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Maurina Schilling Funeral Homes, 203 N 4th Street, Abbotsford, WI (2026)

01/07/2026

Clara A. Tauchen, age 102, formerly of Dorchester, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 5, 2026 at Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center under the tender care of Heartland Hospice in Owen. Clara was born on December 22, 1923, the daughter of Charlotte (Westlake) and Joseph Dearth near Owen.

She grew up on a dairy farm and attended Owen schools. After graduating from Owen High School in 1942 and completing a correspondence course from the Chicago School of Nursing, she worked in as a nurse’s aide at the Legault’s Hospital and Clinic in Owen until it closed in 1950. She then worked other jobs until she met Marvin Tauchen at a dance in Owen. They were married on May 10, 1952, at the Alliance Church in Owen. She joined Peace Church in Dorchester and they bought the family farm north of Dorchester from Marvin’s mother, Emma. She was a hard worker helping Marvin with milking cows, feeding animals, driving tractor, along with being a homemaker, and tending a large garden. She loved flowers. She was a long-time member of Peace Church Evening Circle and Busy Bees Homemakers club.

Clara and Marvin raised their four children, Janice, Ronald, Nancy, and Donna. With lots of practice, she learned to cook meals, bake goodies, and can food for her family, specializing in homemade bread, buns, donuts, pies, and desserts. Clara and Marvin retired from dairy farming in 1987 and spent the following years bowling on a few local teams, and traveling several times to Branson to see shows plus other trips to Florida, California, Montana, and Hawaii. After Marvin died in 1997, Clara sold the family farm to live in an apartment until her new house in Dorchester was completed in 1998. She enjoyed decorating her house, reading, playing cards with other senior citizens, and visits with her children and grandchildren. She continued to bowl on a few teams until she was 90 years old. She enjoyed playing Rumikub with her grandchildren and could win some games when she was over 90 years old. She moved to The Waterford in Colby in 2019 then to the nursing home in Owen in 2021.

Clara is survived by her four children: Janice (Jim) Rau of Colby, Ronald (Beth) Tauchen of Sun Prairie, Nancy (Brian) Severson of Verona, and Donna (Tom) Berg of Madison; seven grandchildren: Amanda Rau (Andy Wilson), Tyler Rau, Sarah (Chad) Wuttke, Laura (Matt) Roddy, Philip (Jessica) Severson, Kyle (Wenxi Xiao) Severson, and Quinn Severson, seven great-grandchildren: Leo and Tessa Wuttke, Amelia and Rose Roddy, and Clark, Neil, and Luke Severson. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one grandson, Erik Severson; five brothers and two sisters and their spouses, and five siblings who died in infancy; several nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at First United Church of Christ in Colby. Reverend Teri Hanson will be officiating. Interment to follow at Dorchester Memorial Cemetery North. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Maurina Schilling Funeral Home in Colby is entrusted with the arrangements.

The family of Clara Tauchen would like to sincerely thank the staff at Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center and Heartland Hospice for the care given to Clara during the past four plus years.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com

01/05/2026

Patricia A. Kilty, age 87, of Colby, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at The Waterford in Colby, surrounded by family, under the tender care of Heartland Hospice.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on January 11, 2026 at Zion Lutheran Church in Colby. Reverend James Groleau will officiate. Visitation will be at the church from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Interment will take place at Colby Memorial Cemetery. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Colby is entrusted with the arrangements.

Pat was born on March 27, 1938, the daughter of Justus and Isabelle (Kops) Johnson in Colby. After the death of both of her parents, Pat went to live with her Uncle Herman Kops and his family. She graduated from Colby High School in 1956. Pat was united in marriage to Richard Kilty at Zion Lutheran Church in Colby on October 22, 1960. He preceded her in death on April 15, 2014.

The day after graduating, Pat worked at the Colby State Bank and lived in Colby for many years. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Colby and in her earlier years she taught Sunday school and held several church offices. Her faith has sustained her throughout her life.

In 1999 she and her husband moved to their cabin in Ogema, Wisconsin to enjoy their retirement. Pat then moved to the Waterford in 2019 where she enjoyed reading, jigsaw and crossword puzzles and watching the Brewers, Packers and Badgers.

Pat is survived by special cousins: Nancy and Karen Kops; three sisters-in-law: Judy Kilty, Kay Sheets and Donna Johnson; two brothers-in-law: Randall (Jean) Kilty and Ronald (Maggie) Kilty. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband: one infant brother; two brothers: Bob and Lyle; two sisters: Lillian and Janet; two brothers-in-law: Roger Kilty and DuWayne Sheets.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.

