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Summer Baseball Update From Thursday 6/19
The Tomah 19U Legion baseball team managed just 1 hit in a 6-0 loss to Prairie Du Chien Thursday evening. Julian Cunitz led off the bottom of the first for Tomah with a hit but that was the only hit they managed. Cael Koenig had the complete game 1hitter for Prairie Du Chien. Blake Haun took the loos for Tomah.
Bi-State 7 Tomah 16U 2 (Barfknect 2more RBI’s)
Bangor 5 Black River Falls 3 (Seth Brandau Complete Game Victory)
Bangor 10 Black River Falls 4
New Lisbon’s Barfknechts Big Game Lifts Tomah Legion Over Holmen
New Lisbon’s Grady Barfknecht had a wopping 7RBI’s in Tomah 16U American Legion baseballs 15-4 victory over Holmen 16U. Barfnecht had an early bases clearing double to bust the game wide open. Barfnect finished with a 3hit performance. Teag Stevenson was the winning pitcher he went 6innings giving up 4runs on 7hits walking 2 and striking out 5. Tomah 16U is now 5-1 on their season.
Bangor 13 Holmen 17U 3 (Royall’s Seth Brandau 2Steals)
Tomaska, Alice R. Age 73 of Wautoma
Alice was born on February 17, 1952, in Joliet, Illinois, the daughter of Beldon Elmer and Ruth Mae (Knupp) Schroeder. She grew up in Arkdale, Wisconsin, and graduated from Adams-Friendship High School with the Class of 1970. Throughout her life, Alice was known for her strong work ethic and caring spirit. She held a variety of jobs, including serving as a Federal Meat Inspector, working alongside her Aunt Beverly at the Mokena Quik Serv Gas Station in Mokena, Illinois, and later at Butra’s Fruit Market in Des Plaines, Illinois. On October 6, 1980, Alice married John “Jack” Tomaska, who preceded her in death on January 21, 1986. In 1991, she met Tom Welsh, with whom she shared her life until his passing on March 8, 2014.
Alice will be remembered for her sharp wit, generous heart, and quiet strength. She had a love for the open road and the freedom it brought-something we imagine she’s found again, perhaps with a motorcycle waiting for her just beyond the clouds.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Tomaska; her partner, Tom Welsh; her parents, Beldon and Ruth Schroeder; her brother, William Schroeder; and her nephew, Christopher Piechowski.
She is survived by her brothers: Dale (Carol) Schroeder of Mattoon, WI, and David (Gretchen) Schroeder of Champlin, MN; sisters: Mary (George) Piechowski of Redgranite, Wi, and Rebecca (David) Smith of Cleveland, TN; sister-in-law: Laurie Schroeder of Arkdale, WI; and 12 beloved nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Chaplain Ben Frei will officiate. Interment will follow at East Arkdale Cemetery.
Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.
Lake, Marian Age 98 of Briggsville
On June 12, 2025, Marian Lake, age 98, of Briggsville, Wisconsin, left this earth while at home with her family by her side. She was born to Franklin and Lillian (Templin) Julson on April 13, 1927 in Milwaukee, and was the eldest of nine children. They lived on their farm in Adams County, and Marian attended Oxford High School. She worked at Oscar Mayer in Madison until she married Frank Lake, the love of her life, on May 19, 1951 in Grand Marsh. They resided in Rockford, Illinois during their working days. They moved to Briggsville for their retirement but Marian continued to work as a loving caregiver to many people.
Marian liked to garden and loved Flowers. She loved to polka dance and could be observed dancing around the living room, even into her later years. She was a wonderful mother and she cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The memory of Marian will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Her warmth, kindness and love for life will be missed.
Marian is survived by her sisters: Helen (Jack) Kottka and Linda (Doug) Phillips; three children: Rodney (Diane) Lake of Rockford, Rita(Ed) Collins of Machesney Park, Illinois, and Randall Lake of Briggsville; ten grandchildren: Christina Clinton, Kevin Collins, Stephanie Melton, Johnathan Lake, Kelly Plath, Kelsey Kanneberg, Nathan Lake, Eric Petrie, Trevor Lake and Spencer Lake; and twelve great-grandchildren; and many laving nieces and nephews.
