Visitation at 10:00 a.m., service at 11:00 a.m., with lunch and fellowship with the family to follow.

October 22, 1943 - December 27, 2023

Col. Kari Johnson (Ret.), survived by his wife, Joyce Davis, his children: Jamie Ringsmuth, Madison; Kristi Griffin, Chicago; Grant, Portland; Walker, Boston, and five grandchildren. In addition, step-children Brooke Studt, Omaha and Scott Bunger, Chicago, and three step-grandchildren.

The council’s monthly meeting.

The funeral service for Darryl Rohrer will be held at Trinity on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., with the service beginning at 12:00 p.m. CST. A lunch will follow in the fellowship hall. All are welcome to join Annie and her family.

Gifts of salads, side dishes, and desserts are welcomed to share at the lunch. Thank you!

We will be livestreaming the service. You may view the service on Trinity’s website by going to the Worship tab on the home page, clicking Other Worship on the dropdown and selecting the live button. It will be saved on our You Tube page in the Live archive.

Darryl J. Rohrer, 64, of Washington Island, passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024 at his home.

     He was born July 3, 1959 in Fontana, California, son of the late Donald Gene and Pearl Minnie Rohrer. He graduated from Lanphier High School in Springfield, Illinois. He then attended Eastern Illinois University, where he obtained his master’s degree in School Psychology. On August 4, Darryl married the love of his life, Annie Wittrock at Faith Lutheran Church in Mundelein, IL. The two raised four children and created countless memories which provide an endless source of inspiration to his family.

     Darryl worked as a School Psychologist for Hononegah Community School District in Rockton, Illinois, for 35 years, where he supported students and their families and was beloved among his colleagues. In his time at Hononegah, he was the advisor to the Gay-Straight Alliance club, advisor of the Freshman Mentor Program, and was the Girls Cross Country Coach for over 10 seasons. His students and athletes remember him as an advocate, an ally, and a constant source of support.

     Upon Darryl’s retirement in 2021, he and Annie moved and made their home on Washington Island, a dream they shared since their honeymoon in 1984. He was a proud member of the Washington Island Lions club, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and loved his part time jobs at the Washington Island Ferry Line, Williams Tree Farm, and Elegant Foods. He loved delivering Meals on Wheels and especially making genuine connections with island folks. He found a new passion for making maple syrup and took great joy in the natural beauty of the island. He continued to run with his dog, Luna, and ride his bike long distances with friends and his children.

     Darryl measured wealth in relationships and, by this measure, very proudly considered himself the richest person in the world. To him, no one was a stranger - he loved meeting new people and making new friends. His family and friends were the most important part of his life. They continue to count his riches and extend their deepest heartfelt gratitude to everyone who was lucky enough to know him.

     Darryl will be missed by his loving wife, Annie, and children, Daniel (Kyli Marshall), Matthew (Karen Jones), Benjamin (Michelle Kim), and Elliott (Kim Schlesinger), as well as his sisters, Diana Paidra (Phil), and Debra Hensen (Bruce).

     Darryl’s life will be celebrated in a memorial service on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church at 12:00 p.m.

     Visitation for friends and family will be held at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

     Casperson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Sister Bay is assisting the Rohrer family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Darryl may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

The annual meeting of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church will be held on Sunday, January 28th at 11:00 a.m., immediately following worship that morning. Business includes reviewing the events of 2023, approving a budget for 2024. electing new council members, and other business of the church.

The memorial for David Sena will be on Saturday, January 6th, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

Visitation will start at 12:00 p.m., with the service following. After the service, please join David’s family for lunch and fellowship. Side dishes, salads, and desserts will be welcome gifts.

David Lucien Sena was born on Sept. 2, 1971, to Charles and Constance (Boshka) Sena, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He was welcomed home by his adoring older sister and brother, who were both overjoyed by his birth.

David had many remarkable gifts. He had an incredibly beautiful voice, and performed in many concerts both at church and at his school, the Creative Children’s Academy. He was a gifted actor, and loved to meet new people and to talk with everyone he met. He worked for years in the restaurant and food industry, and was a talented chef. David was passionate about justice and was not afraid to challenge the status quo. David’s huge heart would lead him to give you the shirt off his back, if you needed it…and he did this, more than once.

