Obituary for Herbert William Hildebrandt As usual…I arrived as a baby, a boy in January 1931, and ultimately the door closed in October 2025. I deeply tasted the world, anchored my life on a sea of love with Dee (nee Delores Bartels of Waseca, Minnesota), my wife of 65+ years who died in August 2018. Those years along with daughter Susan (Jack) and son Mark (Lorna), respectively with grandchildren Conor, then Cole and Sophia. Dee and I were only children; she from Waseca, Minnesota, I from Appleton, Wisconsin. She grew up on a farm and knew the difference between a…

James D. Heddens, D.P.M., Podiatrist Emeritus, passed away at the age of 88 on October 14 surrounded by his children. Jim was an active member of the Marshalltown community where he lived for over 60 years. He was born in Charles City in 1937, attended Wartburg College and graduated from the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine in 1962. In addition to practicing Podiatry, he was a member of the Rotary, Farm Bureau and an active landlord for many affordable housing units. Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Joan Heddens. He is survived by his three…

Marilyn Kay Luttinen passed away on October 6, 2025 at the Quartet Senior Living Village in Bettendorf, Iowa. Born on May 12, 1944 in Los Angeles, California to Wilbur and Marcella Fick, Marilyn was a lifelong learner and dedicated to her faith. After receiving her Bachelor’s in teaching from Wartburg College, she was a Physical Education Teacher and later embraced the role of a homemaker with grace and dedication. She went on to work as a pre-school teacher, at a golf course with her husband, and as a pet-sitter. Outside of her professional life, Marilyn was known for her kindness…

Joan A. Schroeder, March 30, 1933 – October 2, 2025. Joan A. (Schwefel) Schroeder, age 92, passed peacefully on Thursday, October 2nd. Joan was born to her parents Evelyn (Zinzow) and William Schwefel in March 1933. The family established their home in Glendale WI – Joan the eldest joined by her brother Jon and sister Eve Lynn. Joan enjoyed the children in the neighborhood, swam in the Milwaukee River and rode the streetcar to visit her grandparents. Luther League provided a social and spiritual outlet for her as a young adult. Miss Schwefel attended Valparaiso University and then transferred to…

Charlice Rosena H. Offenheiser, 93, of rural Elizabeth, Illinois, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2025, at her home with her family close by her side. Born February 11, 1932, in Freeport, Illinois, the daughter of Louis H. and Lavina (Groezinger) Haug. Charlice grew up on their Derinda farm, attending the one-room school in Derinda Center before going to Elizabeth High School. She spent her last two years at Stockton High School, where bus service was offered to the area, and graduated in 1950. She then received a two-year business degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, in 1952. Charlice…

Gwendolyn Anne Paulson, age 82, wife, mother, master teacher, pillar of her community, died Monday, September 22, 2025, in River Falls, Wisconsin. She was born on February 5, 1943, in Joliet, Illinois, a daughter of Raymond and Esther (Ziesemer) Parlin. She was united in marriage to Ed Paulson. She was a 1965 graduate of Wartburg College and later earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from St. Mary’s University in 1999. She was a K-1 teacher for Westside Elementary School; she served as the executive secretary for the National Association of Social Workers and was an administrative secretary for Ezekiel…

William “Bill” Wachholz, 85, of Wausau, WI, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2025. Bill was born on January 15, 1940, in Wausau to Marvin and Irmagard Wachholz. On June 7, 1969, he married the love of his life, Shirley Mielke. Together, they shared 24 wonderful years of marriage until Shirley’s passing, a time that was far too short. Bill devoted his professional career to Radant Insurance Agency, where his dedication and work ethic left a lasting impact. Beyond his career, he gave 50 years of service to the Wausau Noon Optimist Club and was a lifelong member of First…

Vernita Marie Frese Baumgartner, age 93, of Fremont was born September 2, 1932 in Nora Springs IA, and departed this life to be with our Lord on September 18, 2025. The youngest of three daughters born to George and Julia (Ueker) Frese, Vernita grew up on the family farm outside of Nora Springs, surrounded by a closely-knit extended family. She attended both elementary school and high school in Nora Springs, participating in 4-H, theater, chorus, and Luther League at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. After graduating Valedictorian of her class, she attended Wartburg College in Waverly IA, where she enrolled in…

Doris W. (Kumpf) Keller passed away peacefully to be with her Heavenly Father on September 13, 2025 at age of 101. Doris was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Rev. Fred and Esther (Hoffman) Kumpf on July 7, 1924. She was raised in Humboldt, SD and Johnson, NE. She was preceded in passing by her parents, her husband Rev. John E. Keller and her sister Winnifred (Kumpf) Voight and her brother Richard Kumpf. She is survived by her three sons, Rev. David (Susan) Keller and their three children: Phillip (Linda) Keller and their five children; Joel (Pamela) Keller and…

Alan Sexter, age 60, of Wausau died on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Wausau Manor. Alan was born on September 24, 1964, in Decorah, lA, to the late James and Jeralyn (Krugel) Sexter. He grew up in Owatonna, MN where he developed a life long love of the Minnesota Vikings. After graduating high school, he went on to Wartburg College where he double majored in music and mathematics. Following graduation, Alan and his family moved to Wausau, where he began his career as an actuary with Wausau Insurance. He later worked at Eastbay, and in retirement found joy in greeting…

Norbert Lee Gauerke (Norb, Nubby, Nubs), age 92 passed away peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on September 12, 2025 surrounded by his family that loved him.  He was born on May 31, 1933 in Appleton to the late Erwin and Alma (Lemke) Gauerke. He was baptized on July 16, 1933 and confirmed on March 30, 1947 at First English Lutheran Church.  He graduated from Marion High School in 1951 and from Wartburg College in 1955 with a degree in Business Education.  He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in February 1956 and received his basic…

Marlene DeRosa, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and vibrant pillar of her community, passed away peacefully at home with her family at her side on September 8, 2025. While her family and many friends feel her absence deeply, her kindness and zest for life fill their hearts with enduring warmth and gratitude. Born in Danbury, Iowa in 1952 to Marvin and Marie Albertsen, sister to Marc, Mary Lu, and Marla, Marlene’s “farm girl” roots shone through her life—infusing every day with joy and a generous spirit that never faded —a spirit that would carry her through until her last days. She…