Obituaries 2023

Linda Schmeckpeper, Carl Bender, Jr. Susan Dornfeld, Lita Reif

I'm but a stranger here, Heaven is my home;
Earth is a desert drear; Heaven is my home:
Danger and sorrow stand Round me on every hand;
Heaven is my fatherland, Heaven is my home.

LINDA SCHMECKPEPER

Linda Jean Schmeckpeper, age 80 of Markesan, entered eternal life on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at the Remembrance Home in Beaver Dam, WI. Linda was born on June 20, 1943, in Chicago, IL, a daughter of Edward and Ruth (Diekmann) Jones. She was united in marriage to Warren Schmeckpeper on September 2, 1967, in Algonquin, IL. For many years, Linda enjoyed helping out on the farm, taking care of the bookkeeping and dairy calves. Linda loved children and taught at Sunshine Nursery for 25 years. She enjoyed going to the Fireside Theater and the Beaver Dam Community Theater for live shows. Linda loved reading, sewing and photography. She enjoyed people and loved animals. Linda’s family and friends meant the world to her and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Linda is survived by her husband; Warren Schmeckpeper, children, Kelly McCoy of Dallas, TX, Todd (Cassie) Schmeckpeper of Ellsinore, MO and Scott (Heather) Schmeckpeper of Markesan; six grandchildren, Kenna (Thomas) Kosh, Nayla (McCoy) Ferron, Reilly (Dylan Oman) Schmeckpeper, Ben McCoy, Chloe Schmeckpeper and Ava Schmeckpeper; 2 great grandchildren, Ryann Kosh and Boone Ferron; brother, Mark (Camille) Jones of SC; brother-in-law, Theron (Wanda) Schmeckpeper of Beecher, IL. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Tom Jones; sister, Diane Jones; step father, Bert Henne; godparents, Jim and Marge French. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the Markesan Community Funeral Home, 868 North Margaret Street, Markesan, WI 53946 and on Friday, July 14, 2023, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 316 Vine St, Kingston, WI 53939. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 14, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church, 316 Vine St, Kingston, WI 53939 with Pastor Kurt Hagen officiating. Memorials may be established to Zion Lutheran Church, 316 Vine St, Kingston, WI 53939, Sunshine Nursery, 75 N Bridge St, Markesan, WI 53946, the Alzheimers Association, 235 N National Ave Fond du Lac, WI, Fond Du Lac, WI 54935, or Hillside Hospice, 709 S University Ave, Beaver Dam, WI 53916.

CARL BENDER JR.

Carl L. Bender, Jr., age 88 of Dalton, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Carl “Jr” was born in Salemville on May 19, 1934, the son of Florence (Plagenz) and Carl Bender, Sr.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Salemville.  He attended a one room school before graduating from Cambria High School in 1952. On October 5, 1957, he was united in marriage to his wife, Carroll Bauman at Zion Lutheran Church in Kingston. Together they raised 4 beautiful daughters. Jr spent most of his life farming with his brother, Virgil. He was willing to drive tractor for anyone who needed him, first for his brother-in-law, Don and later for his nephew, Gale. Jr loved watching the birds, fishing, bowling, and pool, and in his earlier years, playing softball, riding motorcycles and going snowmobiling. He also loved playing cards, but only if he could win! Jr was a proud member of the Kiwanis Club for over 30 years. Jr is survived by his wife, Carroll Bender of Dalton; daughters, Joann Burr of Ripon, Judy (Fred Waterhouse) Brooks of Ripon, Joyce (Daniel) Kohn of Marquette, and Jerri Bender of Ripon; 7 grandchildren, Jamie (Eric) Taylor, Casey (Jamie) Yuris, Haley Schackow, Brad (Nikki) Brooks, Justin (Cassie) Kohn, Danielle (Matt) Nogalski, and Jenna Bender; 6 great-grandchildren; brother, Virgil (Judy) Bender; brother-in-law, Don (Jan) Bauman; sister-in-law, Martha Bauman; and further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sharon Jahnke; brother-in-law, Verlyn Jahnke; nephew, David Bender; sister-in-law, Jeanne Bender; brother-in-law, Keith Bauman; and other relatives. Visitation for Carl will take place on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 181 S. Main St., Markesan, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also take place on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at St. John's Lutheran Church - Salemville (Cambria) from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Kurt Hagen officiating. Burial will follow at Salemville Cemetery.

