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

Margrette Studdard

Margrette Studdard, age 81, of Nelma, died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008 at the Eagle River Memorial Hospital in Eagle River. She was born Dec. 23, 1926 in Carrollton, Miss., the daughter of the late Brodie and Eva (Taylor) Barnes.

She attended school in Mississippi and graduated. Margrette married Hardie L. Studdard on July 15, 1944 in Corinth, Miss. In 1950, the couple moved from Burnsville, Miss. to Kenosha, where she was employed as a dietary aide in health care. Following retirement, they moved to Nelma to make their home in 1986. The couple celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1994.

Margrette loved quilting, crocheting, shopping, and watching water ski shows. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hardie on June 30, 2004. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Charlotte in 1992 and her brother, Cheston Barnes.

She is survived by four sons, James (Diane) Studdard of Burnsville, Miss., Lanny Studdard of Nelma, Ronnie (Jae Peterson) Studdard of Kenosha and Bobby (LeeAnne Harrington) Studdard of Kenosha; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River, Mich. Funeral Service was Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 at 1 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River, Mich. with Rev. Herman Spencer to officiate. Interment was at Lakeview Cemetery in Alvin.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Margrette Studdard online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com.

Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River, Mich.

Karen L. Miller

Karen L. Miller, age 91, of Crandon, passed away at the AGI Health Care Center in Crandon on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008. Karen was born Sept. 20, 1917 in Genoa City, the daughter of the late John and Clara (Thomsen) Amborn.

She attended Genoa City schools. During high school she was a waitress and housekeeper. Karen graduated from Genoa City high school in 1935.

On Oct. 30, 1937 she married Laonice “Buss” Miller. On April 27, 1939, a son was born, Raymond John.

She owned and operated a couple different restaurant businesses, one in Capron, Ill., the other in Hebron, Ill., before moving to Crandon to start a wholesale bait business. In 1950 they opened and operated Miller’s Live Bait, thriving with minnows, tackle, starcraft boats and Arctic Cat Snowmobile Sales & Service. They sold the business in 1972. Karen assumed the duties of the Forest County Clerk of Court from 1979 until her retirement in 1985.

She enjoyed gardening, and had a love for fishing. Spending her winters in Minnesota and her summers in Michigan to do exactly what she loved to do “Fish” until the death of her husband, Buss in 1992. Her thoughts were of others, helping take patients to appointments, volunteering at church functions, attending meals at the Nutrition Site, playing card with her lady friends and for many years participating in the Relay for Life until she was 88. She was very independent and always on the go. She lived at the AGI Health Care Center from August until the time of her eternal rest.

She is survived by her son, Ray (Sue) Miller of Crandon; sister, Anna “Toddy” Markee of Hebron, Ill.; grandchildren, Ray, Jr., Carla, Cathi, Carin, Chris and Claire “Boo”; seventeen great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren. She is further survived by several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Buss, she is also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, two sisters and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held on Friday, Oct 31 from 10 a.m. until noon at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Crandon. Funeral services followed at noon with Pastor Marvin Singh officiating. Inurnment will be at Crandon Lakeside Cemetery.

Weber-Hill Funeral Home in Crandon assisted the family with arrangements.

Patricia Ann Engstrand

Patricia Ann Engstrand, age 67, of Wabeno, formerly of Illinois, died unexpectedly at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital on Oct. 31, 2008.

Patricia was born in Illinois on January 4, 1941 to the late Edward and Mary (Keller) Ford. She lived most of her life in Illinois until moving to Wabeno with her family 12 years ago.

She enjoyed camping and spending time with her grandchildren and the weekly family game night. She also enjoyed her canine companions Princess and Duke Boy.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Sr.; five children, Tracy Engstrand of Brookfield, Ill., Terry (Kevin) Jameson of Wabeno, Tammy (David) Joas of Mountain, Bill (Christine) Engstrand, Jr. of Orlando, Fla. and Bob (Stacy) Engstrand of Laona; ten grandchildren, Joe, Daniel, Marcus, Hallas, Michaela, Kasey, Kevin Jr., Crystal, Brandon and Walker; and one great-granddaughter, Victoria.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two grandchildren, Kirgen and Mary Olivia.

The visitation is on Wednesday Nov. 5 from noon until 1 p.m. at the Suminski Funeral Home in Wabeno. The funeral service is at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Wendy Mannering officiating. Online condolences can be sent to suminskimemorial.com.

Robert “Bud” Joseph Thiel

Robert “Bud” Joseph Thiel, born July 20, 1922 to William Thiel and Joanna Pilarski Thiel in Milwaukee, passed away Oct. 29, 2008.

Bud was born and raised in Milwaukee, and then moved to Crandon in 1941, to his grandmother’s property on County Hwy. S North. He and his uncle, Steve Pilarski, built a log house there for Bud in 1942 before Bud was drafted into the U.S. Army.

Bud left to serve his country Dec. 1, 1942. He served as a U.S. Army Pack Master in North Africa, training mules to carry pack howitzers. Bud was recruited by Darby’s Rangers in North Africa, and after receiving additional training, he shipped out to Italy. On Dec. 30, 1943, not far from the town of Cisterna, near the Anzio Beachhead. Bud was captured and sent off to Stalag 344 in Lansdorf, Germany, and was the only American in the POW camp of 1,500 British. Bud was freed September 1944 and repatriated to the U.S., sent to Switzerland and then on to England for medical care for his injuries he sustained in the battle in Italy where he had been captured, and discharged and returned home to Crandon April 20, 1945.

While in the Army he sent money home to purchase cattle to begin a dairy herd. He married Charlotte Kulinski Eckes July 2, 1949, and started his own farm with his half of the dairy herd. Over the years Bud logged with horses for George Brewer in Cavour from 1960 to 1968, operated a sawmill and built cabins with Harold Ison, logged with horses for the Walentowski brothers, and did carpentry and masonry work.

His love for horses became his life; and starting with one horse he began a riding stable on the farm on the Wolf River in the “Valley.” Around 1976 he developed an interest in Arabians and named his new enterprise Tim Brook Farms, raising Arabians for over 30 years. Bud was also known for his beautiful flower gardens, and a trip to the Valley to see his Christmas light display was a treat to see on trips down Hwy. 8.

Bud was a lifetime member of the VFW and over the years Bud has participated in the Forest County Veterans Memorial Association and Honor Guard, attending parades, and the funerals and wakes of many Veterans in the surrounding communities.

Robert “Bud” Thiel was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Charlotte; sister, Dorothy Anderson Struck; and Charlotte’s daughter, Sylvia Eckes; and daughter-in-law, Nancy (Charles Eckes).

He is survived by his brother, Richard Thiel; his wife Charlotte’s four children, Lois Marvin, Betty Wickham, Charles Eckes, Patricia Doane; many nieces and nephews; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008 and 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, with services at 10 a.m. at Weber-Hill Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Lee Joyner, Alois Bocek, Bill O’Shaunessy, Ed Spencer, George Henkl, Dan Papapatru, Mel Statezny and Wally Roder.

Lunch was prepared and served by the ladies of the Praise Chapel after the services at Lakeside Cemetery.

Contributions to the Praise Chapel, Forest County Animal Shelter, the VFW, the American Legion, and the Forest County Veterans Memorial Association and Honor Guard in lieu of flowers, is appreciated.

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