Memorial Donor Quilts

Memory Book Memorial Donor Family Quilt

Dale Wagner

Osseo, Wis.
Aug. 14, 1942 - Aug. 16, 2001

Although not wealthy by the world's standards, Dale Wagner had many friends whose world he brightened. How many men you know would start a full day of work listening to polka music? 'It's happy' was his reply when asked why. All the sugar he ate must have sweetened him up so much that it had to spread to those he met, but I think there was a bit of vinegar in there, too. (He loved kipper snacks, pickled herring and green olives.) For 35 years, he and his beloved bride fulfilled the American ideal of 'work hard/play hard'. Camping in a pickup with a topper on it, our family saw many states enjoying all of 'God's Country.' His biggest dream came true when he and his bride (of 26 years) were able to take a trip from Durango to Silverton aboard an old steam locomotive that took them into the most glamorous mountains of Colorado. This Gentle Giant worked for the city of Osseo for 16 years until God called him home. The train on the quilt is blue representing his eyes and plaid representing his favorite color. My brother and I inherited a wonderful heritage. We may not go out and change the world, but we'll brighten the corner we're in.

- Nichole Wagner, daughter

Naomia Louise Franklin

Roberts, Wis.
Jan. 26, 1940 - July 18, 2002

Naomia was a very loved person. She was a mother, grandmother, wife, aunt, friend and a nurse to many. Naomia had a Santa Claus collection that she loved to display. The blue hearts on the quilt square are her grandsons Shawn and Cody. The pink hearts are her granddaughters, Elizabeth and Samantha. The blue and tan border is the colors of one of the many handmade quilts Naomia was creating when we lost her. We love you, Naomia.

- Timothy Franklin, husband

Stacy Rae Goossens

Glenwood City, Wis.
Oct. 30, 1969 - June 5, 2002

Stacy was killed in a car accident. She leaves behind two children, Shane, 15, and Heather, 12. Stacy was a vibrant person, so full of life and always willing to help in any way she could. She had such a heart of gold. This is why she would want to be a donor. She would want to help in any way she could to enrich the lives of others. Stacy loved the outdoors. She loved collecting rocks. She had many rock gardens. She would go rock hunting with the kids for hours. She also rebuilt car motors and put them back into the cars, changed all her own oil. Guess she could repair just about anything. The last thing she fixed was my chain saw. She was happy with what she had. She used to say money isn't everything. We miss her so very much. But it helps to know that she lives on in so many people with her gift of life to others.

- Cheryl Towner, mother
Shane and Heather, children
Gerilyn, sister

Wesley M. Bailey

Sparta, Wis.
March 1, 1920 - Oct. 3, 2002

Wesley was proud of his service to his country, being in five battle areas, the last one, the 'Battle of the Bulge.' He drove over-the-road truck for 31 years. He was a loving father to his family of 13 children.

- Doana Bailey, wife

Ed Fuhrman

Hazelhurst, Wis.
Aug. 30, 1907 - April 10, 2002

This square was made as a memorial to Edward J. Fuhrman. Ed was a very humorous man. He gave joy to many. In his later years, the nursing home staff looked to him for cheer each day. He and his wife Augusta raised seven children, so I am sure a sense of humor helped! Ed and Augusta were married 68 years before her death. He always had a yard filled with flowers and raised fruits and vegetables on the land he owned for many years in Hazelhurst.

He had a successful landscaping business for many years and taught his children the value of hard work. Ed was nearing his 95th birthday when he passed away. This depicts Ed as he always looked-a smile on his face and telling jokes and stories or pulling pranks on others. His family and friends all miss him and we know he is spreading that cheer yet. Maybe when it thunders, we are hearing God laughing from one of his tales.

