A Special Supplement in the Watertown Daily Times Wednesday, April 25, 2018 2

1 Life Legacy &

Page 2 – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – LIFE AND LEGACY –Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Lawsuit filed over excavation that left cemetery cut off

WAYNESBURG, Pa. in Waynesburg, about (AP) — Descendants of 50 miles south of Pitts- people buried in a small burgh, has between cemetery in western eight and 12 graves, with Pennsylvania have sued the most recent burial in the owners of a motel 1862. Mediation was or- over an excavation proj- dered after earlier court ect that left the cemetery action failed to resolve a mound of earth more the dispute. than 25 feet high. Company owner Keyur The (Washington) Ob- Patel said the firm is tak- server-Reporter report- ing a different approach ed the suit filed April 4 to resolving the matter, against Nikita Lodging but declined to comment Inc. calls on the company further. to stabilize Rhodes Cem- Nikita originally planned etery, allow access to the to preserve the cemetery area and restore the cem- during the work on a etery to its original condi- new motel by building a tion. retaining wall around it The cemetery behind and steps leading to the the Econo Lodge Motel graves. Franklin Town- ASSOCIATED PRESS This undated photo shows a large mound behind a motel in Franklin Township, Pa., that con- tains the Rhodes family cemetery. A group is suing the owners of a motel who started an excavation project in Pennsylvania that left their family cemetery a large mound of earth more than 25 feet high. The Observer-Reporter reported descendants of people buried in Rhodes Cem- etery filed their lawsuit against Nikita Lodging Inc. April 4, saying they want the company to stabilize the cemetery, allow access to the area and restore the cemetery to its original condition.

ship halted work on the cemetery a public nui- the suit. new motel in the fall of sance and assume care Robbie Matesic, ex- 2015 until Nikita could for its restoration. But the ecutive director of the take steps to stabilize the township has maintained county economic de- Life cemetery. it’s not responsible for velopment department, Get Peace of Mind Knowing Your Loved Ones Are Protected A judge called on the correcting the problem said mediation involving and hasn’t been named in For the loved ones in your life who rely on your monetary support, consider a township to declare the the township and Nikita life insurance policy to ensure your family is fi nancially protected. Life insurance has been “on pause” for is an essential tool that helps protect your family and loved ones from fi nancial about a year. She said hardship should the unthinkable happen. the descendants’ lawsuit Many factors and life events, such as having a child or supporting an aging par- ent, can infl uence your need to purchase or reevaluate your life insurance needs. may lead to work being As your life changes, your life insurance needs change as well. done more quickly on the mound, which she said is unstable.

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Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – LIFE AND LEGACY – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – Page 3

ASSOCIATED PRESS This undated photo shows a large mound behind a motel in Franklin Township, Pa., that con- tains the Rhodes family cemetery. A group is suing the owners of a motel who started an excavation project in Pennsylvania that left their family cemetery a large mound of earth more than 25 feet high. The Observer-Reporter reported descendants of people buried in Rhodes Cem- etery filed their lawsuit against Nikita Lodging Inc. April 4, saying they want the company to stabilize the cemetery, allow access to the area and restore the cemetery to its original condition. the suit. Robbie Matesic, executive director of the county economic de- velopment department, said mediation involving the township and Nikita has been “on pause” for about a year. She said the descendants’ lawsuit may lead to work being done more quickly on the mound, which she said is unstable. 4

Page 4 – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – LIFE AND LEGACY –Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Death Cafe offers place to discuss death

LA CROSSE (AP) — The of mortality. Often paired name “Death Cafe” is with cake and coffee, startling, perhaps conjur- Death Cafes are not in- ing images of Wednes- tended to serve as grief day and Morticia Addams counseling but rather an serving tea with a side of opportunity to share or eyeballs. But in reality, query without being led the concept is far from to “any conclusion, prod- morbid. uct or course of action,” Originating 17 years according to the official ago in London, the Death Death Cafe website. Cafe phenomenon has Since 2011, about 5,900 migrated stateside during Death Cafes have been the past six years, mak- hosted in 55 countries, ing its La Crosse debut and the La Crosse Public in 2016 with a Facebook Library recently hosted its group, with four gather- first Death Cafe, facilitated ings held thus far. by Dr. Jackie Yaeger, pal- Created by Brit Jon Un- liative care physician and derwood and inspired by hospice medical director the writings and “cafe for Gundersen Healthcare mortels” hosted by Swiss and certified Sacred Pas- sociologist Bernard Cre- sage Doula of the Con- ttaz, Death Cafes offer a scious Dying Institute. confidential, judgment- While facilitators need not free and nondenomina- be professionals in the tional environment to fields of medicine, death openly discuss concepts (Continued from page 3) ASSOCIATED PRESS Above, Dr. Jackie Yeager leads a conversation on the subject of mortality during a Death Cafe meeting at the La Crosse Pub- lic Library in La Crosse in March. Death Cafes offer a confidential, judgment-free and nondenominational environment to openly discuss concepts of mortality.

