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Bio: Bonavita, Marie Adela-Uruguay (Student Teacher - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bonavita, Bell

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/1985

Bonavita, Marie Adela-Uruguay (Student Teacher - 1985)

Residing at the Christie area home of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Bell is Marie Adela Bonavita of Uruguay. Marie is a student teacher in the Spanish program at Neillsville High School. She will remain in the area until June 8.

2

Bio: Heck, Ervin (Livestock Trucker - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Heck

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/14/1985

Heck, Ervin (Livestock Trucker - 1985)

In the February issue of the “Milwaukee Stockyards Newsletter,” a rural Greenwood man, who is soon to be a Neillsville resident, was featured for his miles and miles and miles of service.

The honored citizen, Ervin Heck, who is retiring from his dairy farm operation but who will remain active in livestock trucking, has had a long relationship with the Milwaukee Stockyards.

The newsletter stated:

It’s 220 miles from the Heck farm in Greenwood to the unloading docks at the Milwaukee Stockyards. For the past 51 years, Ervin Heck has been making that trip twice weekly. Add to that the mileage necessary to pick up livestock, and you come up with at least 1,000 miles per week. Not an easy two day’s work.

Erv is the livestock trucker who holds the distinction in Milwaukee of coming from the farthest distance away for the longest amount of time. He’s an early riser in anyone’s estimation. It’s not unusual for him to leave Greenwood at 2:00 a.m.

Ervin Heck is now 70. He began coming to the Stockyards as a young boy with his dad. Of course at that time there weren’t a lot of other marketing alternatives. Erv’s continued use of the Milwaukee Market, despite all of the competition which certainly is closer and a lot more convenient for him, is the best advertisement that we could ever have.

When not trucking, Erv has his hands full farming. He and his wife, Anna Fae, milk 30 cows and crop hay, corn and oats on a total of 240 acres. They recently built a new 54x90 machine shed after a fire in September.

Floyd Heck, Ervin’s brother, has helped with the livestock trucking for the last several years. Terry, one of Erv and Anna Fae’s sons, has been lending a hand both on the farm and with the trucking. He lives nearby, owns his own livestock truck, and raises beef on about 40 acres. Their other son, Benny, also farms close by. He maintains a herd of about 300 head, milking 80 cows.

Both Erv and Anna Fae are looking forward to taking it a little easier in the near future when they move from the farm to a home that they bought in Neillsville last February. Their move will represent a partial retirement only. There will be no cows to milk but Ervin intends to keep trucking livestock to Milwaukee.

3

Bio: Krehmeyer, Todd – Junior Kiwanian (1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Krehmeyer

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/14/1985

Krehmeyer, Todd-Junior Kiwanian (1985)

The Neillsville Kiwanis Club has selected Todd Krehmeyer as the Junior Kiwanian of the month. He will be invited to attend all Kiwanis functions for the month of February.

Activities in which Todd has been active include presidency of the Student Council; German Club, three years; Badger Boys State; football, four years; basketball, four years (all conference one year); baseball, four years; FBLA; N Club; Prom chairman junior year; and on the prom and homecoming courts.

4

Church: Neillsville - St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran (New Pastor - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Weber

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/1985

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran-Rev. Weber (New Pastor - 1985)

New Pastor at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville is the Rev. Richard Weber. He and his wife, daughter Amy and son John recently moved into the church parsonage. A Freedland, Michigan native, Pastor Weber attended high school in Michigan and then was trained for the ministry at Northwestern College at Watertown. He graduated as valedictorian in 1961 and continued his studies at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary at Mequon. This was followed by teaching at Northwestern Prep for one year and one year of being a vicar at a Manitowoc church before earning his divinity degree in 1966. Since that time he has served churches in Beyer Settlement, Poplar Creek, Two Rivers and lastly in Lake Geneva.

5

Obit: Cattanach, Erna (1925 - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Cattanach, Spaete, Horehled

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/14/1985

Cattanach, Erna (5 February 1925 - ? 1985)

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Horehled recently received a message relaying the death of his sister, Mrs. Warren (Erna) Cattanach, 60, of Nashville, Tennessee.

Erna Horehled was born to Joseph and Louise (Spaete) Horehled on February 5, 1925, in the Town of Washburn. She leaves to mourn her loss, besides her husband, a son, two daughters, four grandchildren and her brother.

Due to the illness of Mr. Horehled, they are unable to attend memorial services in Nashville.

6

Obit: Richmond, Genevieve M. (1910 - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Richmond, Lambert, Dux, Beyer, Collins, Holden

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/21/1985

Richmond, Genevieve M. (14 December 1910 - ? 1985)

Mrs. Genevieve M. Richmond, 74, of Janesville died recently in a Madison hospital.

