal grandfather, Samuel Baldwin, 3 uncles, Charles Baldwin, Thomas Griffin and Hillary Schaller.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wed., Sept 2, 2009, 10:00 A.M. at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Very Reverend Steven J. Kachel will officiate. Burial will be in the LaGrange Cemetery, Town of LaGrange.

Family and friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah, and at the church on Weds from 9:15 A.M. until the time of the service.