Obituary Category: Beaver Dam

Travis J. Luedtke, 35, of Burnett, WI passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

Travis was born on December 23, 1990, in West Bend, Wisconsin, the son of Ron J. and Chris L. (Frantzen) Luedtke.  He was a 2009 graduate of Horicon High School.

Travis had a passion for gaming and enjoyed working on cars.  He loved spending time outdoors, and some of his happiest moments were exploring the beauty of the mountains in Georgia.  He will be remembered for the joy he found in life’s simple pleasures and the memories he created with those who knew and loved him.

Travis will be deeply missed by his mother, Chris (Leo) Merkes of Burnett; his father, Ron (Jackie) Luedtke of Shawano; his brother, Brandon (Kindra) Luedtke of Mayville; his sister, Heather (Clinton) Larson of Burnett; his stepbrother, Eric Anderson of Waupun, his stepsister, Nicole (Tony) Goeller of Horicon.  He is further survived by nieces and nephews, Gwen Luedtke, Lucy Luedtke, Allison Larson, Violet Larson, Devyn Born and Josiah Douma; as well as his grandparents, Terry (Cindy) Frantzen of Calhoun, GA and Ralph (Norma) Luedtke of Campbellsport.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother Cheryl Abel.

A private family celebration of Travis’s life will be held at a later date.

Donald D. “Teal” Voss, 88, of Beaver Dam passed away peacefully on Monday, July 6, 2026 at his home after his battle with prostate cancer.

Donald was born on May 23, 1938 on the 90 acre family farm east of Horicon, a twin son to Harry and Martha (Lupnow) Voss. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Donald was a 1956 graduate of Horicon High School. After graduation, he was employed with Stokely Canning Co. in Horicon and after hunting season he joined the U.S. Army serving two years until his honorable discharge. Upon returning from service, Donald began working for Metal Fab in Beaver Dam. On July 17, 1965, he was married to Joanne L. Rupnow at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Oak Grove. Donald retired from Finlay Industries in 2000.

Donald was a member of St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a lifetime member of the Wisconsin Bow Hunters, Pumpkin Center Sportsman Club, and a proud Endowment Member of the NRA.

Donald is survived by his daughter Jane “Janie” Voss of Beaver Dam; brother Chester Voss of Mayville; and friend Alice Oppermann of Waupun; as well as many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Joanne in 2001; his siblings: Ruth (Ken) Swift, Orren Voss, Evie (Freddie) Dettmann and twin sister Dorothy (Aaron) Scheberl; his mother and father-in-law, Alex and Lydia) Rupnow; sisters-in-law; Marion Voss and Rosie (Ron) Zank.

A visitation will be held at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Monday, July 13, 2026 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. A visitation will also be held at St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam on Tuesday, July 14^th from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. Rev. Paul Stratman will officiate. Interment will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Beaver Dam with graveside military honors conducted by the Juneau American Legion Post #15.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church Radio Fund.

Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepselllfh.com.

Nancy B. Steinback, 90, of Beaver Dam passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac.

Nancy was on born August 2, 1935 in Missouri to Edward C. and Olive Berry. She spent the first few years of her life traveling throughout Missouri and Washington State eventually ending up in Brookings, South Dakota where she attended grade school and high school, and graduating South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota with a bachelor of science degree in education. She was married to Harold Steinback back on June 5th 1957 after graduation and traveled to Fort Riley, Kansas where Dad completed his military service. Their son John was born November 1st 1958 in Junction City, Kansas. After their service they transferred to Sloan, Iowa where Susan Steinbeck was born on March 1st 1962. They were then transferred to Warren, Minnesota and then down to Le Sueur, Minnesota where Mom became a homemaker and dance instructor. In 1966, they moved to Poynette, Wisconsin and Nancy eventually took a job with the Poynette School District as a kindergarten through eighth grade art instructor. After 30 years of teaching, Nancy retired in 1996 with a master’s degree in art education.

