Clarence Olson, Madison…died where he was born, October 28, 2020 in Westby, WI.  Clarence joined the UW Dairy Science Dept in 1961 as a leader of educational and training programs for the National Dairy Herd Improvement program.  He was also active in judging county fairs, organized the Dairy Schools for Farm Women, and honored with many state and national awards for his innovative professional work and volunteer work including the Boy Scout National Scoutmaster of the Year Award twice. Memorials may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, Glacier’s Edge Council Boy Scouts of America, or UW School of Agriculture.

Robert “Bob” A. Barletta, Sr., Sobieski…was called home by Jesus on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022.  Bob loved to hunt, fish, snowmobile, kayak, and work in his woods.  His favorite hobby was woodworking.  Bob loved making beautiful pieces of furniture and made many for his family and friends.

Gordon Ovan, formerly Redgranite… passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, June 3, 2022.  After completing his student teaching in Michigan, he returned to Wisconsin where he met his wife and purchased a property near Redgranite. In 1992, he received the “Gift of Life” through a kidney transplant.  This re-energized his tenacious curiosity and sustained his crusade to promote organ donation.

Financial contributions can be sent to a special memorial fund established in Gordon’s name at the UW Foundation, Nephrology Fund for Excellence, supportuw.org/giveto/kidney or can be mailed directly to the US Bank Lockbox 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278.  Gordon’s family will be matching dollar for dollar any donations up to $5,000.  For those interested in paying forward the gift of life, you are encouraged to register as an organ donor with DonateLife.  Donate Life America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and can also accept donations.  Donations can also be made to American Society of Transplantation to support Advocacy, Education and Research around effective organ transplant.

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.