Larri Konkel, Waldmar Rink, Iolyn Plagenz, Orrin Helmer, Curtis Bender, Dolores Metcalf, Sherman Lee Griffin
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.
LARRI KONKEL
Larri L. Konkel, age 72 of Kingston, passwed away at home on Sunday December 6, 2020. Larri was born on September 11, 1948, the son of Lawrence and Audrey (Grosser) Konkel. He proudly served his country with the US Marine Corps. On October 2, 1976, he was united in marriage to his wife Susan Snuggs in Menomonee Falls. Larri was an over the road truck driver for many years and was active with Transport for Christ. His faith was extremely important to him; he was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kingston and was instrumental in starting two other Lutheran churches in Florida and Princeton. He was an elder at Pella Lutheran in Waupun and Benediction Lutheran in Milwaukee, was a part of Christian Youth Ministries, and also taught Sunday School. Larri is survived by his wife, Susan Konkel of Kingston; children, Robert Konkel, Roxanne (Jason) Fevold, and Aaron (Ashley) Konkel; he was Grumpa to Lillian, his granddaughter; and is further survived by his siblings, Lynn (Kurt) Strothenke, Bruce (Linda) Konkel, Lori Peterson; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and other relatives. A private graveside service for Larri will be held at Kingston Cemetery with graveside military honors. A public gathering will be held at a later date.
WALDMAR RINK
Waldmar “Wally” Reinert Rink, age 81 of Markesan, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, November 23, 2020. Wally was born January 13, 1939, the son of Ewald Rink and Linda (Herms) Rink. He was a graduate of Cambria-Friesland High School, and a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Salemville, WI. Wally, along with his brother Harvey, owned and operated two successful farms where they worked growing crops, milking cows, and raising hogs. His love of tractors lasted past his retirement from farming and he restored and owned several classic tractors. He also enjoyed motorcycles and was a proud member of the Free Wheelers motorcycle group. He was an avid gardener and generously shared the produce he grew with family, friends, and neighbors. In addition to gardening he also enjoyed processing the family’s deer harvest and everyone looked forward to having his home-smoked summer sausage and jerky. Wally’s generosity and servitude were also evident in his commitment to volunteering with Builders for Christ. His work with them gave him the opportunity to fulfill his love of travel, from places like Louisiana to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, all the way to Alaska. In 2012 he received the Ralph Magle Award from Builders for Christ in recognition of his service with the organization. Wally will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his nieces and nephew and their spouses, Tammy and Jay Pochop, Holly and Chad Larson, Heidy and Paul Reihbandt, and Gerald and Brandy Rink; as well as his grand nieces and nephews, Jared, Calvin, Faith, Vivian, Emily, Carter, and Nathan. He was preceded in death by his mother in 1970, his father in 1982, and his brother in 2012. If desired, memorials in Wally’s name may be directed to the St. John’s Building Fund. Visitation for Wally will be held on Friday, December 4, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, N483 County Hwy M/GG, (Salemville) 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 take place at Salemville Cemetery. The family is asking those in attendance to wear a mask if possible and maintain social distancing.
IOLYN PLAGENZ
Iolyn K. Plagenz, age 82, of Markesan, passed away peacefully at Berlin Memorial Hospital on Sunday, November 15, 2020. Iolyn was born on May 18, 1938, in Markesan, the daughter of Gladys (Welk) and C. Floyd Mielke. Iolyn grew up in the house built by her grandfather. She started dating Lyle Plagenz in high school. After graduating from Markesan High School in 1956, Iolyn went on to attend North Central College in the Chicago suburbs. She received a Home Economics degree. For nearly sixty years she maintained contact with many of her college classmates through a round robin letter exchange. On July 23, 1960, she married Lyle. When they were first married, they lived in Madison and Iolyn took a position teaching in Waunakee. In 1966, they moved back to Markesan where they lived in the same house for 54 years, raising their three children David, Ellen, and Tim. Her biggest love was her family and even though she was small in stature, she was enormously proud of her children and grandchildren. She supported them in all that they did. It was because of Iolyn’s rock solid management of the day-to-day affairs at home that she and Lyle were able to become very involved in the community. A true team effort. Some of Iolyn’s many social activities and interests included KK Homemakers, Bridge Club, IOOF (a local club), School Board Conventions, and Kiwanis International Conventions. She also enjoyed summer family camping trips and the annual Easter outings at the Wilderness with her family. She thoroughly loved spending time with everyone during these activities. Iolyn was an active member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kingston, Wisconsin. She was a lifetime supporter of the Markesan Kiwanis Club and Markesan School District and all its various activities. She also worked and volunteered at the Markesan Resident Home (formerly Riverdale), and she was a recipient of the Resident Homes’ Volunteer of the Year Award. Iolyn loved sports, following the Brewers, Badgers, and Packers religiously, or at least until they made her mad, and she turned off the TV and finished the game listening to the radio. She and Lyle had Badger football season tickets for over 60 years and basketball tickets since Bo Ryan came to town. Iolyn is survived by three children, David (Marilee) Plagenz of Mondovi, Ellen (Skip) Walker of Markesan, and Tim (Lora) Plagenz of Markesan; six grandchildren, Kate and Brett Plagenz, Ryan and Nikki Walker, Megan and Craig Plagenz; siblings Sally (David) Lehtola, Carlton (Betty) Mielke; and further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Lyle; her parents; and other relatives. A private family funeral service for Iolyn will be held and burial will take place at Kingston Cemetery.