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Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – LIFE AND LEGACY – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – Page 5 Death Cafe offers place to discuss deathSome cope with grief by talking about death — (Continued from page 4) co-hosted by technology the Holocaust. left behind their wisdom ly on the fact that none or grief, they are expected librarian Lindsay Schmitt, Gregory Wegner, a re- for me to learn from.” of us know how long we to have “an enthusiasm sharing personal stories, tired UW-La Crosse his- Poignantly, Underwood, have and focused com- for talking about death hopes and uncertainties. tory professor and au- who held the inaugural pletely on being present and dying, empathy, clear Death Cafes are often thor of “Anti-Semitism Death Cafe in his home in in, and making the most boundaries, flexibility and populated by strangers, and Schooling Under the Hackney, East London, in of, every minute.” a friendly manner.” finding uninhibited talk Third Reich,” shared his September 2011, passed Yaeger appreciates Mol- “People are hungry to of death either taboo or own thoughts on the mil- last June at age 44 after loy’s sentiments, and talk about their experi- avoided in their families. lions who died under Nazi a battle with acute pro- hopes, even if conversa- ence with friends and “This is wide open to Rule, and acknowledged myelocytic leukemia. In a tions become emotion- family dying and their whatever we want to talk the present day loss of web post, his wife Donna al, guests will leave the own fears about dying,” about,” Schmitt told the individuals close to him. Molloy, wrote: “Through Death Cafe feeling in- Yaeger told the La Crosse group. “I’m here to search his work helping people spired to appreciate the Tribune. “It’s healthy to Schmitt herself shared about the meaning of come to terms with the joys and loves in their talk about. ... We can ap- she struggled to cope life and death in this idea of death, Jon was lives rather than dwell on proach dying in a way to with the deaths of young early 21st century,” We- uniquely and unusually their finite nature. give it the reverence it friends, and, as the de- gner said. “And I’d like aware that life is short “By studying and un- deserves.” scendant of survivors, to thank all the people and appreciated his life derstanding death,” Yae- Four individuals at- reconcile the anger she who died before me, my fully.... He lived every day ger said, “I think it does tended the discussion, felt over the lost lives of friends and family, who reflecting very conscious- help us live better.” Tobacco kills up to 6 million people each year

According to the World United States may un- the link between smoking be mindful that other as having no chemicals Health Organization, to- derstand the threat that and stroke. countries may not oper- or additives are any saf- bacco kills up to half its smoking poses to their It’s also important ate under such restric- er than traditional ciga- users, annually killing overall health, the WHO smokers recognize that tions. rettes and that the best roughly 6 million peo- notes that studies indicate cigarettes once charac- In addition, the Ameri- way for men, women ple each year. The WHO knowledge about the spe- terized as “light” or “low can Cancer Society notes and children to avoid the notes that more than 5 cific health risks of tobac- tar” are not healthier than there is no proof that dangers of tobacco is to million of those deaths co use is not widespread. more traditional ciga- cigarettes sold as “all never smoke or to quit are the result of direct A 2009 survey of smokers rettes. While the US Food natural” and marketed immediately. tobacco use, while more in China found that less and Drug Administration than 600,000 deaths than 40 percent of smok- has banned the use of can be attributed to non- ers knew that smoking such terms in cigarette smokers being exposed tobacco causes coronary sales within the United to secondhand smoke. heart disease, while only States, smokers traveling While many in the 27 percent were aware of or living overseas should

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Page 6 – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – LIFE AND LEGACY –Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Jewelers turn human ashes into keepsakes

