Elton “Ellie” O. Kirchner of Kewaskum passed away peacefully on February 26, 2024 with his family at his side at the age of 89. He was born June 13, 1934, in the Town of Kewaskum, the son of the late Oscar and Alma (Ramel) Kirchner. He was baptized on July 1, 1934, and a current member of Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Bend. Elton grew up on the family farm and honorably served on active duty with the Army of the United States from December 1, 1954, to November 29, 1956, in Germany during the Korean Conflict years. Upon his arrival home, he was united in marriage to Beverly Schubert on December 27, 1957, and settled in the Town of Kewaskum, where he raised his three loving children. Elton was the owner and operator of Elton Kirchner’s Excavating Service from 1964 to the mid-1970s before becoming the owner and sole proprietor of Ellie’s Sanitation Septic Tank Service until his retirement. Elton enjoyed working with the many people in the community and will be fondly remembered by friends and families he served in the community. Entering retirement, he cherished time spent with his grandchildren, and looked forward to the times spent at the cabin, where he enjoyed the “silence and solitude” of nature and its simple living. His yearly cabin calendars chronically archived the many memories and adventures of his times spent at the cabin with the family to be shared years after his passing. These moments truly uplifted his soul. Those Ellie leaves behind to cherish his memory include two sons, Mark Kirchner and Russ Kirchner; daughter, Sandra Kirchner, all of Kewaskum; three beautiful and loving granddaughters Makinley, Harper, and Paige Kirchner, all from Kewaskum. He is further survived by other relatives. In addition to his parents, Elton was preceded in death by his loving wife, Beverly, of 65 years on May 26, 2023; and by three brothers, Marvin (Lila) Kirchner, Orin (Lorinda) Kirchner, Wilton (Patsy) Kirchner; and two sisters, Arline (Leonard) Brown and Laverne (Roman) Laubenstein. Ellie’s family welcomes immediate relatives and friends to celebrate his life on Monday, March 4, 2024, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Phillip Funeral Home, 1420 W. Paradise Dr., West Bend. A private Funeral Service for Ellie will be held on Tuesday, March 5, at Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church, West Bend, with Rev. Robert Hein officiating. Private entombment will be at Washington County Memorial Park with Military Honors. In memory of Dad’s love of nature and God’s amazing grace, donations can be made to the Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA) and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the friends, neighbors, relatives and healthcare staff who comforted Ellie in his final hours. A very heartfelt thank you to the staff of Kettle Moraine Gardens in Kewaskum and Preceptor Hospice. We appreciate all of the love, support, and care you generously gave to our Dad in his final months. “How beautiful the leaves grow old. How full of light and color are the last days.” – John Burroughs. The Phillip Funeral Home is serving the family, 262-338-2050 / www.phillipfuneralhome.com

Carol Mae Koth (nee Schmidt), 90, went to her Heavenly home to be with her Savior on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the Hamilton House Assisted Living in Cedarburg. Carol was born on July 11, 1933, in the Town of Mitchell, to the late Otto and Erma Schmidt (nee Wittenberg). She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dundee. She graduated from Kewaskum High School in 1951 and there met the love of her life, Kenneth Koth. She married her high school sweetheart in 1954 and recently celebrated 69 years of marriage. They were blessed with two children, a daughter, Shary; a son, Terry; and an infant son, Timothy, who passed away at birth. Carol had several jobs during her lifetime, some being Browns Floral, Amity Leather, and the General Antique Store in Kewaskum where she enjoyed meeting new people. Carol had a passion for baking special recipes, traveling, watching the Brewers and Green Bay Packers and making fun road trips to Shawano. Carol’s number one priority was always her family. Her favorite times were spent shopping with her daughter and granddaughters and cheering on her son and grandchildren at all their athletic events. Those left to cherish Carol’s memory include her husband, Kenneth Koth; daughter, Shary (John) Witte; son, Terry (Lori) Koth; grandchildren, Kali (Chris) West, Kyle (Corrine) Witte, Taylor (Andrea) Koth, and Morgan (Paul) Fitzgerald; great-grandchildren, Kierstyn, Kenlyn, Karyss West, Landon and Skylar Witte, Brooklyn and Madison Koth; sister, Phyllis Narges, sisters-in-law, Lois, Gayl, and Joyce Schmidt; nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and infant son, Carol is preceded in death by her sister, Sylvia Burke; brothers, Mike, Eugene, Jerome, and Elmer Schmidt; sisters in-law, Lillie Schmidt and Shirley Koth; step-sisters-in-law, Ruth Ramel and Shirley Birkholz; brothers-in-law, Ralph Koth and Howard Narges. VISITATION: Carol’s family will greet relatives and friends on Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 1 p.m. until 2:45 p.m., at St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1417 Parkview Drive, Kewaskum. MEMORIAL SERVICE: A memorial service for Carol will follow visitation at 3 p.m. with Pastor Timothy Henning officiating. Carol will be laid to rest at nearby Lutheran Memorial Park in Kewaskum following the service. A light dinner at St. Lucas Lutheran School will then be provided. Memorials in honor of Carol can be directed to St. Lucas Lutheran Church and Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School. Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Carol’s arrangements. Additional information and guest book can be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.