David faced many challenges in his life, as well. Conventional learning was difficult for him, due to dyslexia and other issues, but he became an avid reader. Later in life, he developed back and hip issues, which affected his ability to work long hours in restaurant kitchens. These challenges led to some dark times for him, but he always maintained good friendships, and continued to love his family, especially his mother, father, dearly loved nieces and nephews, and of course, all cats, everywhere. While he was well traveled, two of the places on earth that brought him the greatest joy were Washington Island, WI, and Valdres, Norway.

David died on Dec. 10, 2023, and he was preceded in death by his father, Charles W. Sena. He is survived by his mother, Constance Sena, his sister, Kari (Rod) Gordon, his brother, Chuck (Julie) Sena, his nieces and nephews, Ben (Kristin) Gordon, Emily Sena, Elizabeth (Hannes Johnson) Gordon, Maddie Sena, and Andrew Sena. He is further survived by a host of other relatives and friends, and by his beloved cats.

Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Washington Island on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, with visitation from noon until the time of service at 1 pm. A lunch will follow the service in the fellowship hall.

A quiet, hope-filled Christian worship service on the longest night of the year. For many of us, especially for those who have experienced loss, the holiday season is complicated. If your heart is longing for some sort of relief, some peace, this quiet time away from the holiday rush on this longest night may be just right for you.

Al are welcome to come to church on Tuesday, December 19th at 4:00 p.m. to share in the Christmas story as prepared by our youth education classes, Gather Round, and Hand in Hand.

Pastor Ed and Judy will again host a holiday Open House at the parsonage. Come for festive refreshments - the singing starts at 2:00! All are welcome.

Under the direction of Judy Baseman, Trinity is starting a hand bell choir. First rehearsal is Friday, October 27, at 2:00 p.m.

If you are interested, contact Judy at basemanjudy@gmail.com. Should be fun!

Why Do We Do the Harvest Dinner? Saturday, October 7th

At Trinity Lutheran, part of our mission is welcome; our Harvest Dinner is first an invitation. You are invited to join us, as a helper with us in preparing and serving, or as a guest at our Harvest Dinner fundraiser tables.

We use our Harvest Dinner to raise a great deal of money and we donate all our Harvest Dinner proceeds to charitable causes on our island, in our state, and our nation and the world.

We could use your help in the following areas:

Friday, Oct. 6th 6:30-8:00 pm Set up work areas, set tables, peel potatoes

Saturday, Oct. 7th morning (flexible times) Prepare turkeys for serving (slicing)

*4:00-7:30 p.m. Servers for dinner seatings

*4:00-7:00 p.m. Hosts to help seat guests

*4:30-9:30 p.m. Dishwashers

*3:30-7:30 p.m. Helpers in kitchen, pie room, salad room

*these are time windows for the entire evening; there are options for shorter commitments within these times

How can I sign up to help at the Harvest Dinner?

Call or text our worker volunteer organizers to sign up: Judy Baseman (920) 470-4309 or Donna Benson (920) 536-1946

Also, sign-up sheets for these jobs will be posted on an easel near the entrance of Trinity Lutheran church. We know there’s a job perfect for you! We also need to know who can help when, so give us a call or sign up. It’s a lot of fun!

Food Donations: food donations involve cooking turkeys (turkey provided), making squash, stuffing, pies, cranberry salads and rolls; if cooking isn't your thing, we also need pickles, butter, cool whip, and coffee. Volunteers will call you and chat with you about what is needed and how to go about filling these needs. If you have donated before, we'll be calling you. If you've never cooked or donated to the Harvest Dinner, but would like to, please call Cindra Hokkanen at home (920) 847-2660.

Reservations Required for the Harvest Dinner: you may make your reservations for the dinner seatings or carry out meals starting September 1st by calling Jeanie Young at 920-847-2286. Please, no calls after 9:00 PM. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE CHURCH FOR RESERVATIONS.

It might seem impossible to make a difference in our world—the problems seem so big that it’s hard to know where to even start. But the Harvest Dinner is a great place to begin!

It’s wonderful food, wonderful company; our whole community coming together, sharing and caring and making a difference! All proceeds go to charity!

