January 2022

David V. Needham, age 70, of Franklin, Tennessee died Wednesday, January 5, 2022. In the depths of a snowstorm on January 3, 1952, David’s mother Evelyn was ferried uphill in the family car by his father Clarence’s tractor. They made it safely to the hospital in Prairie du Chien, WI and David was brought into the world on that wintry day. David’s character was instilled by his formative years on the family farm, nestled in a Hickory Oak cleft at the top of Cass Hollow where he diligently tended to the dairy cows, pilfered mugs of half-frozen raw milk from […]

Mary Martin, age 90, of Highland Wisconsin passed away Sunday January 9, 2022, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. She was born April 28, 1931, on the family farm in rural Montfort, the daughter of Wencel and Margaret (Winters) Straka. Mary was united in marriage to Joseph Martin on June 5, 1950, at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Montfort. Mary was very active on the farm helping her husband while raising the children. She also did seasonal work at the Cobb Canning Factory, Rural Route 1, and did substitute teaching for the Highland School District for many years.  She enjoyed

James “Jim” Roland Schmitz, 81, of Montfort, Wisconsin, formerly of Greeley, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, January 6, 2022, surrounded by his wife and four sons, at the Upland Hills Hospital in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Jim was born on April 29, 1940, as the next to youngest of 8, to Hubert and Loretta (Baus) Schmitz of Norwalk, Wisconsin. He attended St. Mary’s Ridge Catholic School and Cashton High School.  Jim worked on the family farm throughout his childhood and high school years. When he was out of school, he worked at various creameries throughout Wisconsin and Iowa. Jim then started his

Roger Gene Cooley, age 79, of Fennimore, WI passed away on Monday January 3, 2022, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster, WI, due to complications from COVID-19. He was born January 22, 1942, at home in Bloomington, WI the son of William and Clara (McKinney) Cooley. Roger was united in marriage to Merry Brechler on June 18, 1982. Roger graduated from West Grant High School in 1960. He was drafted into the Army in February of 1964 and was then stationed in Vietnam for six months. Roger was discharged in February of 1965 with a rank of SP4 E-4.

Linda M. Parkins, age 56, of Bloomington, WI passed away on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at Divine Rehabilitation and Nursing in Fennimore. She was born December 2, 1965, in Prairie du Chien, WI, the daughter of Al and Judy (Heal) Berg. Linda was united in marriage to Thomas Parkins on August 10, 1985, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington. Linda graduated from West Grant High School in Patch Grove, WI. Linda loved spending time with her family and friends. Linda worked at Prairie du Chien High School for 6 years and loved her job and the people she worked