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Heroes Awards

Initially started as a scholarship created and funded by the friends and family of Casey Gazdik, a health promotion/wellness major who was suddenly struck ill and died from blastomycosis (a rare lung infection) in 2001, was transformed into the Heroes Award. Starting in 2016, we started offering two CPS Heroes Awards! One recognizes a student hero and a second award recognizes a faculty/staff hero.

Honored Heroes – Student

Casey was a UWSP health promotion/wellness major in 2001 when he was suddenly struck ill and died from blastomycosis. Casey loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. This scholarship was created by his friends at UWSP and initial funding came from a walk-a-thon organized by Casey’s friends and classmates

Claire Hansen was born in Rosholt, Wis., in 1940, but she spent her childhood in Stevens Point and eventually attended Central State Teachers College (UWSP). After graduating, she taught kindergarten in Brookfield, Wis., but stopped when she married and had two kids, Rick and Kerry.

In 1978, the Hansen family moved to Florida, where Claire taught first and fifth grades at Jensen Beach Elementary. While she ran a tight ship, she also knew how to make learning fun. She was known for stocking a legendary treasure box, arranging a pen pal program with her sister’s fifth graders in California, and playing “Three Blind Mice” on her violin to draw the kids back from recess—all while wearing high heels.

After over 15 years of teaching, Claire retired due to complications with multiple sclerosis, but her legacy lives on. A few years ago, a former student wrote a Facebook comment on Mother’s Day, saying Mrs. Hansen was like a mother to him, helping ease the pain of his parents’ divorce. That was the type of person she was. Always kind, always full of sunshine.

In 2011, Claire moved to Watertown, Wis., to be closer to her daughter. She lived in a nursing home during that time but still knew how to have fun, blasting Gloria Estefan CDs, winning Beanie Babies during Bingo, and always sharing a smile. Claire passed away on April 26, 2023, at age 83. For her memorial, attendees wore pink, her favorite color, and celebrated her many heroic years of making a difference.

David Hurlbut (1934-2020) was born in Stevens Point and attended grade school, high school (P.J. Jacobs) and UW-Stevens Point, graduating from UWSP in 1956.

Dave was a five-sport letterwinner while at P.J. Jacobs High. He received all-conference and aII-state recognition while playing on the 1951 undefeated and #1 ranked high school football team. He also played on the UWSP 1955 undefeated football team and was inducted into the UWSP Athletics Hall of Fame.

Fresh out of college Dave went to work for Nekoosa – Port Edwards Paper Company. He later joined American Family Insurance Company where he became a highly successful insurance agent. He was later promoted to the position of District Manager in the Racine – Kenosha area.

Dave retired in 1994 and settled in Lakewood, Wis., with his wife Jan. He was an avid fisherman hunter, gardener and golfer. He also served his community as a member of St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church in Lakewood. Dave was the president of the St. Mary’s building fund and they just recently completed a huge and very successful remodeling project at his church.

This tribute was made by Joe Sanks. Dave and Joe were best of friends for 77 years. Joe can proudly say the Dave is and will forever be his HERO.

Leanne “Sis Parmeter” Sanks (1935-2020) married the love of her life Joe Sanks of Stevens Point in 1956. The couple settled in Stevens Point, and Lee worked for Dr. Nelson in Wisconsin Rapids and for Hardware Mutual Ins until 1959, when they moved to Janesville.

The couple were members of the Elks Club and the Janesville Country Club, they enjoyed many years in Janesville, until retiring in 1997 when they moved to Manitowish Waters. Lee enjoyed golfing, swimming, water skiing, boating and snowmobiling.

Leanne passed away April 8, 2020, after a courageous six year battle with cancer.

Bill Nuck (1941-2020) and his wife Sara Ann (CC) married in Stevens Point on Sept. 12, 1964.

Bill was a graduate of Wauwatosa East High School then attended UW-Stevens Point where he played football and was on the 1961 all-conference championship team. Bill enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in September 1960 and served until July 1966.

Bill’s professional career included many sale positions in Stevens Point. He was actively involved in the community and civic service, including Stevens Point Police and Fire Commission, Goerke Park Sports Complex, City of Stevens Point Common Council, UWSP Quarterback Club, and Marine Corps League Central Wisconsin Detachment.

