Sylvia Rae (nee Ladd) Leinberger, 62, was called home on Saturday, June 22, 2013, after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Born on June 8, 1951, in Keshena, she was the fourth daughter born to Robert and Estelene (Clay) Ladd. As a young adult she left Keshena in pursuit of a college education at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, later moving to Milwaukee.

Nancy Grace Mielke, 70, of Bonduel, passed away Sunday, June 23, 2013, in Shawano. Born on April 4, 1943, in Shawano, she was the daughter of the late Helmuth and Norma (Schroeder) Wussow. On Dec. 1, 1962, she was united in marriage to Gary Mielke in Bonduel. Nancy lived most of her life in the Bonduel area and worked for Westerfeld Oil and Mid County Co-Op.

Verna Ida Emma Wolf, 96, of Shawano, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Appleton. Born on June 9, 1917, in Watertown, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Ella (Kube) Buchert. She was baptized on July 1, 1917, and confirmed on March 29, 1931, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Watertown. She graduated from Elm Grove School and attended Watertown High School. On May 20, 1939, she was united in marriage to Leonard J. Wolf in Watertown.

Alvin Adolf Heinrich Wesenberg, 87, of Bonduel, was called to his heavenly home on June 20, 2013. He was born on Nov. 30, 1925, to the late Gustav and Olga (Ratz) Wesenberg at their home in Gillett. Alvin married June Bartels on Oct. 8, 1949, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Green Valley. The couple farmed in Advance and then in the town of Washington for many years. They retired to Bonduel in 1984.

As I mowed the lawn yesterday, perched atop the seat of a John Deere mower, I pondered the lawn mowing days of old. As I recall, on the farm I grew up on, only the area in front of the house got mowed. That faced the old gravel road that graced the country sides in those days. Ma had a flower garden as long as the yard, and it was down near the road. I would estimate it was about 4 feet wide, and she grew things like asters and bachelor buttons.

Shawano County’s Brunch on the Farm, being held this Sunday at Nohr’s Cornerstone Dairy in Marion, is owned and operated by Terry and Dianne Nohr and family. I have a vested interest in this particular Brunch on the Farm as Terry and Dianne are my dear brother and sister-in-law, and they work and nurture the farm I grew up on. If you’re at the brunch and happen to see me, stop and say hello and introduce yourself! I’d love to meet you.

Keeping the Wescott Lake Drive Cemetery a place of beauty has been and continues to be a focus of the Lake Drive Cemetery Association. “I think it is a beautiful spot,” President Mike Schuler said. Improvements to the grounds are also a priority. A watering system is being installed with sprinklers for the whole cemetery, which has seven undeveloped acres and 15 to 20 acres for burials.

Rose Cary and her daughter, Sarah, do volunteer work together. Rose Cary was born in Antigo and was raised on a big dairy farm. She graduated from Holy Family Academy in Manitowoc. She was an assistant cook at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay before marrying Charles. They were married for 28 years before his death in 1998. They have 11 children and 30 grandchildren. Sarah, 18, the youngest, will be a senior at Bonduel High School.

Charles “Chas” Buettner was honored June 2 by members of Divine Savior Lutheran Church of Shawano for his 65 years in the music ministry as a church organist. Buettner thanked God for the people — family and friends — who have supported him over the years with their prayers and helpful comments. “We do what we can, with the Lord’s help, and serve him in whatever way we can,” he said. Buettner, the youngest of 14 children, loved music.