Marian was preceded in death by six of her siblings: Donald (Imogene) Julson, Eleanor Julson, Irene (Ken) Geier, Charles (Pat) Julson, Peter (Carol) Julson and Julius (Karen) Julson.
Cremation rites will be accorded.
A Celebration of Life will be held some time in August with details to follow.
Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the Family. Online condolences and further information can be found at www.rosebarrys.com.
Royall baseball Splits Pair in Woodside League
The Royall Panthers summer baseball team split a pair of games in its Woodside League Tuesday night. Royall opened up the night with a 5-1 victory over Ithaca. Trey Wildes went 5 innings giving up just 1run on 3hits walking 2 and striking out 7. Wildes also had an inside the park homerun at the plate. Cole Eberhardt notched the save pitching a pair of scoreless innings giving up just 1hit 1walk and striking out a pair. Jason Johnson went 1×3 with 3RBI’s for Royall in the victory. Adams-Friendship rallied by Royall in game 2 to win 5-4. Royall scored 4 runs in the opening inning but could not hang on. Brock Preuss had a hit and a pair of RBI’s in the loss for Royall. Cody Ratz got the win on the mound for Adams-Friendship and also had a 2 run double at the plate. Kale Gatterman came in to pick up the save.
Juneau County Sheriff Sales
“Through the Eyes of Our Youth” Photovoice Exhibit Sheds Light on Life in Juneau County
Juneau County, WI – South Central Alliance for Tobacco Prevention (SCA), in partnership with SAFE in Juneau County, invites the community to a powerful and inspiring event: the Juneau County Youth Photovoice Exhibit. The exhibit will be held on Monday, June 30th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Oh! Arts, located at 215 E State St., Mauston.
The exhibit, titled “Through the Eyes of Our Youth,” showcases original photography from Juneau County youth. These powerful images reflect the unique perspectives of local youth, highlighting both what makes Juneau County a great place to live and areas they believe could improve.
“This is a rare opportunity to see our community through the creative lenses of its youngest members,” said Alysha Basel, Coalition Coordinator for SCA. “Their insights are powerful, and this exhibit gives them a voice in shaping the future of Juneau County.”
Attendees will also have the chance to contribute their own thoughts about the county’s strengths and needs, with a chance to win a $25 gas card for sharing feedback.
Light appetizers will be provided, and all are welcome to attend this free, family-friendly event.
For more information, please contact Alysha Basel at abasel@juneaucountywi.gov or 608-847-9373
Mauston Summer Baseball Opens up Woodside League with Split
The Mauston Summer baseball team split a pair of games at the Monday Woodside League. Mauston fell in the first game to DeForest 6-1. Evan Freimuth pitched 5 solid innings for Mauston in the loss. Mauston bounced back to defeat Nekoosa 5-0. Mauston got a combined shutout on the mound from Isaac Steinke and Beef Massey in the victory. Mauston will play another doubleheader at Woodside on Monday June 23rd.
Havel, John J. Age 86 of Friendship
John J. Havel, age 86, Friendship, WI died Monday, June 9, 2025 at The Waterford in Wisconsin Rapids with his family close by until his final moment.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Friendship. Rev. David Bruener will officiate. The Knights of Columbus 4th-degree Honor Guard will preside at his funeral.
Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at St. Leo’s Catholic Cemetery with dinner to follow at St. Joseph’s Center in Adams.
John was born December 24, 1938 in Phillips, WI to Steve and Lucille (Selucky) Havel. He married Carole Marie Klein on Jan. 3, 1959 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Adams.
John met Carole at a dance in Wisconsin Rapids in 1957. Before evening’s end she said, “You don’t know it now, but you’re going to marry me someday.” And sure enough, six months later John was proposing to Carole.
John was employed by Nekoosa-Port Edwards Paper Mill and worked there four years before embarking on his career as a home builder. He and his wife collaborated to design and construct more than 90 homes in the Adams-Friendship area and around the state.