His spiritedness included his dedicated time to announcing UWSP football, basketball and hockey games, co-chairperson for the Georke Park Sports Complex, which included the renovation of Georke Field and the construction of K.B. Willett Ice Arena, named after his father-in-law.

Bill passed away on Aug. 11, 2020, and is survived by his wife CC and four daughters.

A loving husband, dad and grandpa, James A. “Jim” Shafranski (1932-2020) was a proud veteran of the Korean War and had joined the Army at age 14 as an underage service member and ultimately served in the Counter Intelligence Corps, stationed in Germany. Jim was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Monsignor McGinley Council 1170 of Stevens Point, where he served as Grand Knight for two years. He was the Grand Marshall of the Sand Lake 4th of July parade for the past 40 years–an honor he loved! Jim truly loved people and you always knew what to expect: warmth, friendship and a bunch of fun.

He married the love of his life, Barbara Tuszka on Sept. 20, 1958. They enjoyed 62 wonderful years of marriage. Jim was employed at Consolidated papers for 39 years.

Jim also loved anything Badgers, Packers, his children and grandchildren and all of their activities and the concession stand that went along with that. He loved sports, fishing, and family time at the Cabin on Sand Lake. He loved his travels with Barbara and was an avid military patch collector.

He is survived by his wife Barbara, their five children, 15 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Kamil Mahdi (1953-1982) was an assistant professor of business administation at UW-Stevens Point. A native of Baghdad, Iraq, Mahdi and his wife Samela came to the U.S. in 1977. He earned a master’s degree fom Long Island University and was a Ph.D. candidate at UW-Milwaukee.

Prior to coming to America, Mahdi served as an assistant to the president at Tech Consult, a business consulting firm in Iraq. He was also a partner of Transcontinental Consultants, a business consulting firm in Washington, D.C., which he help found.

Herman (Hans) Vetter (1935-2020) was an owner and executive vice president of Vetter Manufacturing, a nationally recognized producer of wood windows and patio doors. Started by his grandfather in 1893, Vetter Manufacturing was a cornerstone of Stevens Point for more than 100 years.

Hans leaves a legacy of support for a variety of volunteer and healthcare organizations, including the Special Olympics and the Boy Scouts. He was a board member for the St. Michael’s Foundation, Portage County American Red Cross and United Way of Portage Country.

In 2014, after seeing the devastating effects Alzheimer’s can have on families and caregivers, Hans and Sherri established the Vetter Family Alzheimer’s Endowment in honor of his two sisters who suffered from the disease.

Hans was a life-long athlete who received All-Conference and All-State recognition playing on the undefeated and #1 state ranked football team at P.J. Jacobs. He also played football for St. Thomas University and continued playing sports throughout his life. He was well known for hosting tennis tournaments at his home; creating the Vetter Invitational Racquetball Tournament, which featured some of Stevens Point’s fiercest talent; and in his later years, organizing a cut-throat family ping pong tournament featuring the coveted Brett Favre trophy.

Hans had a special affection for young people. Throughout his life, he loved spending time with his children, step-children and grandkids. During his retirement years, he also had a very special connection with the littlest children he would ferry back and forth to school as a bus driver. He treasured the very special notes and treats they’d share with their beloved “Mr. Bus Driver.” Hundreds of children have been the beneficiaries of Hans’ patience, laughter and mentoring. He was a man who truly made a difference.

The oldest son of Herman (Buzz) and Dorothy Vetter, Hans was known for his kindness to all, sense of humor, athletic prowess, love of Packer football and the ability to turn every stranger into a friend. He married his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline Dell Viertel, in 1957 and had three children. He lost Jackie to cancer in 1977. Fortunately, Hans was a blessed man who found love again with Sherri Schwartz. They were married for 40 years, building a Brady Bunch life with their combined six children.

