Obituaries

Jean A. Kanzenbach, 69, Cecil, died Monday morning, May 2, 2016, at an Appleton hospital from complications of cancer.

The daughter of the late Casey and Jeanette (Murphy) Wawiorka was born on Nov. 20, 1946, in Shawano and was a 1964 graduate of Pulaski High School.

On Oct. 7, 1967, Jean married Roger F. Kanzenbach at St. Casimir Church in Krakow. The couple farmed on the family farm for over 50 years.

Jean was a member of St. Casimir Parish, where she belonged to and served as treasurer of the Altar-Rosary Society. She also coordinated and taught religious education classes for many years. She loved to go out to eat with family and friends, visit relatives, play bingo and go on bus trips. She enjoyed compiling family history for both the Kanzenbach and Wawiorka sides of the family.

John H. Fischer, 66, of Cloverleaf Lakes, Clintonville, passed away on Friday, April 29, 2016, in Neenah.

John was born in Clintonville on July 13, 1949, to the late Harlow and Winifred (Fearson) Fischer. John was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving with the 101st Airborne Division, and received many military medals for his service.

John was united in marriage to Cathe Ziereis. He lived in the Embarrass area for most of his life.

John was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Embarrass and was a life member of the VFW, American Legion, DAV, AMVETS and the Vietnam Vets, and was a driver for the DAV.

John is survived by his wife, Cathe; four children, Chris (Yuki) Long, Jason (Sheri) Pump, Shannon Pump and Israel (Melissa) Hartley; eight grandchildren; and one brother, James Fischer; as well as two nieces, Tracy Narf and Rachel Fischer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson.

Robert L. Franz, 76, of the town of Wescott, Shawano, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, April 28, 2016.

Bob was born on May 15, 1939, in Milwaukee, a son of the late Robert and Marcella (Heinzen) Franz. He attended school in Milwaukee and graduated from Rufus King High School in 1957. Following high school he served an apprenticeship as a lithographer. He then was called to active duty for the Berlin crisis and served as a medic for 10 months. On Sept. 30, 1961, he was united in marriage to the former Fay Van Vuren at St. Nicholaus Catholic Church in Milwaukee. Following their marriage the couple lived in Milwaukee until 1968, when they moved to Waukesha County.

Bob was employed as a color plate lithographer at Mueller Color Plate Graphics for many years, retiring in 1999. The couple retired to Shawano Lake in 2000 and traveled extensively until 2002.

Florine J. Peters, 94, of Clear Lake, Iowa, passed away Saturday, April 30, 2016, at the Oakwood Care Center.

Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, at Retz Funeral Home, Thornton, Iowa, with Mr. Red Haugland presiding. Interment was at Pleasant View Cemetery, Thornton. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Florine Johannah Peters was born on May 4, 1921, in Thornton, a daughter of Emil and Hannah (Smith) Jacobsen. She graduated from Thornton High School with the Class of 1939. After graduation she worked at the Numelin Grocery Store in Thornton.

On Nov. 4, 1945, Florine was united in marriage with Ernest Peters at the First Methodist Parsonage in Mason City, Iowa. They made their home at the Claire Farm northwest of Thornton. Later they moved into Thornton. Together they raised two children.

Robert L. Franz, 76, of the town of Wescott, Shawano, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, April 28, 2016.

Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements.

Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.

Clarence A. Wendler, 83, Wittenberg, died on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at the Homme Home of Wittenberg under the care of his family and Ministry Hospice.

He was born on Nov. 17, 1932, in Wittenberg, the son of the late William Clarence and Claricy (Guerin) Wendler.

Clarence was a graduate of Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School.

LeeAnn Ghent, 74, formerly living in Kent, Ohio, Placerville, California, Beckley, West Virginia, Menominee, Michigan, and Shawano, died on Monday, April 18, 2016, in her daughter’s home in Titusville, Florida, surrounded by her family.

LeeAnn was a hard-working mother who raised five children as a single parent. LeeAnn suffered for years from early onset Alzheimer’s dementia. Although her recent memory often failed her, she always could be found helping in making meals, washing clothes, folding laundry and doing dishes, and she helped and took a very active role in helping to raise her grandchildren, while her children rotated the care of LeeAnn through their families.

Jay A. Rusch, 48, of Shawano, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 22, 2016, at his home in Shawano.

A funeral Mass for Jay will be celebrated on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Shawano. Burial will take place at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service.

Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements.

Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.

Wayne W. Verhein, 82, of the town of Wescott, Shawano, passed away on Friday evening, April 15, 2016, at Crossroads Care Center in Weyauwega.

A time to remember and celebrate the life of Wayne Verhein will take place on Saturday, April 30, 2016, from 10 a.m. until noon at Mickelson Funeral Service. Shawano AMVETS Post 10 will perform full military honors at the funeral home at noon. Inurnment will take place at Lake Drive Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the Verhein family is accepting memorial donations.

Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements.

Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.

Frieda R. Yaeger, 90, of Clintonville, passed away peacefully early on Wednesday morning, April 27, 2016, at Greentree Health & Rehabilitation Center, Clintonville.

The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville, is assisting her family.