The Rhinelander Daily News - Online news and information for the Rhinelander, Wisconsin region

Karen R. (Jesse) Palmer

Karen R. Palmer (nee Jesse), of Hartford, Wisconsin passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at Community Memorial Hospital of Menomonee Falls, after 61 years of life.

Karen was born on November 9, 1945, the daughter of Roy J. and Lela M. (nee Vanderhoof) Jesse, in Crandon. She was raised in Argonne and moved to Milwaukee at the age of twenty, and lived in Slinger since 1970. On April 4, 1970, she married Glenn R. Palmer at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crandon. She was a dedicated employee of Wisconsin Motors for four years, Chrysler as a statistician for the ten years, and then at DNR for the past twenty-two years. Karen was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, St. Peter’s Choir, the Slinger Jaycettes and served as an usher at the Schauer Arts Center in Hartford. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, cooking, baking, attending craft fairs and traveling. She loved being an aunt, and always put others before herself.

Karen is held deep in the hearts of her loving husband and best friend of 37 years, Glenn R. Palmer; her brothers, Vernon "Hank" (Jean) Jesse and John (Charlotte "Punky") Jesse; her sisters, Barbara "Babs" (Roger) Diedrich, Ginger (Steve) Alexander, Jill Kaye and Janet (Wayne) Hintz; her sister-in-law, Judy Jesse; and her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law on Glenn’s side, Kathy Palmer, Lyall "Jean" (David) Noreika, Constance "Connie" (Richard) King, James (Debbie) Palmer and Guy (Patti) Palmer. She will also be missed by 35 nieces and nephews, 37 great-nieces and great-nephews, one great-great niece, other special relatives and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Lela Jesse; her brother, Roy Jesse; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lyle (Marie) Palmer; and brother-in-law, George Palmer.

A gathering of family and friends was held on Monday, August 27, 2007 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 W. Paradise Drive, West Bend, WI 53095). A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church (202 E. Washington Street, Slinger, WI 53086), with Father Richard J. Stoffel officiating. Interment took place at (new) St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery following the Mass on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials donated in honor of Karen to Relay for Life of Hartford.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Community Memorial Hospital on the third and fourth floors for their professionalism and compassionate cares.

The Phillip Funeral Home, (262) 338-2050 / www.phillipfuneralhome.com, of West Bend is assisting the family.

Juanita Ione Alice Bohn

Juanita Ione Alice Bohn, age 98, of Blackwell, passed away on August 27, 2007. Juanita was born in Clintonville, WI on February 11, 1909 to the late William and Alvina (Kluth) Loose.

In 1936 she married Harold Bohn. The couple then made their home in Townsend. In 1958, they moved to California where they lived until the 1970’s when they returned to Wisconsin and settled in Wabeno.

Juanita loved to fish, hunt, knit, crochet and travel. She also liked to play the organ and ride around on her riding lawn mower. She was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Wabeno.

Juanita is survived by two sons, John (Carol) Bohn of Townsend and Robert (Jackie) Bohn of Tracy, Cal.; three daughters, Mae Jane (Byron) Fenn of Livermore, Cal., Joyce (Dean) Huffer of Biloxi, Miss. and Donna Hogan of Wabeno; fourteen grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death is her husband, Harold Bohn; her parents; two daughters and sons-in-law, Helen (Reuben) Passehl and Lois Jean (Dutch) Martin; and two brothers, Kenneth and Everett.

Visitation will be held at the Suminski Funeral Home in Wabeno on Friday, August 31 from noon to 2 p.m. with a service to follow. Officiating is Pastor Dennis Larson. Interment is in Forest Home Cemetery in Townsend.

Juanita’s family would like to thank the staff of NuRoc. Community Health Care for the loving care they provided to her. Suminski Funeral Home in Wabeno (715-473-3131) is helping the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be shared with NuRoc Community Health Care.

Jerome “Jerry” Radke

Jerome “Jerry” Radke, 48, of Hortonville, formerly of Oconto Falls, died suddenly Tuesday evening, August 21, 2007 of natural causes at the cottage he built.