- Bonnie Haugen, daughter

Michael Robert Sorkan

Mason, Wis.
Sept. 14, 1936 - March 12, 2002

What a husband, what a dad, what a grandpa, what a friend, what a life! He lived life to the fullest. Each picture in this square represents a piece of him, but this square wouldn't be enough to really share what he was all about. From his successful landscaping business to his courageous firefighting years, to his love for hunting and fishing, and his favorite 'Hee-Haw' bibs-he really did have a lot to his life. His leadership drive definitely impacted his landscaping business, considering he started it on his own. As a firefighter, who would have thought saving lives could hurt your own? He ended up hurting his back, which affected him the rest of his life. If it weren't for fishing and hunting, he just wouldn't be the same 'lovin' the outdoors' kind of guy we knew. Don't even get me started with the 'everywhere-you-go, conversation-starting Hee-Haw bibs'! Along with the other donors honored, Michael deserves a piece of this quilt. He was a lover of life, which was taken from him without even one tear from his eyes. Michael R. Sorkan-loved and remembered by many.

- Sandra Sorkan, wife

Cynthia Engan

Strum, Wis.
May 3, 1968 - Sept. 15, 2002

My daughter and granddaughter were in a car accident on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002. Cynthia died shortly after the accident; our granddaughter Taylor was flown to a Rochester hospital by helicopter in very serious condition. She survived. The picture on the quilt was taken for their Christmas cards in 2001. Taylor sleeps with this picture of her mom every night. We had it screen-printed on a pillowcase for her, so we feel this is their special picture. We will never let Taylor forget her mom, who was very special and took very good care of her daughter.

- Claudia Engan, mother

Cheyenne Anita Hanson

Withee, Wis.
Nov. 27, 2001 - March 6, 2002

Cheyenne's square reflects her room's decor when she came home. Cheyenne wasn't with us that long, and was very little-2 lbs., 4 oz. At birth-but she knew what she wanted from the start. She was a very loving child. She went through a hard life those three months that she was with us-first, being born early, then not knowing what caused her to be born early and going through lots and lots of testing, to gaining rapid weight, and being 9 lbs. when she died. She touched a lot of hearts with the nurses and doctors who were with her day in and day out throughout the three months. We all don't really know what she had. The only speculation was Noonans Syndrome, a very rare disease striking 1 in 1,000 children and not usually detected until they are six months or older. We donated her heart valves to help other families learn about this condition.

- Jennifer Hanson, mother

Hazel Bazan

Madison, Wis.
Sept. 11, 1914 - June 18, 2002

My mother, Hazel Bazan, had a gift. She could always see the positive in any situation. When life dealt her lemons, she made lemonade. She used to tell me that every cloud had a silver lining and things usually turned out for the best, even though it might not appear that way. When she had breast cancer at age 44, she didn't give up hope. She decided to help other women facing the same situation. For the next 25 years, she founded and ran the Reach to Recovery program for the American Cancer Society. She faced many other challenges-losing a kidney, losing a child-and faced many difficult surgeries, but she did it with grace, never complaining that life wasn't fair. She taught me that if you do your best in any situation, you will be content. Even in death, she wanted to help others, so she requested that her tissues be used to help the living. She will be remembered with love. The design of the quilt represents Hazel's hairstyle that she wore for more than 40 hears. Her French twist hairdo and signature barrette represents her. The swirl is a halo, the 'V' shape is a dove and the angel pin is placed to be the accent over the 'a' in Bazan.

- Suzi Friedell, daughter

Donald Earl Neumann

Cottage Grove, Minn.
Oct. 8, 1938 - Oct. 30, 2002

Our father was a very generous man. He would give his last dollar if he knew it would help. He loved to socialize and have family gatherings. In his later 30s, he developed diabetes and was forced to retire from the State of Minnesota as a night-time security guard. We had a cabin in Webster, Wis., which is where Don retired. The community was very kind and friendly. My dad made many friends there. He continued to fight his battle with diabetes, which by his late 50s had taken both his legs and was beginning to take his sight. My father never complained about his debilitating state and was always there with a smile and a story to tell. We enjoyed all that he offered us as his children and friends. Even in the last days, my father was telling our children ghost stories and stories about when he was a child. We are very blessed to have known such a man with a heart so big and a smile so soft. He will truly be missed. The fact that he was able to give something back when so much was taken is truly a testament to the man he was.