SUSAN DORNFELD

Susan Marie Dornfeld, age 67, passed away on Saturday, February 11th, 2023 at Meriter Hospital.  She was born on April 21, 1955, the daughter of Gordon and Arlene (Owens) Bush.  On September 6th, 1975, she married the love of her life, Michael H. Dornfeld, at Zion Lutheran Church in Kingston. Together they built a life and family on the family farm in Salemville. Susan was also a lifelong member at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Salemville. Sue worked at Riverdale Manor in Markesan and then the Randolph Nursing Home.  She later worked at Fox Lake Shell Station before spending 21 years at Petro Truck Stop in Portage and retired in 2021.  In her free time, Sue enjoyed spending time with family and neighborhood friends and Ranger rides with the love of her life, Mike. While she loved traveling in her earlier days, she mostly loved being surrounded by her family and cherished the time she spent with them.  Susan is survived by her husband of 47 years, Michael; 4 sons: Courtney (Lisa) of Glen Ellyn, IL., Mitchell (Holley) of Markesan, Kassidy (Melissa) of Salemville, Jordan (Erica) of Waukau;  grandchildren Jada (special friend Nick), Lila, Ella, Ranen, Alexa, Michael, Grayson, and Knoxton;  brothers Gale (Marti) Bush of Cambridge, Randy Bush of Oklahoma, Steve (Trudi) Bush of Fairwater; brothers-in-law Gary (Ann) Dornfeld of Little Chute, Rick (Lois) Dornfeld of Salemville, Steve (Linda) Dornfeld of Salemville.  Susan shared a special bond with niece’s Gena Ganske and Samantha Floeter, and is further survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.  Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon & Arlene Bush, in-laws Hubert & Verna Dornfeld, sister Virginia (Gabe) Long, infant brother, Thomas Bush, brother-in-law Dennis (Sheila) Dornfeld. The family would like to thank the staff of Meriter Hospital for the attentive care and support they provided to Sue during her time there. Visitation for Susan will take place on Monday, February 20, 2023 at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 181 S. Main St., Markesan from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will also take place on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at St. John's Lutheran Church - Salemville (N483 County Rd M, Cambria) from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Salemville Cemetery.

LITA REIF

Lita J. Reif, age 93, of Kingston, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, January 16, 2023, at Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital in Portage. She was born on July 16, 1929, in Milwaukee, the daughter of Clarence and Edna (Bender) Lueck.  Lita was a graduate of Markesan High School. On August 10, 1952, she married Don R. Reif at the Zion Lutheran Church in Kingston. For 36 years, Lita and Don owned and operated the Kingston House Restaurant in Kingston. Through their hard work and dedication to their business, it became the place to be on Friday and Saturday evenings for so many. Lita and Don had enjoyed traveling together and spending time with their family. They shared 64 years of marriage before Don’s passing on November 20, 2016. Lita was a faithful, life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kingston where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir for many years. She also enjoyed gardening and watching the Wisconsin sports teams. Those left behind to cherish her memory include her 3 children, Scott (Blair) Reif, Tom (Barbara) Reif, Lisa Reif; 4 grandchildren, Tomei (Adam) Kuehl, Jessamy (Garett) Rogstad, Kingston (Laura) Reif, Lawson Reif; 6 great grandchildren, Krew and Hadley Rogstad, Everly and Adaline Reif, Tolan and Reif Kuehl; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Edna Lueck; husband, Don R. Reif; brothers, Wayne and Jon Lueck.  A private family burial will take place at a later date.