The deceased (nee Genevieve Lambert) was born on December 14, 1910, in Minnesota. On May 17, 1941, she married Robert Richmond. During her life she was a resident of Neillsville and was employed by the Schultz Brothers store. In Janesville, she was active in the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and was an avid bowler.

Surviving her are three daughters, Sharon Dux of Milton and Nancy Beyer and Sarah Collins, both of Janesville; eight grandchildren; and a sister, Lucille Holden, Medford, Oregon.

Funeral services were held from St. William’s Catholic Church in Janesville with burial made in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at Milton.

7

Obit: Schultz, Clayton W. Sr. (1913 - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Schultz, Clayton, Stroud, Sherman, Chilson, Tennant, Schultze, Coyle, Sheley, Fowler, Miller

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/14/1985

Schultz, Charles W. (8 January 1913 – 1 February 1985)

Charles W. Schultz, 71, of Rt. 2 Greenwood, was killed instantly in a car-truck collision on February 1 at the Loyal-Eaton Town line.

Schultz was born January 8, 1913, in Warren, Illinois to Gilbert and Alta (Clayton) Schultz. He received his education in schools there. On May 1, 1933, he married Gladys Stroud in Wisconsin Dells. She died July 31, 1979.

He farmed in Illinois for many years and was employed at Sunstrand Aviation as a millwright for more than 25 years. From 1963 to 1968 they farmed in the Greenwood area. He then was a road patrolman for the Town of Eaton until retiring in September 1980.

Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Violet Sherman of Rockford, Illinois; Mrs. Lois Chilson, Mrs. William Tennant and Mrs. Duane (Diane) Schultze, all of Greenwood, and Mrs. Gene (Sandi) Coyle of Almond; and four sons, Clayton Jr., of Rhinelander, Gordon and Duane, both of Poy Sippi, and Larry of Greenwood. Joining them are 29 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Garth (Clara) Sheley, Mountain Home, Arkansas; and a brother Clifford Schultz of Ladysmith. He was predeceased by four brothers and two sisters.

Services were held February 4, from Grace United Methodist Church of Greenwood with the Rev. Norbert H. Miller officiating. Burial was made in the Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers were Larry Schultz, Jr., Don Schultz, Jeffrey Coyle, James Fowler, Jason Schultze, Stacey Chilson, Merle Tennant and Lance Schultz. The Rinka Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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Obit: Westbay, Anna Marie (1901 - 1985)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Westbay, Vitoux, Slingerland, Cramer, Evert, Stratton, Carlberg

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/1985

Westbay, Anna Marie(10 November 1901 – 19 January 1985)

Mrs. Anna Marie Westbay died January 19 at the home of her daughter in Garland, Texas.

She was born on November 10, 1901, in Wolcott, Indiana to August and Mary Vitoux. On November 11, 1919, she married Philenus Westbay in Valparaiso, Indiana ceremonies. In 1959, the couple then moved to a farm north of Greenwood. While a Greenwood area resident, Mrs. Westbay became a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Following the January 1971 death of her husband, Mrs. Westbay moved into the city of Greenwood. Of late she resided with her daughter in Texas.

Surviving her are five daughters, Pauline Slingerland and Nancy Cramer, both of Garland, Texas, Edna Evert of Indiana and Anna Stratton and Irene Carlberg, both of Greenwood; a son, Philenus, Garland; 33 grandchildren; 53 great grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death, besides her husband, by a daughter, Mavis; a grandson; and three great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held from the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Garland. Burial was made in a Dallas cemetery.

9

Bio: Roman, Samantha – Purchase Loyal Dance Studio (Dec 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Roman, Stanley

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 20 Dec 2023

By Valorie Brecht

Loyal’s dance studio is under new leadership, but that person is someone who is no stranger to the studio and its families. Samantha Roman recently took over ownership of Uplifting Movement Factory (UMF). She served as studio manager for the past three years, and her daughter, Olivia, 11, has taken lessons there since its inception.

“I’m super excited to take on this new venture,” said Samantha.

Former studio owner Holly Stanley purchased what was a BP gas station on the corner of North Main Street and West Elm Drive in Loyal in January 2020, after teaching dance lessons for about a year in a second floorroom at St. Anthony’s Catholic School. Later in 2020, the remodeled building opened for lessons. Also that year, Samantha took on the role of studio manager to help with the business side of things, including scheduling classes, communicating with families and keeping track of payments. Olivia, who’s been dancing since she was 2, got more involved as well. She is currently enrolled in six classes, competes on the competition team and assists with all the classes for ages 2-7.

“We fully immersed ourselves in UMF,” said Samantha.

Thus, when Holly was looking to step down and find someone else to run the studio, Samantha was a natural choice.

“Holly decided to close this chapter and start a new chapter in life, and she offered the business to me. Since Olivia is so involved and dance is such a big part of our lives, it just made sense,” Samantha said.