JANESVILLE (AP) — loved one close to them When Heidi Roberts and in a tangible form. Jarrid Mallinson set aside a Roberts and Mallinson flame-spun piece of glass have made hundreds of jewelry to cool in their the pendants, which they home studio, they said call “cremation pendants” they hope the item ends or “memorial pendants.” up truly extraordinary. The items are a grow- Some of their pieces are ing part of the couple’s indeed unique: They’re home-based company, fused with a one-of-a- Glassroots Jewelry. kind human element. The couple make a vari- Among the items the ety of jewelry for local art Janesville couple creates galleries and one regional are glass memorial pen- chain retailer, but Rob- dants that are melded erts and Mallinson said with a quarter-teaspoon they’ve begun to branch or so of cremated human out with their cremation remains. pendants. Roberts, 37, and Mallin- At first, they made a son, 28, have made the few of the pendants be- pendants for about a year cause a friend requested ASSOCIATED PRESS — mainly for custom- them. They’ve since built This photo shows one of Glassroots Jewelry’s memorial pendants filled with a small amount ers who seek to keep the a reputation on them, of a loved one’s cremated remains in Janesville. The business is beginning to work with local memory of a deceased mostly by word of mouth. funeral homes to market the glass pendants and even pocket stones that they will create for individual customers.

In February, Roberts said, customers. Janesville Gazette. “You Glassroots Jewelry made Some of the pendants might think it’s weird or 11 cremation pendants are dark and look stone- ‘off’ to work with ashes. for family members of a like. Others are trans- People ask us if that’s deceased local resident. lucent, allowing people weird. To us, it’s more of TAME Now, they are begin- to see the ashes inside. a beautiful thing.” ning to work with local When they catch the light, The couple’s jewelry THE funeral homes to market the ashes can appear as methods, which they glass pendants and even flecks in the jewelry. keep secret, might be pocket stones that they “It’s definitely differ- unusual, but Roberts and will create for individual ent,” Mallinson told the Mallinson aren’t the only MARKET local makers of cremation 1 pendants. Lock in gains and never lose money Neal Schneider, a part- ner at Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory in Janesville, said his fu- We can help you save for retirement. Call today. neral home has worked with jewelers to offer such pendants since the 1990s. Schneider said one local business, Janes- ville wholesale jeweler OVER 20 DIFFERENT Madelyn Pendants, has MONUMENTS ON SALE been at it for about three decades. EVERY MONTH Madelyn, according to its website, supplies a va- “Order Soon” for Memorial Day Delivery riety of gold, silver and Thomas Murphy Brandon Mueller pewter keepsake pen- 206 S 3rd 206 S 3rd Local Hand Etched Artwork! dants, including ones de- Watertown Agent Info WatertownAgent Info “Exclusive” Gold Seal Warranty” (920) 262-9775 (920) 262-9775 signed to seal in and per- Archie manently store human ashes. Monuments Schneider said crema- Since 1865 tion is becoming more Logo 100 Granite Lane (off Airport Road) popular because it’s less Watertown costly than a “traditional” 261-7283 • 1-800-242-9519 funeral, which involves embalming and burying “Wisconsin’s Largest Indoor/Outdoor the deceased in a cas- 1Surrender of the contract may be subject to surrenderDisclosure charges. Withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax. Additionally, there is a charge for the Simple7 Income Rider once it is activated. Display Featuring Over 1,300 Monuments” ket. In the last 15 years, Qualifications and restrictions apply for activation. Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company/West Des Moines, IA. A142 (9-17) www.archiemonumentsandstone.com (Continued on page 7) 7

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – LIFE AND LEGACY – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – Page 7 Jewelers turn human ashes into keepsakes Cremation pendants are becoming more popular —