A hard worker and a quick study, John was a first-rate mason whose skills included all masonry work including laying cement blocks and creating gorgeous fireplaces. He went on to work as a certified builder for Pittsville Homes for 30 years.
John was a state-certified plumber, welder and electrician. In addition, he served as a Quincy town supervisor, health officer and an honorary Adams County deputy sheriff.
John was a devout Catholic who enjoyed giving back to the community as a 4th-degree member of the Knights. He was Grand Knight when the Adams Council received all the highest state awards despite being the smallest council in Wisconsin. He especially loved delivering food and Christmas gifts on behalf of the Knights to needy families and children in the area.
John supported the Nature Conservancy, the Salesians, and the St. Jude Missionaries, among others.
In 1956, at 18, John traveled West to embark on a grand adventure with his brother, Steve, and friend, Ronnie Pascavis. He loved telling stories of seeing the Rocky Mountains, holding a 10-foot python around his neck and detailing police cars in return for being allowed to sleep at local jails to save money.
In his late teens, John traveled with “Cousin Fuzzy and his Cousins” Polka Band working as a one-man driver, setup crew and a cue-card holder for televised events.
John’s hobbies included playing golf with his son and friends Don Rogers, Dick Lottridge and Tom Wuersberger. John also was an animal lover ever since he was a little boy raising his 4-H calf for the fair. He had many pet dogs and cats through the years.
John, Carole and family relocated from Quincy, Wis., to Zephyrhills, Fla., for the winter of 1972, doing masonry work. The four-month stay included visits to NASA Space Center, the Everglades to see alligators and Busch Gardens. Upon their return, John started “Havel Construction” and began his career as a home builder. John loved music and enjoyed attending many dances with his wife through the years.
John and Carole also enjoyed traveling to visit their grown children in Salt Lake City, Utah; Norman, Okla.; Kansas City, Mo.; and Boise, Idaho. They especially loved visits with their granddaughter, Josie, and their trips to the House on the Rocks, the Rudolph Grotto and the Circus World Museum.
John is survived by his wife, Carole, and his daughter, Teresa, and son, Chris, both of Green Bay, and granddaughter, Josie Rae Ellison, of De Pere.
John is further survived by his sister, Lucy (Don) Hustedt, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Motorcycle Crash in Hillsboro
On Saturday June 14, 2025, the Hillsboro Police Department investigated a motorcycle crash that
occurred near Emplify St. Joseph’s Hospital in the City of Hillsboro.
On June 14, 2025, an Officer with the Hillsboro Police Department was conducting traffic enforcement
while parked in a stationary position near the Hillsboro Fire and EMS garage. At approximately 10:35
pm, the Officer observed a motorcycle travelling at a high rate of speed entering the city limits. As the
motorcycle approached the squad car and entered the city limits, RADAR showed the motorcycle
travelling at 74 miles per hour. The motorcycle passed another motorist travelling westbound,
continuing at a high rate of speed towards the residential and business areas of the city. The Officer
activated their emergency lights and siren and began travelling towards the motorcycle, but ultimately
lost visual of the motorcycle as it passed through the 800-Block of Water Ave. The Officer continued
travelling westbound on Water Ave, ultimately locating a motorcycle that had crashed near the parking
lot of Emplify St. Joseph’s Hospital Emergency Room.
Upon locating the motorcycle, the Officer immediately located an unresponsive male party laying in the
parking lot, believed to be the operator. The Officer quickly retrieved Emergency Room personnel who
came to assist and immediately began life saving measures. The operator was subsequently transported
to Emplify Gundersen in La Crosse via medical helicopter with life threatening injuries.
Due to the nature of the crash, the Hillsboro Police Department requested assistance from the Vernon
County Sheriff’s Office as well as the Wisconsin State Patrol Technical Reconstruction Unit.
This is an ongoing investigation. At this time, the name of the operator is being withheld due to the
seriousness of this crash. More information will be released at a later date.