01/03/2026

Mary Lynn “Onnie” Kiviko, 81, passed away peacefully in her home and was called to Heaven on November 13, 2025.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Owen.

Born on November 24, 1943, in Stanley, Wisconsin, to Irene and Leonard Kiviko, Mary Lynn lived a life rich with purpose, curiosity, and conviction. Known affectionately by many as Onnie, she devoted her career to educating children in Fontana, nurturing young minds with patience, humor, and a genuine belief in the power of learning. Though she spent meaningful time in Milwaukee with family, Owen was always the place she called home.

Mary Lynn was a trailblazer ahead of her time—hunting alongside her father, earning her Bachelor of Science degree from UW–Eau Claire, and serving her community as an alderperson for the City of Owen. She is remembered as an independent thinker, a passionate political advocate, a lifelong champion of education, and an enthusiastic lover of cats. Her quick wit and understated humor brought warmth and laughter to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Irene (née Knight) and Leonard Kiviko; her sister:Betty Kiviko-Wyler. She is lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her nieces: Kymm (Brian) Stafford and Lynda Decristoforo; her great-nieces and nephew: Sarah (Jacob) Johnson, Chanda Decristoforo, and Skyler
Decristoforo; and by many treasured family members and friends whose lives she touched.

Her legacy lives on in the countless people she inspired with her strength, wit, and unwavering sense of self.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com

12/26/2025

Paul Nikolay, 66, of Harshaw, WI, died peacefully with his family by his side at home on December 13th, 2025. He was born December 14th, 1958, to Jack and Helen Nikolay of Abbotsford, WI, where he was raised alongside six siblings.

He graduated from Abbotsford High School in 1977 and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While attending UW-Madison, he was a member of the Badger Football Team and graduated in 1981. His determination, talent with words, and desire to serve his community led him to law school at Marquette University, from which he graduated in 1984. While attending Marquette, he met his future wife, Karen. They wed and returned to Abbotsford, where Paul practiced law at the family law firm and later raised their family.

He was fueled by a passion to help others. He was known by his clients as being poised, charismatic, and selfless. In addition to serving as a legal advocate, he was a board member for the Abbotsford State Bank, and volunteered his time coaching youth and prep football. Since 1991, he served as a trustee for the Shortner Trust, distributing donations for the benefit of several central Wisconsin cities, schools, and organizations. He spent his final years traveling, golfing, tackling countless projects around the house, cheering on the Packers and Badgers football teams, and telling many stories to his grandsons.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Karen; his two children, Joe (Jazmin) Nikolay of Georgetown, TX, and Jill (Andrew) Sowada of Saint Paul, MN; and his two grandsons, Erich and Gabriel. He is also survived by his siblings Sharol (Bill) Lehnertz, Dave (Nancy) Nikolay, and Kitty Nikolay. He is preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Mary Kelley, Jim Nikolay, and Kate Nikolay; and his beloved dog Casey.

Services were held at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church in Saint Paul, MN.

The family extends their gratitude for the thoughts, prayers, pictures, and stories of Paul.

Memorials may be made in Paul's name to the Abbotsford WI Public Library for children's & children's bilingual reading materials.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life for Paul in the summer of 2026 in Abbotsford.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com

12/16/2025

James “Jim” L. Thieme, age 80, of Colby, passed away at Rib Lake Health Services on Saturday, December 13, 2025 under the tender care of hospice.
A Memorial Gathering will be held from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford.
Jim was born on April 7, 1945, the son of Franklin and Dorothy (Nelson) Thieme in Marshfield. He graduated from Colby High School in 1963. Jim served in the US Air Force from 1965-69 including serving one tour in Vietnam. On April 4, 1970, he was united in marriage to Christine Miller in Unity.
Jim was a truck driver for many years. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, line dancing and water skiing. Jim also was a do-it-yourself kind of guy and loved putzing around the house.
Jim is survived by his wife of 55 years, Christine; three sons: Derek (Jirawan) of Tampa, FL, Jason of Gilman and Travis of Colby; one granddaughter, Danielle; a sister, Geraldine (Brent) Bower; two brothers: Rodney “Rod” and Robert “Bob”; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com

12/15/2025

Marvin C. Sommer, age 80, of Unity, passed away at his home on December 13, 2025.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Colby. Reverend James Groleau will officiate. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Inurnment will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the arrangements.