On Sunday, September 17th at 5:00 p.m., Trinity will be hosting a Hymn Sing for the community. Joan Reynolds has agreed to play the piano to accompany some of the hymns in her own special style. Trinity musicians Dan Hansen and Diane Kahlscheuer will also assist with providing accompaniment on piano and organ. A potluck meal will follow the Hymn Sing in the Fellowship Hall at approximately 6:00 p.m.

If you are interested in attending the Hymn Sing, we would love to have you provide the names of hymns that you would like to sing on the 17th. There are forms in the narthex for you to fill out and put in the box provided there, or you can contact Dan or Judy Baseman directly with your choices. Any hymns that are not selected for the 17th will be incorporated into future worship services and/or at October’s Hymn Sing on October 15th. Thank you!

The school year is starting and so is Hand in Hand at Trinity. We welcome all three and four year olds to join us on the second Tuesday of the month at 3:00 for an hour of fun, Bible learning, songs, crafts and activities. Our first session will be on Tuesday September 12. We will find out all about Jonah and the Whale. Can you imagine being swallowed by a whale? Neither could Jonah!!! Please join us and have some fun together.

Any questions? Call Jackie Rader at 920.847.2414

We’re happy to welcome new members to our community on September 10th. They will be received during our regular 10:00 am worship that day, and then a little reception will follow the service with coffee and light treats. Please join us if you can!!

Barbara Fay Ellis, 88, of Woodland Hills, CA, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2023.

Barbara was born on July 7, 1934 in Orange, New Jersey to Clifford and Virginia (Taylor) Fay. Barbara spent her childhood in Chatham, New Jersey where she graduated from Chatham High School in 1952. She attended Miami University (Ohio) and graduated in 1956 with a degree in Elementary Education.

After graduation, Barbara taught elementary school in Cleveland, OH. When she married, she moved to Flushing, NY. As her family grew, they lived in Denver, CO, St. Louis, MO and in 1973, they settled in Woodland Hills, CA.

Barbara enjoyed tennis, mahjong, Red Hats Society, travel, conversation, wine and a good party! She took a variety of classes at Pierce College, engaged in discussion groups and combined her learning with traveling the world.

One of Barbara’s special loves was her time on Washington Island, WI. Her grandparents built the summer home where she spent nearly every childhood summer vacation, except during WWII. When she retired, with a few exceptions, she spent June - September at her island home. She loved sitting in the rocking chairs on the front porch “supervising” the ferry boats with her coffee and binoculars. The front porch was also her favorite place to relax with friends and family. Barbara actively attended the annual Island musicals, festivals, parades, and was especially fond of her aquacise class at the Rec Center.

Barbara is survived by her daughters Lynn (Jeff) Barnhart, Karen (Marc) Amling, Nancy (Todd) Huspeni; grandchildren, Morgan Barnhart, Matthew (Caitlin Center) Barnhart, Kirsten (Colin) Baker, Malia (John) Howland, Jalene (Kyle) Fletcher, Lauren Huspeni, Thomas Huspeni, Christopher Huspeni; great grandchildren, Henry and Owen Baker, Hayley and Brooke Howland; and her brother Edward Fay.

Barbara will be greatly missed by her family and friends. The family would like to thank Samarkand Skilled Nursing, Cottage Hospital, Dr.Todd Fearer and Dr. Alexander Hardwick for the loving care she received these last months.

A Celebration of Life for her California friends and family will be held at 2 P.M. Sunday, January 8, 2023 at BJs (private room) 6424 Canoga Ave, Woodland Hills, CA. There will be a Celebration of Life for her in Wisconsin this summer on Washington Island on Saturday, August 5th at Trinity Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Gifts of salads and desserts - she loved Door County cherries - are appreciated by the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Mosling-Rec Center on Washington Island in Barbara’s name. She loved attending water aerobics and other activities hosted by the Rec Center.

Online Donation link: Mosling Rec Center on Washington Island - online donation link

Donate by mail: Barbara Ellis Memorial, Mosling Rec Center, PO Box 68, Washington Island, WI 54246

At 91, Wayne Phillip Boshka, of Washington Island, WI, died peacefully, Saturday afternoon, January 21, 2023, in Madison, WI at the Blu Grotto Memory Care, assisted by Fox Rehabilitation and Brighton Hospice. 

