Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home Obituaries

A Legacy of Compassion and Care: Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home

Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, located at 304 S. Commercial Street, Neenah, WI, 54956, has been a pillar of support for the local community during times of grief and loss. With a rich history and a commitment to providing exceptional service, this funeral home has earned a reputation as a trusted and caring partner for families in need.

A History of Service and Dedication

Founded on a foundation of compassion and respect, Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home has been serving the Neenah area for generations. The funeral home's legacy is built on a tradition of excellence, with a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to providing personalized care and attention to every family they serve. From traditional funeral services to cremation options and memorial celebrations, the staff at Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home is dedicated to helping families honor their loved ones with dignity and respect.

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Recent Funeral Home Obituaries

Mary Jane Young - December 26, 1931 - November 22, 2022

Departed: 11/22/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Mary Jane Young, age 90, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2022, at Valley VNA in Neenah of heart failure.  Mary Jane was born to the late Eric and Luella (Watten) Beckman on December 26, 1931. She married her life-time love Richard Young in 1956 and raised four children of whom she was very proud. She grew up in Menasha, attended St. Mary’s high school, and worked as an administrative assistant in the insurance and real estate industries. In retirement she was a 20+ year volunteer at St. Joseph’s Food Pantry. She was dedicated to family, having attended over 22 graduation ceremonies, and she was very appreciative that everyone got along. Her admonition anytime anyone left the house was to “be good.” She was okay if you didn’t like something as long as you at least tried it first. During hard times she was always mindful that “this too shall pass.” Mary Jane loved to travel, from her first train trip to New York City at age 18 to her last trip to Prince Edward Island with her daughters and niece. She was an avid bridge player, maintained a large garden, loved dining out, and was a great cook. Mary Jane was a kind person helpful to others and she cultivated many long-time friendships in the Neenah area.

In addition to her parents, Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, her brother, Robert Beckman and sister-in-law, Margo Beckman, and brother-in-law, Edmond Young and his spouse, Ruth Young.

She is survived by children: Tricia (Bob Olson, Minneapolis, MN), Rick (Faith Grenzow, Prescott, WI), Karen (Bill Dallas, Medford, WI), and David (Ann Young, Neenah); niece, Leone Young (New York City, NY); grandchildren:  Brent Young (Susan, Neenah), Sarah Dallas (Madison), Megan Dallas (Scott Voermans, Whitebear Lake, MN), Michelle Price (James, Kalamazoo, MI), Sam Dallas (New York City, NY), and Monica Young (San Francisco, CA); and three great-grandchildren:  Adeline Price, Derek Young, and Maxine Dallas-Voermans.

A Funeral Service will be held for Mary Jane at 11:00am on Monday, November 28, 2022, at Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, 304 S. Commercial Street, Neenah.  The Visitation will be held from 10:00am until the hour of the service at the funeral home.  Interment will take place in St. Margaret Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the excellent care givers at Theda Care at Home and the Valley VNA in Neenah and her daughter-in-law Ann Young. Memorials can be sent to St. Joseph’s Food Pantry, Menasha. www.stjoesfoodprogram.org

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Wayne Donald Beverly - March 31, 1947 - November 21, 2022

Departed: 11/21/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Wayne D. Beverly, age 75, passed away on Monday, November 21, 2022, with his daughters by his side at Parkside Senior Living in Neenah.

Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.

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Wayne Donald Beverly - March 31, 1947 - November 21, 2022

Departed: 11/21/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Wayne D. Beverly, age 75, lost his battle with Dementia on Monday, November 21, 2022, with his daughters by his side at Parkside Senior Living in Neenah, Wisconsin.  On March 31, 1947 in Elgin, Illinois, Wayne Donald was born to the late Donald and Mary Phyllis (McGregor McKell) Beverly.  Donald had met Phyllis in Scotland during WWII while serving in the Army.  Following graduation from Elgin High School in 1965, Wayne went on to obtain an Associate’s Degree in Computer Aided Design.  Wayne had worked for Northrup Grumman; retiring in 2015.

Wayne is survived by his loving daughters:  JoAnn (Sam Rutter) Beverly and Karen (Kyle) Plass; twin grandsons:  Aaron and Robert Plass; as well as his former wife and the mother of his daughters, Patricia Uzitas.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Celeste Beverly.

A Memorial Gathering and Service will be held at a later date.

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Robert R. Gehr - October 28, 1931 - November 11, 2022

Departed: 11/11/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Robert R. Gehr, age 91, of Neenah, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2022 due to complications from a fall. Bob was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on October 28, 1931, the son of the late William F. and Rosalie J. (Bruyere) Gehr.

Bob graduated from East High School in 1950.  He served 4 years in the U.S. Navy.  Bob graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1959 with a degree in mechanical engineering.  He was employed by. E.I. Dupont in R & D in Iowa, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin, and then by American Can.

Bob married Betty Lue Carriveau on June 18, 1955.

After retiring, Bob took two weeks off.  He hit the ground running going into full time volunteer work.  He was a 20+ year active member of the Neenah Knights of Columbus with their many charity projects.  He especially enjoyed his time with his co-Knights and friends at the Knights’ weekly summer brat fries (AMCO).  He was also a member of the Neenah-Menasha Retired Men’s Club, the Mid-Wisconsin Chippers wood carving club (he was a master carver).  Bob dedicated time tutoring math at Coolidge Elementary School for 6 years.  He volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul for over 20 years.  He was an active member of the St. Margaret Mary parish, in which he served many capacities over 50 years.  In all of his endeavors, Bob had a gift for joyfully serving others.

Bob was a humble, kind man.  Bob was a fun husband, father, and grandfather and had such a great sense of humor all his life.

Survivors include his wife, Betty and 4 daughters:  Robbin (Richard) Randall, Stevens Point; Kathryn (Tom Somers) Gehr, Garner, NC; Laurie (Rick) Zeininger, Neenah; and Marcia Gehr, Neenah.  Bob has a grandson Shayne Morrissey, Burlington, VT and a step-grandson and daughter-in-law in Chapel Hill, NC.  Bob has sisters-in-law, Joyce Gehr, Marie Hazen, Eloise Carriveau, Judith Krueger, Jean Carriveau, brother-in-law Michael Carriveau, and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was pre-deceased by his parents, two sisters (June Supita and Doris Turek) and a brother (William Gehr).