Marvin was born on April 16, 1945, the son of Carl and Frieda (Mesalk) Sommer in Wausau. He worked on the family farm and neighboring farms until graduating from Colby High School. He attended UW-Stevens Point until his father’s health called him back to the farm. He then worked at Pathfinder as an electrician, while also raising beef cattle. He later worked at Land O’ Lakes in Spencer for over 37 years until his retirement.

On June 3, 1972, Marvin married Jeanette R. Boge in Marshfield, who preceded him in death on May 4, 2004.

Marvin enjoyed playing basketball in high school, grouse hunting with his dogs, King and Sam, making firewood every year, going out to eat with his family and viewing the exhibits at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum.

Marvin is survived by his two sons, Eric (Cindy) Sommer of Sturgeon Bay and Ryan (Beth) Sommer of Marshfield, his three grandchildren: Brooke, Courtney and Carter Sommer, two step- grandchildren: Kyle (Sara Hince) Thompson, Travis (Ashley) McNamar, as well as nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jeanette, his sister Elaine (Tom) Reynolds, as well as many brothers and sisters-in-law.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.

12/13/2025

Funeral Service for Frank Olszewski
Saturday December 13, 2025

12/09/2025

Randall K. Runge, age 69, of Medford, passed away unexpectedly doing what he loved, ice fishing, on Friday, December 5, 2025.
A Memorial Gathering will be held from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. A private family burial will be held in the spring.
Randy was born on April 21, 1956, the son of Harold and Marjorie (Hudson) Runge in Marshfield. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from UW Stout. Randy worked for The Boeing Company as an engineer, production manager at Weather Shield and owned and operated CRC Lumber in Colby.
Randy was united in marriage to Julie Brandner on September 14, 1991. They later divorced. He was united in marriage to Pam (Luttinen) Schindler on March 1, 2014. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, gardening, canning, jigsaw puzzles, traveling, camping and the outdoors. Randy learned the art of making jewelry from rocks he collected and could build anything. Most importantly, he loved and cherished his family.
Randy is survived by his wife, Pam; two daughters: Carrie (Derek) Turner of Holly Ridge, NC and Chas (Isaac) Froemming of River Falls; three grandchildren: Mack Domagala, Ever Froemming and Ashton Froemming, all of River Falls; four step-children: Rob Mokry of Santa Rosa, CA, Brandon (Brooke) Schindler, Tracey (Chris) Po***ck and Kelsi (Ryan) Seubert, all of Wausau; five step-grandchildren: Ryder, Rhett, Sophie, Henry and Michael. He is further survived by three brothers: Dennis “Butch” (Diane) of Milwaukee, Ronnie (Lavone) of Edgar, and Bradley (Kathy) of Ladysmith; and one sister: Susan (Ron) Karsten of Curtiss and a sister-in-law, JoAnn Runge of Colby. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Nancy Moede and a brother, Duane.
In lieu of flowers, family prefers memorials or a tree planted in his memory.
Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com

12/07/2025

Clarence W. Franz, age 46, of Thorp, formerly of Colby, passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025 in Thorp.
A Memorial Gathering will be held from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford.
Clarence was born on February 19, 1979, the son of William and Carol (McFarland) Franz , Jr. in Marshfield. He graduated from Neillsville High School. Clarence worked at Clark County Health Care Center in Owen for many years. Clarence enjoyed watching WWE and WWF wrestling, putting puzzles together, cutting up newspapers and loved the Green Bay Packers. He was quite the character and will be sadly missed by all who got to know him.
Clarence is survived by his mother, Carol; four siblings: William A. Franz III, Donald (Lo**ta) Franz, Donna (Dan) Post, and Crystal Franz; six nieces and nephews: Seasha (Jason) Franz, Kyler Post, Alexis Post, Stacy Franz, Angel Weber, and Michael Ethridge-Franz; five great-nieces and great-nephews: Nathaniel Riihinen, Ellimere Riihinen, Lylliane Benzschawel, Vivianne Benzschawel and Summer Franz; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father; his sister, Kristy Franz; and a nephew, Isaac Franz.
Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.

