Obituaries & Guestbook

James “Jim” F. Marois, 79, Oconto Falls, died in the early morning hours of Friday, September 15, 2023 in his daughter’s arms.  Jim was reunited with his true love Carol at heaven’s door.  He was born October 2, 1943 on the family farm in Stiles to Marvin and Mildred (Belanger) Marois.  Jim graduated from Oconto Falls High School and took over the family farm. On April 26, 1974 he married the love of his life Carol Kesler.  After his body [...]

Vi McDermid, 97, lifelong Oconto Falls resident and matriarch of the McDermid family, died Wednesday morning, September 13, 2023 at home surrounded by her family.  The 2nd youngest of 12 children of Louis “Smokey” and Rose (Gouin) Trudeau was born April 17, 1926 in Oconto Falls.  Vi attended St. Anthony Catholic School and growing up in the depression, started working in her teens. On October 7, 1944 she married Neil McDermid at St. Anthony Catholic Church.  Following their marriage, the [...]

Delores M. Gallas, 93, Two Rivers, formerly Kelly Lake, died Sunday morning, September 3, 2023 at Meadow View Assisted Living in Two Rivers.  She was born May 30, 1930 in Two Rivers to Herman and Alice (Schmiling) Gagnon.  Delores grew up in Two Rivers where she attended St. Luke’s Catholic elementary school, later graduating Washington High School with the class of 1948. On September 4, 1948 she married George Gallas at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Two Rivers.  Following their [...]

Henry Lea Graef, stillborn son of Andrew Graef and Rita Krause, died peacefully surrounded by family at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, August 31, 2023 at HSHS St. Clare hospital in Oconto Falls, Wis. He was preceded in death by his paternal uncle, Steven Graef; his maternal great grandparents James and Merle Krause, Georgeann Roberts, and Harold Paul Baldwin; his paternal great grandparents Donald Graef, and James and Dolores Magnin. He is survived by his parents; brother Maverick Graef; grandparents Thomas and [...]

Susan Marie Tomalak (Winter), 68, died Wednesday evening, August 30, 2023 of lung cancer, leaving behind her family who loved her. Her Husband Erv Tomalak, married for 49 years, (in December) has these comments: “I always appreciated how she worked so, so hard to make a happy home for us. She left behind a son Todd Tomalak who she said she had such joy to see him grow into a kind gentle man. She knew Todd had great taste. He [...]

Denise Wirz, 64, Kelly Lake, died suddenly Thursday evening, August 10, 2023 at St. Clare Hospital in Oconto Falls.  She was born August 18, 1958 in Chicago, IL to James and Suzanne (Whelehan) Skoda.  Denise grew up in the Chicago area where she graduated Queen of Peace Catholic Girls High School in Burbank, IL with the class of 1976.  She furthered her education and graduated with her Medical Assistant degree. On November 24, 1978 she married Michael Wirz at St. [...]

Mary Oninski, 97, Oconto Falls, died Monday morning, August 7, 2023 at Rennes West in Peshtigo.  She was born June 16, 1926 in the City of Souris on Prince Edward Island, Canada to Henry and Anna (McCormack) Mallard. Following graduation from high school, she met her future husband. On February 24, 1955 she married Felix Oninski.  Because of her husband’s job, the family moved to Oconto Falls where they raised their seven children together.  “Mary O” as she was affectionately [...]

Vija Rukis, 95, Oconto Falls, died Monday morning, July 10, 2023 at the Meng Hospice Residence Campus in DePere.  She was born March 4, 1928 in Latvia to Janis and Millija (Feldmanis) Einbergs.  She married Karlis Rukis and they had four children together, triplets and then three years later another son. Survivors are her triplets, Ansis (Mary Ann), Andrejs and Ilze Rukis; two grandchildren, Alexander (Christine) Rukis and Katrina (Andre) Archambeau; five great grandchildren, Connor, Dylon, Mason, Nolan and Adeline; [...]

Shirley Ann (Thomson) Yatso, 85, Oconto Falls, died peacefully surrounded by her family at home Wednesday, July 5, 2023.   She was born March 14, 1938, in Lena to Ervin and Jean (Paulu) Thomson.   Shirley graduated from Coleman High School in 1956 and attended Prospect Secretarial School Milwaukee from 1956 – 1957. On October 11, 1958 she married George Yatso.  Shirley assisted her husband on the farm and then worked at Oconto Falls Community Hospital as an Administrative Assistant.   She [...]

Gary E. Frank, 80, Gillett, died Tuesday evening, July 4, 2023 at the Meng Residence Hospice Center in DePere.  He was born July 9, 1942 in Clintonville to Elmer and Marge (Carson) Frank.  Gary grew up with his many siblings in Wisconsin and the UP. On October 8, 1966 he married Joyce Houska in Michigan.  Following their marriage, the couple lived in Green Bay, Pulaski and Suring before retiring to Gillett in 2004.  Over the years, Gary was employed at [...]