Bob (1928-2016), as he was called by family, friends and generations of customers of the Emmons Stationery Stores, served his community through his family business, his lifelong membership in the Church of the Intercession, as a board member, member and supporter of civic organizations, and his volunteer work, before and after he retired. He saw each customer, from individuals seeking special paper for a letter to corporate clients for whom he designed and outfitted their office interiors, as a means of helping people solve their problems. He cared about all their projects no matter the size and offered materials and creative ideas to meet their needs.

As his work with designing office interiors grew, Bob established Emmons Office Design Service that provided customized interior designs and furniture. His work that introduced a modern sophisticated design can be found in numerous offices, small and large, regionally and nationally.

The Emmons family was long involved in the Stevens Point business community. Newton Emmons was a partner in a lumbering concern in the middle of the nineteenth century. In 1902, Charles Emmons (Robert’s grandfather), opened a grocery and meat market which in 1916 became C.E. Emmons & Son when Myron Emmons joined as a partner. This business closed during the Depression but later Myron and Irene Emmons, Robert’s parents, opened Emmons Stationery and Office Supply Store. Robert graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in 1946 and after he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a year, he returned to Stevens Point to lead the family business after his father fell ill.

Under Bob’s leadership, Emmons Stationery steadily expanded for more than four decades, from its original downtown store on Strongs Avenue to a store near UW-Stevens Point, and additional retail stores in Wisconsin Rapids, Appleton and Wausau. The Emmons businesses provided employment for numerous people, some devoted employees working their entire career with “Mr. E,” as he was known. Bob took special pride in providing opportunities for young interior designers in the Emmons Office Design Service. He continued to lead the company until his retirement.

In addition to his tireless work at the family business, Bob lent his support to the Stevens Point business community as a board member of Citizens National Bank. He was also as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Stevens Point Rotary Club.

Bob and his wife Dorothy Ann Emmons (née Wilcox) were married on September 8, 1951, and she preceded him in death in 2001. They were active members of the Episcopal Church of the Intercession. Bob served on the church vestry and led countless church efforts and events, including hands-on restoration of the church rectory.

In retirement Bob pursued additional ways to serve others, as a driver for the American Red Cross and volunteering for Operation Bootstrap, the local food pantry. He enjoyed woodworking, painting and photography. Bob enthusiastically attended and supported performances of the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra.

It was often said that Megan O’Malley never met a sport she didn’t like. Megan swam, played soccer and tennis, ran cross country and participated in triathlons. She was an excellent windsurfer and spent a lot of time on skis with her siblings and parents. Megan captained and led the downhill ski team to nationals her senior year at Wisconsin. Her decision to become a physical therapist allowed her to combine her compassion for others with her passion for fitness and athletics. Megan died in an automobile accident in 1992 at age 25.​

Richard W. Hurlbut, Ph.D., age 63, of Waupaca, passed away suddenly on Friday, June 6, 2014, at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield. He was born in Stevens Point on October 23, 1950, a son of the late Kenneth and Elizabeth (Swan) Hurlbut. As evidence of a life well lived, Rick was surrounded by loved ones including family and longtime personal friends during his peaceful passing.

Hurlbut obtained his doctorate degree from UW-Madison in 1980. Since 1981 he has been a practicing psychologist in Stevens Point. Hurlbut was past-president of both the Wisconsin Psychological Association and the Society of Clinical and Consulting Psychologists. He was also the president of the Wisconsin Psychology Foundation and was an elected member of the Wisconsin Representatives for the American Psychological Association. His professional awards, honors and accolades are too numerous to list.

Rick’s love of people and adventure took him all over the world. He and his then-wife Connie Haack-Hurlbut, whom he was married to for 24 years, often flew in a private plane Rick piloted. He loved boating on the Chain, sailing in the Virgin Islands, scuba diving in Australia and especially his 35 years of attending the Indy 500.

Rick was passionate about music and never missed an opportunity to attend a live show. His love of the Rolling Stones, straight-forward Blues and anything that kept the body moving was well known to his friends.

Rick was a voracious reader, often reading multiple books at a time. He quoted Shakespeare, Vonnegut and Follett with equal ease and affection. He was a master conversationalist and always had a fresh joke to accompany his warm smile. He lived for baseball and celebrated in great style when his Boston Red Sox finally won the Series.