12/04/2025

Leander “Lee” S. Lake, age 82, of Stetsonville, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. Please join the family from 11:00 a.m. until the time of funeral Friday at the funeral home. Interment in the spring at Athens Public Cemetery.
Lee was born on March 18, 1943, the son of Lawrence and Magdalene (Ellenbecker) Lake in Edgar. He graduated from Edgar High School. Lee worked for Marathon Cheese as the Plant Supervisor for 44 years.
Lee was married to Sharon Hopperditzel in 1964 and she preceded him in death in 1993. He married Sherry Akey in 1995 and she preceded him in death in 2005. He married Jeanette Cox in 2006 and she preceded him in death 2014.
Lee enjoyed playing softball and basketball, bowling and shooting pool. He also enjoyed fishing, camping and especially loved playing cribbage. Lee was an avid Brewers, Packers and Bucks fan. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Lee is survived by his two sons: Kurt (Michelle) Lake of River Falls and Craig Lake (Roxann Neubauer) of Medford; son-in-law, Henry “Bud” Olson; ten grandchildren: Amber (Josh) Fallos, Frank (Katie) Mueller, Nikole (Kory) Kasperek, Kyle (Kendra) Lake, Sierra (Noah) Brillinger, Caleb Olson, Sarah Olson, Luke Olson, Colton Lake and Nicholas Olson; and ten great-grandchildren. He is further survived by five siblings: Norbert (Janet) Lake, Charlene (Jerry) Imhoff, Glen (Martha) Lake, Darlene (Danny) Stencil and Gary (Bonnie) Lake; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his three wives; his daughter, DeAnn Olson and a brother, Eugene Lake and a sister-in-law, Bernice Lake.
Online condolences can be made to www.maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com

11/30/2025

Delores Lane Schmitt, age 89, passed away peacefully at her home in Colby on Thursday November 27, 2025, Thanksgiving Day.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 4th at Saint Mary Help of Christian Parish in Colby. Father Keith Kitzhaber will preside. Visitation will occur at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. Thursday until the time of the service. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Colby is entrusted with the arrangements.

Delores was born on August 14, 1936, the daughter of Sylvan and Mable (Kennedy) Schreiner, in Townsend, MT. At the age of 5 her family moved from Montana to Washington. She graduated from Renton High School. Delores married Mark (Sparky) Schmitt on March 12, 1955, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Renton, WA. After their 4th child was born, Delores and Mark moved from the state of Washington to the family farm in Wisconsin.

Delores wore several hats throughout her life. She was a Bakery Manager, Bookkeeper, Tax Preparer, and worked in sales support as an IT troubleshooter for Tombstone Pizza. Delores learned bookkeeping in high school, handled the books and tax filing on the family farm and eventually she began doing taxes for relatives and neighbors which grew into her “side hustle”, preparing taxes for many different clients which continued well after retirement from Tombstone Pizza. She finally ended this service after the 2022 tax year. Delores also offered her services to St. Mary’s by playing organ at weekend masses, completing the bulletin each week, working rummage sales, church dinners and helping with the summer farmer’s market.
Delores enjoyed multiple hobbies from playing piano to gardening, baking to needlework, bird watching to family and neighborhood gatherings. But most of all she cherished her children and grandchildren.
Delores is survived by two sons. Jeffrey, (Linda) of Greenwood, James of Colby; four daughters: Kimberly (Gene) Hull of Joliet MT, Linette Hastie of Abbotsford, Laurie Aichele (Charlie Kuehn) of Fall Creek and Pam Reynolds of Colby, One son-in-law: Dean Meyer, 18 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Nola (Bob) Rasmussen of Graham, WA and a brother Michael (Judy) Schreiner of Kent, WA, sisters-in-law: Germaine Redmann of Athens and Joan Schmitt of Wausau. brother-in-law: Tim (Suzie) Schmitt of Blenker.

Delores was preceded in death by her husband Mark, 2 daughters, Gwen Schmitt and Gail Meyer, 2 sons-in-law, Conrad Aichele, Douglas Hastie, her parents; her three brothers, Bill Schreiner, Tib (Connie) Schreiner, Johnny Schreiner. In-laws, Rita (Lawrence) Peterson, Maude (Elmer) Kocian, Carmen (Lee) Fosdick, Naomi (Harry) Kruse, Mercedes (Leo) Lang, Blanch (Angelo) Zera, Roman Schmitt, Emery (Rita) Schmitt, Mary Ann (Ted) Scanlon, Verjean (Lawrence) Kunze, Linus Schmitt, Pamela Schmitt and Fritz Redmann.

Delores’s family would like to thank the staff at The Colonial Home in Colby, Marshfield Medical Center ICU for the excellent care she received as a resident/ patient and Hope Hospice of Medford. Without their guidance and assistance, we would not have been able to bring her home to live out her final days.

Online condolences can be made to www.maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com

Maurina Schilling Funeral Homes

01/07/2026

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12/26/2025

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12/15/2025

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11/30/2025

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