The visitation will take place before the Mass at St. Margaret Mary church (620 Division St., Neenah), from 9:30-11:30 on Friday, November 18,2022.  The Mass is scheduled for 11:30. Rev. Michael Ingold will officiate. Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Masks are required.

Entombment will be in the Shrine of Heaven Mausoleum in Neenah. Military honors will be performed at the Mausoleum by the Neenah-Menasha Funeral Honors Team. An endowment fund is being established for St. Margaret Mary parish in Bob’s name.

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Eugene Joseph King - August 20, 1946 - November 07, 2022

Departed: 11/07/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Eugene Joseph King, age 76, a proud Veteran, Father, and Husband, died on November 7, 2022, at his home in Neenah.

He had a career as a Probation and Parole Agent for the State of Wisconsin.  Since his retirement, he and his wife, Carol, have traveled and have enjoyed a winter home in Florida.  Gene was a life member of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, and traveled to many events throughout the U.S.  He was also a life member of the Twin City Rod and Gun Club and a member of the Neenah-American Legion Post.  Gene was very proud of his service to our country.  He was a huge Packers and Badgers fan, enjoyed woodworking, yard work, reading, and Sudoku puzzles.

Gene is survived by his wife, Carol; his three daughters:  Christina (friend, Brett Sowers) King, Jennifer King, and Rebecca (Bryan) Nelson; his grandson Blake Nelson; and his brother, Albert King.

He was preceded in death by his parents:  Francis and Josephine; his sister-in-law, Barbara; niece, Dawn; and a nephew, Joseph.

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Barbara Ann Dugdale - April 09, 1939 - November 06, 2022

Departed: 11/06/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Barbara Ann Dugdale passed away on November 6, 2022, at St. Elizabeth hospital in Appleton, WI, after a short illness.

Barb was born in Houghton on April 9, 1939, to Henry and Lorraine Buckman.  She was graduate of Houghton High School and worked as a secretary for many years until her retirement.  In her younger years, she was an active member of the Runeberg Lodge in Dollar Bay, enjoyed traveling, square dancing, and camping.  She loved all animals and would take in the misfits that no one else wanted and give them a wonderful home.  Barb always had a book or two in progress, enjoyed watching movies, tv shows about animals, and football, especially the Green Bay Packers.  She had a great sense of humor and wonderful laugh.

She is survived by her daughters, Sandy Cooley of Larsen WI, and her favorite, Karen Dugdale of Houghton, her sister, Patricia (Tom) Banfield of Houghton, two grandchildren, Carlyn Cooley (Dustin Nighbor) and Tyler Cooley, one great grandchild, Eli Nighbor, niece Nancy Banfield, nephew Peter Banfield, and her beloved cat, Emma.

There will be a private memorial for Barbara.  In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations can be made to the Copper Country Humane Society in her memory.

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La Verna J. Nettekoven - January 15, 1926 - November 06, 2022

Departed: 11/06/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: La Verna J. Nettekoven, age 96, of Sherwood, passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2022. La Verna was born on January 15, 1926 daughter of the late Ira and Loretta (Buechler) Welch. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, puzzles and gardening.

La Verna is survived by her children: Gloria (Jim) Rogers, Sharon Nettekoven, Jerome (Lea), Robert and John Nettekoven and Carol (Doug) Whitney; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Shane Rogers and a brother, Norman Welch.

Visitation will be held at the Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, 304 S. Commercial St., Neenah on Thursday, November 10, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a short service to follow. Burial will be in Floral Hill Cemetery in New London.

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Robert O. Edinger - August 20, 1935 - November 02, 2022

Departed: 11/02/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Robert Otto Edinger was born August 20, 1935 to Otto and Irene Edinger. Robert passed away peacefully on the evening of Wednesday, November 2, 2022 with his son Randy, and daughter-in-law Linda at his side.

He was a beloved son, husband, father, son-in-law, brother-in-law, grandfather, and before his passing, a great grandfather. Robert brought smiles to those around him, with words of thoughtful encouragement, a joke, or by being simply who he was in life.

Robert grew up on his parent’s farm with his brother and sisters.  He loved farming and plowing the fields with horse drawn equipment when he was young. And after the day was done and before the evening’s milking, he would unhitch the big work horse and ride bareback through the fields and woods. He enjoyed watching westerns starring John Wayne; Gene Autry; Roy Roger’s and Dale Evans, and of course The Lone Ranger. His passion for the western genre carried over into his real life. Robert was known for his western attire and cowboy boots. When not working, he would wear his western clothes, boots and hat. He was even given the nickname ‘Tex.’

Robert enjoyed gardening in the summer and watching the fruits of his labor grow. He had a passion for making home-made wine to share with friends and family. He also enjoyed horseback riding and playing practical jokes on family.

He witnessed the affirmation of his all his son’s baptisms in their confirmations of faith. Robert watched with joy the high school graduations of all four of his son’s and their transformations into grown men. He celebrated their marriages to the women whom were to become his daughters-in law, all of whom he loved. He felt the joy of becoming a grandfather, and blessed with becoming a great grandfather with the birth of his great grandson.

After his retirement from farming, Robert worked as a greeter at the Neenah Walmart. During his retirement, Robert used his gift of wood working. He created many different one of a kind lamps and lamp stands, toys, and so much more. He also enjoyed cooking, especially all the different kinds of soups, pies, and more.

Our dad taught us right from wrong, to have a strong sense of faith, to be respectful, help those in need, and not to be afraid of whom we were in the eyes of others. He loved his sons, not always with words, but with look, or playing baseball in the backyard with them after a hard day’s work or allowing a sip of beer from his freshly cracked open can. I still carry with me memories of family vacations when we were younger to Wisconsin Dells, The Cave of the Mounds and The House on the Rock. I will truly miss him. I love you Dad.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2022 Peace Lutheran Church, 1228 S Park Ave, Neenah, WI 54956 with Pastor Ricky Schroeder officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30a.m. until 11:00a.m. with the memorial service to follow. A luncheon will be served after the memorial service.

