Menomonie Minute

From the Thursdays Table Facebook page.

From the Facebook post.

Kick Off 2025 with Trivia Night at The Spirit Room!

Join us on Thursday, January 23rd, at 7 PM for the first trivia night of the new year! Gather your team, test your knowledge, and enjoy an evening of fun, drinks, and friendly competition in the cozy atmosphere of The Spirit Room. Whether you're a trivia master or just in it for the laughs, this is the perfect way to start the year with good times and great company. Don’t miss out!

From the Mabel Tainter Theater website.

‘Be a difference maker’: 510 graduates at Dec. 14 commencement ceremony look to impact the future

By Abby Goers, UW-Stout

Menomonie, Wis. – While snowflakes dusted the sidewalks outside, 510 smiling graduates crossed the commencement stage at University of Wisconsin-Stout – Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University – on Dec. 14.

At two ceremonies in Johnson Fieldhouse, two alumni guest speakers and three graduates of the Class of 2024 shared warm messages of overcoming the uncertainty of success, living as your genuine self and the power of communication and connections – all lessons they learned through their academic and personal journeys at UW-Stout.

Emily Fanucci, engineering manager at Advanced Molding Technologies, in Circle Pines, Minn., addressed the undergraduate ceremony; and Laura Knudsen, outpatient clinical dietitian, diabetes care and education specialist with Mayo Clinic Health System, the Graduate Studies ceremony.

Ceremonies were held at 10 a.m. for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management and the College of Arts and Human Sciences; and at 2 p.m. for Graduate Studies.

Student speakers were:

• Undergraduate ceremony: Ethan Myers, of Pleasant Prairie, packaging; and Hannah Timm, of Fremont, family and consumer sciences education

• Graduate Studies ceremony: Kalsow, of Menomonie, master’s in clinical mental health counseling.

  
  

‘Be a difference maker’

Fanucci, a 2010 graduate in technology education and manufacturing engineering, spoke of her prior fear of public speaking, overcoming this fear, and her recognition of the importance of teaching soft skills, like communication, teamwork and critical thinking. It is these soft skills that have made her a trusted leader, she said.

“By showing up as my true self, listening to understand, and getting to know my team members on a personal level, I demonstrate my commitment to them. By nurturing these human connections, I empower my team to grow and succeed,” Fanucci said.

“Whether you’ve excelled in hands-on learning or in more traditional academic settings, this university has prepared you to succeed,” she added. “And as you take that next step into your careers, I hope you continue to remember the lessons that Stout has taught you – not just the technical expertise you’ve gained, but the importance of staying open to growth and learning in all areas of your life.

“As you move forward, find the courage to speak up and share your thoughts. The more you trust yourself and your ideas, the more you’ll discover the power of your own voice.”

Knudsen, a 2005 dietetics and 2008 master's in food and nutritional sciences alum, emphasized the importance of creating connections to strengthen collaborations, as well as employability now and down the road.

“UW-Stout’s focus on hands-on learning helped me to make connections in the community, which ended up being key for all of my jobs after graduation,” Knudsen said.

“Know that you have connections at Stout, you have connections through your work experience, you have connections through your classmates and friendships. We are meant to have relationships and connections with others.

“Use your resources to collaborate with others to excel where you are. Use your resources to help you get where you want to be careerwise. Thrive in your field. Be a difference maker. You are qualified,” she said.

Embracing their stories with no regrets

Myers and Timm encouraged their peers to embrace their own unique stories, to continue to be brave through challenges and not to confuse what-ifs with regrets.

“Each of us has had to dig deep. And we have grown – not just as students, but as individuals. We’ve learned, adapted and seen the world through new perspectives,” Timm said.

“I know there’s a lot of uncertainty out there. We don’t always know what comes next,” she added. “But that’s also the beauty of it. The unknown brings with it endless possibilities. So, I urge you: Embrace it. Embrace the challenges, embrace the change, and above all, embrace the opportunity to keep growing. Continue to be a lifelong learner, far past the hallways of UW-Stout.”