ORRIN HELMER
Orrin W. Helmer, age 95 of Kingston, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at Barrett House in Markesan. A memorial service for Orrin will be take place on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Zion Lutheran Church, 316 Vine St., Kingston at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Kurt Hagen officiating. Inurnment will take place at Kingston Cemetery. Orrin was born in the village of Kingston on October 5, 1925, the son of George and Leona (Penn) Helmer. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Kingston of which he remained a member his entire life. He attended school in Kingston and Markesan, graduating from Markesan High School in 1943. He proudly served his country during the Korean War in the 45th Infantry Division and was awarded the Japan Occupational Medal, the Combat Infantry Man’s Badge, the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Combat Stars, and the United Nations Service Medal. Orrin worked for 10 years for the Green Lake County Highway Department as a heavy equipment operator. He was the fire chief for the village of Kingston Fire Department for 18 years. He started working at the Kingston House in 1960 and has been affiliated with it in different capacities since that time. He was elected as a director of the Kingston-Dalton State Bank in 1967, serving in that position until 1990 and then serving as an advisory director until April of 1998. He was elected to the Green Lake County Board of Supervisors in 1970 and had been re-elected since then. He declined to run for re-election in April of 2010, having served 40 continuous years. He served on numerous committees of the board and also as its vice chairman from April 1994 until January 1999, at which time he was elected its chairman and served in that capacity until April 19, 2010. He lived most of his life in the Kingston area and enjoyed playing golf and traveling as time permitted. Orrin was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Herman; sisters, Helen and Evelyn; and other relatives. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends. Orrin’s memorial service is available for online viewing.
LINK TO WATCH ORRIN’S MEMORIAL SERVICE
CURTIS BENDER
Curtis “Curly” Bender,
Curtis Myron Bender, age 70 of Cambria, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2020, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, WI. Curt was born on December 16, 1949, at Portage Hospital to Myron and Leona (Steifner) Bender. He graduated from Markesan High School in 1969, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he served 4 years. After serving in the military, Curt met and married the love of his life, Bonnie Glaeser on April 25, 1976, in Fond du Lac. He helped run Bender’s Produce Farm with his parents, wife and children, Jon and Jim. In 1981, Curt began working for the Department of Corrections in Waupun and Fox Lake Correctional Institutions as a sergeant. While working for DOC he also worked part-time as a school bus driver, he would tell people that driving school bus was his favorite job as he enjoyed being with all the kids. Curt was a driver for 23 years. Just prior to his retirement from the DOC in 2009, he began working as a rural route driver for the Markesan Post Office. He was well liked by the people on his route. Curt retired from the Post Office on July 22, 2017. In his retirement, Curt enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren; Devin, Tyler, Dalton and Hugo. He was a member of the Abendroth-Connolly American Legion Post 282 and a driver for Miller Enterprises. His lifelong hobby was listening to music, recording songs on CD’s and making lists about music. Curt is survived by his wife, Bonnie; two sons, Jon (Corey) Bender and Jim (Abby) Bender; four grandchildren, Devin, Tyler, Dalton and Hugo; a sister, Roxene (Terry) Richter; three aunts, Lois (Bob) Miller, Betty Laper and Mildred Roder; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation for Curt will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Friday, September 18, 2020, at Markesan Community Funeral Home, 868 North Margaret Street, Markesan and on Saturday, September 19, 2020, at the funeral home from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. A funeral service for Curt will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 19, 2020, at Markesan Community Funeral Home with Pastor Kurt Hagen officiating. Burial will follow at Salemville Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by Abendroth-Connolly American Legion Post 282. A memorial fund has been established in Curt’s name. Per the family’s request, those attending service please ask that masks be worn.
