Obituaries

Janice Jane “Chub” Byington, age 85 of Wonewoc, WI passed away December 14, 2025 after a brief illness at Fair View Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Mauston, WI. She was born July 8, 1940 in Summit Township to Leonard Geier and Anna (Miller). She lived a life of joy, love, laughter and had many wonderful moments and memories with family and friends. No matter how difficult the times were, she would just laugh it off and move forward.

Chub completed the 8th grade and stayed home to help on the family farm. She said that she would rather be working outside on the farm with animals and field work instead of working in the house.

She married Norman L. Byington July 26, 1958. In her early married years, she worked at the Hillsboro Canning Plant and at Beranek’s Meat Market while also a farm wife and home maker on the Byington Family Farm located on Hwy G, Wonewoc.

Chub enjoyed farming, especially the cattle and chickens, gardening, fishing and hunting. She spent many autumn afternoons walking the surrounding hills and valleys chasing grouse and squirrels. In the spring, she logged many miles looking for the elusive morel mushroom and then gardened and picked all kinds of berries in the summer and nuts in the fall. In the wintertime, she kept busy with sewing, puzzles and playing card games such as gin rummy and solitaire later on. And let’s not forget watching the weekly Packer game!

She loved farming with Norm and they dairy farmed for decades on the family farm– Started with Holstein cows and then switched to Jersey cattle later on. Once retired from dairy cattle, they traveled to many of the national parks and spent many days fishing locally. Their favorite was fishing for northerns at Miller Dam, Gilman, WI. They were married for 54 years before Norm passed away.

Chub is survived by sisters Rose Ruetten and Sherry Gardehl (James Bohn); children Bruce Byington, LaValle, WI, Brian (Ellen) Byington Wonewoc, WI and Mary (Ben) Thompson, Fall Creek, WI; grandchildren Lauryn (Ethan) Pixler, Oklahoma, Lucas (Tanisha) Byington, Wonewoc, WI, Kelley (Eric) Basinger, Quincy, IL, Isabella Thompson, Fargo, ND and Colton Thompson, Eau Claire, WI; great grandchildren Aurora Basinger, Kali Rae Pixler, Olivia Audrey Grace Pixler, and Makenna Haugh; and many more nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Norm; brothers Julius (Jack) Geier, Gregory (Butch) Geier and sisters Betty Field, Charlotte Raese, twin sister Janette Turner and Dorothy Krueger.

In addition to family, Chub found great joy in other farming families and especially the “neighbor boys” next door. She adopted them like her own grandchildren and greatly enjoyed visiting with them and bringing them cookies.

Services will be held Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Picha Funeral Home, Wonewoc, WI with visitation from 9 am to 11 am. Father Don Bauer will be officiating and burial afterwards at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Union Center, WI. Luncheon will follow at the American Legion Hall, Wonewoc, WI.

Chub, you will be forever in our hearts. May you rest in eternal peace, knowing that your love and spirit will continue to guide and inspire us.

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

Norman E. Rabl, age 89 of Adams, Wisconsin passed away on December 11, 2025.  

Norm was born on June 16, 1936, in Columbus, WI to John Rabl and Elizabeth (Huber) Rabl. He graduated from Fall River High School in 1957 and went on to attend UW Madison where he played trumpet and tuba in the University Marching Band. He belonged to Delta Sigma Phi graduating with a BS in 1958. He received his MS in 1965 and PhD in 1978 from UW. His career began in Jefferson County in University Extension-Education. Norm began his career as a 4-H Club Agent, then as a Horticulture and Livestock Specialist, ending his formal career as the County Resource
Agent & Business Specialist for Jefferson Co. He was granted Professor Emeritus from UW in 1978. While living in Jefferson he was involved with the National 4-H Club, Jefferson Kiwanis, Fort Atkinson Lions, WI Conservation Club and UW Madison Alumni Association.

Norm married his beloved wife, Carol (Hackl) in May 1963 and the couple were married for 58 years. As a couple they enjoyed spending time with their three children and five grandchildren, camping, boating and traveling to FL, Branson, Door County, the Northwoods and many National Parks. Norm loved playing the accordion and enjoyed entertaining others at Christmas and parties for many years. He remained an avid hunter and fisherman his entire life with annual trips to the Chippewa Flowage where he had a favorite “crappie hole”. After retirement, Norm and Carol moved to Adams, WI where they developed the Pinequilizer Campground/Mobile Home Park and Tree Farm. He began a Christmas tree lot in Fort Atkinson in 1968 where he enjoyed visiting with old friends and colleagues even after his son took over the sales. He had a vivid passion for life, often capturing it via his photography of family, friends and places he went. Norm had a special gift of making friends wherever he went and they remained friends for a lifetime.

