All Obituaries

Patricia Ann Swartz (Compton), age 90, of Sparta, died Saturday, May 2, 2020, at the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. She was born on March 10, 1930, in Statesville, North Carolina to Roy and Maxie Compton. In the early years, her family moved all over the country, before settling in Pennsylvania. Pat met her husband Bob of 65 years, at art school in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They married on her 18th birthday and moved to Boston, Massachusetts. Leaving the east coast and extended family...

Clinton L. Summerfield, 86, of Norwalk, died on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at Tomah Health, Tomah. He was born on November 2, 1935 in Ridgeville, Wisconsin to Jon and Arlene (Bell) Summerfield. He grew up in Ridgeville. He worked at Halgren’s Farm and Sparta Manufacturing until 1997, when he retired, at the age of 62. He married Carol Kroeger at St John’s Church on Summit Ridge on October 23, 1976. Clinton was an avid Brewers, Packers, and Badger’s fan. He enjoyed fishing,...

Marian R. Brown, 91, of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 18, 2022, surrounded by family, at Marinuka Manor Nursing Home, Galesville. She was born on June 12, 1931 on French Island to John and Carrie (Dokken) Musser. She attended Melrose High School, and graduated in 1949. Marian married Chester Snow Brown on April 15, 1950 in Melrose.  Together, they farmed for years in Mill Creek, West Salem, and Melrose. They raised 7 children. In addition to managing a busy home,...

Leone J. Lakowske, 94, of Sparta, died Saturday, August 13, 2022, at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta. She was born on February 26, 1928, in Sparta, to Roy and Sarah (Livangood) Jotham. Leone married Douglas Lakowske on December 6, 1947. She worked for the school for over 20 years and was a homemaker. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and canning in her spare time.  She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a resident of the Morrow Home for over 10...

Gerald “Jerry” E. Olson, 70, of Bangor and formerly of Sparta, died Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at his home. There will be no services at this time. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Gerald Edward DeWitt Sr, 94, of Sparta, died peacefully at his home on December 22, 2021. Gary was born in Sparta on June 27, 1927, to Ernest Dewitt and Nida (Stannard) DeWitt.  Throughout his long life, Sparta, Wisconsin was always considered home. He worked in the family owned business Beaver Creek Dairy from a young age through high school. He enlisted in the Navy in 1945, and after the Navy, joined the Merchant Marines and travelled the world. He met his wife, Madonna Wookey,...

Gerald DeWitt Jr, 64, died peacefully on November 6, 2021 surrounded by family. Gary was born in Sparta on March 3, 1957 to Gerald DeWitt Sr. and Madonna Wookey. A lifelong resident of Sparta, WI, he worked and retired as an IT Specialist Supervisor at Fort McCoy, WI. Gary was a diehard Packer fan, and the only thing he loved more than a Packer win and a good bloody mary was his family. Gary enjoyed so much in life, sharing his time and smiles with his friends and family. From camping...

Dale R. Donskey, 76, of Norwalk, died Monday, August 8, 2022 at his home. He was born on March 15, 1946 on his family farm in the town of Ridgeville. He grew up there and graduated from Sparta High School in 1964. Dale married Clarice Schmitz on June 15, 1974 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sparta. They lived in Sparta and farmed for 10 years on the Cecil Meyer’s farm. They moved back to the family farm in 1983. He “retired” in 2017, when he sold the farm to his...

Joan Mae Wenzel, 92, of Sparta passed away in peace on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, La Crosse.  She was born on March 4, 1930 to Carl and Lucia (Kraemer) Fehrenbach in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Joan graduated from Marshfield Senior High School in 1948, and attended the Wisconsin State College at Stevens Point (now UWSP), receiving a Bachelor of Education degree and studying vocal music. She subsequently taught elementary school in Merrill, Wisconsin, finding...

Eric David Salomone 1996-2022 On the afternoon of August 3, 2022, at the young age of 26, Eric was tragically taken from his family and friends too soon. He was born to Dave Salomone and Kristine Wieman on July 1, 1996 in La Crosse, WI. Eric has a passion for motor bikes and cars. He loved kids and always lit up a room and made people smile with his charming personality and kind heart. Eric enjoyed riding motorcross and street bikes, playing his guitars, hanging with friends, listening to...