Samantha does not anticipate many changes with her taking on the role of director, but she does plan on bringing in a hip-hop teacher. She does not plan on teaching classes herself, but will assist the six other staff members and help with smaller classes as needed.

Samantha also plans to start weekly adult fitness classes, including yoga and Zumba, to expand the reach of the studio beyond youth.

“It’s something that I heard from the community, how much they hate driving out of town for it (a fitness class),” said Samantha. “So, if we’re here and can bring in an outside instructor to do that, I want to offer that.

“And I’m hoping to offer not just regular Zumba but also chair Zumba, which is great for people who have knee or hip problems, basically anyone who has mobility issues. So you’re still getting movement but from a seated position,” she added.

Samantha is also looking to get the studio more involved in the community, when it comes to performances. She wants to grow the competition team. Currently there are six dancers on the team and she would like to recruit more. She has partnered with the Loyal Lions Club to serve food at their bingo events as a fundraiser for the competition team. Those bingo events are scheduled for Jan. 14, Feb. 11 and March 10, in the St. Anthony Church basement. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. The team helped with one bingo event so far and it was a positive, said Samantha.

“It’s nice to see the community members and be involved,” she said.

Samantha also plans to put a point of emphasis on making sure every dancer feels welcome on the dance floor, no matter their size, shape or skin tone.

“I really want to focus on kids feeling comfortable in their own skin. There’s been a national movement led by Misty Copeland and others to make sure dancers of color have shoes and tights that fit their skin color,” said Samantha.

Traditionally, ballet clothing companies have offered pointed shoes and tights in white or “European pink,” a pale hue that matches lighter skin tones. Now companies are starting to offer shoes and tights in shades of brown to match darker skin tones, so that dancers with a darker complexion can still have that pleasing visual “line” when they dance.

“It’s a big movement in the ballet world. I want every child of every color, race, religion, size or whatever it may be to feel comfortable and welcome. As a studio in central Wisconsin, we prioritize that. Holly started that and we plan on following along with that movement,” said Samantha.

She looks forward to continuing to foster an uplifting environment at the studio as new generations of dancers learn to move with confidence and elegance.

“We have 82 students currently. It truly is a treasure in the county. A lot of kids wouldn’t have the opportunity to dance otherwise; they’d have to go to Rapids, Eau Claire or Marshfield. So it’s a way to keep something amazing going in the community. There’ve been a lot of relationships built over my time here, with the dancers and their families. I’ve gotten to see new siblings born. So I want to continue those relationships.”

The dance studio will continue its existing schedule of classes and will retain its memberships in the Acro Dance Teachers Association, National Dance Education Organization and Wisconsin Dance Council.

Samantha lives in the Neillsville area and has three children: Cody, 24; Alex, 18; and Olivia, 11.

Samantha Roman

10

News: Clark Co. – Clark Electric Utility Solar Project (Dec 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Jicinsky, Lindner, Ruff, Hager, Seebandt, Stewart, Verquilen, Udelhofen, Johnson

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 20 Dec 2023

Earlier this year, Clark Electric Cooperative announced the development of the Popple Creek Utility Scale Solar Project, a 2.0-megawatt (MW) solar array north of Highway N in the town of Green Grove. This is the first utility-scale solar project in Clark County.

The site is nearing completion and expected to be operational by Jan. 9, said Tim Stewart, Clark Electric CEO/ general manager. The array contains 4,472 modules and 20 inverters, and is expected to generate over 4,407,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually. To maximize energy production, the array utilizes a tracking system that follows the sun throughout the day.

The concept for the Popple Creek Solar Project began in tandem with eight other electric cooperatives in Wisconsin, working together, along with OneEnergy Renewable of Madison, to develop utility-scale solar arrays across the state.

“Basically, we coordinated the timing of our local solar project with other cooperatives to get a better price and return on our investment for our members. Cooperation among cooperatives is our guiding principle for this project,” said Stewart. “Wisconsin electric cooperatives are known for our work together to benefit members; for example, you often see co-ops assisting each other with storm recovery. This utility-scale solar project will benefit our local membership by providing renewable energy to help with the goal of de-carbonization of power supply in a cost effective way.”

The cooperative has entered into a purchased power agreement to purchase the output from the solar project. The project developer, One Energy Renewables, is a leading solar energy company experienced in site development, engineering, equipment purchasing, construction and operations of solar. The Madison-based team has developed 15 projects across Wisconsin, and another 11 in adjacent states.

This project is the second solar project that Clark Electric Cooperative has been involved in, the first being a 50-kW community solar array adjacent to the cooperative’s headquarters building in Greenwood.

Clark Electric Cooperative staff members and community members recently cut the ribbon on Clark Electric’s solar farm in the town of Green Grove. Clark Electric participants are Allen Jicinsky, Chuck Lindner, Mike Ruff, Jim Hager, Herman Seebandt, Tim Stewart, Marvin Verquilen, Eric Udelhofen and Scott Johnson.