Rick deeply understood and consistently practiced the true meaning of friendship. He never turned down an opportunity to help a friend or offer his wise advice when asked.​

Carl Wohlbier was born Dec. 14, 1931, in Chippewa Falls, a son of the late Walter and Thora (Thompson) Wohlbier, Sr. He grew up in Chippewa Falls, attended local grade school and graduated from Chippewa Falls Senior High School in 1949.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army May 31, 1949. He served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged Aug. 7, 1952.

Following military service, he worked as a commission highway surveyor before attending the University of Eau Claire. In 1954, he transferred to Central State Teacher College in Stevens Point (now the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) and graduated with a degree in conservation and general science in 1958. During his time at the university, he was a charter member of the Siasefi.

He was married to Kathryn Greaton June 20, 1959, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stevens Point.

He became an employee of the Junction State Bank. He started as an assistant cashier and became bank president. While at the bank, he also owned Wolhbier Insurance Agency. In 1990 he retired from Junction State Bank and focused on his insurance agency. About two years later, he sold his insurance business to concentrate on his retirement.

He was a member of the Masons, belonging to Evergreen Lodge 93. He was also a member of the ROMEO breakfast group, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Jaycees, the Izaak Walton League, the Kiwanis Club and the Portage County Bankers Association. In earlier years he was a Boy Scout leader.
Carl Wohlbier was a HERO to many people, and he certainly was to us! Carl arrived on the campus of UWSP in the mid 1950s, after serving with the U.S. Army in Korea. He was a founding member of the school’s new fraternity, the Siasefis, and was elected president for two of its first couple of years. After graduating with a degree in natural resources, he joined the Junction City State Bank, which he served and lead for his entire career.

After Carl and Kay married, we became close friends. The Wohlbiers oldest child, Kristin, and our oldest, Kurt, were born in the same hospital, two months apart in 1960. Then our friendship just grew.

Although Carl was a banker all his life, natural resources were always close to his heart. He maintained a close relationship with the department at UWSP, and friendships with many, especially the chair of the department, Dan Trainer. He was a hero to many people in that field as well.

Carl was always proud; however, quite private about his military service. That all changed when about two years ago, he was honored with a flight to Washington D.C. to visit the the War Memorials in our nation’s capital. Again, a hero to so many!
Carl loved Kay, his children, grandchildren, tennis, golf, fishing, the Romeos, UWSP and life in general!

We all loved him, and he is, and will be forever, our HERO!

-Judy Anderson and Dick Cable

Wilhelmina was a courageous, adventuress, creative, strong, spiritual, and very giving and caring woman. She stood like a mountain in front of any problems. She had a great free spirit that transitioned to everyone that ever met her. She was a proud woman.

John began his career at UWSP in 1952 as dean of men and coach for football and wrestling; his 1955 football team remains the only undefeated squad in Pointers history. In 1957 John became the executive director of the WIAA where he served until his retirement in 1986. John championed the introduction of women’s sports into high school athletics, and further served the sports he loved through his extensive participation on a number of national and Olympic-level rules committees and governing boards.

John was inducted into eight state and national athletic halls of fame, was selected Man of the Year by the U.S. Wrestling Foundation in 1981, and received the Red Smith Sports Award in 1992. He also served his community as a member of St Paul’s Methodist Church, Kiwanis, Youth Baseball, the Stevens Point Country Club & Hot Shots, and was instrumental in the growth and expansion of the YMCA, his favorite work-out locale. In 1975 he received Stevens Point’s Distinguished Service Award and was honored as one of the community’s 150 Most Notable Citizens.

John’s indomitable spirit, which so endeared him to each and all, shall live on in our fond memories of this special ‘Coach’ who enriched so many lives along his way!

Margaret is a member of the inaugural group of honored heroes. She was the mother of Frank O’Brien the long-time athletic director at UW-Stevens Point. In addition to Frank, Margaret raised four other children while working to support her family. Special gifts to this fund were given in her honor and memory after her passing in 2007.