In retirement she enjoyed traveling both domestic and around the world, camping, and tending to flowers in her yard. She volunteered at the Beaver Dam Hospital and served as president of the volunteers association as well as state president for the hospital volunteers association. She along with Dad volunteered at the Federal Horicon Marsh Visitor Center until the time of her death. She was also a member of the Beaver Dam a.m. Kiwanis Club which she took great pride in her activities there.

Nancy will be missed by all family and friends. She will be cremated as per her wishes with a celebration of life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Federal Horicon Marsh Visitor Center in her name.

Audrey J. Buettner, age 93, of Beaver Dam, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac.

A private service will be held and inurnment will be at Highland Memory Gardens, Town of Trenton, Dodge County, Wisconsin at a later date.

Audrey Jane White was born on May 28, 1933, in the Town of Mackford, Green Lake County, Wisconsin, to Henry and Hattie (Lewis) White. She graduated from Waupun High School with the Class of 1951. On June 26, 1954, she was united in marriage with Donald R. Buettner, and together they built a loving home centered on faith and family.

Audrey’s greatest joy and purpose in life was raising her children and caring for those she loved. Her family was the center of her world, and she found happiness in the simple moments spent together. She was a gifted homemaker who expressed her love through countless acts of service, whether it was preparing delicious baked treats, sewing, knitting, or creating beautiful cross-stitch pieces that will be treasured for years to come.

She had a special love for growing orchids and tending to her garden. Audrey also enjoyed cheering on the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, and Milwaukee Brewers. A lifelong member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam, she faithfully served as a member of the Altar Guild and volunteered whenever she was needed. She also dedicated 20 years of service as a volunteer at the Bethesda Thrift Store. In her free time, Audrey enjoyed bowling, researching her family’s history, and creating lasting memories with those she loved most.

Audrey is survived by her husband, Don Buettner; daughter, Colleen (Russ) Foster; grandchildren, Nicole (Larry) Pilgrim, Abby (Jon) Gaulke, and Mackenzie (Ann) Thiel; great grandchildren, Connor, Keondric, Annalese, Breleigh, Mikaela, Crindon, Temperance, Drake, Victoria and Ethan; sister-in-law, Connie White; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Suzanne (Dan) Thiel; granddaughter, Danni Jo Thiel; step grandson, Aaron Foster; great grandchildren, Harmony, Brett and Destiny; and siblings, Donald (Marie), Robert (Audrey), Orien (Myrtle), Kenneth (Alice), Henry Jr. (Margaret), Carol (Buryl), James (Shirley), Edward (Elaine), and Richard; and sister-in-law, Darlene (Joe).

David Alan Fink, age 85, of Juneau, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Hillside Manor in Beaver Dam.

David was born on March 4, 1941, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to LaVerne and Mavis (Nelson) Fink. He graduated from Washington High School in Cedar Rapids with the Class of 1959.

Following graduation, David began his career with Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids and later worked for several family-owned businesses before moving to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he was employed by the City of Ottumwa. He eventually settled in Horicon, Wisconsin, where he spent ten years in the Engineering Department at John Deere. He later worked for longtime friend, Mark Tennessen Contractor until his retirement.

David enjoyed a lifetime of outdoor pursuits and took great pride in raising and training brittany spaniels. His first brittany, Bridgette, held a special place in his heart, and together they spent many memorable days pheasant hunting throughout Iowa. Over the years, he also raised several litters of puppies.

He cherished fishing and camping trips “up north” with his longtime friend, Gary Blankenheim. A skilled woodworker and craftsman, David built a wooden canoe by hand, enjoyed canoeing with his brother-in-law, David Martin, and later gifted the canoe to him. He was also an accomplished handyman and carpenter who found satisfaction in remodeling every home he owned.

David is survived by his daughter, Lori Dinkel of Madison, Wisconsin; his granddaughter, Kaitlin Dinkel of Chicago, Illinois; his brother, Dennis (Petra) Fink of Laramie, Wyoming; his sister, Deborah Prusia of Grand Junction, Colorado; along with nieces, a nephew, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, LaVerne and Mavis Fink, and his daughter, Jodi Arneson.

