Obituaries

 Mrs. Rose Baumel, age 92, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, April 28, 2025. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and cherished friend to many, Rose touched countless lives with her warmth, generosity, and unwavering dedication to family.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, June 14 at 11:00 a.m. at the South Burr Oak Methodist Church in Coloma, Wisconsin. Reverend Leonard Capobianco will officiate. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., prior to the service.

Rose was born on July 26, 1932, in Westfield, Wisconsin, to William and Mildred (Hayes) Reichhoff. She graduated from 8th grade in Friendship in 1947 and worked alongside her siblings on the family farm during her youth. Her life changed forever when she met the love of her life, Vic Baumel. The two were married on February 23, 1952, and together they raised four children.

Rose dedicated her life to her family, finding joy and purpose in supporting her husband, children, and grandchildren. She also worked for many years at Adams Friendship Hospital, where she was a valued and compassionate member of the team. Deeply committed to service, Rose was an active member of the American Legion and the Adams-Friendship VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Vic and Rose enjoyed fishing and gardening together, often spending quiet days outside tending to their plants or waiting for a bite on the line. Rose also had a deep love for cooking—but even more so, she cherished the smiles on the faces of her loved ones as they gathered to enjoy the meals she prepared. Her homemade rolls, mashed potatoes, and apple slice became legendary in the family, with frequent requests and playful disagreements over who liked them the most.

Rose was a woman of deep faith, finding guidance and community at South Burr Oak Methodist Church, where she was a proud member of the congregation. She generously volunteered her time and efforts to worthwhile causes and to those in need throughout her community.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband Victor, her parents Bill and Mildred, her children Roger Baumel and Terry Buzzell, her granddaughter Lindsey McFadden, and her siblings Robert, Blanche, Shirley, William, and June.

She is survived by her children: Victor (Cheryl) Baumel of Janesville, Richard Baumel of Green Bay, and sister, Jane Boer of Adams. She is further survived by her grandchildren: Victor (Christie) Baumel, Bobbi (Steve) Chapman, Holly Baumel, Peter Baumel, Gary Rickabaugh, Adam Baumel, Brian Baumel, Becky Rickabaugh, Phillip (Jackie) Baumel, and Ashley Buzzell; as well as many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the support and kindness shown during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in Rose’s memory to her family.

The Baumel family is being assisted by Roseberry’s Funeral Home. For online condolences and further information, please visit www.roseberrys.com.

Grenneth D. Nelson, age 97, of Friendship, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Moundview Memorial Hospital & Clinics in Friendship.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church in Arkdale, Wisconsin, with Pastor Terri Skildum officiating. Visitation will take place at the church that day from 12:00 noon until the time of the service. A luncheon will follow at the church.

Interment at East Arkdale Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Grenneth was born on July 22, 1927, in Roscoe, Illinois, to Ward Raymond and Matilda Alta (Nagles) Lake. She was one of the twelve children listed in birth order, Clarence, Stanley, Glenn, Alice, Arthur, Mary, Leota, Robert, Raymond, Frank, Grenneth and Audrey.  Her family moved frequently during her youth before settling in Brooks, Wisconsin, where she graduated from Brooks Elementary and later Oxford High School. Grenneth was the only surviving biological child.  She has a sister-in-law, Marion, still surviving.

On November 13, 1948, Grenneth married Nels Nelson at Davis Corners Methodist Church. The couple initially farmed in Big Springs, but after facing difficult times, they relocated to Rockford, Illinois, where Grenneth worked for Chiclets Gum. In 1959, they returned to Arkdale, Wisconsin, and resumed dairy farming for many years. During their time on the farm, Grenneth assisted many friends and neighbors by transportation to Dr. appointments etc.  Grenneth also worked at Diamonds Grocery Store in Arkdale, where she worked with very special friends.  She also was the Strongs Prairie Treasurer for many years where she collected taxes in her home. While on the farm she welcomed many family visitors on the wk-ends. She always welcomed everyone with open arms and of course great food.  In 1981, they built a log home on the family farm. Following Nels’s retirement in 1983, they began spending their winters in Florida. She made some good friends there and enjoyed the weather. In her later years, Grenneth lived with her daughter, Cathy, before moving to Villa Pines Nursing Home.