Honored Heroes – Faculty

Ethel lived in Stevens Point for over 70 years. She raised four children with her husband Ward, until his untimely death in 1948. Widowed at 43 and needing to provide for her young family, Ethel worked as a short-order cook at the Campus Café and the College Eat Shop near the UWSP campus. She also rented rooms to university students, who stayed in touch with her and her family for years after their graduation with letters and visits. Later, she was employed with Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association until her retirement in 1970.

Her family always came first and she was proud of them all.
Bill taught high school mathematics at P.J. Jacobs High School before transferring to UWSP in 1962 to join their math department. He retired from education in 1992 and lived in Stevens Point with his wife, Virginia. They have six children and 9 grandchildren. Bill died April 28, 2015 in Stevens Point.
Dick was a P.J. Jacobs High School basketball standout in the 1950’s and went on to play for the University of Wisconsin Badgers, and graduated in 1955. He retired from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company in Eau Claire as General Agent. He has four children, 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Bob is a retired engineer with the Soo Line Railroad, with over 39 years of service.  He lives in Whiting with his wife, Lois. They have two grown children and three grandchildren.
Judy worked for a Stevens Point CPA firm for nearly 20 years in payroll data processing before joining the College of Professional Studies at UWSP, retiring in 2005. Her husband John Anderson was a local writer, historian and former Director of News & Publications at UWSP, until his death in 1994. She lives in Stevens Point and has two sons, three step-sons and 1 grandson.
Ethel belonged to a Stevens Point bridge club for over 50 years and made life-long friendships. An excellent cook, she made many holiday dinners at her home with family and close friends.
Ethel lived a colorful life. She died at the age of 101 in 2006. Her children will always remember the special times she created, her terrific meals that we loved and her good example that we all tried to follow.

Donald Cable Lezer passed away on Dec. 28, 2020. Donald, described as a non-judgmental, loving person by family and friends, is honored in our family heroes fund for his exemplary lifestyle of caring for others.

The son of Ward Cable, Donald was born in Minneapolis in 1924 and following his education in Sauk Rapids, Minn., and graduating from the Drews Business College in St. Cloud, his employment took him to Ogden, Utah, with the U.S. Air Force. He was later employed with the Southern Pacific Railroad in the security department and human resources/payroll department. He retired with the SPRR as Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Operations in San Francisco, completing 43 years of service.

Donald married his sweetheart Grace in 1948 and they raised their three children in Odgen, Roy, Utah, San Francisco, and Concord, Calif. His daughter, Marchell, lives in Sandy, Utah; son, Jeff in Antioch, Calif., and son, Bruce in Concord, Calif. He’s also survived by six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Don’s volunteer work over the years included the Masons, the Scottish Rite and was a Shriner for over 50 years. He joined the Boy Scouts of America as a scoutmaster with three different troops in Ogden and Concord, and was awarded the Muir District Outstanding Scoutmaster Award in 1977 and later received the prestigious Scouters Key Award in 1978. Donald mentored all Scouts and helped 12 boys achieve Eagle Scout rank, including his two sons, Jeff and Bruce.

Our entire Cable Family welcomes Donald into our FAMILY OF HEROES!!

Lynn Elizabeth Thorn Hagin passed away on Oct. 12, 2018 at the age of 70 surrounded by her family in Orange County, Calif.

Lynn was born on November 22, 1947 in Pasadena, Calif., to H. Clifford and Nancibel Thorn. She spent her childhood in Covina, Calif., and later Balboa Island, Calif.

Lynn graduated from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, with a B.S. degree in mathematics and later obtained her master’s degree in social work from California State University, Northridge.

She married Dan Hagin in 1967, residing in Orange County until 2008 when they moved to North Carolina. In 2014 Lynn moved back to Southern California to be near her granddaughter, Adelaide Rodin.

Lynn spent her life in service to others, beginning her career as an early education preschool teacher and spent many years running her own business as a certified life coach.

She is survived by her daughter Katie Rodin, son-in-law Trevor Rodin, granddaughter Adelaide Harper Rodin, son William Hagin, daughter-in-law Lindsay Foley, her sisters Sharon Lee and Jane Munzer, brother Tim Thorn, dear cousin Judy Cable Anderson with whom she shared a very special friendship, as well as many cousins and nieces and nephews who adored her.

