Gregory Deering, Kaukauna…died Friday, April 29, 2022 with his wife at his side, after a 1½ year battle with Sarcoma Cancer.  He owned a cabin in Mountain, WI, where he loved spending time in the woods with his dog Maple, sitting by the fire, renovating the cabin, making Maple Syrup, hunting, and woodworking.

A memorial is being established.

Rev. James Rivers, Janesville (formerly of Wild Rose)…passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2022.
He retired to a Tree Farm in Wild Rose in 2001 because of his wife Nancy’s failing health.  Their woods was a Golden Sands RC&D demonstration forest for many years. He became a life member in WWOA and was an active Central Sands Chapter board member.  He then served on the WWOA Board of Directors from 2008-2013, serving as Secretary from 2009-11 and Vice President from 2011-12.  During this time, he helped create the 2010-15 strategic plan and assisted in drafting some WWOA policies.  He moved to Cedar Crest in Janesville in September of 2016.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Cargill United Methodist Church, 2000 Wesley Avenue, Janesville; with visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Janesville C.R.O.P. Hunger Walk or ECHO (Everyone Cooperating to Help Others) of Janesville.

Donald Burke, formerly of Hancock…passed away peacefully from a stroke on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at the Overland Park, KS Regional Hospital. A charter WWOA member, Don and his wife, Evelyn, were active in the Central Sands Chapter and attended many WWOA Annual Meetings.  They loved living on the family tree farm, B-Kin Land. In 2019, they relocated to Overland Park, KS to the Brookdale Independent Living Facility, closer to most of their family.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 20, 2022 from 1-2 pm at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. His funeral service will begin at 2 pm with burial to follow at Lobb Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the Hope House in memory of Don.  Service will be livestreamed. Please see obituary link.

Patricia Pheifer, Neenah…peacefully went to heaven on Sunday, February 6, 2022.
Alan Pheifer, Neenah…passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 11, 2021.
The Pheifers enjoyed spending time with their family feeding birds and watching or hunting deer at the Al Pheifer Family Woodlands in Scandinavia
In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established in their name.

Robert “Bob” A. Borchers, Pickens, SC… passed away on Saturday, October 30, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.

When he was just 18 years old, Bob purchased 168 acres in Trego, WI and together (ne and his father) they planted seedlings to grow what became Will Be Done Farms.  He was a lifelong member of the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association.

James “Jim” Albert Baker, Viola…passed away peacefully in the care of his family on Thursday, February 3, 2022.  Jim became interested in tree farming (in retirement) and was a member of the Walnut Council and WI Woodland Owners Association.  he planted over 150,00 black walnut and other trees on his farms on Elk Creek and Tar Hollow. It gave Him great pleasure to invest in the future of the land he had his roots on.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim’s name can be made to the Viola Rescue Squad, the Viola Cemetery, or the charity of your choice.

Dolores Hill, Brown Deer…passed away on Friday, January 7, 2022.  She was the wife of Earl Hill.

Her passion for nature shone brightly in her love of gardening, both in her backyard and at her cottage and forest which she tended for many summers with her Swedish axe in-hand.

Sharon Feathers, Ringle…passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2022.  She was the  wife of member Jerry Feathers.  

She was a nature lover and in later years, when traveling became too difficult, she loved sitting on the deck watching the birds coming to the various well-stocked feeders in the backyard. She was a fan of Aldo Leopold’s Sand County Almanac and would pause to listen with delight to the migrating geese overhead in the spring. In one of her favorite chapters, “Goose Music”, Leopold wrote, “…And when the dawn-wind stirs through the ancient cottonwoods, and the gray light steals down from the hills over the river sliding softly past its wide brown sandbars- what if there be no more goose music?”

In honoring Sharon’s wishes, no service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.

Dale M. Gumz, Cadott…passed away on March 15, 2022, after a long illness.
Toward the end of his career, he returned to a farm near where he grew up. Dale especially enjoyed land improvement projects and spending time with friends and relatives in the Cadott area. Among his many positive attributes, Dale will be remembered for his kindness and his gentle, positive attitude.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association-Alz.org or call 1-800-272-3900.

Albert N. Steele, Valparaiso, IN and Rhinelander, WI…passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.  Al was an active member of the North Central Chapter and a regular at WWOA’s Annual Meeting.  He loved spending time at his woods in northern Wisconsin.

A private Family Memorial Service will be conducted at a later date. In lieu of flowers, family asks that donations be made to Valparaiso VNA hospice, WWOA, and Duck’s Unlimited or an organization of your choice.