- Janet Finneman, daughter

Harley Hicks

New Lisbon, Wis.
Dec. 4, 1939 - June 14, 2002

This quilt square for Harley Hicks was designed by three of our godsons, John, Mark and Luke Joseph. My husband was a winner. He excelled in football, baseball and basketball and lettered in all three sports four years and All-Conference two years in football. He sponsored and coached a Little League team for his sons. We spent many nights on the road driving team members. His daughter went to the softball state championships three years. Harley played baseball for years and slow pitch softball until he lost his vision at 45. In his last game, he hit a homer for his dad. I know this happened only with God's help because Harley couldn't see to drive anymore. Harley and I were married 41 blessed, loving years. We have three beautiful children, four grandchildren-two deceased now-and a son-in-law and daughter-in-law we love very much. Harley was in the National Guard 31 years and served in the Berlin crisis. He worked at Camp Williams as an electronic engineer 26 years. Harley was a God-loving person and expected his family to follow what he professed. He loved his God, his family and his country and never backed down in his faith or beliefs. The last weekend of his life, we were at church assembly when he became sick. All the way home, he told me he'd love me through eternity. What more could a person ask for? He had a kidney transplant in 1991 and we decided to become donors then. He couldn't see to do anything except listen to a ball game, Rush Limbaugh or a church service on the radio or TV.

- Evelyn Hicks, wife

Glenn Peter Bruxvoort

Bloomer, Wis.
March 1, 1962 - Dec. 4, 2001

Glenn Peter Bruxvoort loved nature. Camping in the outdoors was a favorite childhood activity, something he continued to love in boyhood cadet campouts, and later with his wife and children. Glenn believed not only that "the earth is the Lord's", but that he himself belonged, body and soul, to his faithful savior, Jesus Christ. Glenn was a graduate of Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Mich. He also graduated with a master's degree in geotechnology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During his college summers, he passed up higher-paying jobs to work at a Michigan camp for underprivileged children. His love for the earth showed in his work on soil pollution problems as a licensed civil engineer. He loved one piece of land, 120 acres of wooded hills and open prairie, purchased near Bloomer. He cared for this land as God's steward. For example, he showed his love for wildlife by putting up bluebird houses each spring. The "land", as he called it, was a refuge for his family and something to share with relatives and friends. Glenn lived in the hope of a "new heaven and a new earth" while a good steward of this earth for 39 years.

- Elaine Bruxvoort, mother

Marvin W. Olien

New Richmond, Wis.
May 7, 1919 - Jan. 25, 2002

If you had a three-minute conversation with Marvin Olien, you would hear three thoughts that defined his life: love of family, country and automobiles. Because Marvin's father was one of the first automobile dealers in the county, it was only natural that Marvin would develop a love for the automobile. At the age of 7, he started driving and at 12, his father purchased a 1930 Austin American Bantam for him. In 1938, he married Alta Mae Bottelfson and together (64 years), they raised three sons. They required that each son receive a college education. When Pearl Harbor was attached, Marvin enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He served four years, ending his enlistment as a Technical Sergeant in the Pacific Theater (1946). This earned him a charter membership in the New Richmond VFW. Marvin returned to New Richmond in 1946, where he joined his family-owned Chrysler Plymouth dealership. For the next 30 years, he pursued his career in automobile body repair. Marvin enjoyed reading about World War II history. He and Alta Mae spent many years traveling, camping and meeting new people through square dancing. Marvin was known as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend.

- Alta Mae Olien, wife

Rachel Brooke Nordby

Blair, Wis.
July 13, 1980 - June 24, 2002

Rachel was born to Owen and Carol Nordby. Her siblings are Brian, Shelley and Aaron. Rachel was the youngest. She attended Sunset Elementary and Whitehall Memorial High School, graduating in 1998. She was a basketball cheerleader, FHA delegate and Ecology Club member. She traveled to Europe in the summer of 1997. She was currently attending the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, majoring in Social Work. Rachel loved dancing, road trips and spending time with family and friends. She had a sweet and caring nature, compassion for the less fortunate and a bubbly laugh. She cherished all her friends and named her cars. She absolutely adored Aerosmith and Steven Tyler. She attended several tour concerts. Our family hopes Rachel's special gifts of tissue improve the lives of each recipient so she lives on. She is forever in our hearts and we are grateful to God for our time on earth together. We will love you forever, Rachel, till we meet again. To all of you who loved her-you made a difference in her life.