Grenneth had a passion for hard work, cooking, canning, reading, music, and volunteering at her church. She was an active member of several organizations, including 4-H, band, choir, the Strongs Prairie Community Club, PTA, the Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church Choir, the Ladies Aid, and girls’ softball.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Nels Jr.; her son, Kenneth; her brothers, Clarence, Stanley, Glenn, Arthur, Robert, Raymond, and Frank Lake; and her sisters, Alice Frazer, Leota Wicker, Audrey Coon, and Mary Steffen.

Grenneth is survived by her son, Steven Nelson of Big Flats, Wisconsin; her daughter, Cathy (Dennis) Rathermel of Friendship, Wisconsin; her grandchildren, Cynthia, Casey, Tanya, Tammy, Justin, Tyler, and Lance; her foster grandchildren, Tammy, Crystal, Tammy, Jeff, Jonathan, and Hannah; and her foster great-grandchildren, Jaiden, Nevaeah, Isaiah, Saren, Alba, Leo, Rose, and River. She is further survived by her sister-in-law, Marion Lake, as well as many other relatives and friends.

The family is being assisted by Roseberry’s Funeral Home. Online condolences and further information can be found at www.roseberrys.com.

Robert L. Donahue, age 94, of rural Mauston, Wisconsin passed away Saturday, April 05, 2025 at Serenity House in Tomah, Wisconsin.

Robert ( Bob ) was born March 8, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois to Thomas Francis and Lucille Sophie (Feldman) Donahue. He grew up in Chicago, but spent most of his childhood summers in Mauston at Woodside Ranch, which was founded by his grandparents. He had great times with his cousin Bill Feldman who at one point had to be banished from Woodside after the 2 of them had too much fun and hijinks. His high school years he lived in San Francisco where his father was stationed at The Presidio, but he returned to Mauston to graduate with the class of 1948. Robert earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. While at Illinois he married Geraldine T. Bowser on March 21, 1959. He then went on to get his doctorate in composition from Cornell in Ithaca, New York. Also in Ithaca his daughters Carrie (1961) and Emma (1963) were born. His composition teachers have included Cecil Burleigh, Hunter Johnson, Robert Palmer, Benjamin Johnston, and Karel Husa. He taught music composition at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh and then for 35 years at Spelman College in Atlanta retiring in 1998. He is credited with over eighty publications of educational piano music, choral music and instrumental ensembles, and was commissioned to write works for saxophone. Among other notable achievements his Sonata #3 was a prizewinner in the Delius Festival and the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet performed his SEVEN MINIATURES in Norway at the Grieg Festival in ’93. He was a member of the Southeastern Composers League, Society of Composers, Inc., American Music Center and ASCAP where he has won twelve special awards.

In 1977, after 10 years in Atlanta, the family moved to an 8 acre farmette outside Newnan Ga. He really took to country life – doing lots of wood chopping to keep the fires going. In addition to all the property management he worked on fencing for his daughters horses and the family finally got a dog! Babe was the first, then Blue, Bart, Foxy, Brunhilde and finally Lady.

In 2002 he and his wife moved back to Mauston, after 35 years in the South, to be closer to their daughters and expected Granddaughter, Anna Lucille. The dogs continued with Buster and finally Sonny.

In retirement, while living in Mauston, he continued writing “teaching” piano pieces. He built up a catalog of over 1000 pieces. When not composing, he loved to read, especially mysteries and thrillers as well as westerns and science fiction. He was a major football and basketball fan and enjoyed Steven Colbert and Jon Stewart’s Daily Shows. He also had his daily habits of Wordle, Suduko, the Spelling Bee and solving Cryptoquotes.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents: Thomas and Lucille, wife Geraldine (2020) and sister Jan Reynolds. Survivors include: daughters Carrie, and Emma McClintock (Dan McClintock), granddaughters Anna McClintock and Bailee Marx (McClintock) her husband Andy and their children Eden and Halle. Robert’s Nephew, Patrick Reynolds, summed it up well: “He was a truly brilliant, immensely talented, and interesting man. A humble genius with a very gentle spirit”. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and teacher who provided and cared for his family and friends.

Memorials may be directed in Bob’s memory to the American Heart Association, the National Kidney Foundation and your local public library.

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