Michael Jerome Costello, of Milltown, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on the morning of Aug. 13, 2025. We were blessed with 64 years of his loving and caring presence. Michael was born in Frederic, Wisconsin, and grew up in Milltown. He attended Unity School, where so many of his friendships started. His passion for animals and farm life ran deep. You would have seen him driving his draft horses, joyriding on a tractor, and tending to his many animals on any given day (with classic rock in the background). Those closer to him enjoyed some of his favorite pastimes with [...]

  Kathleen Kothlow, 71, of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 5, 2025, surrounded by her family. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on March 26, 1954, to John and Geraldine McQuillan. Kathy is survived by her husband, Brad Kothlow; daughters, Carrie Steiger (Matt), Stephanie Ahmedić (Igor) and Lexie Kothlow; and five grandchildren who brought her endless joy. She is also survived by her siblings, Jeannie McQuillan, Micki McQuillan (Tom), John McQuillan (Jane), Mary McQuillan (Joe), Peggy Gibbs (Mike), Angie Schaefer (Dan) and Timothy McQuillan (Renae). Kathy’s creativity and passion for food came together throughout her life. [...]

Kirsten Jane (Flagstad) Werdier was born on June 11, 1940, and passed away on Aug. 6, 2025. She was the oldest child born in Madison, Wisconsin, to Wollert “Red” Flagstad and Eleanore (Spencer) Flagstad. Arriving a couple years later was her only sibling, her brother Karsten “Bud” Flagstad, who she loved liked he was a gift for her alone. Both Kirsten and Karsten were named in honor of the Norwegian Opera singer Kirsten Flagstad (a distant cousin). The Flagstad family had a home and owned and operated a flower shop on Winnebago Street in Madison, where the love of working [...]

  Gary Dean Dueholm, 72, of Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, died on Aug. 5, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He was born Oct. 11,1952, in Amery, Wisconsin, to Raymond Cecil and Erlice Alma (Nelson) Dueholm. Gary grew up on the family farm along with his two brothers and four sisters. He was married at St. Matthew Lutheran Church on Aug. 27, 1977, to Betty Koenig and they shared almost 48 years together. After graduating in 1971 from Luck High School, Gary began working at Erickson’s Holiday as an assistant meat cutter. He heard that Hartzell Manufacturing [...]

  Kathleen "Kathy" Johanna Aho Bruss passed away peacefully on Aug. 2, 2025, in Waunakee, Wisconsin, with her children by her side. Kathy was born in Biwabik, Minnesota, to Edwin and Minerva (Koskela) Aho. She was raised in Embarrass, Minnesota, where she graduated from high school. She went on to earn a degree in business education from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. After accepting a teaching position, Kathy moved to Webster, Wisconsin, where she met her future husband, Michael "Mick" Bruss. They were married in September 1969 and soon relocated to San Francisco, California, where Mick was stationed at the Presidio. [...]

  Mark Robert Nelson, DVM, of Centuria, Wisconsin, passed away quietly on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, after a two-year battle with amyloidosis. He was 77 years old. Mark was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Dorothy and Harold Nelson. He grew up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Thanks to his high school biology teacher, Mark was introduced to veterinary medicine as a potential career, and he never looked back.  He attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1972. He married Jolayne (Joey) Sontag in 1969. He had a passion for animals, even though growing up [...]

  Orval Johnson, age 93, a resident of Frederic, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Traditions of Frederic. Orval Allan Johnson was born on Oct. 2, 1931, to Earl and Oline (Hill) Johnson at the Frederic Hospital, the oldest of five children. They grew up on a dairy farm in Clam Falls Township and had many great stories of growing up on the farm. The Johnson family attended and were very active members at Clam Falls Lutheran Church. Orval and his siblings were baptized and confirmed there. He attended grade school at Rocky Ridge, which was a [...]

  Robert James "Bob" Richison, born on April 8, 1931, in Flandreau, South Dakota, was a man whose life was a testament to the enduring strength of faith, family and the human spirit. He was called to his heavenly home on July 28, 2025, in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, leaving behind a legacy of love, courage and melody that will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him. Bob's journey through life was marked by his unwavering commitment to his beloved wife, Hazel, and their cherished sons, Terry Richison (Barb) and Brian Richison (Jona). His love story with [...]

  LaVera Erickson, age 87, of Grantsburg, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Benedictine Health Center in Duluth, Minnesota. LaVera was born Sept. 30, 1937, in Luck, Wisconsin. She was the youngest child of Vera (Marsh) and Edward Remley of Luck, Wisconsin. She graduated from Cumberland High School, Cumberland, Wisconsin, in 1955. She married David Erickson on Jan. 30, 1959, and they remained married until his untimely and unexpected death on Jan. 14, 2001. They had four children, Valorie, Craig, Peter and Paul. LaVera was a homemaker for many years, with her and Dave operating a [...]

  Ronald Norman Pagenkopf, 76, of Danbury, Wisconsin, passed away Friday, July 25, 2025. He was born on April 25, 1949, the son of Norman and Edna (Kirchhoff) Pagenkopf, in Caryville, Wisconsin, and when young moved to Cadott, Wisconsin. He attended Eau Claire Technical College for a machinist degree. Ronald N. Pagenkopf married Mary Leis on Nov. 1, 1975, and lived in Cadott. In January 1982, he moved to Burnett County, Wisconsin, where he raised his children and worked at Horton/Nexen until his retirement in 2014. Ron was a gentle and loving husband and devoted father. An avid outdoorsman, Ron [...]