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Sandra Lee Erdmann - July 17, 1950 - October 31, 2022

Departed: 10/31/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Sandra (Schuette) Erdmann, age 72, of Winneconne, passed away on Monday, October 31, 2022, at Matthews Senior Living.  Sandra was born on July 17, 1950 in Neenah, Wisconsin to Donald and Veronica Schuette.  She graduated from Neenah High School in 1968.  She married Wayne Erdmann on October 24, 1970 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Neenah.  She worked at Wisconsin Tissue Mills/Essity Paper for 36 years.  She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Winchester, Wisconsin, where she taught Sunday School for many years.  Sandra and Wayne also ran a middle school basketball tournament for girls in Winneconne for several years.  She enjoyed watching her grand kids, gardening, the Game Show Channel, and going to casinos.

Sandra is survived by her husband, Wayne; their son, David Erdmann of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; their daughter, Melissa (Alex) Noffke of Winneconne, Wisconsin; five grandchildren:  Natalie Schnell, Seth Schnell, Lilyan Noffke, Abagail Noffke, and Gracelynn Noffke.  She is further survived by her brother, Tony (Lynn) Schuette; her sister, Cindy (Dave) Knaack; her In-Laws:  Carol Linder, Gary (Cathy) Erdmann, Karl (Sue) Erdmann, and Sharon Erdmann.

Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her grandparents:  Walter and Amy Schuette and Edwin and Mary Schnur; two brothers:  Donald Schuette Jr. and Daniel Blank; step-father, Robert Blank; In-Laws:  James and Dawn Erdmann, Gene Erdmann, Nick Erdmann, and Donald and Shirley Braun.

The Funeral Service will be held for Sandra at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 4, 2022, at Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, 304 S. Commercial Street, Neenah, with Pastor Carole Schnur officiating.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM-7:00 PM on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home.  Visitation will again be on Friday morning, November 4, 2022 from 9:30 AM until the hour of the service at the funeral home.  Interment will take place in Clayton Cemetery in the Town of Clayton.

Sandra’s family would like to thank Mandi and the staff at Matthews Senior Living, Ashley and the staff at Heartland Hospice and Lakeland Care for taking such good care of Sandra while she was there.

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Eric Walbrun - August 05, 1987 - October 31, 2022

Departed: 10/31/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Eric Walbrun, age 35, born on August 5, 1987 unexpectedly passed away on Monday, October 31st 2022 in Colorado. He was a beloved husband, father, son, uncle, and friend. His sense of humor and caring heart will live on through the many lives he touched in those 35 years.

Eric was born in Wisconsin, moved to Florida and lived in Colorado for nearly a decade. Above all, he was a family man. Eric is survived by his wife, Diana Walbrun, and children - Michael (7), Jeremiah (11), and Kylie (14). He is the eldest son of his loving parents, Don and Colleen Walbrun. He adored his siblings, brother Kyle, wife Janelle and his sister McKena and husband Adam. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Theresa & Eugene (Rocky) Rockweit and Grace & Eugene (Gene) Walbrun. He had many adventures and unforgettable memories with his best friends Josh McKenzie and Corbin Emilio. He is also survived by many other family members and friends who loved him dearly.

He was an active father with his children and a devoted loving husband. He would always be the first to lend a hand and last to leave to make sure everyone was taken care of. He had a passion for gaming, grilling, tattoos, and acquiring many collectables. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and enjoyed watching the games with his son Michael and his brother Kyle. In addition, he loved coaching his children in sports and cheering them on loudly in their various activities making sure everyone around knew how proud he was of them.

A strong, loving man with an everlasting presence will never be replaced or forgotten in the lives of his family. We would all agree that he was one of the most kind, generous, and selfless people around. We all love you, Eric.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00PM on Saturday November 19th, 2022 at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church, 900 Geiger Street, Neenah WI. Visitation will be at the church from 11:00AM until the time of service. A celebration of life will follow; details will be shared by the family. For those that are unable to attend the service in person, the funeral will also be live-streamed. It can be found by going to https://stgabrielparish.com/ and clicking on “Livestream.”

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Charlene "Cookie" Gregor - March 27, 1945 - October 28, 2022

Departed: 10/28/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Charlene “Cookie” Gregor, age 77, of Larsen, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2022 at her home. Cookie was born on March 27, 1945 daughter of the late Sanford and Bernice (Wallace) Orr. She is survived by two sons: Darrell (Jenny) Gregor and Doug (Rebecca) Gregor; grandchildren: Codey Gregor, Clinton (Rachel) Evans Samantha Scholz (special friend Sam Vandenwyngaard), Jonathan and Joey Scholz; and a great-granddaughter, Myla Evans.

A private celebration of life for the family will be held.

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Paula F. Gauvin - January 25, 1951 - October 24, 2022

Departed: 10/24/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Paula F. Gauvin, age 71, passed away on Monday, October 24, 2022, at Valley VNA in Neenah, Wisconsin, with her family by her side.  On January 25, 1951, Paula Faye was born in Milo, Maine to the late Myron and Ingrid (Heino) McIntire.  Following her graduation from North High School in Worcester, Massachusetts, Paula received her Bachelors in Nursing from Boston College, class of 1973.  Paula met Rodrigue Gauvin in Worcester and they were united in marriage on September 13, 1975.  She worked numerous roles in nursing before transitioning duties to homemaker and stay-at-home mother. Paula and Rod moved frequently throughout their marriage. They had settled in Michigan for over 17 years before moving to Wisconsin in 2018 to be closer to family.  Paula had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel. Paula was an accomplished gourmet cook. This was a passion that was passed down from her mother and grandmother.  She had countless cookbooks and hundreds of recipes that she used to cook for her family.  Reading was also a favorite pastime as Paula belonged to book clubs wherever they lived.  She was very involved with her children’s education, starting a Chess Club for elementary school children, assisting teachers with book reports, and many other activities.

Paula will be greatly missed by her loving husband of 47 years, Rodrigue; their children:  Eric Gauvin (Neenah, WI), Tanya (Anthony) Franzese (Cincinnati, OH), and Alice (Pieter) Boshoven (Neenah, WI); two grandsons:  Enzo Franzese and Myron Boshoven; a sister-in-law, Simonne (Mark) Lynch; a brother-in-law, Roland Gauvin; as well as other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law:  Philip and Barbara McIntire.

