Obituaries

Steven C. Ziems, age 66 years, of rural Elroy, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.

He was born on September 20, 1958 in Kankakee, Illinois, the son of Melvin and Grace (Gilbert) Ziems.  The family moved to Wisconsin in 1960 and Steve graduated from the Royall High School in 1976.

Steven was united in marriage to Tammy Backeberg on March 21, 1987 in Wonewoc.

They lived on a hobby farm in Monroe County where he enjoyed his animals.

Steve worked at the Hillsboro Farmers Coop for 13 years, farmed for a few years and then became a construction handyman.

Survivors include his wife, Tammy Ziems; son, Curtis Backeberg (Kristi Young); daughter, Lauralee Ziems; granddaughter, Taylor Ziems; siblings, Kenneth (Cheri) Ziems, Vicki (Larry) Gower and Michael (Marta) Ziems; mother-in-law, Sandra Backeberg and sisters-in-law, Kimberly Brand (Cliff Kules) and Kathy (Andy) Morgan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Grace Ziems; father-in-law, Ronald Backeberg and brother-in-law, James Backeberg.

No Services are scheduled at this time.

The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting the family with arrangements.

Frank Stanley Schnolis, Jr., age 80, of Adams, WI passed away December 3, 2024, at the Tomah VA Medical Center in Tomah, Wisconsin.

He was born on August 19, 1944, in Chicago, IL to Frank Stanley and Esther L. (Carlson) Schnolis, Sr. Frank married Anita Pollex in Adams, WI and later divorced. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Upon his return from overseas, Frank was employed with the Ford Garage in Adams and then with Adams Columbia Electric Cooperative, where he retired after 29 years as a lineman.

His hobbies and interests helped define who he was. Frank enjoyed touring the country on his Harley Davidson motorcycle, tinkering with old tractors, Fords, Nascar, reading muscle car magazines and the company of his pets over the years. He was a gentle, unassuming man with a sly sense of humor. A good week for him would include planning his next motorcycle trip. Frank’s love for these hobbies was something he shared with his friends and family, leaving a mark on us that will never fade.

Though he may not have liked being the center of attention, he deserves to be honored for years of fatherly love and being a wonderful friend. He was a man of integrity, kindness, generosity, and he left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Esther Schnolis, Sr., and his sister Marie Maxwell.

He leaves behind his son Charles (Julie) Schnolis of Friendship; son James (Dawn) Schnolis of Friendship; daughter Lori (Jeffrey) Hilden of Merrimac; granddaughter Megan (Michael) Steckelberg of Friendship; granddaughter Lindie (Matthew) Dehmlow of Friendship; grandson Evan (Ashley) Schnolis of Necedah; grandson Jade Hilden of Reedsburg; grandson Derek Hilden of Merrimac; great grandchildren Aubrie, Rhettlea, Waylon, Rebecca, Weston, Cashton, Knox, Everett and Wattson; and his fur baby cat Mickey.

He had made it clear that a party should be held upon his death. In fulfillment of his request, we are planning a Celebration of Life in the Spring 2025. All friends and family will be welcome. Frank had asked that any tributes be made in the form of a charitable donation, preferably to Wings of Hope – Humanitarian Aviation Organization. Their address is: 18370 Wings of Hope Blvd. Chesterfield, MO 63005. Ph: 800-448-9487. This was a cause close to his heart.

In loving memory of a life well-lived.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Visit www.roseberrys.com to offer the family online condolences.

Dorothy Jean (Torkelson) Jaeggi, of Mauston, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2024 at the age of 86 years old. Dorothy was born on August 6, 1938 to Clarion and Gunelda (Greenhill) Torkelson in Brodhead, Wisconsin. She graduated from Juda High School in 1956. She met the love of her life, Sep Jaeggi at the family farm when she came down to the barn and he was playing cards with her brother Donny as they were farrowing the pigs. They saw each other again at the dance at Bluffview, where he asked her to dance. She responded, “I’m not a very good dancer,” but they danced anyway and she stepped on his toes multiple times. He asked if he could drive her home from the dance, so began their courtship. They went to many dances after that.

They were married on May 3, 1958. They welcomed a son, Joey, and moved into Jefferson Center Co-op in Twin Grove, WI, where Sep was a cheesemaker with his dad Joe Jaeggi Sr., and later in partnership with his brother, Huns Jaeggi. They welcomed a daughter, Judy two years later. Dorothy worked alongside her “Seppi” for most of their 66 years of marriage. While in Twin Grove, she was always running errands for the factory, working in the cheese store, taking care of her family, and being a part of the activities of her children. She’d go sledding with them, and would end up being with all the neighborhood kids. She was always involved, from being a Brownie leader for Judy’s troop, to being a chaperone on numerous school field trips, going to school events and programs.