In keeping with David’s wishes, no formal services will be held. Inurnment will take place in Laramie, Wyoming.

The family extends its sincere gratitude to his close friends, Mark Tennessen and Gary Blankenheim, as well as the staff of Hillside Manor in Beaver Dam for the compassionate care and kindness they provided to David during his time there.

Susan F. Williams, age 85 died Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at her home in Beaver Dam.

In keeping with her wishes, Susan will be cremated and services will be held at a later time.

Susan was born on October 9, 1940, in Dubuque, Iowa to the late Howard and Lucita (nee Kachelhoffer) Schockemoehl.  After graduating from high school in 1958, she went on to Mount Mary College in Milwaukee where she graduated in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in education.  Susan taught school for many years in both the Madison and Waupun public school systems.  In her retirement, she worked at Happy Times Child Care.  Susan was united in marriage with Terence “Terry” Williams on August 13, 1982, at First Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam.

Survivors include her husband, Terry Williams of Beaver Dam; her stepdaughter, Rachel (Steve) Saunders of Janesville; her stepson, Theodore (Jill) Williams of Waukesha; a grandson, Cassidy James Shepherd; step grandchildren, Laura, Angela, Ian, Alex and Spencer; her brother, Jack (Joyce) Schockemoehl of Virginia; several step great grandchildren; son-in-law, Christopher “Dante” Siehr; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Molly; and step daughter, Crystal.

Donald L. Selje, age 62, of Reeseville, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at the Pumpkin Center Sportsmen’s Club, N4840 County Road I, Juneau, WI 53039 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Don was born on February 24, 1964, son of Brian Karow and Emilie Selje. He was united in marriage with Michelle Braunschweig, and together they were blessed with two children. Their lives were forever changed when Michelle passed away, leaving Don to raise their young children on his own. While the journey was not always easy, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to his family, providing love, guidance, and unwavering support throughout their lives.

Don learned the auto body trade while working alongside his father and later fulfilled his dream of owning his own business. For the past 20 years, he proudly operated Don’s Auto Body in Waterloo. Known for his incredible attention to detail, Don took great pride in his work and earned the respect of customers and friends alike. He had a special talent for restoring classic cars and found great satisfaction in bringing old vehicles back to life.

One of Don’s greatest passions was racing. Many of his fondest memories were made at the Beaver Dam Raceway, where he spent countless hours both on and off the track. His dedication and skill earned him Hobby Stock Track Champion titles in 1994 and 1995, accomplishments he cherished throughout his life.

Don approached everything he did with a perfectionist’s eye. Whether he was restoring a vehicle, maintaining his business, or simply mowing the lawn, he believed in doing things the right way. Family and friends often joked that nobody could mow the grass quite like Don.

Away from work, he enjoyed spending time outdoors. He loved ice fishing, camping, and creating memories with his children. Those moments together became some of the most treasured chapters of his life.

Don will be remembered for his hard work, determination, craftsmanship, and above all, the love and devotion he showed to his family. His legacy lives on through the children he raised, the lives he touched, and the countless memories shared by those who knew and loved him.

Don is survived by his children, Chase Selje and Callie Selje; aunts and uncles, Mary and Gil Hoerth, Susan Johnson, Sonya and Ken Kessenich, Nancy and Jeff Rademacher, Cindy and Joel Miller, Kathy Ladwig and Joel Cullen, and Douglas and Laurie Harvey; many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and uncle, Paul Harvey.

Joseph G. Liebig, age 78, of Beaver Dam, died on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Rainbow Community Care in Johnson Creek.

A celebration of Joe’s life will be at Schultz’s Cheese Haus, N6312 Hwy 151 South, in Beaver Dam, on Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Joe was born on December 19, 1947, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to Robert and Louella (Bondack) Liebig. Throughout his childhood and adult life, his family moved around Wisconsin, giving him the opportunity to experience many places and communities. Beaver Dam always held a special place in his heart, and he eventually returned to his roots.