A Memorial Mass will be held for Paula at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 28, 2022, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 620 Division Street, Neenah, Wisconsin.  The Memorial Gathering will be held from 10:00 AM until the hour of the Mass at the church.  Inurnment will take place at St. Margaret Cemetery in Neenah.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the compassionate staff at the Valley VNA for the loving care given to Paula.

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Florence "Flossie" C. - Unknown - October 23, 2022

Departed: 10/23/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Florence, age 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 23, 2022.  Florence was born in China, fled to Hong Kong, and then established United States Citizenship after graduating with an accounting degree from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan.  She met her “soul mate”, Wayne, in college after being tipped off by her mother that Wayne was studying at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Wayne would hitchhike from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti just so that he could see Florence.  They would later become married.

Florence was also known as “Flossie”, “Mom”, “Grandma”, “Friend”.   Sometimes she had to take on both the dad and mom role in the family, especially when Wayne was traveling for work, even though she had an extremely busy full-time job of her own.  The best job (per her kids) was when she worked for a vending machine company.  She was able to bring home “expired” candy and snacks.  Our house was a great place to hang out after school.  Halloweens were spectacular because of her!  She was the also the comforter in the family.  Tom remembers one time when he was about get the “wooden spoon”as a child.  He said mom offered to take on the task.  She took Tom into his room and quietly told him to cry and scream.  She then proceeded to smack his bed (rather than his butt) with the wooden spoon.  Like Wayne, she was a great joke teller.  However, unlike Wayne, when it came time to reveal the punchline, she would forget it and look towards us to remind her what it was.  She was known to have such an “infectious” giggle that that in itself brought laughter.  We saw her develop a wonderful budding personality of her own after my father passed.

Florence was a sweet and generous person.  She gave money to her church, American Red Cross, and American Cancer Society as well as a host of other charities.  She always put her family and friends first.  Flossie was a very active senior, enjoying lunches and dinners with friends and family, singing in the church choir, participating in red hat activities, playing bridge, maintaining a perfect driving record and even having time to sit down in her spare time to do her love of Cryptograms.  She used to say that she learned so much from the cryptogram messages.  In addition, she loved traveling and many times took adventures with her daughter Theresa after Wayne’s passing.  She said her favorite trip was to Antarctica where she saw 4 different types of penguins (nature’s clowns) and so many beautiful icebergs (nature’s artwork).  She felt blessed to have been able to travel to all 7 continents.  She was thankful that she was able to live a full life.

Florence is survived by her daughter, Dr. Theresa; her son, Thomas (Beckie); and her granddaughter, Jade.  She is further survived by her siblings, Hardy (Stella); and Olive (Tom).  Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; daughter, Christine; and brother, S.T.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 900 Geiger St., Neenah, with Fr. Bob Kollath and Deacon Tom Gritton officiating.  Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.  There will be a luncheon following the service.  Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home is assisting the family.  For those unable to attend the service in person, the funeral will also be Live-streamed.  It can be found by typing stgabrielparish.com and clicking on “Livestream”.

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Joan M. Etteldorf - May 21, 1934 - October 22, 2022

Departed: 10/22/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Joan Etteldorf, age 88, of Neenah, WI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 22, 2022, after a brief illness. She was born May 21, 1934, to Willard and Angeline Vanden Heuvel in Kaukauna, WI. She graduated from Kaukauna High School and worked first as a hair stylist and later as a real estate agent in the Fox Valley area.

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Jerald "Jerry" Cummings - June 20, 1943 - October 21, 2022

Departed: 10/21/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Jerald “Jerry” Cummings, age 79 of Larsen, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 21, 2022. Jerry was born on June 20, 1943 in Shiocton, WI. son of the late Alvin and Helen (Nelson) Cummings. He married Joan M. Van Zeeland on January 15, 1966. After 38 years of marriage, she preceded him in death on March 10, 2004. Jerry loved collecting steins, old cars and going to car shows. He also liked to travel and go for rides. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and was stationed in Germany. Jerry was employed at Neenah Foundry for 45 years.

Jerry is survived by his children: Al (Missy) Cummings, Cindy (Bob) Schaefer, and Lonnie Cummings; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters: Diane Donnermeyer and Carol Valeri. In addition to his wife, Jerry was preceded in death by a sister, Ev Loberger and brothers, Jim and Marvin Cummings.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at the Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home 304 S. Commercial St., Neenah with Pastor Adam Demetrician officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services. Military Honors will be conducted by the Neenah-Menasha Veteran’s Honor Guard Team following services. A video of Jerald's service is available on our YouTube page by clicking on the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA48w2kmhXs

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Carol R. Schipferling - November 28, 1929 - October 19, 2022

Departed: 10/19/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Carol R. Schipferling, age 92, of Menasha, formerly of Lakewood, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time. A full obituary will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

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Mildred M. Smith - December 24, 1928 - October 18, 2022

Departed: 10/18/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Mildred M. Smith, age 93, of Neenah, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at St. Paul Home in Kaukauna. Millie was born in Niagara, WI on December 24, 1928 daughter of the late Herbert and Myrtle (Piche) Peterson. She graduated from Niagara High School in 1946. Millie married Donald Smith on June 28, 1947 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Niagara. Shortly after their marriage Donald and Millie moved to Neenah where they raised their family. Millie was an avid volunteer with many organizations, including the Girl Scouts, Brownies and Cub Scouts. She also volunteered as a Pink Lady at Theda Clark Medical Center for many years and participated in the summer volunteer program at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute.  From 1972 thru 1975 she volunteered as a Reading (Mother) helper at Taft Elementary school.

Millie is survived by her children: Sheryl (Dan) Snell, Beverly Smith and Donald (Susan) Smith. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, a great-great grandchild, a sister-in-law, Nancy Peterson and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  Millie was preceded in death by her husband Donald in 1990, a brother Richard Peterson, a grandson, Brooks Foth; in-laws Marvin and Ann Smith and sister in-law Theresa Jean Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 900 Geiger St., Neenah with Fr. Bob Kollath officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 12:00 noon until the time of services. Burial will be at Niagara Cemetery in Niagara, WI.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to St. Paul Home and Hospice for all the wonderful care given to Millie. They would also like to thank Home Instead Senior Care, especially Kristen for the many years of companionship and care. For online condolences, please visit: www.kesslerfh.com.

