December 2023

MERRILL – Sally Ann Behncke (formerly of Fennimore), age 87, found her eternal peace on Thursday, December 28, 2023. She was born on January 9, 1936; the daughter of Walter E. and Carol Behnke. Sally had one brother, Maynard (Judy) Behncke, who was her best friend and a sister, Joan (Bob) Bald. From a young age, Sally was a self-taught artist. She dabbled in painting and carving, but her specialty was pencil drawings. She created over 4,000 pencil drawings of people, pets, and buildings.  Sally painted a 175-foot mural depicting the history of Fennimore for the Fennimore Sesquicentennial. It covered […]

MONTFORT – Paul Joseph Shemak, age 73, passed away on Friday evening December 22, 2023, at Upland Hills Health in Dodgeville, with his beloved family by his side. He was born on October 22, 1950, in Dodgeville; the son of Jim and Doris (Knesting) Shemak. Paul was united in marriage to Lori Lindner on December 26, 1997. Paul graduated from Highland High School and then farmed with his father and brother, David on the family farm. He later worked various jobs in the area and in 1997, he established P & L Livestock. He loved his job and was very

LANCASTER – Angela Marie Dubel, age 50, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday evening December 16, 2023, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster. She was born on July 25, 1973, in Lancaster; the daughter of Leander and Kathy (Bown) Dubel. Angie graduated from Lancaster High School in 1993. She loved softball and was so proud to be a part of the first team ever to play at Lancaster High School. She continued that passion playing slow pitch for many years with Kane’s Roofing. She attended Southwest Technical College in Fennimore and received her Legal Secretary Degree. Entering the workforce, Angie

FENNIMORE – David J. Breuer “Cooter”, age 64, passed away on Friday December 15, 2023, at Divine Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Fennimore, with his beloved wife and daughter by his side. He was born on March 23, 1959, in Prairie du Chien; the son of Cletus and Kathryn Breuer. He was united in marriage to Patricia Francart on August 25, 1988. David graduated from Bloomington High School and then entered the workforce. He worked for Fennimore Lumber Company and then joined Rossing Construction. After an on-the-job accident, David went to work for Milprint Inc. in Lancaster for 25 years

MONTFORT – June Elizabeth Hlavac, age 62 passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at home. June was born on August 28, 1961; the daughter of Joseph and Pearl (French) Conner. She worked various jobs after high school but one of her favorites was working as an in-home caretaker for the elderly. She had a big heart and would do anything for anybody. Although June didn’t graduate with the rest of her high school class, she was determined to obtain her GED and did just that. In addition to obtaining her GED, June worked hard to earn her license as