Obituaries

Helen Marie Petrowitz, age 100, passed away on January 4, 2026 surrounded by family. She was born to Herman R Miller and Amelia L (Belke) Miller on August 28, 1925. She attended Sarno country school and graduated from Mauston high school. After graduation, she worked in the Juneau County courthouse for five years. On August 20, 1949 she married Edward J Petrowitz and they farmed until his death on April 15, 1987. A son, Robert and a daughter, Patricia were born to this union.

Throughout her life, Helen was  very active with family, church, and her community. She was a member of the Rock Valley school board and a 4-H leader. For over 25 years, she was the assistant secretary and later secretary of the Juneau County Fairboard. In 2000, she was named to the Wisconsin Association of Fairs  Hall of Fame. In 1975,  she received the Juneau County Extension Homemaker of the Year award and was a contributing member for over 20 years. She served as director and treasure for the Lindina Insurance Company and secretary/treasure of the township’s Rural Fire Associations. For over 20 years,

she served as the Town Clerk of Lindina. After Ed’s death, she was employed by Powers Candy until she was 94. The Powers family and coworkers became her life long friends.

Helen enjoyed cooking for her family, reading, embroidering, quilting, and feeding the Orioles and hummingbirds.  The family dogs always held a special place in her heart. She proudly supported her children and grandchildren in their school activities and sports. Christmas in July with a Brewer game outing was a special event with her 

Helen is survived by her son Robert(Kris) Of Lancaster and her daughter Patricia(Jim) Wendt  of Oregon; Grandchildren, Isaac(Andrea) Petrowitz, Brittney Petrowitz(Jordan), John(Michelle) Petrowitz, Tricia(Ryan)Hoffman and Michael(Sarah) Wendt. Great grandchildren, Sophie, and Theo Hoffman, Ellie, Molly, and JJ Wendt; Sister-in-law Verda Jean Miller, and sister-in-law Bernice Petrowitz; Several other nieces and nephews and loving friends. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Ed, brothers, Robert and William Miller and sister-in-law Vera Miller.

Services will be held at Saint Patrick’s Church In MAUSTON, Wisconsin on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. with visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 at the church Dinner will follow the service. Private family burial will follow the dinner at the Evergreen Cemetery in Mauston. In leu of flowers, memorials can be given to St. Patrick’s Church/school or the Evergreen cemetery in Mauston.

Richard H. Lankey, age 90 years, of rural Wonewoc, Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026 at his home.

He was born on June 14, 1935 in Hillsboro, the son of Homer and Alice (Gehri) Lankey.  Dick grew up in the Wonewoc area, attending St. Paul’s Lutheran Grade School and graduating from the Wonewoc High School.

Richard was united in marriage to ReDonna Radtke on September 12, 1953 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wonewoc.

Early on, Dick had a canned milk route and then drove semi for Korth Transfer for many years.  Dick and ReDonna moved to their farm in the Town of Woodland in 1964, they began farming and milking cows, continued milking until 1997.  In 1973, they built a new barn and expanded their herd.  The main farms were sold in 1988.  Also in 1988, Dick then started Lankey Custom Bagging Rental providing silage bagging services in the area.  ReDonna passed away on August 6, 2002.

Dick was very much a family man, enjoying many times with children and grandchildren and also an active person in the community.  He served on several St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Boards, the Town of Woodland Board, for several years as Chairman of the Fire Association in Wonewoc.

He also enjoyed his life in the country on the farm, watching the abundance of wildlife throughout the seasons.  Country Music was also a favorite, even enjoying trips to Nashville.

On December 9, 2009, Richard married Sherryl Roehling and enjoyed spending time together.  She preceded him in death on August 28, 2021.

Survivors include his children, Mark (Jodi) Lankey and Mary (Patrick) Shore; Sherry’s son, Josh (Lisa) Roehling and family; grandchildren, Mindy (Toby) Boldon, Austin Shore, and Justin (Andrea) Haugh; great grandchildren, Ella & Rhett Boldon, Makenna Haugh, Izebell Haugh and Riley Bolden and sister, Jolene Feddersen.

In addition to his wives, ReDonna and Sherryl, he was preceded in death by his Parents; grandchildren, Lucas Lankey, Nicole Boldon, Brock Haugh and Chase Haugh; an unborn great grandson, Christian Boldon and brother, Russell Lankey.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wonewoc.  Burial will be in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Wonewoc.  A time of visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2025 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Picha Funeral Home in Wonewoc and at the Church on Thursday starting at 10 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Denise Huntley, a family friend and Agrace Hospice for their personal care giving to Dick these past weeks.

The Picha Funeral Home in Wonewoc is assisting, for online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com

Frederick Raymond Becker, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2025, at the age of 83 at Crest View Nursing Home in New Lisbon, Wisconsin. Fred was the son of John and Evelyn (McGuire) Becker and was born on July 28, 1942, in Necedah, Wisconsin, Fred’s life was a testament to his enduring love for his family, his passion for his work, and his unwavering commitment to his community.

Fred was a proud graduate of Necedah High School, class of 1960, and furthered his education at UW-La Crosse. After college, he returned to his hometown of Necedah, where he would establish and operate Becker Forest Products for 50 years. His dedication to the forestry business was not just a career but a calling. Fred loved logging and took great pride in his work, which was evident to all who knew him.

He married the love of his life, Diana Siegler on October 21, 1967, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Necedah, and together they built a beautiful family, including their children Mark (Cristina) Becker of Mauston, Philip (Shauna) Becker of Golden Valley, MN, and Jennifer (Jerrod) Knee of New Lisbon. Fred was a doting grandfather to Avery, Hallie, Canaan, Vivianna, Solomon, Giovanna, Shea, Cassius, Gwenyth, Aria, and Parker, whose activities and milestones he followed with great enthusiasm and pride.

Fred’s interests were as rich and varied as his life. He relished the time spent at the family vacation home in Chetek, where memories were made and laughter was shared. At his home in Necedah, Fred’s Bar was the setting for countless celebrations, stories, and friendships — a reflection of his generous spirit and love of good company. An avid traveler, he enjoyed exploring new places from the comfort of his RV, and he enjoyed being out on the water, boating with his family. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Fred was a fervent supporter of the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Those who knew Fred will remember him as a kind man who would help anyone with anything that he could, a friendly man who was always ready for a conversation with a smile, and a gentle soul whose kindness touched the lives of many. His presence was a comfort, his advice was sought after, and his legacy is one of love, hard work, and integrity.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, John and Evelyn Becker, his infant brother Jerry Becker, and his siblings Joseph, John, James, Raymond, Eileen Becker, Sharon Ravenscroft, and Evelyn (Sis) Johnson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (2001 S. Main St.) Necedah, WI.  Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Hare Funeral Home (217 W. Pearl St.) in New Lisbon, and also at