Charles Eldon Roethke, Sr., age 91 years, of Fond du Lac, formerly of West Bend, was called home to be with the Lord on July 9, 2024, at Cedar Community in West Bend. Charles was born on February 12, 1933, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, the only child of Eldon and Phyllis (nee Baetz) Roethke. Due to the early deaths of both parents, Charles was raised by his maternal grandparents, Charles and Clara Baetz in Dundee. Charles was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dundee by Rev. Walter Stroschein. Pastor and Mrs. Stroschein were an important part of Charles’ early childhood. Charles attended Dundee Grade School, and graduated from Campbellsport High School in 1950. He went on a blind date at a high school dance, where he met Joyce Grahl, who would become his wife, whom he loved dearly, and was married to for over 61 years. In April 1953, Charles was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War. After basic training at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, Charles and Joyce were married on August 30, 1953. In November 1953, Charles was sent to Gelnhausen, Germany, as a fire direction specialist in Headquarters Battery 42nd Field Artillery Battalion until April 1955. When Charles returned to the US, he settled in West Bend with Joyce, where they raised three children. Charles was employed at Pilot Press, which merged into Serigraph Sales. In 1970, he started at Post Printing as a pre-press technician, retiring in 1995. In the mid-sixties, Charles and Joyce, along with dear friend, Joe Fell, formed a musical trio, “The Country Clefs.” In the mid-seventies they were joined by their daughter, Lynn, on drums and vocals; with Joyce on organ, accordion, and vocals; and Charles on guitar, banjo, vocals, and yodeling. Entertaining was an important part of their lives which continued until 2009. Those Charles leaves behind to cherish his memory include his children, Lori (Joe) Klahn, Charles “Chuck” (Marian) Roethke, and Lynn (Lynda Johnson) Roethke; grandchildren, Craig (Julie) Konen, Ben (Connie) Konen, James Konen, Paul (special friend, Jami) Konen, Christa (Jeff) Cardenas, Charles (Bridget) Roethke, Curtiss Johnson, and Grant Johnson; great-grandchildren, Katie (Luke) Gellings, Karlie (Macoy Kohlman) Konen, Kyler Konen, Brittany Schoeder, Dyllan Konen, Christopher Konen, Shelby Konen, Korinne Konen, Jada Konen, Drake Konen, Jaxon Konen, Mason Cardenas, Jayden Cardenas, Brady Cardenas, Bryce Cardenas, Bentley Roethke, and Conrad Roethke,; great-great-grandchildren, Peytan Rogne, Jackson Mesich, and Marietta Joyce Gellings. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce (nee Grahl) Roethke; great-grandson, Raylen; maternal grandparents, Charles and Clara (nee Krueger) Baetz and Anna (nee Mueller) Baetz; paternal grandparents, Emil and Della (nee Roll) Roethke; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bernard and Bardine (nee Schultz) Grahl; brothers-in-law, Donald (Leah) Grahl, Larry Bohlman, Fred Beede, and Ronald Nichols; a granddaughter-in-law, Amy Konen VISITATION: Charles’ family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday, July 13, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church (4930 Beaver Dam Road – West Bend, WI 53095), where Charles was a longtime member. SERVICE: A Funeral Service in remembrance of Charles will take place at 12 Noon on Saturday at church with Pastor Jay Cook officiating. Entombment will be at Ledgeview Memorial Park in Fond du Lac immediately following the church service. Memorials in Charles’ name can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of his wife, Joyce. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Cedar Community for their care and compassion, along with Robin Fryman for the kind and loving care she gave him. Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Charles’ arrangements. For additional information or to leave an online condolence on the tribute wall, please visit www.myrhum-patten.com.

Shelly Ann “Shellzy” Markus (nee Lloyd) passed unexpectedly at her home on Friday, June 28, 2024, at the age of 55. She was born in Milwaukee, the daughter of Thomas and Janis Lloyd. Shelly grew up in the Wayne and Kewaskum area, attended Wayne Elementary and Kewaskum Middle/High Schools. She continued education and received her certifications to be a Medical Assistant, Nail Technician, and Massage Therapist. Shelly was proud to open her own Massage Salon and enjoyed finding her independence in passions. She enjoyed riding on motorcycles, crafting, drinking Colectivo Coffee (Better known to her as Alterra), baking, cooking, and entertaining for friends and family. She was the “Hostess with the Mostest”, and everyone was welcome. Her laugh was contagious and could light up a room. Shelly was a very sociable person and would make friends wherever she went, with her jokester personality. Most of all, she loved being with her daughters, granddaughters, and friends. Shelly is survived by her daughters, the late Samantha “Sam” Markus, Salena “Bubby” (Brandon Kreutzer) Markus, and Mackenzie (Tanner) Dreher; granddaughters, Olivia Garcia and Sofia Hernandez-Markus; and her fur-baby, Truffles. As well as parents, Tom and Janis; siblings, Lori, Richard “Richie” and Melissa “Lissa”; Aunt Patricia (Ted) Delang; former husband, Steven “Steve” Markus; former father-in-law, Ronald Markus; and many friends that her spirit will live on through. She is at peace in Heaven with her daughter, Samantha Ann Markus; and her mother-in-law, Erma Markus. A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 12 p.m. until 1:45 p.m., with a Remembrance Service at 2 p.m., at the Phillip Funeral Home, 1420 W. Paradise Dr., West Bend. A private burial will be held. Phillip Funeral Home is serving the family, 262-338-2050 / www.phillipfuneralhome.com.