Norman was preceded in death by his wife, Carol; his parents and brothers (John, Phil and Butch). He is survived by his loving family; sister, Nancy Mickelson; daughter, Laurie Rabl (Anthony Roberts); son, David Rabl (Jolane Benner); daughter, Kelly (Trent) Allen. Grandchildren Keith Diemert; Collin (Fillipi) Diemert; Grace (Arlen) Rabl Castro; Chloe (Jake) Allen and Luke Allen.

A celebration of life and internment will be planned later in 2026, details to follow.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home (www.roseberrys.com) is assisting the family.

Marguerite “Marge” Waller, age 103, of Adams, Wisconsin passed away Tuesday, December 02, 2025 at Rosebrooke Senior Living in Adams, Wisconsin.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at the Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church in Arkdale, Wisconsin. Pastor Terri Skildum will officiate. Interment will be at the South Arkdale Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church.

Marge was born September 07, 1922 in Koshkonong, Wisconsin to Harry H. and Lillian F. (Miller) Barnes. At the age of 16 Marge moved to Chicago, ILL to work as a maid and later at W.T. Grants, where she was a waitress and clerk. On November 08, 1947, Marge was married to Chester “Chet” Waller at the Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church and their wedding dance was at the “Spot in the Woods”. Marge and Chet lived in Madison where Chet was employed by Oscar Meyers and Marge was a retail clerk at Arlan’s Dept. Store. They were both very active member of American Legion Post #501 with Marge being Auxiliary President.

When Chet and Marge retired in 1988, they moved to Adams County and built a new home on a section of Chet’s home farm property on Cty Hwy Z. They were very active members of the Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church, with Marge being the Chairman of the Altar Guild, she also served two terms as President of the Ladies Aid (TLCW). Marge also helped organize the Church’s 150th Anniversary in 2003.

After Chet died in 2013, Marge continued to live in their home until she was 93 years old when she then moved into assisted living at then Liberty Village, now known as Rosebrooke Senior Living.

Marge was also a member of Moundview Memorial Partners, the VFW Auxiliary and Military Order of Purple Heart 168 Auxiliary.

Marge also enjoyed quilting, cooking, baking, serving on Altar Guild, traveling and fishing.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents: Harry and Lillian Barnes; three brothers: Jesse (Lois), Roy (Ethel) and Thomas Barnes; four sisters Dorothy (Harry) Stanley, Bernice Barnes, Inez (Don) Garlock and Betty (Donald) Waller; and brothers-in-law, James Stormoen and Fritz Lord .

Marge is survived by two sisters: Lillian Stormoen and Lola Lord; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and several close friends.

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

Gail was born in Menasha, Wisconsin on July 23, 1942 to Lillian and Richard Zimmer. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Menasha in 1960 and attended Fox Valley Tech in Appleton for Accounting.

In a wedding dress she designed and sewed herself, Gail married the love of her life, David Hitchcock in 1967. The couple moved to Elroy that same year when they purchased Dave’s Barber Shop. They welcomed their first daughter, Carrie in 1968 and second daughter Julie in 1970.

Gail worked at the Bank of Elroy for over a decade, until a major career change in 1980 when Gail enrolled in barber school at Madison Area Technical College. Upon graduation in 1982, Gail joined David at the barber shop as one of the only female barbers in the state. The couple worked side by side until their retirement in 2005.

A natural leader, Gail worked tirelessly to improve the community she loved. As a member of the Elroy Area Advancement Association, she led the drive for new playground equipment for the kids of Elroy. She led the Strong Bones exercise program at the Elroy Library and was a founder of the Elroy Quilt Show. She volunteered countless hours for St Patrick’s Parish, Home & Community Educators, Rolling Hills 4-H, The Elroy Fair, bingo at the American Legion and as a Master Gardener.

Gail enjoyed fishing, long drives and trips to the cabin with David and her grandsons, Ryan and Dan. Being a grandmother was the highlight of her life. More than anything Gail loved spending time with her grandsons and she did her best to spoil them.

Retirement allowed Gail to combine her passion for quilting with her love of travel, as she and her friends traveled the country to attend quilt shows, quilt seminars and quilt retreat weekends. Gail was also, a painter, a stained-glass artist and a baker of the best pies.

Gail, 83, passed peacefully on December 3, 2025 surrounded by her husband and daughters. Although the light in Elroy has dimmed, Heaven now shines brighter.

Gail is survived by David, her husband of 58 years; daughter, Carrie Esch (Bryant Esch); grandsons, Ryan Esch (Vanessa Komada) and Danny Esch; daughter, Julie Hitchcock (Ilija Stojsavljevic); brother, William Zimmer and many friends and quilting cohorts.

Gail is preceded in death by her parents, Lillian and Richard Zimmer; infant sisters, Mary and Margaret and good friend (and fellow candy maker) Dottie Kimball.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Elroy, with Father John officiating.  Burial will be in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Elroy.  A time of visitation will be at the Church from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

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