Marian Miller, Carol Bender, Janice Bender, Elmer Karl
I'm but a stranger here, Heaven is my home;
Earth is a desert drear; Heaven is my home:
Danger and sorrow stand Round me on every hand;
Heaven is my fatherland, Heaven is my home.
ELMER KARL
Elmer Paul Karl, age 68 of Cambria, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 peacefully at home surrounded by family. Elmer was born February 21, 1957 in Manitowoc, WI to Elmer Karl and Mildred (Abitz) Karl. Elmer married Cheryl Witthun on October 8, 1977 in Cambria. Elmer graduated from UW-Oshkosh. He worked his entire career for the State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections as a social worker and probation and parole agent. He was also a local municipal judge for five years. Elmer is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cheryl Karl of Cambria; three daughters, Stacy (Lance) Braaksma of Cambria, Michelle (Pastor Darrin) Vant Hoff of Friesland and Heidi (Chad) Vos of Westminster, CO; grandchildren, Alanah Braaksma (fiancé, Finn Geller), Paige Brandsma, Tyler Brandsma, Brandt Vos, Coral Vos and Reagan Chiles; brothers and sisters, Ervin (Loretta) Karl, Ruth Kratz, Paul (Evie) Karl and Beatrice (Donald) Rhode; and further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Gerald Kratz; niece, Theresa Karl and other relatives. Visitation for Elmer will take place on Friday, October 17, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, N483 Cty Rd M, Cambria, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Kurt Hagen officiating. Burial will follow at Salemville Cemetery. Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.
JANICE BENDER
Janice Laura Bender, age 92, passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at Markesan Resident Home. Janice was born on November 4, 1932, the daughter of Arthur and Maime (Steiner) Moll. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Pardeeville. On April 19, 1952, she was united in marriage to her husband, Arnold John Bender at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church. She spent much of her life farming in the Salemville area with her husband. She worked at Siewarts Grocery Store in Kingston for many years and at the Kingston House for over 30 years, starting there in 1974. In her free time, she enjoyed playing cards, working on jigsaw puzzles, and going on trips. Janice is survived by her children, Charlotte (Jim) Fiegel, Elaine (Jim) Pretz, and Melvin (Becky) Bender; grandchildren, Jennifer (Scott) Newlon, Sara (Manuel) Cruz, Brian Fiegel, Kari (Zack) Leedle, Tara (Ben) Lauer, Kirk (Krissy) Pretz, Tyrel Pretz, Mark (Brooke) Bender, Andrew Bender, Jeffrey Bender, Austin (Tory Zeman) Bender, and Brandi (Sam Bartz) Bender; 18 great-grandchildren with another arriving soon; sister, Eunice Pomplun; sister-in-law, Mildred Roeder; and further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Bender on July 19, 2012; daughters, Karla Bender (1973) and Cheryl Bender (1970); granddaughter, Brenda Fiegel (2022); and 2 great-grandchildren, Sebastian Cruz and Molly Leedle. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Maime; in-laws, John and Edna Bender; sister, Shirley Greuel; brothers-in-law, Roland Greuel, Gib Pomplun, Harold Bender, and Dale Kunz; and other relatives. The family would like to thank Rev. Kurt Hagen for his visits and prayers, SSM Hospice staff and the Markesan Resident Home for the care provided for Janice. Visitation for Janice will take place on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Salemville, N483 Cty Rd M, Cambria, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Salemville Cemetery. Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 181 S. Main St., Markesan is honored to be serving the family.
CARROLL BENDER
Carroll J. Bender, age 86 of Dalton, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Carroll was born in Dalton on November 8, 1938, the daughter of Edna (Plagenz) and Edwin Bauman. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Kingston. She attended Bellfountain Grade School before graduating from Markesan High School in 1957. She met the love of her life Carl Bender Jr., when she was 15.5 years of age and on October 5, 1957 they were united in marriage at Zion Lutheran Church in Kingston. Carroll spent her time farming alongside her husband while raising 4 beautiful daughters. She also worked as a cook at the Wayside Restaurant for many years. Carroll enjoyed cheering on the Brewers, Badgers, and Bucks, as well as playing cards, watching the birds, and working on her diamond art projects, and in her early years she enjoyed riding motorcycles and going snowmobiling. Her family was everything to her, especially her grandchildren. She loved spending time with everyone, and she cherished her visits with “The Gang”. Carroll is survived by her daughters, Joann Burr of Ripon, Judy (Fred Waterhouse) Brooks of Ripon, Joyce (Daniel) Kohn of Marquette, and Jerri Bender of Ripon; 7 grandchildren, Jamie (Eric) Taylor, Casey (Jamie) Yuris, Haley Schackow, Brad (Nikki) Brooks, Justin (Erin Siewert) Kohn, Danielle (Matt) Nogalski, and Jenna Bender; 6 great-grandchildren; brother, Don Bauman; brother-in-law, Virgil (Judy) Bender; sister-in-law, Martha Bauman; and further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl Jr.; brother, Keith Bauman; sisters-in-law Sharon Jahnke, Jeanne Bender, and Jan Bauman; brother-in-law, Verlyn Jahnke; nephew, David Bender; and other relatives.
Visitation for Carroll will take place on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 181 S. Main St., Markesan, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also take place on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at St. John's Lutheran Church - Salemville (N483 Cty Rd M, Cambria) from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Kurt Hagen officiating. Burial will follow at Salemville Cemetery. Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Markesan is honored to be serving the family
MARIAN MILLER
Marian A. Miller, age 87, died Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Hamilton Park Place in Portage, Wisconsin.
The former Marian Agnes Grimm was born on July 27, 1937, in Neosho, Wisconsin to the late John and Helen (Weiss) Grimm. She was a graduate of Horicon High School. On May 3, 1958, Marian was united in marriage with David G. Miller at St. Stephen Ev. Lutheran Church in Horicon. Marian graduated from the Columbia County Normal Teachers College in Columbus. She then worked as a fourth-grade teacher in Randolph for many years. She enjoyed vacationing with her family at the cottage up North. Marian enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting deer and turkey, and gardening. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Salemville. Survivors include her children, Lori (Alan) Haun and Neil Miller, both of Cambria; a grandson, Trenton Miller of Dalton; and other relatives and friends. Marian was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and two sisters, Dorothy Scheberl and Ruth Steffen.
Visitation for Marian will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Salemville N483 CTR M, Town of Manchester, Green Lake County, Wisconsin on Monday, March 3, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 10 :50 a.m. Funeral services will follow at church on Monday beginning at 11:00 a.m with Rev. Kurt Hagen officiating. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Horicon on Monday at 2:00 p.m.