Obituaries

Colonel James J. Olson, retired, known affectionately as Jim to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2024, at his home in Camp Douglas, Wisconsin. Jim was the son of Julian and Gladys (Kish) Olson and was born on August 22, 1945, in Mauston, Wisconsin.  Jim’s journey through life was marked by an unwavering spirit of adventure, a deep intelligence, and an immense capacity for love.

A graduate of Tomah High School, class of 1963, Jim’s thirst for knowledge led him to further his education, culminating in a bachelor’s degree from Mount Senario College in 1989.  His military education includes Officer Candidate School at the Wisconsin Military Academy, Camp Douglas, WI; Basic and Advanced Ordnance Officer course at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Colonel Olson began his military career when he was drafted into the United State Army in January of 1968.  He served two years active duty with the 193^rd Infantry Brigade in the Panama Canal Zone and nearly four years in the U.S. Army reserve before transferring to the Wisconsin Army National Guard in December 1973.  In August 1975 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Ordnance and became a Heavy Maintenance Platoon Leader in Detachment 2, 108^th Maintenance Company, Portage, Wisconsin.  He later served as 108^th Maintenance Company, Senior Tactical Officer for the Wisconsin Military Academy, and Commander of the 107^th Maintenance Company.  In 1984 he was transferred to the 723rd Maintenance Battalion, Tomah, and held a variety of staff positions with the battalion and with the State Area Command, before becoming the 732nd’s Executive Officer in 1989 and its Commander in April 1994.  Three years later he was assigned as Deputy Commander of the 64^th Troop command.  In July of 1998 he became the Troop Command Commander and was promoted to the rank of Colonel.  In September 2000 he became the commander of the 426^th Regiment (Leadership) and the Wisconsin Military Academy.

His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with tree oak leave clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Army Reserve Components Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Wisconsin National Guard Emergency Service Ribbon.

On October 11, 1972, Jim married the love of his life Kathleen. They shared a love of traveling all over the United States, specifically to the Florida Area.  They also loved spending time at their cabin on Castle Rock Lake.  Jim and Kathy owned Jim & Kathy’s Bar and grill in Camp Douglas from 1983 until 2012. Kathleen preceded Jim in 2012.

Jim’s professional and personal endeavors were many and varied, but he always found time to support his community. He was a respected member of the VFW and the Camp Douglas American Legion, where his commitment to service shone brightly. His love for his country was paralleled only by the love he had for his family.

Surviving Jim are his devoted children, Brian (Katie Kopplin) Olson of Camp Douglas and Jamie (Dustin) Elsing of New Lisbon. His legacy also lives on through his sister, Jeliane (John) Mochenbacher of Camp Douglas, and his cherished grandchildren, Caitlin (Matt) Kikta, Sadie and Rylie Olson, Connor Stauff, and Charlotte Brahmer. Each of them will carry forward the lessons of kindness and strength that he instilled in them. Jim was preceded in death by his loving parents and his beloved wife, Kathleen Olson, with whom he shared a lifetime of memories.

An avid sports fan, Jim could be found in the stands at his grandchildren’s sporting events, cheering them on with enthusiasm and pride. His presence at these events was a source of encouragement and support, emblematic of his loving nature.

Jim’s life was one of purpose and joy. His adventurous spirit, coupled with his intelligence and loving heart, left an indelible mark on the world. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable life.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Monday September 23^rd at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church (215 Douglas St) in Camp Douglas from 10:00a.m. until 12:00p.m, with a funeral service starting at 12:00p.m.  Rev. Brad Lindberg presiding. Burial with military honors will take place in the Camp Douglas Cemetery.  The Hare Funeral Home in New Lisbon is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are available at www.harefuneralhome.com

John Edwin Viegut, 78, passed away on September 8th, 2024, in Baraboo, WI. Born on January 12, 1946 in Wausau, WI, John was the cherished eldest son of Marvin and Lorraine Viegut. Throughout his life, John was a beacon of love and strength for his family and friends.

John leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion. He was the beloved husband of Linda, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage, filled with mutual support and deep affection. A dedicated father, he was immensely proud of his five children: Troy (Lisa; grandkids: Trenton, Troy, Trevor, Tyler, Thomas: great-grandkids: Sadie), Tim (Toni; grandkids: Ty, Cody, Torrin, Trey: great-grandkids: Tae, Harper, Gio), Terry (Nikki;) grandkids: Bailey, Wyatt, Chloe, Peyton, Ryder: great-grandkid: Bryn), Tammy (Matt; grandkids: Holden, Alex), and Tanya (Dustin; grandkids: Sophia, Grace). John also held a special place in his heart for his cats, Dawson and Dixie.