Fredric “Fred” A. Seefeldt, 85, of West Bend passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 22, 2024, surrounded with the love and presence of his family. He was born on April 27, 1938, to the late Alfred and Margaret (nee Diesner) Seefeldt in Kewaskum. Fred had a big heart, keen mind, and strong faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior. He had the gift of hospitality. No one remained a stranger to him for very long. In health and in sickness, he never stopped planning projects, be they for home, church, cottage, or farm. He was a man of integrity in whom many people confided and sought advice. He was a proud member of the 1960 class of Lakeland University and dedicated twenty years of service on its Board of Trustees. Finding the hobby of collecting and refurbishing antique tractors brought excitement to his retirement. Everyone knows he was a fascinating storyteller. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were his true pride and joy and he loved spending time with them. Those Fred leaves behind to cherish his memory include his wife of 41 years, Barbara Gumm-Seefeldt; three children, Mark (Christine) Gumm, Rachel Gumm, and Mary (Russell) Demmon; four grandchildren, Eric (Abby) Gumm, Amanda (Tristan) Brown, Kaitlin Demmon, and Hunter (Savannah) Demmon; three great-grandchildren, Claire and Ava Gumm, and Hadley Demmon; a sister, Mariel (Warren) Heinke; sister-in-law, Karen Bass; the Andrew Gumm and Paul Gumm families, several nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Aldwin Seefeldt. VISITATION: Fred’s family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, March 1, 2024, from 1 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 501 Walnut St., West Bend. SERVICE: A funeral service will follow the visitation at the church at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Lutheran Memorial Park Cemetery in Kewaskum. The family would like to thank the staff at the Aurora Grafton Hospital, Cedar Lake Community and Common Heart Hospice for the passionate care of Fred and his family. It is respectfully requested that, in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to Immanuel United Church of Christ, or Joyful Journeys, Inc. for House Pastors in Madhavapatnam, India, or Cedar Community of West Bend. Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Fred’s arrangements. Additional information and Tribute Wall may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com. The love of Fred we have enjoyed deeply we can never lose. He has become a part of us forever. Thanks be to God!

Marian L. White (nee Backhaus), 95, of the Town of Scott, entered eternal life on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at Gables on the Pond in Random Lake. Marian was born on December 6, 1928, the daughter of the late Arno and Elda (nee Ramel) Backhaus. Marian was united in marriage to Douglas D. “Doug” White on October 15, 1949. Doug preceded Marian in death on October 16, 2016. Marian was a hard worker. She was a weekday farmer, milking cows and doing anything else that needed to be done. She was a great cook; she made the best baked goods. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in the town of Scott where she taught Sunday School for 20 years, served and was a member the Ladies Guild, and was in the choir for 50 years. Marian worked until she was 83 years old at the cheese factory in Beechwood. Marian enjoyed bowling and bowled for over 30 years. Those Marian leaves behind to cherish her memory include her loving children, Susan (James) Buechel of Kewaskum, Karen (John) Norman of Cedarburg and Randal (Jackie) White of Texas; a daughter-in-law, Jean White; 11 grandchildren, Douglas (Kathy) Buechel of Kewaskum, Jeffrey (Melissa) Buechel of Kewaskum, Melissa (Colin) Choby of West Bend, Angela White (fiancé, Matt Newman) of Port Washington, Rachel (Dan) Madsen of Menomonee Falls, Kathryn (Aaron) Fields of Grafton, Jack Norman of Cedarburg, Evan (Melanie) White of West Bend, Christopher White of West Bend, Sean White of Wausau, and Samantha White of Texas; thirteen great-grandchildren, Bradley and Matthew Buechel, Maddie, Kendall, Isabella and Charlotte Choby, Keagan, Finley and Piper Madsen, Penelope White, Emma and Brooks White, and Delilah Fields; a sister, Doris Frost; sister-in-law, Lyla Lee Backhaus; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Marian was preceded in death by four children at birth, Robin, Christina, Bruce, and Shawn White; a son, Daniel White; a great-grandchild, Emery Fields; parents-in-law, Gordon and Clara White; sisters, Margaret (Harold) Langkabel, Mildred (Arthur) Gerpoltz, and Mavis (Norbert) Zitzelsberger; brothers, Robert Backhaus and Carl Backhaus; a sister-in-law, Sharon Lynch; two brothers-in-law, Kenneth Frost and Donald Lynch; other nieces and nephews. VISITATION: Marian’s family will greet relatives and friends at Immanuel Lutheran Church, (W8497 Brazelton Dr., Random Lake) in the Town of Scott, on Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 2 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. SERVICE: A service for Marian will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Brian Krueger officiating. Memorials to Immanuel Lutheran Church is appreciated. The family would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Gables on the Pond in Random Lake “The best place to be” and “I put myself here”- Marian The Myrhum – Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Marian’s arrangements. Additional information and guestbook may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.