away for years. The couple’s clients often have their own ideas when it comes to glass color and design. Some have special wishes root- ed in their memories of the deceased. Not long ago, a woman asked Roberts to play rock band Led Zeppelin’s songs “D’yer Mak’er” and “Thank You” as Roberts made a pendant to en- case ashes of the woman’s deceased husband. Roberts said she honored that wish. ASSOCIATED PRESS “It’s emotional. Each A rod of blue glass is heated and wrapped around a glass bead customer has a different inside Glassroots Jewelry’s studio in Janesville. story, and it’s hard to ex- ASSOCIATED PRESS plain how important this This photo shows one of Glassroots Jewelry’s memorial pendants filled with a small amount Mallinson try to keep their worked with 85-year-old is to people. It’s really an of a loved one’s cremated remains in Janesville. The business is beginning to work with local pendants affordable. They widows, people who have honor for us,” she said. ASSOCIATED PRESS often work on pieces in lost young family mem- “The more we do these funeral homes to market the glass pendants and even pocket stones that they will create forJarrid Mallinson works inside Glassroots Jewelry’s basement the $70 or $80 range, al- bers to suicide and oth- pendants, the more it is individual customers. studio, in Janesville to create a decorated glass bead. though the pendants can ers who have had family for the love of what we’re take a full day to create members’ ashes stored giving people to keep.” between flaming the glass (Continued from page 6) sculpt and paint with cre- and tempering it in a spe- mated remains. cial cooling process. he said, cremations have Roberts said she and They say they’ve grown from about 15 percent of his funeral home’s dealings to about 25 percent. In that time, Schneider has seen an increase in Is Your niche companies that key on the cremation trend — including one he says will House compress human ashes into diamond-like stones. in Given the growing prevalence of cremation, Schneider said he’s not surprised to see another Order? jewelry maker enter the • You’ve spoken to your ﬁ nancial planner. market. • You’ve met with your attorney. Robert A. Bender “There’s lots of things that people come up • You’ve written your will and health directives. Allen W. Larson with in that area, and Julia Bouianova Christopher J. Koppes some people like it, some Now what? people don’t,” Schneider Consider pre-planning your funeral. said. “With the jewelry We will help you. It will be easy and painless. Estate Planning & and the pendants and the keepsakes, it’s nice No one has ever told us they were sorry because it’s easy to keep they pre-planned their funeral. Probate Wills & Trusts that person close to you. Consultations free of charge • Business & Corporate Law It’s a tangible thing you • Real Estate • Civil Trials can hold right next to you to remind them of that • Municipal Law person every day.” SCHMUTZLER-VICK • Elder Law Wisconsin has limited Funeral Home & Cremation Service rules that prevent people Phone (920) 261-7626 Fax (920) 261-1249 from using human ashes 500 Welsh Road • Watertown to creatively memorialize (920) 261-3439 117 N. Second Street, P.O. Box 16 a person, Schneider said. www.watertownwifuneralhome.com Watertown, WI 53094-0016 Ashes can be sent via certified mail, and Schnei- Serving the Watertown community for 145 years. www.benderlevilarson.com (Continued on page 7) der knows of people who “People you can rely on for Service & Value” 8