Myers urged his peers not to compare their stories to others, nor the choices they made.

“Your story is what got you here. And that is worth celebrating,” he said. “My freshman year I was very worried about pleasing the people around me. I wanted to make sure that what I was doing was seen as ‘cool.’ I had looked at the stories other people were creating and decided that my story should be the same.”

But those who know Myers, who spends his weekends as a street magician, know that isn’t true anymore.

“Magic is now a defining part of who I am, and it is how most people know me. And if I was caught up in my what-ifs, if I was full of regret, if I went back and stopped doing this thing I loved, I’d lose any sort of individualism I had. Remember how your unique experience brought you here,” he said.

Timm and Myers are both recipients of the Samuel E. Wood Medallion, the highest nonacademic award for students at UW-Stout, at the 2024 Leadership Awards. Fewer than 1% of full-time students receive the award. It is presented to seniors who have contributed in student activities, leadership and scholastic ability. Winners are chosen by a committee representing faculty, staff and students.

‘A future waiting to be illuminated’

Kalsow’s message of growth was born of the poem “New Beginnings” by Stephanie Lane Sutton.

For years, Kalsow was afraid of success and what that would mean in both their education and future career, even to the point of letting their fear draw them near academic probation.

Through Sutton’s poem and with faculty support, Kalsow was inspired to “strive for success, own that effort, and tolerate the subsequent fear over and over again.”

Sutton’s poem begins: “what is a state line if not a line in the sand? on one side, the life you know. on the other, a future waiting to be illuminated.”

Kalsow noted that commencement is a transition in life and asked their peers, “How much is your future illuminated? Who do you trust to light your future if you’re not able to? … What does it mean to be yourself? What could happen when you engage with the world as your full self? … Venture forth into new beginnings. Your next path starts as you embrace success and cross this commencement stage.”

UW-Stout, a member of the Universities of Wisconsin, is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes. Learn more via the FOCUS2030 strategic plan.

At 2:30 AM on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, a crash occurred on US 12 WB at CTH E in DUNN County near MENOMONIE. 

Assisting agencies included the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office. 

The crash involved 1 fatality and 4 injuries. Vehicle and occupant information can be found below.

The details of the crash are as follows: 

Wisconsin State Troopers, along with Dunn County Sheriff’s Deputies, responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 12/29 at county highway E in Dunn County near Menomonie. Upon arriving on the scene, officers found a deceased male driver from an overturned vehicle and four injured occupants from another vehicle. As officers continued the crash investigation, the surviving driver, Mr. Sokolowski, was subsequently arrested for homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. The name of the deceased is being withheld at this time, pending notification of family members. 

PARTIES INVOLVED 

Unit 1: Van/SUV (2018 Ford Expedition) 

Driver: Sokolowski, Mark Allen 

40-Year-Old Male From Eau Claire

Injuries: Non-Life Threatening

Transported To: Mayo

Seatbelt Use: Yes

Alcohol Use: Yes

Enforcement Action: Yes 

Passenger: Name is withheld pending notification of family. 

30-Year-Old Female From Eau Claire

Injuries: Life Threatening

Transported To: Mayo

Enforcement Action: No 

Passenger: Name is withheld pending notification of family. 

20-Year-Old Male From Hillsdale

Injuries: Non-Life Threatening

Enforcement Action: No 

Passenger: Name is withheld pending notification of family. 

23-Year-Old Male From Barron

Injuries: Non-Life Threatening

Enforcement Action: No 

Unit 2: Passenger Car (2013 Subaru Outback) 

Driver: Name is withheld pending notification of family. 

56 Year Old Male From Eau Claire

Injuries: Fatal

Alcohol Use: No

Enforcement Action: No 

Wisconsin State Patrol media release

The Cathy Reitz Trio features Cathy on vocals/Melodica and 2 of her favorite musicians, Jeff Reitz on woodwinds and Emily Watkins on guitar/vocals or Nick Poss on piano. They are both favorites of ours. We have been performing together for over 20 years. Our song list covers over 100 years of great music, the Roaring 20’s to the 2020’s.