Joe proudly served his country in the United States Army, completing two tours of duty in Vietnam. On June 17, 2002, he married the love of his life, Gail Goodsir, in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin.

Together, Joe and Gail operated Schultz’s Cheese Haus for the past 28 years. They enjoyed traveling and creating lasting memories wherever their adventures took them. Joe had a laid-back spirit and cherished spending time with family and friends. He was an avid collector of art and took great joy in supporting local artists and their work. A devoted and lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers, Joe faithfully cheered on his beloved team through every season.

Each spring, Joe eagerly planted red geraniums around the Cheese Haus, taking pride in creating a welcoming and colorful space for visitors. At the end of the day, he could often be found outdoors, relaxing with a glass of wine in his favorite coffee mug and appreciating the beauty of nature around him. Joe will be remembered for his easygoing nature, kind heart, love of family and friends, and the joy he found in life’s simple pleasures.

Joe is survived by his wife, Gail; son, Ty Liebig; stepchildren, James (Stacy) Sumwalt and Tara (Andy) Lunz; grandchildren, Lexi and Cameron; sister, Pat Herkert; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Hunter; sister, Carol Henning; and brother-in-law, Herman Herkert.

The family thanks Rainbow Community Care for the exceptional care that was given to Joe in his final days. Also, thank you to Prairie Ridge for helping Joe navigate through his life with Alzheimer’s.

Memorials may be made in Joeseph G. Liebig’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.org.

Jerry Wayne Kohls, 75, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2026, at Dimensions Living in Appleton.

Born on November 23, 1950, in Columbus, Wisconsin, Jerry was the son of Leroy and Betty Kohls. He lived a life defined by hard work, determination, and unwavering love for his family.

Jerry dedicated much of his life to farming, a profession that was more than a job to him. It was a way of life. Through long days and changing seasons, he worked tirelessly to provide for his family and care for the land he loved. After retiring from milking cows, Jerry had the opportunity to fulfill another dream by working in the shop of an implement dealership, where his mechanical talents, knowledge, and work ethic continued to serve him well.

Although Jerry was a quiet man by nature, he enjoyed gathering with family and friends and could often be found discussing everything from farming and politics to local happenings and the lives of those he cared about. He genuinely enjoyed staying connected to the people around him.

Above all else, Jerry loved his family. He was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Kathy, a caring father, and a proud grandfather. He always wanted to make sure his family was taken care of and never stopped looking out for those he loved. His family knew they could count on him for support, guidance, and unconditional love.

Despite having only one hand, Jerry accomplished things that left others in awe. Family and friends often said that he could do more with one hand than most people could do with two. Whether farming, repairing equipment, tackling a project, or helping someone in need, he approached every challenge with grit, ingenuity, and determination. There wasn’t much he couldn’t fix, and there wasn’t much he wouldn’t try. The obstacles that might have discouraged others simply became another problem for Jerry to solve.

Those who knew Jerry knew there wasn’t much he couldn’t repair. Time and again, he would look at something others had given up on and somehow find a way to get it working again. His resourcefulness and mechanical abilities were admired by all who knew him and became one of the many ways he quietly helped those around him.

Jerry is survived by his daughters, Tina (Scott) Wankey and Lisa Pavey; his cherished grandchildren, Maggie Wankey, Emma Pavey, Wyatt Pavey, and Calvin Pavey; sister, Irene Schultz; nieces Jessica Martin, Sue Stuard, and Sara Palocios; nephew, Michael Schultz: his brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, whose love, friendship, and faithful visits brought comfort and companionship throughout his life and especially during his final days; extended family members; and the many canine and feline “grandchildren” who became part of the family over the years.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathy Kohls, and his parents, Leroy and Betty Kohls.