Page 8 – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – LIFE AND LEGACY –Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Grief conflicts with policy on graveside items FOND DU LAC (AP) — In violate policies at Calvary Items are returned to A recent visit to Cal- clined to answer ques- 2011, the Hughes family Cemetery. Recently, man- loved ones who ask, and vary Cemetery, which has tions regarding the cem- moved from Fond du Lac agement started enforc- Smith confirmed that she 18,000 plots, revealed etery’s policies. But the to Kissimmee, Florida. ing the policies, which are has received items back graves that were mostly rules and regulations Two years later, tragedy that no more than two from the cemetery. bare, with a few deco- posted at the cemetery struck the family when items can be at a grave The policies are so that rated with a single vase grounds state that man- Zander, their 3-year-old site and that certain types groundskeepers can trim of flowers or a small item. agement has the right to son, drowned in an in- of items are not allowed. around the grave monu- The graves of Zander and remove decorations that ground pool. Zander’s Zander’s bedroom in ments and keep the cem- Hughes’ mother stood have become “unsight- mother, Michelle, discov- Florida remains full of out for their decorations, ly.” ered his body floating in things he loved in life: such as a cross, a mes- The policies at the three the water. toy cars and trucks, as “All I could sage rock and small fig- cemeteries are in addition The family had his body well as stuffed Mickey ures. to their cleaning days, transported to Fond du Mouses, his favorite Dis- do for him Jaimie Schwartz, which happen in spring Lac for burial at Calvary ney character. Some of anymore was Hughes’ daughter, un- and fall. All items are re- Cemetery, where Michelle the boy’s bedroom be- put things derstands Calvary Cem- moved so the grounds- Hughes’ mother, Donna, longings are placed at the etery’s policy. She said keepers can clean up. and grandson Jullian are headstone. Symbolically out there for she’s seen “a lot of stuff” However, loved ones are also buried. Hughes and offering the items to him him, from his at Zander’s grave; a few notified beforehand of her sister, Pam Smith of again is part of Hughes’ months ago she count- these days so they can Fond du Lac, regularly grieving process. “All I room.” ed about a dozen items. remove the items if they place items like figurines could do for him anymore Schwartz’s son, Jullian, is wish. and stuffed animals at was put things out there — Michelle also buried at the cem- For Hughes, cemetery Zander’s headstone. It is for him, from his room,” Hughes etery. rules and regulations take an important part of their she said. Other local cemeteries a backseat to honoring grieving process, they Calvary not only limits don’t have a number limit the memory of her child. say. how many items can be etery looking neat and like Calvary, but still want “Just like a fingerprint, “I’ll never allow anyone displayed. It also bans clean. “The staff and lot clean grounds. grieving is different for to look at his grave and items like decorative owners take great pride “When things are everyone and is a person- think he’s been forgotten, flags, stuffed animals, in the appearance of our weathered, we reserve al journey,” she said. “No because he never will be,” toys and small knick- cemetery, and adherence the right to remove them,” one has a right to judge Hughes told Action Re- knacks. The items will be to these regulations and said Rae Nell Halbur, the my personal beliefs on porter Media by phone removed from the site by guidelines is important to family service counselor this journey, and part of from Florida. groundskeepers, said Ju- maintaining the beauty at Rienzi Cemetery. this process, for me, is to But there is a prob- dine Lange, Calvary Cem- of the cemetery,” Lange Ledgeview Memorial be able to leave things at lem. The sisters’ actions etery’s general manager. said. Park management de- his site.” Texas case seen as inspiring ‘Three Billboards’ film VIDOR, Texas (AP) — Ebbing, Missouri.” the death of 34-year-old News reported the billboards he saw during Texas authorities are The Texas Department Kathy Page. boards caught the eye U.S. travels. seeking fresh leads in the of Public Safety released a After her death, Page’s of British-Irish director A jury in 2000 found 1991 death of a woman statement April 17 saying father rented billboards Martin McDonaugh, who Page’s estranged hus- whose case is seen as an it has upped the reward accusing police in Vidor traveled through the band, Steve Page, li- inspiration for the Acad- to $6,000 for informa- of failing to properly in- area two decades ago. able in a wrongful-death emy Award-winning film tion leading to the arrest vestigate the killing. McDonaugh has said his lawsuit and awarded her “Three Billboards Outside of those responsible for The Dallas Morning film was inspired by bill- family $150,000. 