Obituaries from The Post Crescent, Appleton Wisconsin Tuesday 14 March 2000 Eileen M. Coughlin Winneconne Age 86, died Sunday, March 12, 2000, at Park View Health Center, Oshkosh. She was born on March 14, 1913, in Winneconne, the daughter of the late James M. and Rose (Holtz) Coughlin. She attended Winneconne Schools, graduating in 1930 and went on to Mercy School of Nursing, graduating in 1933. Upon graduation she did private duty nursing. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Winneconne. Because of her love of history and the railroad, she volunteered each summer as a guide at the Winneconne Museum Railroad Room. She is survived by two brothers, James P. Coughlin, Winneconne; Patrick F. Coughlin, Appleton; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Rosemary and Bill Palmer, Midland, Michigan; Katherine J. Coughlin, Winneconne; and fifteen nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by five brothers, Father Martin, Edwin, Bernard, Thomas, John and one sister, Marie. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2000, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Winneconne, with the Reverend LeRoy Smet officiating. Burial will be in the Winneconne Cemetery, Winneconne. Friends and relatives may call at the Mueller Funeral Home, Winneconne, on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at which time the Rosary will be recited. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the hour of services. A memorial has been established.The Coughlin family would like to express their deepest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the superintendent and her staff at Pleasant Acres Nursing Home for all of the kindness and loving care they extended to Eileen during her stay. Mueller Funeral Home Inc. 904 East Main Street P.O. Box 30 Winneconne, Wis. 54986 920-582-4242 Donald M. Fritts Wisconsin Veterans Home, King Age 85, passed away on Monday, March 13, 2000, at Riverside Medical Center in Waupaca. He was born on August 17, 1914, in Lima Center, Wisconsin, a son of the late George and Florence (Westphall) Fritts. He married Bernice E. Kranz in 1944. She preceded him in death in 1986. Survivors include a son, John E. (Diane) Fritts, Waupaca; three granddaughters, Debra Bernier, Cindy (Edward) Peters, Amy (Charles) Olson; a grandson, John M. (Lisa) Fritts; two great-grandsons, Kyle and Cody Peters; a sister-in-law, LaVerne A. Wussow (Kranz); a niece, Beverly Kargus (Wussow) and her husband, Jeffrey, and their children, Ethan and Ryann. It was Mr. Fritts' wishes that no services be held. Burial will be held at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery (formerly known as Wanderer's Rest Cemetery) in Milwaukee later this week. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements. Edith H. Hepler 5800 Pennsylvania Ave. Appleton Formerly of Brillion, age 82, died Monday, March 13, 2000, at home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and pending at the Wieting Funeral Home, Brillion. Edward J. Naleway 604 School Court Menasha Age 74, died on Monday, March 13, 2000, at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah. Ed was born June 6, 1925, in Neenah, the son of the late Louis and Rose Naleway. He was a graduate of Menasha High School, class of 1943, where he played football and basketball. He married Marilyn Cartwright on September 14, 1946, at St. John Catholic Church in Menasha. She preceded him in death on October 20, 1986. Ed had been employed at Allied Chemical for 40 years, retiring in 1986. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of St. John Catholic Church. Ed had a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals of the National League, was Head Baseball Coach at St. Mary Catholic High School in the 1970s; he was Athletic Director for St. John's Catholic School in the 1970s. He played baseball locally with the Menasha Falcons and the Menasha Merchants. He is survived by a sister, Gertrude Manteufel, Neenah; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters. Funeral services for Ed will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2000, at 11:30 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church in Menasha with Father Paul Radetski officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Thursday morning from 10:30 a.m. until the hour of service. The Laemmrich Community Funeral Home in Menasha is assisting the family. Lorna J. Safranski 606 Racine St., Menasha Age 73, passed away Sunday, March 12, 2000, at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah. She was born November 26, 1926, in Milwaukee, daughter of the late Thomas and Marjorie (Guthrie) Sinclair. Lorna married Joseph Safranski June 18, 1946, and he preceded her in death March 22, 1997. