Otto Waldbuesser, Menomonie…age 89, went home to his Lord on Friday, February 24, 2023. After living with congestive heart failure for over five years, Otto died at home surrounded by his loving family.

Otto’s focus his entire life was always on putting family first. His entire family –both immediate and extended– meant the world to him, and he was most satisfied with a day spent in their company whatever that may include. All of his other pursuits from hunting and fishing to traveling and piloting his Cessna 172–even tending to his treasured woodlands– took a backseat to his beloved family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Menomonie United Methodist Church (2703 Bongey Dr, Menomonie, WI 54751), Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association Inc., Forestry Leaders Scholarship Fund or a charitable organization of your choosing.

Robert “Bob” Fisher, La Crosse… passed away February 27, 2023, at his home.

He spent most of his professional career as a planner with the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission in La Crosse, where he prepared harbor plans, bicycle trail plans, and land use plans for many local communities in a nine county area.  Bob served four terms on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Valley Conservancy and placed his Genoa farm property in a Conservancy Easement with that organization.

In his later years Bob operated Nature’s Way, a tree and shrub care consultancy and tackled the Emerald Ash Borer Epidemic of the early 21st Century by being the first arborist company in La Crosse to inject trees with the appropriate insecticide. He was an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist.

Charles “Chuck” Adleman, Luck… age 83, died February 12, 2023 at home in Luck, WI with family and friends by his side.  After teaching for 33 years in the Mound View School District, he retired to the land where his Swedish grandparents settled on Bone Lake near Luck, where he loved life in the woods.

Chuck was instrumental in getting the new Luck Museum and Library built and established as a source of local history. He was the President of the Luck Area Historical Society for 10 years. He also worked as a volunteer on the Ice Age Trail, in Polk County, for many years.  Each spring he was eager to make maple syrup and share it generously with others. Being at the lake with his children and grandchildren was a big part of his life.  A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held later this Spring.

Gary L. Krumenauer, Chippewa Falls…  age 72, died peacefully at his home under the care of St. Joseph’s Hospice on Friday, January 20, 2023.

Gary’s pastime passions were showing cattle, restoring tractors, and building hot rods. He and his daughter Emily traveled each year to Denver, Colorado, to show their award-winning Highland beef cattle. Over the years, they proudly won more blue ribbons than anyone else ever achieved! Gary also loved searching for old cars to buy, his most recent project was a 1956 Chevy Bel Air. Other pastimes that Gary enjoyed included hunting, fishing and farming. He loved the outdoors, exploring the woods, landscaping conservation projects, and traveling.

Gregory Potts, Hubertus…age 67, passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2022, while surrounded by his wife and two sons. Greg lived a life of generosity and had a deep love for nature.

Greg loved nothing more than spending time with his family. Greg was also a proud steward of the environment, dedicating himself with woodland management with his family’s land in central Wisconsin, growing and canning his own fruits and vegetables, and maintaining beehives at home.

In lieu of flowers, Greg requested that memorial donations be directed toward St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Natalie Witte, Madison … passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2022.  Natalie was wife of Ken Witte (deceased) an active, long-time WWOA member.   She was born in Menomonie and her parents took her home to the house she has lived in, visited or owned her entire life.  She was a registered nurse and was active in the Wisconsin Nurses Association and UW School of Nursing Alumni Association.  She enjoyed participating in a couple of Women of WWOA gatherings.  She greatly appreciated her natural surroundings and always wanted to learn more.

Service will be held at Roselawn cemetery in Madison, WI in the future.  Notice of the Memorial will be in the newspaper at that time.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Madison Area Food Pantry Garden would be appreciated.

Carl Mueller, Onalaska…died in the arms of his Savior on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, from complications of cancer.

During his working years, he did research at UW-Madison, served as Assistant Superintendent at the Hancock Experimental Station, did research with Oconomowoc Canning Co. and was an instructor and head of the Agribusiness Department of Western WI  Technical College in LaCrosse, now Western Technical College.

Carl was appointed to fill a vacant position on the WWOA Board of Directors and he served in this role from 2002-2004. He served as the past President of WWOA’s local Chippewa Valley Chapter.  He also served as Chairman of the Wildlife Abatement Committee for LaCrosse County.

Memorials may be given to Good Shepard Lutheran Church, 1500 Sand Lake Road, Holmen, WI 54636 or Onalaska Food Basket, 735 Sand Lake Road, Onalaska, WI 54650 or Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association.

Thor C. Sande, Jr, Marshfield…passed way at home with family at his side on Saturday, October 15, 2022.  Thor had a deep love of nature and the great outdoors.  Hobbies included canoeing and fishing on small lakes in Northern Wisconsin.  Thor’s favorite was the Family Tree Farm, but above all were his family and friends.

Memorials may be designated to North Lakeland Discovery Center, Manitowish Waters at DiscoveryCenter.net

Ray Steiniger, West Allis…born into eternal life September 10, 2022.

Ray proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He graduated from Michigan State. Long time owner/operator of Tompkins Velvet Freeze in Racine, WI. He really enjoyed spending time in the woods on his property in Merrill, WI. Ray was an avid sports fan of all Wisconsin teams, especially the Packers and the Brewers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Wisconsin Woodland Owner’s Association appreciated.

Ronald Crass, Tomahawk…passed away peacefully on Monday, January 31, 2022.  Ron never stopped “working.” He enjoyed his garden, raising chickens and turkeys, farming, logging, woodworking, beekeeping, making maple syrup, hunting and time spent with the gang at the hunting shack. His biggest enjoyment and pride were his four children and his six grandchildren.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Tomahawk Special Olympics.