A special and heartfelt thank you is extended to Jerry’s cousin, Ed Kohls, and his family. Through their generosity, support, and countless acts of kindness, Jerry was able to remain in the comfort of his home for an additional year before entering memory care. This gift of time was invaluable and will always be remembered with deep gratitude by his family.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Dimensions Living Appleton and Moments Hospice for the exceptional care, compassion, and kindness they showed Jerry. Their dedication provided comfort not only to Jerry, but also to those who loved him.

During a challenging chapter of life, it was a tremendous relief to know that Jerry was surrounded by people who genuinely cared for his well-being. The staff treated him with dignity, patience, and respect, and their friendly presence brought comfort to both Jerry and his family. We will always be grateful for the care and support they provided.

Jerry’s legacy lives on through the values he demonstrated every day: hard work, perseverance, dependability, and devotion to family. He taught those around him that obstacles can be overcome, problems can be solved, and that the people you love should always come first. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Friday, June 26, 2026 from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 12 p.m.

Bernadette Ann Frank, age 88, of Beaver Dam, left her earthly body peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, June 14, 2026. The family takes comfort in her peace.

The memorial gathering will be at Annunciation Catholic Church in Fox Lake, on Saturday, August 29, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at the church on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. There will be a gathering following the mass at the Fox Lake American Legion Post 521.

Bernadette Ann Dorn was born in Madison, Wisconsin on November 9, 1937 to Christian Dorn & Marie Francis (nee Miller) Dorn. She spent her early years on the farm with her seven siblings.

On September 6, 1960 Bernadette married Robert Andrew Frank. Bernie & Bob started a family and Bernie focused on raising the kids for most of her young life. Family was always very important to her and there were frequent spirited get-togethers with grandparents and aunts and uncles enjoying lots of good food and comradery.  Over 50 years ago Bob & Bernie moved with their family to their own family farm. This was the hub of daily adventures for their five kids. Bernie loved to cook and bake, and many family holidays were filled with laughter, outdoor activities and fond memories.

Bernie enjoyed following many sports teams over the years, she was the loudest cheerleader at all her kids’ baseball games! She was also a fervent Green Bay Packer fan and followed the Milwaukee Brewers for years.

Bernie’s Catholic faith was very important to her, and she was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s Annunciation Parish in Fox Lake. She volunteered with the Fox Lake American Legion Auxiliary at Post 521 helping with various community functions over the years. She also enjoyed volunteering with the Dodge County Antique Power Club and baked countless pies for decades of shows. Once the kids were in school, she worked outside of the home, while continuing to provide bookkeeping services for Robert’s long-time local business, Frank Electric. She expertly juggled household responsibilities in a truly amazing way. Later in life she enjoyed a stint working at the now Ergo Bank in Fox Lake, affectionately known by her kids and grandkids as “the cow bank”. This got her out of the house, serving the community for many years.

She always said “she didn’t have time to slow down” but in her later years when she had no choice, she was welcomed at Prairie Ridge Assisted Living and most recently spoiled by Moments Hospice. Their tender care will forever be appreciated by the family.

She will be greatly missed by her many loved ones, including her husband of over 65 years, Robert and their children Cheryl (Brent) Stange, Patrick (Margaret) Frank, Sandra Frank, Scott (Amy) Frank and Thomas Frank. She was so proud of her five grandchildren, Elizabeth (Bryce) Busjahn, Maria (Jim) Stanislawski, Hunter (Kelsey) Frank, Rebecca Frank and Bryan Frank along with her five beloved great-grand children, Anthony, Huxley, Halen, Teresa and Peter. She will be missed by her siblings, Virginia Conway, Fred (Maggie) Dorn, George (Barb) Dorn and Marge Tessner. Brother-in-law Donald Frank, sisters-in-law Judy Dorn and Lila Frank along with countless friends and family that she has touched over the years.

Bernie was preceded in death by her mom and dad, sister Joann Pederson and an infant sister at birth, brothers Michael Dorn and Joseph Dorn, brothers-in-law Robert “Pete” Pederson, Frank Conway, Darrell Frank, George Campnell and Bruce Tessner, along with sisters-in-law Dorothy Frank, Charlotte Dorn and Marlene Campnell.