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Menasha. Lorna is survived by 11 sons, Anthony, Appleton; Michael (Judy), Sturgeon Bay; Peter (Janet), Green Bay; Joseph (Gail), South Milwaukee; Richard (Kathy), Town of Menasha; Andrew (Debra), Hartford, Wisconsin; Matthew (Krystal), Neenah; Paul (Kathy), Luxemburg; John (Kalyn), Sturgeon Bay; Robert, Menasha; Daniel, Menasha; two daughters, Gwen Safranski, Menasha; Pauline Safranski, Milwaukee; 23 grandchildren, Rebecca, Mark, Matthew, Luke, Benjamin, Salena, Mary, Jamie, Sarah, Alexandra, Scott, Joseph, Eric, Nicole, Elizabeth, Matthew, Mary Kate, Jennifer, Abby, Adam, David, Thomas, Robert Jr. and Jordan; a brother, Floyd (Winnifred) Sinclair, Oak Park, Illinois; numerous nieces and nephews. Lorna was also preceded in death by a son, David; a daughter, Mary; a brother, Harlow, and a grandson, Anthony. Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2000, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Menasha. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at the church. A memorial is being established. Laemmrich Community Funeral Home is assisting the family. The family would like to give sincere thanks to all of her physicians and the health care providers at Theda Clark Medical Center, especially those in the ICU and on 2 center. The family would like to further thank Mary Lou Molder and Beth Meltz for their past care and consideration. Mrs. George H. Skjoldager (Edith E. Sanders) 1507 W. Pine Street Appleton Age 74, died Saturday morning, March 11, 2000, following a courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service for Edith will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2000, at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 724 E. South River Street, with the Reverend Jane Weeden officiating. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church from 9:30 a.m. Wednesday until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society. WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME 537 N. Superior Street Appleton 739-1231 Margaret M. Sweere 813 Gehl Lane, Hilbert Age 96, died Sunday, March 12, 2000, at her home in Hilbert. She was born June 14, 1903, in Lithoyen, Holland, daughter of the late George and Johanna (Ploegmaker) Dykhoff. She married John A. Sweere on April 7, 1926, at Butler, Minnesota; he preceded her in death on December 3, 1979. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Hilbert, the Christian Mothers and the Germania Society. Survivors include 11 children, Clarence (Virginia) Sweere, Forest Grove, Oregon; James (Ceil) Sweere, Little Chute; Beatrice Berrens, Mackville; John Jr. (Romona) Sweere, Hilbert; Duane (Rosie) Sweere, Hilbert; Alice (Eugene) Vercauteren, Appleton; Robert (Mary) Sweere, St. John; Margaret "Toots" (Al) Krueger, Jasper, Georgia; Anita (Fred Jr.) Harder, Hilbert; Henry (Donna) Sweere, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Judith (Ken) Sommerhalder, Hilbert; 63 grandchildren, 113 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Corniellius Sweere, Appleton; four sisters-in-law, Lena Polman, Appleton; Pauline Dykhoff, Devils Lake, North Dakota; Gertrude Dykhoff, Bluffton, Minnesota; Rose Dykhoff, Perham, Minnesota; nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by a son, Eugene Sweere; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild and 10 siblings. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2000, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Hilbert, with the Reverend Rallen Stencil officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Friends may call at the church in Hilbert on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services. A memorial fund has been established in the name of Margaret Sweere for the Holy Cross Rebuilding Fund in Butler, Minnesota, and for St. Mary School in Hilbert. A special thanks to caregivers, Char Ott, Ann Mirschberger and the staff of the Home Health Care Hospice. Wieting Funeral Home in Chilton is assisting the family. Norbert W. Van Rossum 2908 Poplar Road Kaukauna Age 80, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, March 13, 2000. He was born May 24, 1919, in Freedom, son of the late Peter and Dorothy (Van Lanen) Van Rossum. On September 6, 1945, Norb married Rose Kerkhoff at St. Paul Catholic Church in Wrightstown. Together they shared 54 years of wonderful marriage. Norb farmed his entire life. He was an avid outdoorsman, especially enjoying fishing, hunting, and gardening. His gardens were always oversized, because as Norb would say, "You never know who might need something." His generosity always showed. Survivors include his wife, Rose, Kaukauna; three sons, Dan and Mary Van Rossum; Tim and Suzie Van Rossum; Tony and