Blog Articles

Lawrence Schiedermayer, Appleton… age 98, died on January 12, 2025 in his own home, sitting at his kitchen table with his favorite clothes on and his shoes on.

George Woelfel, Suring … age 91, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.  George and his late wife, Joan, built a home on the family farm in New Berlin and retired to their lake home on Anderson Lake in Suring in 2004. He enjoyed spending time by the lake and he was a long-time WWOA member.

DNR Seeking Public Comments On Proposed Deer Management Unit Rule MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the start of a public comment period for a draft rule that would rework portions of the state’s deer management unit  boundaries. The public comment period runs until Jan. 10.

Robert “Bob” P. Rusch, Rib Lake…age 82, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2024, surrounded by his beloved wife and family, at the Rib Lake Nursing Home. Bob was a founding and life member of WWOA. He filed many of the necessary legal documents to create the organization. He served on the first Board of Directors, serving as secretary.

Wisconsin’s Greenfire: Voices for Conservation During the last century, following the devastation of “The Great Cutover,” Wisconsin became a national leader in forest conservation. Forests now cover over half the land in Wisconsin (over 17.5 million acres). But, we cannot take our forests for granted. Our forests and forest-based economy are already changing in the face of the ongoing threats and risks facing our forests today.

Dottie Staffeldt, Porterfield…age 82, passed away September 21, 2024 at her home in Porterfield of natural causes with her family by her side. At age 11 she earned her first Amateur Radio license as WN9GBI and later, she earned her General Class license as WB9NCT. She fulfilled a promise to her father by earning her Extra Class license in 2012. Her mother taught her knitting and sewing.

Exciting Funding Opportunity for Forest Landowners in Wisconsin Exciting Funding Opportunity for Forest Landowners in Wisconsin The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Wisconsin, is thrilled to announce a rare funding opportunity for forest landowners. The historic amount of funding received through the Inflation Reduction Act will be used to meet producer demand for oversubscribed programs, maximize climate benefits and help landowners address their natural resource challenges.

Dr. David R. Downs, MD, Madison and Dodgeville… age 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 21st, at his home in Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge, Madison, Wisconsin. Dave was born on February 1st, 1933, in Madison to Leslie and Lois (Ross) Downs. After graduating from Madison West High School, he studied medicine at UW-Madison. In 1955, Dave married the love of his life, Bonnie Jean Tuttle, in Madison.

Joanne Wittek, Thorp… age 75, passed away on August 3, 2024 in Thorp surrounded by family after her four-year battle with melanoma. She grew up on her family farm near Owen-Withee. She pursued a Bachelor of Science in Education from UW-River Falls in 1970. She served as the choir director for both Thorp Catholic Parochial School and Thorp High School in addition to various youth music activities.

Richard “Dick” Camp, Boscobel…age 90, passed away on Friday, May 3, 2024 at Soldiers Grove nursing Home in Soldiers Grove, WI, surrounded by his family. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, in 1955, where he met his wife, Connie. Dick served in the Air Force as a helicopter pilot.