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Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – LIFE AND LEGACY – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – Page 9 Grief conflicts with policy on graveside items Aging death row Is executing old or infirm inmates cruel? MONTGOMERY, Ala. “Many of these defen- without obvious incident His attorneys argue his brain damage. (AP) — Vernon Madison dants have done terrible last year in Alabama. strokes have left Madi- The state’s lawyers has spent decades on Ala- things. People are torn The Supreme Court has son frequently disorient- counter that Madison was bama’s death row. Now 67, between wanting to pun- ruled inmates must have ed with no independent found competent at a 2016 Madison has suffered from ish severely and the belief a rational understand- memory of his crime. hearing, hasn’t presented strokes and dementia and it is beneath us as a na- ing of why they’re being They also say he is le- new evidence and is aware his lawyers say he no lon- tion to kill a frail person executed, faculties which gally blind, cannot walk he received the death sen- ger recalls the crime that who is already dying. It’s Madison’s lawyers say he independently and has tence — even if he doesn’t put him there: the 1985 a challenge to our moral- doesn’t possess. urinary incontinence from remember killing Schulte. killing of a police officer. ity and our sense of hu- His speech is slurred, manity,” Dunham said. he suffers from confusion, Kent Scheidegger, legal and once thought he was director of the pro-death near release and talked of penalty Criminal Justice moving to Florida, accord- Legal Foundation, sup- In Loving ing to his lawyers. This ports steps to reduce the fall, the U.S. Supreme time between an inmate’s Court is set to review the sentencing and execution. claims by Madison’s de- “There is no consti- Memory . . . fense team that executing tutional issue from age someone in his condition alone, though dementia would violate the Consti- does, of course, become The funeral profession is truly a profession of service. tution’s ban on cruel and more common with age. We are family owned and operated and are available unusual punishment. The underlying question 24 hours a day, seven days a week to serve families at a “Killing a fragile man about what kind and de- diffi cult time. suffering from dementia gree of mental illness will is unnecessary and cruel,” prevent an execution is It was the English Philosopher, Gladstone, who said Madison’s attorney, Bryan not new. It is ancient.” many centuries ago . . . “Show me the way that a nation Stevenson of the Equal Justice Stephen G. buries its dead, and I will measure with mathematical Breyer, writing in Madi- Justice Initiative, said in exactness the respect that the people have for their January, when the justices son’s case, noted the stayed Madison’s execu- growing number of ag- nation and the laws of the land.” tion the night he was to ing prisoners on death Pre-arrangements relieve the family of some burdens receive a lethal injection. row and said: “Given this at the time of a family member’s death. We always The U.S. death row trend, we may face ever population is aging, and more instances of state have staff available to discuss these wishes. that leaves courts increas- efforts to execute prison- ingly likely to grapple with ers suffering the diseases questions of when it be- and infirmities of old age.” comes unconstitutionally Age by itself isn’t the cruel to put someone to issue, but rather the ill- If you have any questions regarding pre-arrange- death who is mentally frail nesses more common ments or would like to discuss your personal funeral — or whose medical con- with old age. or memorial service plans, please contact us. There is ditions could complicate Take Alva Campbell, no obligation and even the simplest decisions can be the execution procedure. 69. He died last month in noted and fi led for use at the time of need. We are here “That is going to be an an Ohio prison of natural increasing issue in car- causes after his 2017 le- to serve you in any way we can. rying out the American thal injection procedure Pre-funding your wishes is also an important aspect death penalty,” said Rob- was halted when a usable of this planning. Insurance or funeral trust funding will ert Dunham, executive vein couldn’t be found. protect your loved ones from the burden of funeral director of the Death Pen- Alabama similarly abort- Family Owned and Operated alty Information Center ed last month’s execu- related expenses. Richard A. Nienow, Owner/Funeral Director in Washington. “We are tion of Doyle Lee Hamm, Michael S. Nienow, Funeral Director Please feel free to contact us for a “My Specifi c Mark C. Nienow, Funeral Director reaching a stage, as death 61, who has battled lym- Requests” booklet. row inmates age, we’ll see phoma. His lawyer said this more frequently.” Hamm had at least 11 About 2,800 people are puncture wounds from at- on death row in prisons tempts to find a vein. nationwide, and about “It was precisely Doyle’s 1,200 of them over age old age and illness that Hafemeister 50, the nonprofit group raised all the problems. said. An Associated Press The state of Alabama was FuneralFuneral HomeHome aandnd CCremationremattiion SServicServiceervic review of the group’s data not prepared,” Hamm’s at- 611 E. Main Street shows the median age of torney, Bernard Harcourt, Watertown • 261-2218 an executed inmate in the wrote in a March 13 email. U.S. rose from 34 to 46 Yet 75-year-old Tommy Providing A Personal & Dignifi ed Service between 1983 and 2017 — Arthur, who had argued a fact observers attribute that his cardiovascular dis- - On-Site Crematory - to appeals taking longer — ease would complicate ex- sometimes decades. ecution, was put to death www.hafemeisterfh.com 10