Lynn was loved by many–family and friends, coworkers and clients and will be remembered for her kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness.

Judy Cable Anderson’s memories and thoughts of her cousin Lynn:

Lynn’s father and my mother were siblings and I have such wonderful memories of spending family vacations together in California and Stevens Point. Distance was a factor that kept me from close relationships with her extended family but the four years between Lynn and I didn’t seem to matter as little girls, which is where our very special bond began. I’ll always remember her laugh, warm hugs, sharp sense of humor, energy for fun and most of all, the love that surrounded her persona. I’ll miss her until the end of my days–Lynn is a hero to many and certainly is to me.

Robert E. Cable was born December 28, 1936, to Ward and Ethel (Harding) Cable in Stevens Point, where he lived his entire life. He is a 1955 graduate of P.J. Jacobs High School. Following high school, he entered the U.S. Army and was stationed at five different Army bases stateside until receiving an honorable discharge in 1957.

Following in his family footsteps, he hired on with the Soo Line Railroad in 1957 and retired as an engineer after nearly 40 years of service. His early rail trips took him to northwestern Wisconsin, and later, from Portage, Wisconsin, to the Twin Cities. Bob, together with his grandfather, Ira Cable, his father, Ward Cable, and brother, Bill Cable, completed 100 consecutive years of Cable family members working for the Soo Line Railroad.

He married Lois R. Holubetz of Wausau at Immanuel Baptist Church on June 24, 1967. He took pride in his yard and large garden and enjoyed many summer days at Sunset Lake in Portage County and at Little Silver Lake in Wild Rose.

Robert died January 15, 2017, after being diagnosed in early December with a brain tumor. He is survived by his wife, Lois, of nearly 50 years; son Gregory (Angela) Cable, grandchildren, Justin and Alivia; daughter, Jennifer Cable (Mark Ponczoch, Sr.), granddaughter, Kathryn, and Mark’s older children, Mark Jr. and Baylee.

William J. Cable was born June 30, 1930, in Superior the son of Ward and Ethel (Harding) Cable. He graduated from UW-Madison and the University of Colorado with a Master of Science in Mathematics and a Master’s of Education. William married Virginia M. Fischer on August 29, 1952, in Stevens Point. He retired from UW-Stevens Point in 1994 after 34 years of service. William loved to follow sports, especially the Wisconsin Badgers and Chicago Cubs. He enjoyed reading and had a large collection of civil war books. He was a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

William J. Cable age 84, of Stevens Point passed away April 28, 2015. William is survived by his wife of 62 years Virginia; their 6 children: Debbie (Mark) Dean, Rebecca (Will) Royster, Robert Cable, Sara (Eric) Schiesser, Gina (Griffen) Erdman, Martin Cable; 9 grandchildren: Jessica, Katie, Scott, Devin, Robin, Elizabeth, Billy, Melissa and Alex; one great grandson: Oliver; 2 brothers: Richard Cable and Robert (Lois) Cable; and one sister: Judy Anderson. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law Winnie, 2 sister-in-laws: Gwen and Marlene and 2 brother-in-laws: Dave and John.

Milton W. Thorn, First Sergeant, Co. F, 407th Infantry Regiment. Born April 22, 1922, in Minneapolis, Minn. Graduated from USC with a BS degree and a MBA degree. Enlisted in the Army in September 1942, in Los Angeles, California, basic training at Camp Roberts, California. Attended Purdue University in the ASTP Program, joined the 102nd Infantry Division in March 1944.

Served in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. Received American Campaign Medal, European-African Middle Eastern Campaign, 2 battle stars, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge. Discharged in March 1946 at Camp Grant, Illinois.

Milt married Isolde on August 14, 1948, in Alhambra, California, at the First Methodist Church. They were married for 67 years. They have three children: Frances, Cliff and Heidi. They have six grandchildren: Noelle, Taylor, Kristin, Erik, Brian and Adam. Milt’s profession included teacher, principal and 21 years as director of instruction and administrative dean at Mt. San Antonio Community College, in Walnut, California. He retired in 1982 with 31 years in education.

