All Obituaries

  Maria Ann Francois passed away unexpectedly, age 46, on October 4, 2021, in Chetek, Wisconsin. Maria was born on July 29, 1975, in Barron, Wisconsin to Dennis and Joyce (Lawton) Francois. She will be greatly missed by many. She leaves to celebrate her memory, her parents, Dennis and Joyce Francois, Chetek, WI;  her sons, Jacob Francois, Joseph Francois, and Andrew Francois, Chetek, WI; her brothers, Jamie Francois and Jonathon Francois, Chetek, WI; her life-partner,...

Barbara A. Prorok passed away on September 27, 2021 at the age of 75 in the comfort of her home in Chetek, Wisconsin. Barb was born on August 28, 1946 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin the daughter of Anne and Harold Elwood. Barb enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved her children and her favorite granddaughter, Hannah. She loved her Packers, Brewers and Polkas. She will be greatly missed by all of us. Barb is survived by her daughters, Jill (Rich) Kastner, Spooner, WI; Ami (Bill)...

Lenora Delma Vana, 91, of Chetek, passed away on Friday, September 24, 2021 at the Mayo Clinic Health Care Systems in Eau Claire.  Lenora Purintun was born on May 25, 1930 in Chetek, Wisconsin the daughter of Mary and Leroy Purintun. Lenora loved to knit, quilt, and sew and to watch the Green Bay Packers. She leaves to celebrate her memory: children, Cynthia (Greg) Saylor, Barron, WI; Mary (Jim) Sekola, Chetek, WI; Coletta Peterson (Ken Janiszewski) Chetek, WI; and Donald (Betty)...

  Margaret A. Hardt (Maggie) age 67 died on September 24th, 2021, at St. John’s hospital in Maplewood, Minnesota.  She was born on June 3, 1954, to Shirley and Martin Mack in Manhattan, New York and was a middle child to 8 loving siblings.  As a child Margaret loved to listen to music and sing.  Margaret met her late husband Arnie Hardt in the 70’s and had 3 amazing children, Melissa Cross, Jessica Hardt and Cory Hardt.  She later in life met the love of...

James A. Dietrich, 51, of Barron and formerly of Chetek, passed away on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at the Spooner Health Care System.  James was born on December 23, 1969, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.  He was a hard worker and was currently working for a private contractor where he did lake side services.  He enjoyed hunting, yard sales, tractor pulls and working on vehicles. He is survived by his father, Karl H. Dietrich, Chetek, WI; brothers, Thomas and Timothy Dietrich,...

John Erb After a several-week battle with illness, John Andy Erb, 66, left the presence of his wife and children and stepped into the arms of his Savior on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. He was the son of Armin and Irene (Swenson) Erb, born to them in Emmetsburg, Iowa, on Dec. 11, 1954. He married Vicki Putzke, his high school sweetheart, on Aug. 16, 1974, and together they raised five children. Those who knew John will remember him for his faith, his sense of humor, his generosity and his...

Gerald (Jerry) Zehner, age 95 of Chetek, passed away on Thursday, November, 12, 2020, at Meadowbrook at Chetek. Jerry was born February 6, 1925, in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, to Roy and Elizabeth Zehner. The family moved to the Chicago area in 1926. There, Jerry attended school, then worked for Borg-Warner Corp. for 40 years, retiring in 1982 as Director of Purchasing. Jerry served in World War II and was a Gunner on a B24 Bomber while stationed in Italy. He flew 30 bombing missions over Europe...

Edward John Beckman Jr., 55, of New Auburn, passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at the Mayo Clinic Health Care System in St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN with his family at his side. Edward Jr. was born on November 28, 1965, in Chicago IL the son of Barbara (Billon) and Edward John Beckman Sr.  Edward Jr. spent six years in the Army National Guard during and after high school.  He was a self employed mechanic in the Chetek area for many years; he was a member of the...

Bernard W. Jaeger of Chetek, WI passed away on August 23, 2021, at the age of 87.  Bernard was born on April 27, 1934, in Milwaukee, WI the son of Margaret and Emil Jaeger.  Bernard grew up in the Milwaukee area graduating from Menomonee Falls High School.  After high school, he started full-time employment with Wisconsin Bell. In June 1956 he enlisted in the U.S. Army where would serve as a radio operator and electronics specialist, South Korea. He was honorable discharged...

John Robert Siran, 79, passed away at his home in Chetek, WI on August 21, 2021. John was born in Chicago, IL on February 22, 1942, the son of Mildred and John George Siran. He’s just a guy who loved the great outdoors of Chetek. John is leaves to celebrate his memory, his wife, Judy Siran, sons, John (Kathy) Siran, Michael Siran, and Daniel Siran, grandchildren, Gannon Siren and Garrett Siran, neighbors, Jan and Marion as well as other close neighbors and many other loving family...