Page 10 – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – LIFE AND LEGACY –Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Family struggles after son’s heroin overdose death

MANITOWOC (AP) — basement and was found his love for his friends in school and didn’t have couldn’t seem to move Jeff Lenzner was asleep much too late for para- and family easily. The specific career goals when forward. after pulling an all-night medics to save him. year after he graduated he graduated from Lincoln “We kind of argued a little shift at work. Barb Lenz- The Lenzners were noti- from high school, he con- High School, his parents bit with him in those weeks ner, his wife, had just set- fied at about 1 p.m., long tinued to give his friend, a said. He worked a variety before he died,” Barb Len- tled onto the living room after their son’s body had year younger and without of jobs, mostly as a press zner said. “We were upset couch after cleaning the been claimed by police as a vehicle, a lift to school operator — sometimes with the way he was living. house. It was July 26, evidence and whisked to each day. for a few weeks or a few We didn’t like his group of 2014. Fond du Lac for an autop- And Kurt Lenzner kid- months, mostly through friends. We wanted him to “Two police officers sy. They never saw him ded around constantly. temp services, at places better himself by saving came,” Barb Lenzner said. again. His mother recalled he like Ariens Company in Bril- money and moving out on “They said, ‘Kurt’s gone.’ “I think that’s the hard- used to boast that he was lion. At one time, he’d ex- his own.” I ran screaming to wake est part,” Jeff Lenzner in shape: “I’m round,” he pressed interest in becom- His family acknowl- Jeff up.” said. “We couldn’t say would say. “Round is a ing a welder, Barb Lenzner edges Kurt Lenzner made Kurt Lenzner was 27 goodbye.” shape.” said, but it didn’t happen. mistakes. He could be- years old when he died of Kurt Lenzner was a big His family never even He continued to live at come angry if he drank an accidental heroin over- guy who loved ice cream knew Kurt used heroin. home. Both friends and too much. He had a cou- dose in the early hours of with chocolate sauce and “We were totally blind- family describe him as a that bright summer day. McDonald’s burgers. He sided,” Barb Lenzner happy person who never He stopped breathing was a giving friend and a said. “After the fact, you seemed unusually de- “After the fact, on the floor of a friend’s funny guy who expressed see the signs. The mood pressed. They knew Kurt you see the swings. You see his eyes Lenzner drank and oc- in pictures and you won- casionally smoked mari- signs. The der how you missed it.” juana. More than half a mil- Barb Lenzner said his mood swings. lion people in the U.S. last group of friends, and You see his Oak Hill died from drug overdoses particularly a girl to whom between 2000 and 2015, he was attracted, may eyes in pictures according to the federal have led him to heroin and you won- Cemetery Health and Human Ser- use. Kurt Lenzner, who vices Department, and 91 had recently been hired as der how you Americans die every day a permanent press opera- Interment in Peaceful Surroundings with Perpetual Care from an opioid overdose. tor at Manitowoc Tool and missed it.” The Lenzners agreed Machining, slept during — Barb Lezner Non-Sectarian — Not for Proﬁ t Community Cemetery to speak with USA To- the day and usually de- day Network-Wisconsin scended from his upstairs We invite you in the hope they might bedroom at about 8 p.m. to visit our help erase the stigma He disappeared to friends’ ple of misdemeanor ar- cemetery, enjoy surrounding drug addic- houses on weekends. rests on his record: In our peaceful tion, to raise awareness His parents couldn’t fig- 2007, he and a group setting, ﬁ nd of heroin’s toll in Wiscon- ure out why Kurt Lenzner of friends were arrested sin and to reach others had no money to pay bills. familiar names, for vandalizing houses who might be suffering in They now realize he was and vehicles by throw- recognize the silence. likely supporting his and ing pumpkins and rocks historic Kurt Lenzner had lots his friends’ drug habits. in the city’s downtown. A connections of friends, but struggled He was stuck, and year later, he was arrest- to the ed for kicking and punch- Watertown area. ing the person he claimed had “snitched” to police Financially, you’re facing about the vandalism. The Lenzners gave Kurt a whole new world. Lenzner a stable upbring- ing: two married parents, Why navigate it alone? financially stable, a house in a middle-class neigh- Let an independent financial advisor help you craft a plan borhood near Lake Michi- that puts your interests and objectives first. That’s an approach gan. Heroin took him. Make an appointment with one of our representatives that makes sense in these—or any—market conditions. They still are angry no to answer your questions. one was charged directly Many choice plots are available in all areas of the cemetery. for causing his death, al- Traditional or cremation interments can be accommodated Oswald Konz though 31-year-old Re- along with markers, veterans plaques, and monuments. becca A. Schiesl was convicted in November 2014 Individual Plots ~ $300 Financial Group on charges related to Kurt Family 4 Plots ~ $1,000 Lenzner’s death. Kurt was William Oswald, CFP®, AIF®, and Brian Konz, AIF® at Schiesl’s house when he overdosed. Schiesl 1540 E. Main St., P.O. Box 66 • Watertown, WI 53094 118 West Main Street, Watertown, WI 53094 Toll-Free: 877.606.7541 • Phone: 920.390.4555 was convicted on a felony www.oswaldkonzgroup.com charge of running a drug Call 261-6022 for more information house. Securities and Advisory Services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network,® E-mail: [email protected] Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. 11

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – LIFE AND LEGACY – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – Page 11 Family struggles after son’s heroin overdose death Family never knew about son’s use of heroin —