     He was born in Sturgeon Bay, WI on August 28, 1931, the son of Lucien Nels Boshka and Gladys Constance Anderson. He grew up as a fifth-generation resident of Washington Island. While he lived much of his life in Hoffman Estates, IL, Washington Island was deeply ingrained into who Wayne was and how he lived his life. Washington Island cedars surrounded his Chicago, IL home, and a small patio pool was shaped like Washington Island. Psalm 23 tells us, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures”; if those pastures need mowing, Wayne is trying to take care of them with his beloved riding mower! “He leads me beside the still waters” however, would not be applicable to Death’s Door between Lake Michigan and Green Bay!

     Wayne graduated in a class of seven from Washington Island Schools in 1949 and was offered a scholarship to Lawrence College in Appleton where he majored in Economics. At Lawrence, he pledged Beta Theta Pi and used his famously great legs to run cross country. He also spent many seasons playing outfielder for the W.I. Islanders ball team. After graduation from Lawrence, Wayne enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. The recruiter signed him up while they stood in a potato field Wayne had been plowing. After basic training, he was offered to be the chaplain’s assistant but chose communications instead and soon became Crypto Chief. At the end of his tour of duty, he was selected for officer training or Chaplain. He chose civilian life. He credited the military with his maturation and learning the meaning of true camaraderie. He served two years and left military service with a love for the corps and a serious dislike for wearing hats and the smell of garlic.

     After serving his country, Wayne moved to Chicago and began his professional sales career with Proctor and Gamble. On Wayne's first day, he wanted to know what the sales record was. He then broke the record his first week on the job. When they began requiring that he wear a hat on sales calls, Wayne knew it was time to move on. After joining All American Life Insurance, he retired in 1993 as Vice President of Mass Marketing, following the death of his first wife, Mary Lu Elliot. On July 29, 1995, he married Elizabeth “Betsy” Adelaide Crane in the flower garden at their home on Washington Island.  Soon after he became a board member of the Washington Island Town Mutual Insurance Company, where his grandfather, Niels Hansen Friis, had been a charter member. Wayne might have been busier in retirement than he was while working full-time. He served in leadership positions with the Trinity Lutheran Church Council, Lions Club, WI Art, and Nature Center, Trueblood Performing Arts Center, Washington Island Music Festival, and the American Legion, all on Washington Island. 

     Music was always a central focus in Wayne’s life. A lifelong saxophone player, he was able to help pay for college as a weekend band musician. The last boat he owned was named “Harmony”. He had piloted to almost every port on Lake Michigan. He was a charter saxophone member of the Washington Island Community Band. He had an amazing bass voice that was mellow with perfect pitch. He used that beautiful bass voice with the Arlingtones A Cappella Barbershop Chorus, the Trinity Lutheran choir, the annual Music Festival, the Jekyll Island Community Presbyterian choir, and to sing the Wedding Prayer to his wife on their wedding day. He coped with Alzheimer’s for about ten years, but could still remember the lyrics to his favorite songs. 

     Wayne will be missed by his wife, Elizabeth, to whom he was married for 28 memorable years; her sons, Mark (Jamie) Ringsmuth of Madison, WI, and Eric (Katherine) Ringsmuth of Eagle River, AK, sister, Constance Sena of Washington Island, WI; nephew, Chuck Sena (Julie) of Beaver Dam, WI; niece Kari Gordon (Rod) of Washington Island, WI, and nephew, David Sena of Green Bay, WI; beloved grandchildren; many great-nieces and great-nephews; and his Lhasa Apsa therapy dog, Sandy.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucien and Gladys Boshka; and his first wife, Marylu Boshka (nee Elliott).

     Wayne’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service that will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on Washington Island with Pastor Edward Baseman (of Trinity Lutheran Church) and Pastor Albert Cramer (of Jekyll Presbyterian Community Church in Jekyll Island, GA) officiating. Military honors by the Gislason Richter American Legion Post 402 will follow at the church. Weather permitting, a reception will be held in the Boshka home yard at 1688 Main Road, Washington Island, following the services at the church.

     Visitations for family and friends will be held at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:50 a.m.

     In lieu of flowers, donations in Wayne’s memory can be sent to Lawrence University or any of the following Washington Island organizations: Trueblood Performing Arts Center, Recreation Center, Music Festival, or charity of your choice.