From the Mabel Tainter Theater website.

Jim “Doc” Miller is a Menomonie Wisconsin based singer/acoustic guitarist who plays original "folk rock flavored" material as well as performing (and telling the stories behind ) a wide and eclectic range of covers drawn primarily from the "Woodstock" era of the 60's and 70's, from John Prine to prog rock, Emmylou Harris to the British Invasion, Beatles to Stones and back again, with deep dives into Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot, John Fogerty, Paul Simon and Harry Chapin, while also showcasing contemporary small time folksingers nearly as obscure as Doc himself

From the Mabel Tainter website.

Ronald E. Rodey was born to Louis and Eleanor Rodey on August 15, 1944, in Menomonie, WI. He was baptized in the Christian Faith and graduated from Menomonie High School in 1964 before joining the United States National Guard. Ron married Carolyn Piggers, and two children were born, Timothy and Maroin Rodey. Ron and Carolyn later divorced.

Ron moved to Illinois for work but moved back to Menomonie, where he met the love of his life, Patricia Wagner. Ron and Pat married on November 3, 1979. Together they raised five beautiful children together.

In Ron’s spare time, he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and berry picking on his property south of Wheeler. He loved teaching his grandkids about the great outdoors.

Ron leaves behind his loving wife Pat of 45 years; 3 sons, Timothy Rodey (Marguetta) of Menomonie, Marvin Rodey (Terri) of Menomonie, Patrick Wagner (Anika) of Hager City, WI; 2 daughters Peggy Rodey of Mondovi, WI and Sara Wagner (Kelly Franks) of St. Paul, MN; and 11 grandchildren Fielicia York of Menomonie, Tyler Rodey (Caitlin) of Boyceville, WI, Timmy Rodey Jr. of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, River Rodey (Dallas) of Holt MO. Chandler Wagner (Trish) of Belle Plaine, MN, Trevor Brown (Danielle) of New Richmond, WI, Rose Freund (Patrick) of Colfax, WI, Matthew Brown (Hailey) of Eau Claire, WI, Vincent Rodey of Colfax, WI and Kyle Rodey of Menomonie, WI; 10 great-grandchildren Ben, Gabe, Nova, Freyja, Roman, Dahlia, Wade, Jameson, Willow, Evelee as well as many adopted grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Elanore Rodey, and his beautiful granddaughter, Tina Mae Rodey.

There will be a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. on January 11, 2025, at Peace Lutheran Church in Menomonie, WI, with Pastor Augie Hohl officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Military honors will be performed by the Menomonie Veterans Honor Guard following the service. A private burial at Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Menomonie, WI, will be held at a later date. Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI, will be serving the family.

Olson Funeral Home

Janelle K. Caswell, age 62, of Colfax, passed away peacefully at her home with her husband by her side on Sunday, December 22nd.

Janelle was born in Menomonie on October 17, 1962, to Adeline and Willard Tronrud. She was raised in Boyceville and graduated from Boyceville High School.

She made a career working for Swiss Miss for 33 years where she later retired from.

In her free time, she enjoyed traveling, gardening, and canning her homegrown vegetables. She loved being with friends and always having a good time. Nellie was loved by so many, and she loved them right back. She had the biggest heart.

Janelle is survived by her husband, Lonny Caswell; children Miranda (Nate) Wayne and Micheal (Wendy) Hotter; stepchildren Jacob (Kari) Caswell and Jacqueline (Scott) Keltner; 12 grandchildren. She is further survived by her sister, Peggy (Greg) Olson.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Adeline and Willard Tronrud.

A celebration of life will be set at a later date, as well as burial in the spring at the Evergreen Cemetery in Prairie Farm, WI. Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI, is serving the family.

Olson Funeral Home