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John D. LeComte - June 19, 1930 - October 18, 2022

Departed: 10/18/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: John D. LeComte, age 92, passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at Dimensions Living in Appleton.  On June 19, 1930, John David was born in Neenah to the late Alonzo and Eleanor (Krause) LeComte.  Following graduation from St. Mary Catholic High School, John enlisted in the Air Force, serving from 1950-1954.  John had met Donna Koteski and were united in marriage on September 25, 1954.  Upon being honorably discharged, John started working for George Banta Company where he was employed until his retirement.

John's passion was spending time with his family, especially up north at the cottage on Chute Pond where they enjoyed many weekends together.   He looked forward to Happy Hours and Friday night fish frys with family and friends.  John enjoyed playing cribbage, golf, horseshoe, watching sports, spending time at the YMCA and volunteering with local organizations.

John will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Donna; their children:  Johnny LeComte, Keith (Sally) LeComte, Randy LeComte, Patti (Andy) Lenz, Karen (Ken) Hibbard, and Mary (Karl) Linzmeyer; grandchildren:  Lizzie LeComte, Sara (Kent DeBauche) LeComte, Jodi (Chris) Milhaupt, Harmony Lenz, Josh (Jess) Prellwitz, and Ann Linzmeyer; step-grandchildren:  Rose, Paige, and Sami Swanson, Logan (fiancée, Katlyn Kershaw) Hibbard, and Breeanna (Evan) Glendinning; great-grandchildren:  Hunter, Hope, Kaden, Katelyn, Evan, June, Ellie, Alice, Blake, Gavan, and Lennon; as well as other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Karen (Hartman) LeComte; and two brothers-in-law:  Bob (Dottie) Koteski and Dick (Ardy) Koteski.

A Memorial Service for John will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 31, 2022, at Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, 304 S. Commercial Street, Neenah.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service at the funeral home.  Military Funeral Honors will be conducted immediately following the service.  Inurnment will take place in St. Margaret Cemetery, Neenah.

Memorials may be directed to Dimensions Living, 5800 Pennsylvania Avenue, Appleton, WI 54914, in memory of John.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to all the caregivers at Dimensions Living.  Their compassionate care, kindness, and love shown to John and Donna was and will always be greatly appreciated.

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Judith M. Klein - October 18, 1944 - October 18, 2022

Departed: 10/18/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Judith “Judi” Klein, age 78, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 after celebrating her birthday with family. Judi was born on October 18, 1944 in Neenah, daughter of the late Hillard and Isabel (Meulemans) Sheleski.  She graduated from Menasha High School in 1962 and worked at Banta Book Company where she met and married the love of her life Bill Klein on July 6, 1968. After the children were older, she worked at several companies in the Fox Valley including Albany International.

Judi and Bill lived in Neenah most of their lives. They moved to their dream home on Big St. Germain Lake after retiring 20 years ago.  Judi loved living the simple life and enjoying each day “up North”. This usually consisted of coffee, puzzles, word searches and her favorite pastime of all, reading on the deck no matter the weather. She also never could pass by a Dollar Store without stopping.  She loved travelling and her yearly stint as a snowbird in Florida. Judi was immensely proud of her family and especially her grandchildren.

Judi is survived by her husband Bill, children: Jennifer Baldwin (fiancé Jim Kaczmarek) and Nathan (Kelly) Klein and  grandchildren: Anne, Maddy, Will and Evan. She is also survived by her siblings:  Diane McNulty, Mike (Deb) Sheleski, Bill (Ann) Sheleski, and  brothers-in-law:  Jerry (Janice) Klein and Bob (Jennifer) Klein, along with several nephews.

DUE TO RECENT C.O.V.I.D. ILLNESS' WITHIN THE FAMILY THE SERVICE DAY HAS BEEN CHANGED TO FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022 at the Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, 304 S. Commercial St., Neenah with Pastor Jon Strasman officiating. Visitation will start at 3:30 p.m., with funeral services to follow at 5:00 p.m. BURIAL WILL BE AT ST. MARGARET CEMETERY ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2022 AT 10:00 A.M.  A memorial is being established for her favorite library in Northern Wisconsin.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at St. Elizabeth ER and ICU for all of the care and compassion shown to Judi.

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Carol K. Houston - April 30, 1951 - October 17, 2022

Departed: 10/17/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Carol K. Houston, age 71, passed away peacefully from cancer on Monday, October 17, 2022, in her home with her devoted husband by her side.   Carol was born on April 30, 1951, in Belgium, Wisconsin, to the late Clarence and Agnes (Watry) Egerer, the 4th of 11 children. She graduated from Hamilton High School in Sussex, Wisconsin and went on to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from UW-Milwaukee.  Carol met Tom Houston while they were employed at Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Milwaukee. They were united in marriage on March 23, 1985, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Prior to working at Blue Cross/Blue Shield, she worked for Arthur Young and Co (now Ernst & Young) and while there obtained her CPA designation.  After moving to Neenah, Carol served as an adjunct accounting professor at several technical colleges and universities in the area.  She absolutely loved teaching.  Until retiring in 2017, she was employed for five years at First Presbyterian Church in Green Bay as the finance and office manager and was also very proud of her work as volunteer treasurer of the Presbyterian Pantry of Green Bay. Throughout her life, Carol was active in and a member of several churches, serving on committees and governing bodies.  Carol loved reading as a way to always be learning new things.  She enjoyed going for long walks, spending time with her dogs, and planting trees. She was an avid fan of local community theater and enjoyed shows at the PAC. Carol was member of the Neenah Tuesday Club and active in various book clubs and church circles.

Family was incredibly important to Carol. She loved to spend time with her immediate and extended family.  When her grandson Luke was young, she was able to spend precious time caring for him.

Carol will be greatly missed by her loving husband of 37 years, Tom; daughters:  Gina (Kevin) Peeters and Jackie Houston; grandson, Luke Peeters; her siblings:  Audrey (Don) Lucier, Bill Egerer, JoAnne (Forrest) Hafer, Shirley (Steve Reiland) Bradt, Patricia Scharhag, Connie (Russell Grosse) Egerer, and Jane Winsor; her mother-in-law, Grace Houston; brothers-in-law:  Jerry (Patty) Houston and Dan (Linda Weiler) Houston; her sister-in-law, Carol (Bob) Kierzyck; her dogs:  Milo and Bentley; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Carol was preceded in death by her son, Craig Houston; her sisters:  Sandra Egerer, Sharon Egerer, and Mary Piver; and her father-in-law, Robert Houston.