Dorothy also worked the election polls in the 1970’s and 80’s at the Bank of Juda in the community room, where Joey and Judy would stop by to see her after school before they went home. There were also the adventures going snowmobiling on the trails up by Blanchardville with Sep and the kids, her uncles, aunts and cousins, then going to Fan Fair in Nashville, and going to Hawaii with Sep for their 25th wedding anniversary.

In 1985 Sep, Dorothy, and the kids moved to Mauston, WI. In 1991 Sep, Dorothy and Joey started a cheese plant, Jaeggi Hillsdale Country Cheese in Reading, Michigan. Dorothy ran the cheese store, took care of the office duties, ran testing for the lab, and worked alongside her husband and son for 16 years before they retired and moved back to Mauston in 2006. Upon retirement, Dorothy was busy at home. She loved decorating, (especially for Christmas), landscaping, planting flowers, trees and plants, doing ceramics, macramé and walking Cheyanne, the family Alaskan Malamute.

She always seemed to find the heaviest rocks and concrete yard decorations which “Seppi” had to lift for her, (which was an inside joke between the two of them). She had a love for clothes, sports cars – her TransAm, turquoise jewelry, coats and boots. She will always be remembered for her laugh, her sense of humor, and her love. She was small but mighty, “a tough little Norwegian” and my best friend.

Dorothy is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 66 years, Sep Jaeggi; her son, Joey Jaeggi; her daughter, Judy Jaeggi; her sisters, Harlene Gerber and Beverly Hazeltine, both of Brodhead and sister-in-law, Beverly Torkelson of Monroe. She is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarion and Gunelda Torkelson; brother, Donny Torkelson; brother-in-law, Glen Gerber; niece-in-law, Laura Gerber; and her fur babies, Archie, Quisto, Hailey, Nookers, Zac, Brookie, Whittie, Jake, Tiffie and Cheyenne.

Dorothy recently said she liked to dance. “Dance Dorothy Jean, you can dance now. Save one for me as I’ll ask you to dance with me when we meet again.”

A Celebration of Life for Dorothy will be held at a later date.

Richard (Rick) Joseph Orlowski age 76 of New Lisbon, passed away on December 1, 2024 at his home. Born on December 4, 1947, in Bridgeport, CT, to Joseph Orlowski and Sophie (Federowicz) Orlowski. Richard’s early years were filled with the kind of mischievous antics that would later define his role as the family joker.

After graduating from Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport, CT, Rick proudly served his country in US Air Force, from 1967- 1971 as a Sergeant responsible for nuclear weapons at Volkfield.  A role that, no doubt, benefited from his precision and ability to keep things light under pressure.  Upon being honorably discharged, Rick’s life took on various roles, from draftsman at Leers to supervisor at Vacuum Platers, and finally, as a cashier at Ho-Chunk Casino, where he loved entertaining the public.

Rick’s personal life was as full and vibrant as his professional one. He first married Jean Clark, with whom he shared two wonderful children, Ryan and Janel, and they later divorced. In 1993, he married Judy Lovegreen in New Lisbon, and together they crafted a life filled with laughter and love.

Rick was a former Police & Fire Commissioner for Mauston, WI. Rick could be found in his workshop, where he was a master of woodwork and fixing just about anything. His hobbies also included tinkering around the house and being the life of the party, whether that meant cracking jokes, flirting harmlessly, or enjoying a few drinks with his buddies.

Rick was the proud father to Ryan (Marcie) Orlowski of Lyndon Station, WI, Janel Dietl of Reedsburg, WI, Michelle (Alan) Pinkham of Milton, WI, Eric (Sarah) Lovegreen of Wonewoc, WI, and Rachel (Chuck) Lamb of Wis. Rapids, WI. His legacy also includes nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, all of whom inherited his knack for humor and his generous spirit.

Rick’s sisters, Justine Gaffney of Bridgeport, CT, Norene (Jim) Corcoran of Bridgeport, CT, and Sandy (Tom) Thaxton of Englewood, FL, will remember him as the brother who could always be counted on for a good laugh or a helping hand.

He is proceeded in death by his parents and sister Peggy and two grandsons, Zachary and Shaun Lovegreen.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 6:00P.M. at the Hare Funeral Home (217 W. Pearl St) in New Lisbon. Relatives and friends are invited to a vistiation on Friday at the Hare Funeral Home from 4:00P.M until the time of service.  Pastor Jill Nowlan presiding.  Military Honors will take place after the memorial service.  The Hare Funeral Home in New Lisbon is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are available at www.harefuneralhome.com