Connie Van Rossum, all of Kaukauna; seven daughters, Patty and Joe De Cleene, Greenleaf; Sandy and Dick Schelfhout, Kaukauna; Judith Van Rossum, Phoenix, Arizona; Betty and Roy Schisel, Greenleaf; Catherine Fritsch, Green Bay; Mary and Leon Zirbel, Freedom; Christine Thompson, Green Bay; twenty-nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren (from who he got his greatest enjoyment); three brothers, Charles and Harriet Van Rossum, Kaukauna; George Van Rossum, Freedom; Henry and Gert Van Rossum, Kaukauna; a sister, Loretta and Melvin Green, Kaukauna. Norb is further survived by a brother-in-law, Elmer and Rita Kerkhoff, De Pere; and two sisters-in-law, Anna Marie Simpson, Kaukauna; and Lucina and Larry Jandrey, Darboy. Other than his parents, Norb was preceded in death by one brother, Adrian (Ella) Van Rossum; and one sister, Bertha (Ed) Van Domelen; two sisters-in-law, Luella Van Rossum; and Ruth Van Rossum; a great-grandchild, Kari Marie Janssen-Schelfhout; and brothers-in-law, Earl Simpson, Giles (Evelyn) Kerkhoff; and Myron Kerkhoff. The funeral liturgy will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2000 at ST. PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, 437 Main Street, Wrightstown, with Fr. Elroy Reimer officiating. Friends may call at the Fargo Funeral Home 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. Kaukauna 766-6200 on Wednesday from 4 until 8 p.m. and again on Thursday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the cortege leaves for church. There will be a 7:30 p.m. prayer service on Wednesday. Entombment will be at Highland Memorial Park. Michael B. Vollmer Rural Hilbert Completed his mission for this life after 46 years. Born on a snowy February 4, 1954, to Barbara L. (Sielaff) and Daniel W. Vollmer, he was raised on the family farm southwest of Hilbert, graduating from Hilbert High School in 1972. As a fifth-generation Vollmer to farm on the same land, it was his lifelong ambition to keep the tradition going. To offset the depressed farm economy, he worked off the farm as well. He spent years as a heavy machine operator working for Lunda Construction and Ted Utschig and Son Construction. He was skilled as a welder and became a journeyman millwright and has worked for Kimberly-Clark for the last 14 years. His strength as a leader was evident in many areas of his life and he set a fine example of an honest man willing to stand up for his convictions, even when it meant going against the "norm" of popular opinion. His farming practices changed in the late 1980s because of those convictions, and in 1991 his farm was certified organic by OCIA. Midlakes Organic Farms was dedicated to providing quality products for their customers whether it was organic soybeans, organic chicken or natural beef and veal. He was a member of Shepherd's Chapel, NFO and the Oxbow Sports Club. He was also a founding member, officer and historian of the northeast Wisconsin Chapter of OCIA (Organic Crop Improvement Assoc.). His natural teaching abilities made him the one people would turn to whether it was farming practices, welding, Bible knowledge or sturgeon fishing. He was always a gentleman and a gentle man. In July of 1999, after he was diagnosed with cancer at the base of his tongue, he took the road less traveled and chose the alternative route. His courageous decision allowed him more quality time to continue to be able to speak, laugh and teach his family. He passed away in his home on March 12, 2000. He is survived by his proud parents, Daniel and Barbara (Sielaff) Vollmer; his faithful wife, Nola (Rohde) Vollmer, and his loving children, Greg, Jenny and Katie Vollmer, all of rural Hilbert; also two sisters, Mary Lee Patterman, and Peggy and Dan Beach; two aunts, Jean and Donald Holzer, and Carol and Paul Gehl; an uncle, Don and Joanne Sielaff; numerous nieces and nephews. Survivors also include a great-aunt, Arlyne Sielaff, Hilbert; a great-uncle, Lyle and Alice Sielaff, Kaukauna; his parents-in-law, Dick and Agatha Rohde; two brothers-in-law, Glenn and Arlene Rohde, Al and Kristi Rohde; and two sisters-in-law, Colleen and Larry Pankratz, all of Montana; and Echo and Matt Konechi, Arizona. Although he will be greatly missed by his family and friends, his life was an example of strength of character and the courage to stand for his convictions that will enable many of us to become stronger. Visitation will be at the Wieting Funeral Home, Chilton on Saturday, March 18, 2000, from 1-4 p.m. with a memorial service following. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established. A special thanks to the employees of Kimberly-Clark and the staff of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Theda Clark for all their generous donations.