A Funeral Service will be held at 3:30pm on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church, 200 S. Ashland Avenue, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54303, with Pastors Katie Estes and Mike Dismer co-officiating.  Visitation will be held from 2:30pm until the hour of the service at the church.  Interment will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Neenah, Wisconsin.

Memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Green Bay in memory of Carol.

In addition to giving thanks to the many family members and friends for their support, Carol’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Moments Hospice for the kindness and care given to Carol over the past year.

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Gordon E. Lueders - May 03, 1940 - October 15, 2022

Departed: 10/15/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Gordon Edward Lueders, age 82, of Neenah, Wisconsin, died on Saturday, October 15, 2022 of natural causes at his home. Gordon was born on May 3, 1940, in Green Isle, Minnesota, to Victor and Lorena (Bressler) Lueders. He attended Jessenland country school and continued his education at Arlington and Le Sueur schools. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1957, and was honorably discharged in 1961. Shortly after this time, he married Lise Bringerland in California. They had two children. Gordon worked at the U.S. Post Office and then started a career with the Los Angeles Fire Department. He remained there until retirement. Gordon was also actively involved in real estate with many rental buildings. By the mid 1980’s, he moved to Duluth, MN. He married Suzanne Perry and their son was born in 1987. Gordon was independent and free spirited. An avid pilot, he had many flying adventures. With a keen interest in antique planes, he moved to Neenah, Wisconsin to be close to Oshkosh and its experimental air show. He was also a dreamer, involved with many projects. His most notable project was his attempt to replicate and fly a historic World War I multi-engine plane.

Gordon is survived by his children, Michael (Jeannie) Lueders, Bishop, CA, Sam Lueders, Neenah, WI and stepdaughter, Blair Hinkle, Alhambra, CA; grandchildren, Laurel (Blake Hubbard) Lueders and Micaela Lueders; brothers, Wayne (Linda) Lueders, Spearfish, SD and Gary (Joy) Lueders, Rochester, MN.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, son, Eric Lueders and brother, Victor H. Lueders.

A memorial gathering will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, 304 S. Commercial St, Neenah, WI. Military Honors will be performed by the Neenah-Menasha Funeral Honors Team following the gathering.  Condolences may be sent through the website at www.kesslerfh.com.  A celebration of life gathering in Le Sueur, MN will be announced at a future date.

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Thomas M. Ales Jr. - September 27, 1945 - October 13, 2022

Departed: 10/13/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: On the afternoon of Thursday, October 13, 2022, Thomas M. Ales Jr. of Winchester, WI passed away at the age of 77.

Tom was born to Tom and Mary Ales in 1945.  He received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1967 and was employed at Kimberly-Clark in Neenah for 32 years.  In August of 1965, he married Darlene Pritzl, and together raised three children, Tracey, Tammy, and Tommy.

Tom began his career at Kimberly-Clark as a mechanical engineer and retired in August of 2001 as a Director of Engineering with the Child Care department.  During his career, Tom managed the manufacturing aspects of what became a “new to the world” product, a disposable training pant known as Pull-Ups training pants.

Tom was an avid mechanic and collector of muscle cars in his spare time.  When he wasn’t working, he was drag racing at Wisconsin International Raceway.  He started as a crew chief for his best friend Gary Lenius and later became the driver.  After driving for years, he returned to chief mechanic for his daughter, Tracey, and grandchildren Morgan and Jensen, as they continued to engage in weekly drag races.

Tom was known for his attention to detail and, work ethic, quick wit and, laugh out loud humor.

Tom is preceded in death by his father (Thomas M. Ales, Sr.), his mother (Mary VanderWalker) and sister (Patricia Geibel).  He is survived by his wife, Darlene Ales, his three children, Tracey Rymer (Tim), Tammy Howe and Tommy Ales III, and his grandchildren, Adam Howe, Amanda Barr (Joe), Kurt Jarvi (Elizabeth), Morgan Ortega (Victor), Jensen Rymer and his nephews, Tony Dietz (Pam) & Tim Dietz (JoAnna).

A public memorial service will be held at Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, 304 S. Commercial St., Neenah on Friday, October 28th, 2022.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. with a service from 12:30 until 1:00 PM.  A light luncheon will be offered from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.  A memorial is being established for the Neenah Animal Shelter and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

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Wayne A. Stafford - March 21, 1939 - October 11, 2022

Departed: 10/11/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Wayne Allan Stafford, age 83, passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 surrounded by family after a brief illness.  Wayne was born in Lake Placid, New York on March 21, 1939 son of the late Norman and Lois (Webb) Stafford.

Wayne was a loving, caring, husband, father, grandfather and brother.  Generous to a fault, sometimes stubborn, he was always determined to do things for himself, for the people he loved and for the people who reached out for help.  Wayne was devoted to his two younger sisters Norma (Raymond) Knizek and Sharon (Charles) Walker who always called him “Allan.”  During his last days conversations with them sustained and reinvigorated him.  A huge part of his heart longed to return to his boyhood town of Galway, New York.

In high school, Wayne was a class clown, a top student and an aspiring athlete.  Wayne played soccer and baseball and was, for his whole lifetime, a huge fan of sports.  Later in life he became an enthusiastic Packer fan, you know the kind: the one where the outcome of the game determined whether the week would be fair or foul.

Wayne joined the Army Reserves in 1963 and spent 5 years learning about commitment, honor and personal responsibility.  Also in 1963, he married a beautiful lady named Wanda Cramer.  They would have two daughters.  Wayne and Wanda enjoyed 59 years together.

Wayne worked in information systems. When Wayne started, computers took up whole wings of buildings and computers were run on weird rectangular punch cards.  Wayne graduated from Michigan State University in 1962 with a degree in mathematics. His brain could quickly compute numbers and not just any numbers, big ones!  If a calculator wasn’t handy, he would just do the computations in his head and he was always correct.  Wayne went on to get his MBA at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the early 1980s.