Schiesl told police she next to the kitchen’s back they were, teasing that scrolling through Facebook for Kurt Lenzner’s birth- had been snorting hero- door. He liked to salmon he had caught a fish. at his cousin’s wedding. day. And each July 26, in with Kurt for three or fish off Lake Michigan and “He was really a family He went outside by they light purple Chinese four months in her home. deer hunt in fall. He also man, too,” Rozmarynoski himself and cried. lanterns to celebrate their Police never determined was a huge Philadelphia recalled. “When we fished Kurt Lenzner’s kindness son’s life. who sold Kurt Lenzner the Eagles football fan, in addi- back in high school, his stood out. During Roz- Kurt Lenzner’s sister, drugs that killed him. tion to the Green Bay Pack- mom would call and say marynoski’s senior year JoHannah Brockman, got Manitowoc Assistant ers, mostly because he ‘It’s dinner time,’ and he of high school, Kurt gave a tattoo with her brother’s Police Chief Scott Luchter- loved nature and the bird would leave and go home Rozmarynoski a ride to initials shortly after his hand said the area has itself. His favorite TV shows to eat and then come school every day, even death, and wears a neck- recently seen a steady were “Ice Road Truckers” back.” though he had graduated lace containing some of increase in accidental and “Pawn Stars.” After graduation, the the spring before, Roz- his ashes. A knife imprint- overdoses from heroin Chris Rozmarynoski, a pair kept in touch, but saw marynoski said. ed with Kurt’s thumbprint and fentanyl, a painkill- close friend of Kurt Len- each other less frequently “He didn’t have to get to represent his love of er 50 times as potent as zner’s, said they met in as they moved into work- up at 7 a.m. to take me hunting and the outdoors heroin. In a particularly high school gym class ing life and made differ- back to high school, but is on display in the family bad two-week stretch last when he was a sopho- ent circles of friends. that’s the way he was,” living room. summer, one city police more and Kurt a junior. Rozmarynoski, married Rozmarynoski said. “There isn’t a day that officer administered -Nal “Something just sort with a toddler daughter, In sharing Kurt Len- goes by that you don’t oxone, or Narcan, to five of hit it off between us,” last saw Kurt Lenzner zner’s life, the Lenzners think of something,” Barb different people. Narcan Rozmarynoski said. “We about two years before he want his memory to be Lenzner said through is a prescription drug that talked or texted every died, when they met at a about more than the way tears. “You want to talk revives those who likely day after that.” bar to watch a Milwaukee he died. to him. Just the fact you have overdosed. Mani- Kurt Lenzner taught his Brewers game on TV. They wear matching can’t see him anymore, towoc police officers are friend to salmon fish from “He was still the same purple T-shirts, since just him coming down the trained to use Narcan and the Manitowoc Marina. old Kurt,” he said. purple is the color for stairs every night or going each squad car carries it. Kurt would yell “Fish Rozmarynoski learned drug overdose aware- out the door saying ‘I love “This is an epidemic, on!” no matter where of his friend’s death while ness. They make a cake you.’ That’s no more.” and it cuts across all de- mographics,” Luchter- hand said. “The rich, the poor: It’s in every part of milies s the city.” fa erv From 2005 to 2010, r in Manitowoc saw 40 over- u g dose deaths related to O prescription drugs. After law enforcement agen- cies and health providers made it more difficult to obtain prescription medi- cations, many addicts turned to heroin, also an opioid, or fentanyl. Looking back, Barb and y Jeff sometimes blame o 3 themselves. Barb Len- ur 87 zner wishes she had used fa 1 more tough love with her mily since quiet son or asked him to take on more responsibil- ity around the house. “I yell at him,” she said. “DEDICATED TO PERSONAL SERVICE” “I drive past the road he used to take to go (deer) hunting and I yell at him, Providing Caring & Digniﬁ ed Services ‘You could be hunting right now.’” • Pre-Need Specialists • Full Cremation Services Despite the sadness, regret and anger, they • Explanation of Title 19 Qualiﬁ cation & Requirements also remember his good side. “(Kurt) never left the • Service Never Denied For Financial Reasons house without saying ‘Love you,’” Barb Lenzner • Wide Range of Service Options Available said. “He was a hugger.” Kurt Lenzner made the family a clock, made of wood with large brass 213 S. Fifth St., Watertown • 261-2113 numbers, which hangs 143 S. Washington St., Waterloo • 478-2133 12

Page 12 – WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES – LIFE AND LEGACY –Wednesday, April 25, 2018