He was born September 18, 1958 in Oconto Falls to Reuben and Lorraine (Kobs) Radke. Jerry grew up in Oconto Falls where he attended public schools, graduating from Oconto Falls High School with the class of 1976 where he lettered in baseball and basketball. Following graduation from high school he went to work for the Patz Co. and later Goodell Cabinets.

On October 30, 1982 he married Connie Bikowski at Grace Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls. Shortly after their marriage the couple moved to Winona, Minn. and he continued to work in cabinet manufacturing. Eventually Jerry moved back to Northeastern Wisconsin which he always considered home.

On January 3, 2004 he married Sally Mattson Jahnke in Medina, and the couple, along with her son, Jonah, have made their home in Hortonville. Jerry was employed in residential construction for most of his life and also worked with his good friend Jay Boucher. Most recently, he was working as a self employed certified home inspector in the state.

He was a life long member of Grace Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls and since living in Hortonville, he attended Christus Lutheran Church in Greenville. As an avid sportsman, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing sports. Baseball was Jerry’s favorite sport which he continued to play into his mid-40’s and will be fondly remembered for his successful home run swings. As a proud and devoted father of three children, he enjoyed watching them compete in athletics and was looking forward to seeing his son, Kyle, play football for the UW-Oshkosh Titans again this fall. Jerry will be remembered for his infectious smile, good attitude given any situation and always putting other people first.

Survivors are his loving wife, Sally Radke of Hortonville; his three children, Ashley Radke, who served four years in the US Air Force and is currently in the Army Reserves while attending UW-Madison, Kyle Radke, a Junior student at UW-Oshkosh and Brittany Radke of Oshkosh; one stepson, Jonah Jahnke of Hortonville; his parents, Reuben and Lorraine Radke of Oconto Falls; two brothers, Dan “Sac” (Ronna) Radke of Oconto Falls and Craig Radke of Cumming, Ga.; one sister, Kristen (Kevin) Patenaude of Oconto Falls; two Godchildren, Kraig Patenaude and Alex Radke; the family dog, “Mattie”; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, William and Wanda Radke; maternal grandparents, Herbert and Gladys Kobs; one brother, Steven Radke on October 16, 1993 and one special nephew, Emmett Radke on December 13, 1997.

Friends may call at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls (920-848-2222 or visit www.jonesfuneral.com) after 2 p.m. Sunday, August 26, 2007. Visitation continued at Grace Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls after 9:30 a.m. Monday, August 27, 2007 until the time of services. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Doreen Jeffers officiating. Cremation followed with burial of the urn in Woodlawn Cemetery in Oconto Falls. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial fund will be established at a later date.

Ernestine (Ernie) Haluska

Ernestine (Ernie) Haluska passed away August 25, 2007, surrounded by her friends, family, and holding her husband’s hand. A resident of Argonne for over 50 years, she enjoyed visiting with those who stopped. She was a wonderful cook, baker and hostess; always making sure no one ever left hungry.

During WWII, she followed her husband, John, working in a chocolate factory, as a nanny, and served as a welder. When John went overseas, she worked at a VA Hospital in California comforting wounded soldiers. She was a strong woman who taught us not to let fear control our lives.

She will be greatly missed by her husband, John; son, Paul; daughter, Donna; grandchildren, Heather (Nathaniel) Reindl-Haluska, Steven (Trisha) Haluska, Kent Haluska, Amber (Jake) Mayer and Ross Kincaid; and great-grandchildren, Talen Haluska and Mackenzi Meyer.

As a loving auntie, she will be missed by Edward (Patricia) Short, Jr., Robert Short, Adam Short, Juanita (Dennis) Firkus, Patrick (Kelley) Short, and many great-nieces and nephews.

Her spunky attitude and smile will be missed by her friends in Argonne and by the ladies at the AGI Healthcare Center.

Please come and celebrate Ernie’s life with her family at the Argonne Town Hall of Friday, August 31, 2007 at noon. Bring your stories and pictures to share. Weber-Hill Funeral Home in Crandon is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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