Wayne worked for IBM in both Poughkeepsie, NY and in Cleveland, OH.  Then, in 1975, Wayne took a position with Kimberly Clark Corporation in Neenah, WI.  The family relocated to the place Wayne would call home for the rest of his life.  After his retirement, Wayne worked part time keeping books for St Bernard Catholic Church in Appleton, WI.

Wayne was active in the Neenah community serving for 22 years on the Board of Directors for KimCentral Credit Union: several of those years as Board President.  Wayne loved baseball so much that he coached Sr Babe Ruth league boys baseball for a number of years.  He enjoyed mentoring young athletes in a game he absolutely loved.

Wayne enjoyed biking, hiking, nature, gardening, golf, sports - he loved any and all Neenah High School sports.  He loved to tinker with electronics and at one point built his own personal computer and television set. He was a huge history buff.  He could talk for hours about the rich history of the United States.  He loved to bowl - up until his illness prevented him from going, Wayne bowled two times a week.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Wanda Stafford, his daughters, Amy Stafford and Catherine Kaiser, son-in-law, Gerry Kaiser, and his grandchildren Henry, Sam and Olivia Meyer, Joe and Nick Kaiser.  He is also survived by his sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank wonderful nurses and staff at ThedaCare Hospice for their compassionate care.

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Reece P. Heyerdahl - March 13, 2001 - October 10, 2022

Departed: 10/10/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: Reece Patrick Heyerdahl, age 21, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 10, 2022. Reece was born in Neenah on March 13, 2001.

Reece's favorite pastime was driving everywhere in his truck. There was no road he didn't explore. His truck was a gift from his grandfather and a great source of pride for him. He also enjoyed doing a lot of burnouts in that truck. Reece enjoyed swimming, being in nature, nutrition, and working out. “Lifting” as he referred to it. Reece was also a gifted and talented athlete. As a power lifter, he set many state and national records. He loved football as well; playing with a passion, drive, and physical presence that was unmatched. Reece was sought after by many colleges for his football and power lifting accomplishments. Ultimately choosing Northern Illinois. As a freshmen, he made his way to being selected as a starter for the special teams, working his way up to a backup defensive end position. Ultimately, he decided to leave. In his heart, he was a Wisconsin Badger. Reece had many activities and hobbies he enjoyed in his free time. Whether it was building legos, listening to music, playing video games, or causing trouble. He was a free and beautiful soul, spreading kindness and love to those all around him. He was quick witted and funny. When the camera came out he was first in line to strike a pose or make a funny face.

Reece is survived by his parents, Darin Heyerdahl (Dianne Parker) and Kelli Heyerdahl (Jesse Landua); grandparents, Rodney (Peggy) Heyerdahl and Fran Burns. He is further survived by his sisters; Hannah Heyerdahl and Holly Heyerdahl (Tanner Gotchie); step-brothers Max and Quinn Parker his aunt, Dawn Hazen and his girlfriend, Sierra Helms, cousins and friends. Reece was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ed (Carol) Witthuhn and Clayton Burns.

A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, 304 S. Commercial St., Neenah.

Mental health isn't taken seriously enough in our society. Far too often it gets swept under the rug or overlooked. Your mental health and physical well-being are vital to a happy and successful life. Reece struggled with mental illness for most of his life. Bottling up his problems which led to anger, sadness, and demons in his life. He was truly a kind a gentle soul, life was just cruel to him. As it always is to those with beautiful souls. Everyone who knew him and loved him pleaded with him to get help. He would always refuse. Friday, October 7th, his family decided to make the difficult decision to involuntarily commit him to a hospital. Three days later he committed suicide. Reece's story is heartbreaking and his loss was felt by many. He had many friends and many people who looked up to him. His family love hearing from people their experiences and stories of Reece. Feel free to share anything with his loved ones.

If you know someone who struggles with mental health and needs help, do anything you can to support them and tell them to seek counseling. If you or someone you love is in crisis there are resources below. Call: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 Text: The Hope Line: 741741

A memorial fund will be made in Reece's name to Prevent Suicide Fox Cities located in Appleton, WI.

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William "Bill" R. Schramm - April 05, 1926 - October 09, 2022

Departed: 10/09/2022 (Neenah)

Obituary Preview: William “Bill” R. Schramm, age 96, of Neenah was called to his heavenly home on Sunday, October 9, 2022, after a brief illness.  He was born on April 5, 1926, in Oconto, WI, the son of the late Roy and Esther (Van Harpen) Schramm and he attended Neenah High School.  Bill was the oldest of 7 children and lived in Neenah since grade school.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in World War II.  Bill married his beloved, Phyllis J. (Sell) on May 17, 1947, and they enjoyed 38 years of marriage, until her passing on October 10, 1985.  He was married to Martha Leffler on July 22, 1988, until her death on December 27, 2003.  Elaine Vancil, a high school classmate was the next woman in his life until her death on March 11, 2018.  Bill worked 45 years for Kimberly Clark, as a millwright.  He enjoyed Packer games, fishing in Canada, hunting in Montana, camping, and hunting with his hunting buddies at the bus/cabin in Mountain, WI.  “Mr. Bill” was a hardworking, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who never complained, and loved being outdoors or creating in his workshop.  He was mechanically very talented and could make anything out of things he saved in his well-organized workshop and he invented many time savers along the way. Bill will be deeply missed by his children: two sons, Terry Schramm, and Robert (Donna) Schramm, his daughter Kathy (Steve) Flenz, and Elaine’s daughter, Valerie Vancil, all of Neenah.  His grandchildren: Paul (Julie) Schramm, Christine (Rob) Arnold Jr., Bradley Schramm, Christopher Neff, Michael Neff, Tammy Neff, Sara (Paul) Blank, Eric (Jenny) Schramm, Cari (Josh) Buck, Ashlee (Christopher) Price, Robin (Steve) Roggenbuck, Tonya (Kent) Baumann, and Aaron (Ashley) Flenz; his 22 great-grand-children, nieces and nephews, special friends: Bob and Ann, Linda Schillerstrom, close neighbors: Becky, Dean and Joanie.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Esther, his 2 wives, Phyllis and Martha, and girlfriend Elaine.  One sister, Judy: six brothers, Gene, Jay, Jim, Doug, and Dick and one great-grandchild, Austin.

