All Obituaries

Jeffrey J. Lankey, age 54 years, of Elroy, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at his home. He was born on April 6, 1968 to Charles and Veda (Huffman) Lankey in Hillsboro.  Jeff graduated from the Reedsburg High School and later from UW Whitewater and Cardinal Stritch with a Master’s Degree. Jeff was united in marriage to Ann Hondel on May 14, 1988 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Reedsburg. They lived in Wonewoc, Reedsburg and Elroy.  Jeff served...

Gail Arbutus Benish, age 83, of Hillsboro, died Wednesday afternoon, January 25, 2023, in her home. She was born on September 28, 1939 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Otto and Mildred (Dank) Havel. Gail was united in marriage with the love of her life, Donald Benish of Hillsboro on May 22, 1971, in Chicago, and moved to Hillsboro. Gail and Donald welcomed the birth of their first child, Jason Otto Benish, on May 29, 1976. On November 3, 1977, they welcomed the birth of their second son,...

Bonnie J. Blaha, age 75 years, of Hillsboro, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at her home. She was born on March 23, 1947 to Thomas “Pete” and Ruth (Donahey) Douglass in Warren, Ohio.  Bonnie was very adventurous, living in many different places throughout the country. Bonnie was united in marriage to Francis Blaha on May 20, 1995 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Hillsboro. Survivors include her children, Greg Showers, Brandy Rieck and Lori (David)...

Molly L. Kretche, age 65 years, of Wonewoc, Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, January 20, 2023 at her home. She was born on July 19, 1957 to Leslie and Irma Jean (Hess) Holloway in Richland Center.  Molly graduated from the Mauston High School. Molly was united in marriage to Larry Kretche on November 6, 1976 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Hillsboro. They have lived in the Hillsboro and Wonewoc areas and she worked for Ray-O-Vac for many years until they closed and then at Pace /...

Julianne Barker, age 67 years, of Hillsboro, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse following a short illness. She was born on June 10. 1955 to Charles and Phyllis (Clausen) Barker in Iowa City, Iowa. Julianne was married to David Merollo and moved from Milwaukee to Hillsboro after falling in love with the area.  A favorite place to visit was Wildcat Mountain State Park. She was a practicing attorney in Hillsboro with...

Timothy F. Buchal, age 44 years, of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2023. He was born on May 21, 1978 to Arlie Buchal and Pamela (Connors) Olson in Hillsboro.  Tim grew up in the Hillsboro and Elroy areas and graduated from the Royall High School. Survivors include his mother, Pam Olson of Elroy; father, Arlie Buchal of Reedsburg, brother, Todd Buchal (Dawn Waterman) of Elroy; step children, Derek, Hannah and Abby Lustila; step brother, Brian Olson and...

Lowell L. North, age 83 years, of Hillsboro, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at the Weber Haus in Wonewoc. He was born on December 8, 1939 in Hillsboro and graduated from the Hillsboro High School.  Lowell served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1962. He attended Marshfield college in their Physicians Assistant program. He was in one of the first classes to graduate with that degree. He was a natural healer over his long career and touched many lives. When he retired...

Shirley A. Sussek, age 62 years, of Wonewoc, Wisconsin, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023 at the Serenity House in Tomah. She was born on November 29, 1960 to Morres and Hazel (Brooks) Decot in Reedsburg and graduated from the Wonewoc Center High School.  Shirley has been married to Randy Sussek for 29 years. She worked for Ray-O-Vac in Wonewoc and Primex in Reedsburg for many years. She enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, enjoyed animals and watching the birds...

Randall J. Norling, age 46 years, of Wonewoc, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at the Villa at Middleton Village in Middleton, Wisconsin. He was born on August 8, 1976 in Reedsburg, Wisconsin.  He grew to adulthood in Wonewoc with his parents, Kitty (Kucher) and John Norling and graduated from the Wonewoc Center High School in 1994. Randall served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1993 to 2001. Randall was united in marriage to Tamika Griffiths on October 28, 2000 in...

Mary Jean Kretche, age 90 years, of rural Hillsboro, Wisconsin, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022 at Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hillsboro. She was born on December 23, 1932 to James F. and Christena (Novy) Wopat in Hillsboro.  Mary Jean attended the White City School and graduated from the Hillsboro High School in 1950. Mary Jean was united in marriage to Robert J. Kretche on June 27, 1951 at St. John’s Catholic Church at Dilly.  They farmed in the area...