DOLORES METCALF
Dolores Irene Metcalf, daughter of the late Glen and Luella (Miller) Tunison, was born December 10, 1935, in Columbia County, WI. She went to be with her Lord on Friday, April 3, 2020. Dolores was baptized into the Christian faith on December 26, 1935, at St. John's in Salemville by Rev. T. W. Redlin, and confirmed in Dalton at Grace Lutheran Church. She graduated from Markesan High School in 1954. Dolores married Dale Metcalf in 1956. To this union was born two daughters and one son. Dolores taught Sunday School at Grace Lutheran and was the organist for four years. She was a member of St. John's in Sherman Center, Random Lake, where she sang in the choir for 30 years. In 2001 she joined Zion Lutheran Church in Kingston. Dolores was employed by Attorney Leo Kircher in Random Lake for 10 years, State Bank of Random Lake for 6 years, Attorney Edward Richter for 3 years, and by the Village of Saukville, from 1989, from which she retired in 2001. After retirement, she moved to Markesan and lived with her beloved, Russell Neumann, until her passing.Dolores is survived by her daughters, Terri Jo Metcalf and Linda (Howard) Theis, four grandsons, Tyler (Stephanie) Valtinson, Justin (Liz) Valtinson, Brandon (Dega) Valtinson and Devon Theis, and four great-grandchildren, Evan, Scarlett, Aiden, and Noah, all from Minneapolis, MN; one brother, Donald (Beverly) Tunison; three sisters, Beverly (Russell) Dallman, Cheryl (Howard) Draheim, and Carla (Terry) Breber; one brother-in-law, Thomas (Lora) Van Dixhorn; and one aunt, Irene Stellmacher. She is also survived by Russ Neumann and children, Laurie (John) Challe, Leonard (Shelly) Neumann, Lee (Laura) Neumann, Lyndeen (Glen) Schneider, their children and grandchildren. She will also be missed by many beloved nieces, nephews and friends. Preceding her in death were her son, Gary; her parents; and sister, Lynette (Tom) Van Dixhorn. A memorial service was held at Zion Lutheran Church in Kingston on Saturday May 23, 2021 with Rev. Kurt Hagen officiating. Dolores will be laid to rest at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Sherman Center, Random Lake, WI.
LINK TO WATCH DOLORES’ MEMORIAL SERVICE
SHERMAN LEE GRIFFIN
Sherman “Sherm” Lee Griffin, age 59 of Kingston, unexpectedly passed away at Ripon Medical Center on Monday, February 24, 2020. Visitation for Sherm will take place on Friday, March 6, 2020 at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 181 S. Main St., Markesan from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also take place on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, 316 Vine Street, Kingston from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. William Runke officiating. Burial will take place at Kingston Cemetery. Sherm was born in Beaver Dam on December 11, 1960, the son of Sherman Robert and Carol (James) Griffin. He was a lifelong resident of Kingston and graduated from Markesan High School with the class of 1979. Sherm dairy farmed for 20 years and drove semi for many years. He was currently employed at Seneca Foods Corp. in Ripon as a maintenance mechanic. For 40 years, Sherm was active in the Lions International Chapter in Kingston and was a past president of the club. He enjoyed ice fishing, beekeeping with his dad, and many other activities. A lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Kingston, he was baptized and confirmed at Zion and was active on the church council. Sherm is survived by his loving wife Kathleen “Kathy” A. Griffin; stepsons, Jesse M. Maier - E9 Master Chief, U.S. Navy, and Timothy J. Maier - Warrant Officer 2 U.S. Coast Guard; parents, Sherman Robert and Carol Griffin; brothers, Todd (Nancy) Griffin and Tim (Sarah) Griffin; sister, Penny (Tim) Rahn; and is further survived by aunts, uncles, grandsons, nieces, nephews, and many friends.