All Obituaries

Basil Vernon Bronstad, 78, of Chetek, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, at his daughter’s residence on November 30, 2019.  Basil was born on December 21, 1940, to Lillian and Elvin Bronstad.  Lillian told Basil that she got his name while looking through the spice rack.  Basil graduated from Chetek High School in 1958, and enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he was an airplane mechanic from 1958-1963.  He loved to talk about how amazing it...

Robert “Bob” Charles Hartman Jr. (Butch, Mole), 74, of Chetek passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2019.  The Lord called him home after 2 years of struggling health issues.   Bob was born on June 20, 1945 in Hackensack, New Jersey the son of Marge (Gray) and Robert Hartman Sr. Bob received his Industrial Arts and Teaching degrees at the University of Plateville where met his lifetime partner Lois and married July 2, 1966.  During his high school and...

Nancy Ann Manke, 66, of New Auburn, Wisconsin passed away on November 27, 2019 at her home in Dovre Township.  She was born on January 16, 1953 in Dallas, Wisconsin the daughter of Jonathan and Viva (Picket) Rathbun.  Nancy enjoyed painting, gardening, cooking, fishing and artwork. She leaves to celebrate her memory: daughters, Jodi Jeanine Lynn Ekblad, Brill, WI; Dawn Nichole Akins, Brill, WI; grandchildren: Austin, Sarah, Brandon, Christopher, Ruby, Willow, Yasmina, Audrianna,...

Mary Margaret Bailkey, 58 of Chetek, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 2, 2019. Mary was born on August 31, 1961 in St. Paul, Minnesota the daughter of Milton and Anna Mae Bailkey. Services for Mary are being arranged.  Please check back for updated information. The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Chetek has been entrusted with arrangements.

Kent Allan Gilbert, 80, of Chetek, Wisconsin passed away on October 13, 2019 at River Pines Nursing Home with family by his side. Kent was born August 21, 1939 to Alice Christina (Severson) and Clarence Joseph Gilbert.  Kent grew up working with his parents and sister Sharon on their family farm west of Chetek.  Despite all the hardship of agricultural life, this fostered a lifelong love of farming. Following his graduation from Chetek High School in 1957, Kent proudly served in...

Dorothy “Dot” Luanne Dreysse passed away peacefully on October 13, 2019 at Atrium Senior Living Center in Chetek, WI. The visitation will be at Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Funeral Home in Chetek, WI on Thursday, October 17th from 4-7:00 p.m.  There will be a short celebration of life service following the visitation at 7:00 p.m. Dorothy was born November 2, 1944 in Elmhurst Illinois to Fairee and William Seipp.  Dorothy lived in Illinois until around 1976, after which she...

Grace Rodzenak, 82, of Chetek, Wisconsin passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at Atrium Post Acute Care in Chetek.  Grace Galvon was born on December 1, 1936 in Chicago, IL to Martin and Frances (Kola) Galvon. Grace received her education in Chicago.  She married Andy Rodzenak on May 31, 1958 in Chicago.  Grace and Andy made their home in Chetek for many years moving up from Chicago.  She was retired from McCain Food U.S.A. in Rice Lake.  She was a member of...

DeeAnne “Sue” Anderson, 68 of Chetek, Wisconsin passed away on Saturday, August 17th, 2019 at her home in Chetek.  Sue was born on February 11, 1951 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin the daughter of Thaine and Vera (Madison) Phillips.  Sue graduated from New Auburn High School in 1969 and then attended WITC in Rice Lake, Wisconsin for Data Processing.  She married Greg Anderson and to this union three sons were born.  She was employed at Walter’s...

JOAN ELAINE LUERDecember 31, 1937 – April 11, 2019Joan Elaine (Busacker) Luer, 81, of Chetek Wisconsin, joined her husband Frederick Sears Luer, in heaven, on April 11, 2019. Joan was born in Long Prairie Minnesota in 1937.  She graduated from Long Prairie High School in 1955, and married Frederick S Luer in 1958. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Texas, and in 1959, were in Europe while Frederick was in the armed service.  Together, they raised their 3 daughters in...

Virginia J. Esswein February 8, 1943 – September 29, 2019 Virginia J. Esswein, 76, of Chetek passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family after a long illness on Sunday, September 29th. She recently celebrated her 55th wedding anniversary to her beloved husband, James L. Esswein. Virginia was born in Milwaukee, WI on February 8th, 1943 to Elizabeth B. (Schlitt) and Henry A. DeWerth. Ginny graduated from Wauwatosa East High School in December 1960.  She attended...