Elizabeth “Betty” J. Garber, age 80, of Eau Claire passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2020. She is remembered as being the public face of the Eau Claire Boy Scout office, having worked there for 43 years from 1959 until retirement in 2002. She served in various roles, beginning as receptionist and later becoming office supervisor. She was known to “coordinate everything,” from registrations to volunteers. In honor of her contributions, an Eagle class was named after...

Ronald T. Wampler, 85, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at his home in Eau Claire, Wis. Born Nov. 15, 1935, in Milwaukee to Grace and Marion Wampler, Ron graduated from Columbus High School in Marshfield, Wis. He then served in the Navy before graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a bachelor of science degree. Ron married Gerry Hughes on September 6, 1958. He served as Pepin County welfare director and then social services director in Dunn County prior to...

Darrel Anthony Rogers of St Paul, MN passed away on July 26th, 2021. Darrel was born on May 16th, 1962 to Henry and Dorothy Rogers in Joliet, IL . He was the third of seven children. Darrel is survived by his wife Jessica Rogers, his mother Dorothy Rogers, two brothers, Henry (Kesia) Rogers Jr, and Bret Rogers, one sister, Candace Rogers, eight daughters, Melissa (Sherman) Jones, Kiarra Edwards, Kaniece Edwards, Sharie Carmona, Monica Rogers, Kylynn Simon, Jordyn Rogers, and Aaliyah...

Kyle J. Rickert, 45, of Eau Claire, WI, passed away unexpectedly on July 25, 2021 at home. Kyle was born on November 10, 1975 in Appleton, WI to Jerry Rickert and Carolyn A. Ryba-Kastelic. He graduated from Appleton West High School in 1994 and lettered in football and track.  He graduated from UW-Platteville in 1998 with a degree in Criminal Justice and was MVP for the UWP Track Team. Following graduation, he moved to East Texas and worked with troubled youth at Salesmanship Club and...

Irene A. Brantner of Eau Claire passed away on Saturday July 24, 2021 at Orchard Hills Assisted Living under the care of the Mayo Hospice team. She left this world with caring members of her family at her side. Irene was born on July 31, 1931 to Vian and Sadie (Flach) Hazen. She was raised in Eau Claire County, attending Conley School in rural Eau Claire County. In 1948 Irene married Arnold Mayer of Eau Claire. They had 5 Children: Linda, Steven, Dale, Janice and Jeanette. Irene remarried...

Susan "Sue" M. Lynett, age 58 of Eau Claire passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.   Funeral arrangements are pending.  Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com. Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.  

Richard M. Cieslak, age 67 of Eau Claire passed away early Tuesday morning, July 20, 2021 at Meadowbrook at Bloomer in Bloomer, WI. Funeral arrangements are pending. Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com. Hulke Family Funeral Home &  Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

LaVonne Inez Santala, age 88, of Mondovi, WI, formerly of Eau Claire, WI, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2021, at Sacred Heart Hospital.  LaVonne was born on April 25, 1933, in Modena, WI, to Selmer and Bertha (Dregney) Mahlum.  LaVonne was married to Lyman Franzwa in February 1956 and had three children.  They were divorced in 1975.  LaVonne met and married Albin “Al” Santala in 1979.  LaVonne and Al enjoyed dancing, travelling, golfing, playing...

Dale D. Backus, age 85, of Eau Claire died Saturday, July 17, 2021 at the Augusta Nursing Home under the care of hospice. Dale was born March 14, 1936 in Chippewa Falls, WI to Raymond and Margaret (Persons) Backus. He served honorably in the U.S. Army Signal Corps stationed at Ft. Carson in Colorado. Dale lived in the Eau Claire area until he graduated from Eau Claire High School. After graduation he moved to the Chicago, IL area where he worked for Western Electric and their affiliates for...

Jeanne Marie (Kleckner) Kneer Jeanne Marie Kneer, age 100, of Eau Claire passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2021. She died peacefully at home. Marie was born on April 12, 1921, in Beloit, Wisconsin, to Cecil G. and Gladys M. (Neyhard) Kleckner.  Marie’s first years were very difficult for her family. They moved to the Chippewa Falls area and then to near Stanley, Wisconsin. When her mother went to the hospital and was unable to care for her, Marie was placed in the Children’s...

