Bolger Funeral and Cremation Services

08/11/2026

Helen Margaret Eldridge, age 83, of Woodruff, WI passed away on August 4, 2026 at Howard Young Medical Center.

Helen was born on May 12, 1943 to Leonard and Hazel Cooper in Princeton, West Virginia. After her graduation from high school, she met and married her husband of 39 years, William L. Eldridge in 1961. They eventually made their way to Northern Wisconsin to raise their three children.

Helen worked most of her life in the healthcare field. First as a nurse's aide at St. Mary's hospital in Madison, WI, then later as a physical therapy aide at Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, WI. She rounded out her working years with 20 years at the Lake of the Torches casino in Lac du Flambeau, WI where she had many friends.

Helen enjoyed her down time with her husband and children in the great outdoors camping, fishing and hunting. She loved the wild places, cooking over a campfire, fishing, and hunting deer, turkey, and bear. Upon retirement she took joy in playing Barbies, Legos, cooking and baking treats with her granddaughters and taking many adventures. She loved to knit, bake, make her own candy, process wild rice, and watching her family. Helen was happiest when family was together.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; daughter, Jackie; sisters, Shirley, Jerry and Jean. She is survived by her daughter, Mavis (Don); son, Bud (Jen); granddaughters, Alex and Samantha; grandson, Zach; sisters, JoAnn and Patricia; brother,...

Read the full obituary

Share Memories and Support the Family.

08/07/2026

Donald “Donny” Berndt, age 90, of the Town of Arbor Vitae, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2026, peacefully in his sleep after a courageous battle with cancer. He was under the care of Hospice at the Nu Roc Health and Rehabilitation Center in Laona Wisconsin. He was born August 31, 1935, in Wausau, WI to Edwin and Bertha (Nimz) Berndt.

Don graduated from Wausau High School in 1955. Upon graduation, he worked at Motor Service and Supply in Wausau, until he was drafted into the Army in 1958. He entered the Army with a rank of Army PFC-E1. His time spent in the Army took him to Fort Leonard Wood, MO and then to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland where he spent 2 months in Ammunition Specialist School. From there he traveled to Fort Carson, CO, where his Army Captain requested Don receive proper clearance to accompany classified materials shipped across the US via military train. Don’s job was to guard boxcars throughout the trip which took 13 days to complete. All went well, and he was proud of this responsibility. His final rank after his two years of service was SP4-E4 Ammunition Specialist. He then served 4 additional years in the Army Reserve.

After his time spent in the Army, he returned to Wausau, where he was again employed at Motor Service and Supply, this time for his whole working career until his time of retirement in August of 1998---42 total years.

Don was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Minocqua, WI. He was a...

Read the full obituary

07/31/2026

Barbara J. Steinhilber, age 86, of St. Germain, passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at her home. She was born on April 9, 1940 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, the daughter of Martin and Dorothy (nee Klas) Werner. Barb graduated from UW-Stout in 1962, with a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. She married Howard Steinhilber on July 19, 1969 in Beaver Dam.

Barb was a member of Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, the Little St. Germain Area Lake District, the St. Germain Prime Timers, and the St. Germain Women’s Service Club. She volunteered as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, was active in the St. Germain community, and loved to help in whatever way she could. She was also a devoted fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Wisconsin Badgers.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Howard Steinhilber; and brother-in-law, Ronald Yow. She is survived by her sister, Nancy Yow of Summerville, South Carolina; brothers, Robert (Holly) Werner of Iron Mountain, Michigan and Rodney (Marilyn) Werner of Baraboo, Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, Sayner, with visitation beginning at 11:30 AM and the service at 12:30 PM. A luncheon will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Germain Women’s Service Club or to Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church.

Share Memories and Support the Family.

07/31/2026

Donald “Donny” Berndt, age 90, of the Town of Arbor Vitae, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2026, peacefully in his sleep after a courageous battle with cancer. He was under the care of Hospice at the Nu Roc Health and Rehabilitation Center in Laona, Wisconsin. He was born August 31, 1935, in Wausau, WI to Edwin and Bertha (Nimz) Berndt.

Arrangements are pending, please check back for service information.

07/31/2026

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Joanne McGuire, who passed away peacefully on July 29, 2026, at the age of 69, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on September 18, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois, Joanne lived a life rooted in love, laughter, and unwavering devotion to her family. She shared 48 wonderful years of marriage with her beloved husband, Thomas McGuire. Together they built a loving home and raised four children who were the center of her world.