John’s sisters, Dorothy (Larry), Mary (Duke), and Dawn (Art), remember him as a guiding light of strength and a source of unwavering support and love.  A devout Catholic, John was a current member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish in Baraboo and a long-time member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Parish in Eagle, WI. His faith was a cornerstone of his life, providing him with comfort and guidance.

John flew over 1 million airline miles during his career. He was known for his charismatic personality, work ethic, and ability to deliver solutions to challenging problems. He was proud of his tenure and service during his career at Hein-Werner, P&H-Akerman, and InPro Corp.

John was also an avid sports enthusiast, fervently supporting the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers, and had a passion for NASCAR. His hobbies brought him much joy and connected him with a community of fellow fans.

John was a lifelong coach which included his daughter’s recreational softball teams and his son’s semi-recreational league in the Land O’Lakes western division. Many nights and weekends of his dedication built a strong foundation for his children’s love of sports and showcased his dedication to the community of Eagle.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish, 302 2nd Street, Baraboo, Wisconsin on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 11:00 AM, followed by a funeral luncheon at the church hall. John will be laid to rest at St. Theresa’s Catholic Parish Cemetery in Eagle, Wisconsin at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Visitation will begin at the Church on Wednesday, September 25th, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

John’s life was marked by his unwavering commitment to his loved ones and his church. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

John’s family asks that in lieu of flowers, you make a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank, or to Easter Seals, which helped John’s parents navigate through the early days of his fight with polio.

Mary Teper Repka, born August 31, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois passed away Friday, September 6, 2024 at 90 years old at Fair View Nursing Home in Mauston.

Mary was married to Richard (Dick) Repka in Lyndon Station, Wisconsin in 1963 on the 6^th of November, who preceded her in death December 15^th, 2009.

Mary is survived by a stepson James Repka (Lisa) granddaughter Laura (Tim) Baron and great grandchildren Natatie, Kendal, and Carter and a special friend Sally Erickson.

Mary and Dick loved to travel especially to Branson, Missouri, Grand Ole Opry, Nashville and as far as Hawaii.

Friends may call on Thursday, September 12^th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Crandall Funeral Home, Mauston.

Interment will be at the Mauston, Cemetery.

For online condolences please go to www.crandallfuneral.com

Donald F. McGowan, age 58, of Montello, Wisconsin passed away of natural causes on Monday, September 2, 2024, at his home.

Memorial services will be 12:00 noon on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at Roseberry’s Funeral Home. Donald was born October 25, 1965, in Mauston, Wisconsin to Merlin and Joan (Smith) McGowan who brought him home to their farm in Brooks, Wisconsin. He attended Adams-Friendship area schools all throughout his school years, first attending Brooks grade school, then Grand Marsh middle school and finishing at Adams-Friendship high school in 1984.

Donald worked on the family farms near Brooks, WI from a very young age until his 20s, he moved onto Castle Rock Container in his 30s, had his own painting business in his 40s and worked at Brakebush in Westfield, WI until his death. Donald enjoyed driving around in old cars since before he had a driver’s license and in his later years, he acquired older cars because they needed a good home. He also enjoyed spending time on his land, hunting, making trails in the woods and having fun at the fire pit with friends and family. His biggest achievement was raising his son Austin with former Partner Jan Baumgartner of Adams. Their greatest joy came when they became grandparents to two very loved granddaughters.

Donald was preceded in death by his father, Merlin McGowan, paternal grandparents Hugh F. and Ada B. McGowan, maternal grandparents Walter Smith and Bertha (Marsh) Green, uncle Bernard McGowan, aunts Marlis (Robert) McLean, Marcella (Irvin) Erickson, Marie (Frank) Srb, Dorthy (Curt) Kleeman. Cousins Frank Srb, Larry (Sigi) Laing, Cynthia Baumgartner, Keith (Terry) Russell

Survivors include his son Austin McGowan of Rhinelander, WI; mother Joan (Nate) Kronstedt of Friendship, WI; sisters Deb Stevens (Frank) of Mauston, WI, Julianne McGowan of Madison, WI; and Sherrie (Karl) Bluedorn of Lyndon Station, WI; granddaughters Aria and Aliyah McGowan of Rhinelander, WI; nephew Brandon Stevens of Reedsburg, WI; nieces Bethany Sonnick of California, Travis Airforce Base; Devon Lem of New Lisbon, WI; and Samantha Lem of Lyndon Station, WI; uncles James Smith of Adams, WI; and Hugh Duane McGowan (Loretta Swinehart) of Brooks, WI; aunts Betty (Kenneth) Dehmlow of Friendship, WI, and Margaret (John) Laing of Westfield, WI; and Friend Linda Lauer of Montello, WI. Donald is further survived by many great nieces & nephews, cousins, and dear friends who were like family spread near and far but always close to the heart.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.