Obituaries

Robert Allen York, age 68 of Nekoosa, Wisconsin passed away Monday April 15, 2024 at Marshfield Center in Marshfield, Wisconsin from complications of lung disease, with his daughter and sisters by his side.

Memorial services will be Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Arkdale Lutheran Church, Arkdale, Wisconsin. Pastor Terri Skildum will officiate. Visitation will be at 9:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at the East Arkdale Cemetery, Arkdale, Wisconsin.

Robert was born August 25, 1955, in Mauston, Wisconsin to Clarence and Viola (Pederson) York. As a child he enjoyed growing up on the family farm, especially driving the John Deere tractors. He graduated from Adams-Friendship high school in 1974. After graduation, he worked for Jim Stoerman’s Gas Station, Roche-A-Cri gas, Rhinehart Construction, Rock County Highway Department and Portage County Highway Department before retiring in 2017.

Robert loved being a Dad to Brenda and Grandpa “Grandpa Whiskers” to Gracie, he was a family man and would often spend time with his sisters and brother. He enjoyed being outside enjoying nature and always took pride in his yardwork, making sure he had the best-looking lawn in the neighborhood. Going for a ride to count deer was a regular occurrence and after moving to Nekoosa he had a lot of them in his yard allowing him to sit back and enjoy his little friends daily. When Robert was younger, he loved playing ball for the old mill, he also loved the brewers, he would watch every game, and went to a couple of games with his sister, Evie. He enjoyed fishing, deer hunting with his Dad, Brother & Nephews, snowmobiling, camping when Brenda was small, family reunions and having campfire’s with family and friends. He also enjoyed spending time with and helping his parents before they passed away. He was a “helper” at heart and was always willing to drop everything and help out whenever someone needed something. He loved watching live music, especially watching his son-in-law, Johnny’s bands over the years and liked being his “roadie” and hanging out backstage. Robert was an amazing man, Father, Grandpa and will be missed dearly by many.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence & Viola York, Brother Donald York, Grandparents Irwin & Jessie York and Hans & Hilda Pedersen.

He is survived by:
Daughter – Brenda (Johnny) Nielsen, West Salem, Wisconsin
Granddaughter – Gracie Nielsen, West Salem, Wisconsin
Step Granddaughter – Emma Nielsen, Tomah, Wisconsin
Sister – Evelyn (Larry) Johnston, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Sister – Dee (Special Friend Russ) Draeger, Friendship, Wisconsin Sister-in-law – Barbara (Michael) (York) Kroetz Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Nephew – Scot (Danielle) York, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Nephew – Brent (Jalane) York, Coloma, Wisconsin
Nephew (Godson) – Richard Draeger, Friendship, Wisconsin
Niece- Kimberly (Nick) Draeger-Cleland, Friendship, Wisconsin
Niece-Tara Johnston, Willison, North Dakota
Nephew – Jim (Laura)Johnston, Greenville, Wisconsin
Further survived by many Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, other relatives and friends.

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

further information.

Kenneth J. Witkowiak, age 84, of Arkdale, Wisconsin passed away Friday, April 12, 2024, at his home.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. 

Kenneth was born March 4, 1940, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Roman and Josephine (Witucki) Witkowiak.  He graduated from high school in Milwaukee and honorably served in the Air National Guard from 1958 until 1965. He worked as a new home construction expeditor in the Milwaukee area and later did lawn care & maintenance. 

Kenneth enjoyed being with family and friends, spending time enjoying the outdoors maintaining his lawn and spending time on the lake with friends.  He was a member of the Mukwonago Fire Department as a volunteer, the American Legion, the Lions Club, and was A Mukwonago Police Commissioner. 

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents: Roman & Josephine; brother: Ronald, and aunts & uncles. 

Ken was the cherished husband of Peggy; proud father of Susan (Bart) Liegeois, Randy (Vickie), Scott (Tracy), Robert (Michele), Jack (Vickie) Miller; loving grandfather of Jonathan, Justin, Jacob, Jared (Annie), Kamryn, Kyle, McKenzie & Ethan, and beloved brother-in-law of Patricia.

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

Dora Rae Willison, age 76, of Nekoosa, Wisconsin passed away Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield, Wisconsin following a sudden illness.

A Celebration of Dora’s Life will be held from 12 Noon to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at the Ranks Bar in Adams, Wisconsin.    Interment will be at the Mt. Repose Cemetery, Friendship, Wisconsin.

Dora was born October 21, 1947 in Adams, Wisconsin to Willard and Daphene Johnson.   She married Steven Roy Willison on June 6, 1968.

Dora enjoyed taking in the beauty of nature, especially bird watching.  She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

Dora was preceded in death by her parents:  Willard and Daphene; husband, Steven;

Survivors include her son, Willard (Michelle) Willison of Adams, WI; daughter, Stacey Mitchell of Nekoosa, WI; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and two sisters.  Dora is further survived by other relatives and many good friends.

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

Joanne R. Parlow, age 69, of Friendship, Wisconsin passed away Friday, April 05, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

A Celebration of Joanne’s life will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the Moundview Golf Course in Friendship, Wisconsin. Deacon John Bourke will officiate a short service at 1:30 pm.

Joanne was born August 2, 1954, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, to Emil and Ruby (Chartier) Stoltenburg.

Joanne enjoyed the simple things in life. She loved putting together puzzles, gardening, flowers, feeding the birds, fishing, decorating her home for the holidays, perusing the aisles of the local second hand store, and spending time with friends and family. Mom was the epitome of a crazy cat lady ( Mom, I told you I was going to put this in your obituary), caring for 6 indoor cats, and numerous other cats and animals that came to her back porch. She loved the color red and any top that had sparkle on it.

Joanne got her love of animals from her dad while growing up on the family farm near Concord, WI. This lifelong love continued through adulthood, from caring for many rescue and stray animals at home to working with the baby livestock at Equity Cooperative.

Memorials may be directed in Joanne’s memory to Adam’s County Humane Society in Friendship, WI.

Joanne was preceded in death by her dad Emil, her mom Ruby, her husband Lee Parlow, her stepson Steven Parlow, and her mother-in-law Louise Bourke.

Survivors: her son Thomas (Trina) Bourke of Las Vegas, NV; her daughter Karie Bourke of Kenosha, WI; her grandson Joshua Bourke; her sisters Arlinda (Jerry) Lieske and Janice (David) Buss; her father-in-law Robert Bourke, and many other beloved family and friends.

We would especially like to thank all of the family and friends who have assisted in caring for our Mom and her beloved pets.