- Dad and Mom
Brian, Annette, Nate, Justin, Joshua, Shelley, Donnie, Amanda, Aaron and Stacy

Mark L. Bjork, Jr.

Boulder Junction, Wis.
March 24, 1985 - Nov. 8, 2002

This square is in memory of Mark L. Bjork, Jr. Mark was a brother, a son and a friend to many. Mark was known as the young man with the little red truck and the loud stereo system. Mark enjoyed many outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. Mark was a shy young man who touched many people's lives. Mark will be missed by many and be in our hearts forever. We hope that this square will let those who didn't know Mark to know him better and help those who did, to hold him forever in their hearts. Mark, we love you and we will miss you forever. Rest in peace.

- Julie Bjork, mother

Carl W. Dvorak

Tomah, Wis.
Jan. 13, 1951 - July 12, 2002

Carl's quilt square is a representation of our Honda Gold Wing. It was what he really enjoyed in his free time. He would ride from snow-melt to snowfall each year, and always rode the 12 miles to and from his job at Fort McCoy, weather permitting (and sometimes not). We both spent many hours of enjoyment riding the hills of Wisconsin. He was riding when he missed a curve and hit gravel, flew off, and his body hit a steel post. The injuries caused his death. The cycle was dark green, and I embroidered it with gold thread to represent the 'Gold' Wing. I used cloud material for the background because of a remark made at the Dvorak family reunion, which was held the weekend after his death. While at the reunion, it started to storm with thunder and lightning. Our daughter, Krista, commented that 'Dad is at the reunion. He's riding with the Big Boys now.' Carl was 51 years young, and a very generous-hearted man. Our family and many friends will remember him forever with love in our hearts.

- Gail M. Dvorak, wife

Florence McMahon

Eau Claire, Wis.
June 6, 1932 - May 30, 2002

This quilt square shows our mother as a beautiful young lady. With her marriage to our father came 10 children, each as individual and special as the next. We are stronger for the courage and strength she showed us, for we all know that there are angels among us.

- Richard, James and Donna
Geraldine and Joe

Sharon (Sherry) Heins

New Richmond, Wis.
March 6, 1943 - Dec. 31, 2001

Sharon (Sherry) was 'young at heart.' She was always ready to have fun with her friends and family. She enjoyed fishing, playing Euchre, and watching the Green Bay Packers. She is missed for her funny sense of humor, her fun ways, and everyone with whom she came in contact loved her. She had three children, Geraldine, Kevin and Annie.

- Nancy Candy, sister

Tom Eades

Rhinelander, Wis.
Sept. 21, 1953 - Jan. 26, 2002

My husband was an avid outdoorsman and loved to fish and hunt. He hunted elk in Montana for many years and went as far as Canada to hunt geese. Tom died of a massive heart attack while ice fishing with me-no warnings, no family history, very sudden, but certainly the way he would have wanted to die, just years too soon. Tom instilled in both of our sons the love of the outdoors and the sport of good fishing and hunting. He is greatly missed by them, but spent a great deal of time with them when he was alive. I used some of Tom's camouflage fabric on the square. We would have celebrated our 30th anniversary in the fall of 2002.

- Mary Eades, wife

Leo Peter Richards

Minocqua, Wis.
Feb. 26, 1927 - Dec. 14, 2001

It's hard to put so many thoughts and memories into words or in a quilt block. Leo liked the outdoors-hunting, fishing, and gardening. He lived all his life in Wisconsin except for 18 months when he served in the Air Corps. Being the youngest of 10 children, he learned so many trades, and worked as a glazier. He was a giver, helping all he could. Leo came into my life in 1990. We spent every day together, and in 1993, we eloped to Las Vegas. We both knew the years were a gift, so we marked each month's anniversary on the 8th, our wedding date. He came from the school of thought that he was the one to do most everything. He died doing for me, in a swift heart failure, while changing a tire. I was by his side and laid him on the pavement. In my heart, I knew that it was over. One thing that gives me comfort is the fact Leo often told me and others that 'the Lord saved the best for last.' Leo became a father to my children. His six stepchildren, 10 step grandchildren and two great grandchildren miss him. We all have part of his love in our hearts.

- Jean Richards, wife