Milton lived in Covina, West Covina and Huntington Beach, California, with his wife Isolde. He was a proud member of the Rotary Club for many years and served in various positions. He enjoyed boating, fishing and gardening. He had one brother, Clifford, and a half sister, Ethel Cable. His father was H. Clifford and his mother was Frances E.

Milton passed away on April 26, 2016, in Huntington Beach, California. He was 94-years-old. Milt/Dad is missed and remembered by his surviving family.

Marlene’s parents were living in Rosholt at the time of her birth at St. Michael’s Hospital in Stevens Point. Her father had a dental practice in Rosholt; however, after his discharge from the Navy in 1945, Dr. Jensen moved his practice and family to Stevens Point where Marlene attended school. She attended the UW-Stevens Point Training School for her elementary grades, Emerson Junior High, and P.J. Jacobs High School before enrolling at Central State Teachers College (UWSP) in 1956.

Marlene began her major in home economics but change to elementary education after her freshman year.

Prior to her senior year in college, Marlene and Dick Cable married on Aug. 8, 1959. About the middle of her final semester, Marlene signed a contract to teach in Whiting/Stevens Point Point upon graduation in June. She was forced to terminate the contract when she found out she was pregnant. The school system did not allow a pregnant woman to teach at that time. How things have changed.

Marlene and Dick, and their four children, Kurt, Dan, Kathy and Jodi, moved to Eau Claire in 1972, where Marlene continued to be a full-time mom. She did however, find time to get involved in several community groups including Trinity Lutheran Church, PEO, the University Book Group, and UW-Eau Claire Foundation, among others. One group in which Marlene was particularly passionate was the University’s Single Parent Scholarship Fund which she helped start. What she liked most about this fund, was that it helped women with children and very few resources, obtain a college education.

It was most fitting that when Marlene past away in 2009 after a long siege with liver cancer, friends began a new Single Parent Fund at UWEC in her honor. The fund was named “The Heroes Fund” in which Marlene was to be the FIRST Hero, with others being named and added in the future. By July 2014, there have been over 25 heroes added, with a current fund balance in excess of $45,000. She would be very pleased.

Everyone has a hero, and Marlene has been a hero to her family and friends, for SURE!

Ethel lived in Stevens Point for more than 70 years. She raised four children with her husband Ward, until his untimely death in 1948. A widow at 43 and needing to provide for her young family, Ethel worked as a short-order cook at the Campus Café and the College Eat Shop near the UWSP campus. She also rented rooms to university students, who stayed in touch with her and her family for years after their graduation with letters and visits. Later, she was employed with Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association until her retirement in 1970.

Her family always came first and she was proud of them all.

  • Bill taught high school mathematics at P.J. Jacobs High School before transferring to UWSP in 1962 to join the math department. He retired from education in 1992 and lives in Stevens Point with his wife, Virginia. They have six children and nine grandchildren.
  • Dick was a high school basketball standout in the 1950s and went on to play for the University of Wisconsin Badgers. He retired from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company in Eau Claire as general agent. He has four children and 12 grandchildren.
  • Bob is a retired engineer with the Soo Line Railroad, with over 39 years of service. He lives in Whiting with his wife, Lois. They have two children and two grandchildren.
  • Judy worked for a Stevens Point CPA firm for nearly 20 years in payroll data processing before joining the College of Professional Studies at UWSP, retiring in 2005. Her husband ;John Anderson was a local writer, historian and former director of News & Publications at UWSP, until his death in 1994. She lives in Stevens Point and has two sons, three step-sons, and one ;grandson.

Ethel belonged to a Stevens Point bridge club for over 50 years and made life-long friendships. An excellent cook, she hosted many holiday dinners at her home with family and close friends.

Ethel lived a colorful life. She died at the age of 101 in 2006. Her children will always remember the special times she created, her terrific meals that we loved and her good example that we all tried to follow.

Looking to Honor a Hero?

Gina Miresse

Gina Miresse

  • Major Gifts Officer – College of Professional Studies
  • Diversity Task Force – College of Professional Studies
College of Professional Studies, College of Professional Studies Dean’s Office, CPS Diversity Task Force
715-346-3304