     "Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Richard Hogan (GP), Dr. Wei-Chuan Wang (Ophthalmologist), Mr. Larry Carpenter, M.S. (Audiologist), and their respective support staff for their wonderful and compassionate care given to Wayne over the years.  The Washington Island Community Health Program was particularly important in helping us reside on Washington Island for as long as we could manage."

     Gunderson Funeral & Cremation Care in Madison, WI, and Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sister Bay, WI are assisting the Boshka family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Wayne may be shared with his family through his tribute pages at www.gundersonfh.com or www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

Charles Hamilton “Ham” Rutledge, 87, passed away Friday, May 26 at his home on Washington Island, WI. 

     Ham was born to Paul Edmund and Jean Louise (Hamilton) Rutledge on September 22, 1935, in Kirkwood, Missouri.  He graduated from Thomas Jefferson School in St. Louis in 1953 and from Harvard University in 1957. Ham signed up for the first computer programming course offered at Harvard, ignoring his advisor’s recommendation to avoid it because computers were just a fad.  The computer he used for the class has now been in the Smithsonian for over 60 years, and the class proved to be a launching point for a lengthy career, many future contributions as a volunteer, and ultimately his children’s careers (all of which are based in technology).

     After graduation from Harvard, Ham moved to Findlay, OH to work for Marathon Oil Company (then known as The Ohio Oil Company) for 34 years.  While there he was a lay reader at Trinity Episcopal Church and served as Assistant Scoutmaster for the church affiliated Scout Troop, 312.   

     Ham married Charlene “Chari” Mary Imig on February 24, 1962.  His career with Marathon then took the family to Burghausen, West Germany for 5 years in the late 1960s, where he was on the team tasked with automating and computerizing the first oil refinery.  Many of the systems and processes developed there were adopted and used by IBM for many years.

     Upon their return to Findlay in 1971, he was on the YMCA board, serving one term as president, and he was on the boards of the Hancock County United Way and of the Domestic Violence Shelter.  He also served twelve years as the chairman of the Hancock County Data Processing Board and was a member of the Findlay Elks Club.  Ham and Chari were founding members of F.A.S.T. (Findlay Area Swim Team) for which he ran the first computerized swim meet long before software for that purpose was available to buy.  They served as meet director and entry chairman for years.

     In 1991 Ham and Chari moved to Plymouth, Wisconsin, where they built a hobby farm, kept horses, and participated in competitive carriage driving.  In Plymouth Ham started his own contracting company, DOD Systems, was on the County Historical Board and they were members of the Sheboygan Yacht Club. 

     In 2004 Ham and Chari moved to Washington Island, Wisconsin, where they had vacationed for many, many years.  Both families had summer homes there and had been going there since 1936 (Rutledges) and 1941 (Imigs).  On the Island, Ham was active in the Island Players community theater, serving on the board and acting in 20 productions.  He was on the board of the Art & Nature Center, serving two terms as president.  He was a member of the Lions Club, serving on the board and two terms as president.  He was also chairman of the Washington Island Music Festival for 12 years.  During his long time living on Washington Island, Ham and his sister Joan were avid Green Bay Packer fans and watched almost every Packer’s game together. With relative certainty, Aaron Rodgers will be haunted by both for at least the coming season.

     Ham was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Anne (Gil) Truax of Punta Gorda, Florida and Joan (Clay, Jr.) Blair of Washington Island; and brother, Paul E Rutledge, Jr. (Susie) of Bradenton, Florida.

     He is survived by his wife; three children, Charles, Jr. (Jolyn) Rutledge of Amesbury, Massachusetts, Andrew (Brit) Rutledge of Findlay, Ohio, and Carrie (Jeff) Storley of Sussex, Wisconsin; and five grandchildren, Allison, Ella and Adam of Amesbury and Max and Lily of Findlay.

     Funeral services will be held at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1763 Townline Road. The service will be live streamed. Select the Worship Tab/Other Worship/Live Stream button. It will be recorded and posted under Other Worship for viewing later as well.

Washington Island, WI 54246 on June 24, 2023, at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held privately.

     Visitation will start at 10:00 AM with lunch following the funeral. Gifts of salads and desserts are greatly appreciated by the family.

     In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Washington Island Music Festival, P.O. Box 235 Washington Island, WI 54246, the Art and Nature Center 1799 Main Rd, Washington Island, WI 54246, or any other Washington Island charitable organization.

     Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Sister Bay is assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Ham may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.