Patricia Louise (Reinke) Durand, also known as Mom, Grandma, GG, Pat, Trish and Patsy, entered eternal life on July 4, 2024, surrounded by her children.  The world was blessed with her presence on April 26, 1938, to the late Edward and Helen Trimborn Reinke in Milwaukee. She began her Catholic faith journey being baptized at St. Anne’s and attending grade school there and then on to her beloved PIUS High School.  Pat’s adventure in life started early, always putting her family first. She moved with her sister, Audrey, to California, where she then met her future husband, Jim Durand. After enjoying CA and the sun for a few years, they moved back to Milwaukee where they were married at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on May 7, 1960. A marriage that would honor her with 62 years of dancing, singing, living her faith and blessing her with eight children, Scott (Carla) Durand, Sandy (Tim) Sarauer, Sue Durand, Sheri Durand, Stacey Durand, Steve (Kelly) Durand, Sean (Jennifer) Durand and Sam (Kim) Durand, 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.  After her two oldest children were born, they packed their bags again and headed back west to Arizona, where their third child was born. A few years later, they went back again to Milwaukee, where they bought their first house on 71st and Hampton. Here is where the next four kids were born and where the tradition of pool parties, dinner parties and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations started. She also joined her first choir at Our Lady of Sorrows. Pat had many talents; however, her joy of singing in choirs led her right to the POPE himself, where she sang for him in Rome with the St. Jude Choir.  In 1972, Pat and Jim moved their family to Campbellsport, where the last of The Durand Clan were born. After the eight kids were settled in bed (or waiting for them to come home), she found enjoyment in late night TV. Her favorites being Johnny Carson, Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon, while enjoying her wind down drink, a vodka martini.  Pat enjoyed many hobbies including roller skating, playing piano, sewing matching smock tops, swimming, tap dancing and running an open house that offered free phone service and counseling to all the neighborhood kids.   Pat and Jim were fortunate to travel to many places over the years including dog races, horse races, and more casinos than we can count!   All this and she still found time to work night shifts at JC Penney then on to California Canners and Growers, Consultants Lab and finally the US Post Office, where she retired.  Pat will be re-united in eternal salvation with her husband, Jim Durand; her sister, Audrey; her brother-in-law, Carl Schmitz; nephew, Bob Schmitz; her Dad and Mom, Ed and Helen Reinke; her sister-in-law, Norma Jensen; niece, LeAnn Jensen; and her beloved dog, Saudi.  Join us in celebrating her faith, her joy of music, her life, her talents and adventures on Thursday, July 11, at St Matthew's Catholic Church, Campbellsport. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at church with Mass following at 4 p.m. Entombment will take place on Friday, July 12, at 11 a.m. at Washington County Memorial Park.  As a tribute to fulfill Pat’s last wishes, please join us after Mass for a procession up Main Street following her horse and carriage.   We will always “bet” on you, Mom, and will love and remember you all the “Days of Our Lives.”  We would also like to give a huge Thank You to all the nurses and CNAs at Preceptor Hospice Health for making her final days peaceful.   Twohig Funeral Home is serving the family with online guestbook and condolences at www.twohigfunerals.com.

Sharon Lee Beitsch, 73, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at Parkridge Assisted Living Center in Watertown. She was born in Chicago, IL, on June 26, 1951, the daughter of Eugene and Eunice (Jaeger) Beitsch. Sharon was raised in St. Kilian and graduated from St. Kilian Catholic School and Campbellsport High School. She worked at Old Ironside Battery Works, Campbellsport, for 17 years and then at R.E. Phelon Co., Lomira, from 1994 until 2001. Later Sharon lived with her aunt, Helen Jaeger, in Eden for a number of years. Sharon enjoyed knitting and her cat, Marlie. Survivors include her twin brother, Steven Beitsch; younger brother, Gary, and his wife, Sherry, Beitsch; aunt, Delores Miller; many cousins, other relatives and friends. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Eunice; her sister-in-law, Ann Beitsch; and a number of aunts and uncles. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 16, from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at St. Kilian Catholic Church, St. Kilian (N189 County Road W, Campbellsport). A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, July 16, at 11 a.m. at St. Kilian Catholic Church, St. Kilian, with Rev. Mark Jones officiating. Burial will follow in St. Kilian Parish with her parents. The family extends a special thank you to Karen Schmitz and to Parkridge Assisted Living for the wonderful care and attention shown Sharon. Twohig Funeral Home is serving the family with guestbook and condolences at www.twohigfunerals.com.