Joanne is lovingly survived by her devoted husband Thomas; her children, Colleen, Michael, Patrick, and Matthew (fiancée Katie); her cherished grandchildren, Molly, Liam, Nora, Killian, Kerrigan, Flynn, Ella, Evie, and Keira; her siblings, Richard Reilly, Dennis (Chris) Reilly, Mary (John) Coners, and Regina Hartline, her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Arlene Reilly, John (Nancy) McGuire, William McGuire, Martin (Pat) McGuire, Marilyn Wallenius and her longtime companion, Lupe, and Eileen (Al) Reynolds; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Joanne found joy in life's simple pleasures. She loved gardening, fishing, swimming, and baking for those she loved. She had an unforgettable laugh, a wonderful sense of humor, and the gift of gab. She had a remarkable ability to strike up a conversation with anyone and make them feel like an old friend. Whether she was sharing...

Read the full obituary

Share Memories and Support the Family.

07/27/2026

Robert “Bob” Kassien, age 96, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2026, in Bradenton, Florida. He was born on July 8, 1930, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

Bob graduated from Arbor Vitae Woodruff High School in 1948. He joined the Air Force and was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska where he served during the Korean War as a Crew Chief on an F-80 aircraft which was the first “Jet” used by the United States Army Air Forces.

Bob was the grandson of Northwoods Pioneer, Robert Loveless of Manitowish Waters. After returning from his service, he met and married Darlene Engstrom of Flint, Michigan while her family was vacationing in the Northwoods. They settled in Flint and Bob went to work as a Tool and Die Maker at General Motors A/C Sparkplug division.

They had two children, Renee and Jeffery. After retiring from A/C in 1993, he and Darlene split their time between Flint and Boulder Junction before eventually relocating to Florida for the winter months.

Bob is survived by his wife of 70 years Darlene; his brother, Gary Kassien; his two children, 4 grandkids and 5 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Nels Hagen; mother, Ella Kassien; stepfather, Hank Kassien; brother, Melvin Kassien and his sister, Jeanette Omen.

A visitation will be held at Bolger Funeral Home-Woodruff Chapel on Thursday, July 30, 2026 starting at 10:00 AM with prayers and stories being shared at 11:00 AM until 11:30 AM. Following services, Bob will...

Read the full obituary

Share Memories and Support the Family.

07/23/2026

Robert M. Adamski, age 75, of Woodruff, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2026 at Careview Health and Rehab in Minocqua.

Please check back for a full obituary.

Share Memories and Support the Family.

07/23/2026

John C. Gans, age 59, passed away after an accident on July 19, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA. He was born on February 2, 1967 in Woodruff, the son of Clara Lou Thompson and Charles Robert Gans. John is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Zoya Mayo and brother, Louis Gans. He is survived by his daughters, Josie, Laura and Tiffany Gans; son, Nicholas Gans; sisters, Emmy Mayo and Maxine Gans Smith; brothers, Edward Mayo, William Mayo and Theodore Gans.

A Visitation will take place at the Multi-Purpose Building on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 beginning at 5:00 PM for the public and continue until Wednesday, July 29, 2026. A Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Lac du Flambeau followed by burial at Memorial Cemetery, Lac du Flambeau.

Share Memories and Support the Family.

07/22/2026

Robert “Bob” Kassien, age 96, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2026, in Bradenton, Florida. He was born on July 8, 1930, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

Bob graduated from Arbor Vitae Woodruff High School in 1948. He joined the Air Force and was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska where he served during the Korean War as a Crew Chief on an F-80 aircraft which was the first “Jet” used by the United States Army Air Forces.

Bob was the grandson of Northwoods Pioneer, Robert Loveless of Manitowish Waters. After returning from his service, he met and married Darlene Engstrom of Flint, Michigan while her family was vacationing in the Northwoods. They settled in Flint and Bob went to work as a Tool and Die Maker at General Motors A/C Sparkplug division.

They had two children, Renee and Jeffery. After retiring from A/C in 1993, he and Darlene split their time between Flint and Boulder Junction before eventually relocating to Florida for the winter months.

Bob is survived by his wife of 70 years Darlene; his brother, Gary Kassien; his two children, 4 grandkids and 5 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Nels Hagen; mother, Ella Kassien; stepfather, Hank Kassien; brother, Melvin Kassien and his sister, Jeanette Omen.

A visitation will be held at Bolger Funeral Home-Woodruff Chapel on Thursday, July 30, 2026 starting at 10:00 AM with prayers and stories being shared at 11:00 AM until 11:30 AM. Following services, Bob will...

Read the full obituary

07/20/2026

William "Bill" Robert Zapel, age 83, of Arbor Vitae, passed away on July 16, 2026 at home.

Bill was born on December 6, 1942 to Katherine Kapche Zapel & Carl Zapel in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1966, Bill met Lynda Lombardi. Bill and Lynda were married on June 1, 1968 and raised a family in...

Share Memories and Support the Family.