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A Commitment to Personalized Service

At Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, every family is treated like family. The staff understands that each person is unique, with their own story, traditions, and preferences. That's why they take the time to listen and learn about each individual, incorporating those personal touches into the funeral or memorial service. From favorite hobbies and music to special mementos and rituals, the team at Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home works tirelessly to create a meaningful and memorable celebration of life.

A Wide Range of Services and Options

Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home offers a comprehensive range of services and options to meet the diverse needs of families in the Neenah area. These include:

• Traditional funeral services with visitation and burial
• Cremation options with memorial services or scattering ceremonies
• Pre-planning and pre-funding options for peace of mind
• Monument and marker sales for permanent memorials
• Grief support resources and counseling services

A State-of-the-Art Facility

The funeral home's facility at 304 S. Commercial Street is designed to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for families and friends gathering to say goodbye. With ample parking, comfortable seating areas, and modern amenities, the facility is equipped to accommodate large gatherings or intimate ceremonies alike. The chapel features a beautiful stained-glass window, creating a sense of serenity and peace.

A Team of Caring Professionals

The staff at Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home is comprised of experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing exceptional care and service. From licensed funeral directors and embalmers to administrative staff and support personnel, every team member is committed to helping families navigate the difficult process of planning a funeral or memorial service. With their expertise and guidance, families can trust that every detail will be taken care of with compassion and attention to detail.

Community Involvement and Support

Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home is deeply rooted in the Neenah community, with a long history of involvement in local organizations and charities. The funeral home regularly participates in events and fundraisers, supporting causes such as cancer research, hospice care, and veterans' services. This commitment to giving back demonstrates the funeral home's dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of those they serve.

A Legacy of Trust and Caring

Families in Neenah have come to trust Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home for generations, relying on their expertise, compassion, and commitment to excellence. By choosing this funeral home, families can rest assured that they will receive personalized care, attention to detail, and a celebration of life that honors their loved one with dignity and respect. Whether you're planning ahead or facing an unexpected loss, Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home is here to support you every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an obituary?

An obituary is a written notice that announces the death of a person, typically including biographical information, funeral or memorial service details, and surviving family members. It serves as a way to share the news of a loved one's passing with friends, family, and community.

Why are obituaries important?

Obituaries play a vital role in honoring the life of the deceased, providing closure for those who are grieving, and serving as a historical record of the person's life. They also help to notify others of the passing and provide essential information about funeral arrangements.

Who typically writes an obituary?

The responsibility of writing an obituary often falls on the family members or close friends of the deceased. In some cases, a funeral home or mortuary may assist with writing the obituary or provide a template to guide the process.

What information should be included in an obituary?

A typical obituary includes the person's name, age, date of birth and death, cause of death (optional), occupation, hobbies, achievements, surviving family members, and funeral or memorial service details.

How long should an obituary be?

The length of an obituary can vary depending on the publication or online platform. Generally, it should be concise and to the point, ranging from 100 to 500 words.

Can I include photos in an obituary?

Yes, many publications and online platforms allow you to include one or more photos with the obituary. This can be a meaningful way to personalize the tribute and make it more engaging.

What is the difference between an obituary and a death notice?

A death notice is a brief announcement of someone's passing, usually including only basic information such as name, age, and date of death. An obituary, on the other hand, provides more detailed information about the person's life and legacy.

Where are obituaries typically published?

Obituaries are often published in local newspapers, online obituary platforms, funeral home websites, and social media. Some families also choose to create a private online memorial or blog to share memories and tributes.

How much does it cost to publish an obituary?

The cost of publishing an obituary varies depending on the publication or platform. Some newspapers and online sites offer free or low-cost options, while others may charge a fee based on the length or content of the obituary.

Can I write my own obituary in advance?

Yes, some people choose to write their own obituary in advance as a way to control how they want to be remembered. This can also be a therapeutic exercise in reflecting on one's life and accomplishments.

What is an online obituary?

An online obituary is a digital version of a traditional printed obituary. It allows families to share news of a loved one's passing with a wider audience and provides a permanent online record of their life.

How long do online obituaries remain available?

The duration that online obituaries remain available varies depending on the platform or website. Some may keep them archived indefinitely, while others may remove them after a certain period.

Can I edit or update an obituary after it's been published?

In most cases, it's possible to make corrections or updates to an obituary after it's been published. However, this may depend on the publication or platform's policies and procedures.

What is a guest book or condolence message?

A guest book or condolence message is an online space where friends and family can leave messages of sympathy, share memories, and offer support to the grieving family.

How do I submit an obituary to a newspaper or online platform?

The submission process typically involves creating an account on the platform or contacting the newspaper's obituary department directly. You'll need to provide the necessary information and follow their guidelines for formatting and content.

Can I include charitable donations or memorial funds in an obituary?

Yes, many families choose to include information about charitable donations or memorial funds in the obituary as a way to honor their loved one's memory and support a worthy cause.

What is a memorial service or celebration of life?

A memorial service or celebration of life is a ceremony held to honor and remember the deceased person. It can take place at a funeral home, church, or other venue and may include eulogies, music, and other tributes.

Do all cultures have a tradition of writing obituaries?

No, not all cultures have a tradition of writing obituaries. However, many societies have their own ways of announcing deaths and honoring their deceased loved ones through rituals and ceremonies.

Can I write an obituary for someone who has passed away recently or years ago?

Yes, you can write an obituary for someone who has passed away recently or years ago. This can be a meaningful way to reflect on their life and legacy, even if they're no longer with us.

Are there any specific guidelines for writing an obituary for someone who was young or died unexpectedly?

Yes, when writing an obituary for someone who was young or died unexpectedly, it's essential to be sensitive to the family's grief and avoid sensationalizing the circumstances surrounding their death.

Can I include humorous anecdotes or stories in an obituary?

Absolutely! Including humorous anecdotes or stories can help capture the personality and spirit of the deceased person and make the obituary more engaging and memorable.

How do I ensure that my loved one's obituary is accurate and respectful?

To ensure accuracy and respectfulness, proofread the obituary carefully before submitting it for publication. Also, consider involving multiple family members in the writing process to ensure that everyone is comfortable with the final product.

What resources are available to help me write an obituary?

You can find many resources online, including templates, guides, and examples of well-written obituaries. Additionally, funeral homes and mortuaries often provide assistance with writing and publishing obituaries.