Since you are reading this, it seems I have “passed away.” That shouldn’t be such a surprise; it was bound to happen eventually, and I was 92 after all. I was fortunate to have lived a wonderful life—quite a gift! Although it’s hard to say goodbye to those I love, I’m beginning a fantastic new adventure where I will reconnect with those who have already made this journey. I’m looking forward to seeing the love of my life, Norman Fred Sommers, to whom...

Mathew (Matt) Brantner , age 94, passed  away peacefully at Sacred Heart Hospital surrounded by his family on July 8, 2021. He was born to Louis and Cecelia (Brunner) Brantner on February 18, 1927, he was born in Mondovi, Wisconsin. He met the love of his life, Theresa Seipel at his brother Lawrence's home while she was working as a nanny.  They were married on October 12, 1949 and married for 70 years.  His first job was cutting out ice blocks from the river for in home...

Mary E. Dominski, 93, of Eau Claire, formerly of Wausau, passed away on Tuesday, July 6 after a brief illness at River Pines in Altoona under the care of St. Joseph’s Hospice.  Mary was born on April 27, 1928, in Watertown, Wisconsin to Albert C and Martha (Brockhaus) Wollin.  She grew up in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, and graduated from Lake Mills High School.  She attended Carroll College (Carroll University) in Waukesha, Wisconsin, graduating with Sociology and English...

Bruce L. Bartz of Eau Claire passed away Sunday, July 4, 2021 after a brief struggle with brain cancer.  Bruce was born on July 18, 1948 to parents Victor and Lola (Silvernail) Bartz.  He was a graduate of North High School and the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.  During his childhood Bruce enjoyed collecting coins and listening to rock and roll, but as an adult he discovered his passion for the stock market.  Bruce’s entire career was spent in Eau Claire as a...

Gary Streveler, 69, of Eau Claire, WI passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving wife and daughters. Gary was born on September 20, 1951 in Eau Claire, WI to Francis and Dorene (Paulson) Streveler. He attended St James the Greater and Regis Catholic High School in Eau Claire.  In 1973, he married his high school sweetheart Debbie Anderson and together they raised two beautiful daughters, whom he was so proud of. Gary was hardworking and worked in the steel...

Bonnie C. Anderson, 77, of Brackett, WI, passed away Monday June 28, 2021, at Oakwood Health Services after a long battle with cancer.  Bonnie was born September 24, 1943 in Eau Claire, WI, the daughter of Albian and Clara (Powell) Britten. Bonnie went to Fall Creek High School and graduated from CVTC with her GED in 1978. Bonnie married Robert O. Anderson on January 30, 1960, in Fall Creek, WI. Bonnie worked as an in-home daycare provider for 10 years and a Teacher’s Aide at...

Kathleen Malone Prantner, age 83, of Eau Claire died peacefully with her family present on June 27, 2021. Born on April 20, 1938 to Richard and Elizabeth Malone. She attended the College of St. Catherine before she received her Masters of English and Literature from Villanova University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. It was also at Villanova University that she met her husband, Rudolph Karl Prantner. Kathy had a strong faith and showed this using her love of music and singing to...

Vernon George Mertinke, 97, of rural Eau Claire, went home to his heavenly Father on Monday, June 21, 2021, at Marshfield Center Hospital in Eau Claire. Vern was the oldest of four children, born to Ida (Sell) and Ernest Mertinke.  Vern attended Sunny View School, which now resides in Carson Park, and Lincoln Elementary. He attended Eau Claire Senior High School. During World War II, he moved to Seattle, Washington with his mother, brother, and two sisters to work in the Boeing...

Reba Lou Woodruff (Kuehne), 87 years of age, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, June 19, 2021. On February 28, 1934, Reba was born in Ironton, Ohio, where she attended school and graduated from Ironton High School. She attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Huntington, West Virginia, graduating with a degree as a registered nurse. In the summer of 1956, Reba attended a picnic on a blind date with her future husband, John Everett Woodruff. She said that while she...

Marvin Frank Ramsden, 87 passed away June 18, 2021 at Park View Home in Woodville, WI. Marvin was born to Frank and Clara Ramsden on September 19, 1933 in Catawaba, WI.  He married Elsie Hollister on July 16, 1955.  Their first home was in Catawba, WI before subsequent moves took them to Tony, Ladysmith, Eau Claire, and Woodville.   Marvin never knew a stranger and would help anyone who needed it. He found great comfort in reading his Bible and loved to tell the story of...