Eau Claire Memorial High School Class of 77

Glenn Passow ( )

Birth Date: 2023-12-07

Deceased Date: 1976-12-07

mary walters - March 18th, 2017

I wil always remember Glenn was so quiet and caring a very good friend to have and known !

Rick Amundson

Birth Date: 1959-04-28

Deceased Date: 1985-03-07

There are currently no tributes.

Mike Anderson

Birth Date: 2023-12-07

Deceased Date: 1986-12-07

There are currently no tributes.

Frank Babbitt

Deceased Date: 2023-02-09

Jeff Close - February 12th, 2023

Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra shared on the 10th of February 2023 on Facebook that Frank Babbitt has died. Frank Babbitt passed away on Friday, 10th of February 2023 after battling with cancer. Frank Babbitt was a dazzling luminary who enlivened the group with his wit, knowledge, talent, and generosity during the whole 28 years that he was a member of the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra. Frank was a brilliant star who shone a light on the other members of the group.

In addition to introducing many visitors to the bison herd at Antelope Flats, Frank Babbitt also introduced them to the breathtaking view of the Tetons at sunset. It was not uncommon for a sizable number of listeners to be taken aback by his vocal ability. For instance, he sang “Dover Beach” while performing at the Grand Teton Music Festival. He was one of the funniest, sweetest, and most talented people in the world.

Because it included two violinists, many people consider his performance of the Sonata for Viola, four hands, with Patrick Brennan to be one of the funniest things they have ever seen. This is because the piece was written for four violists to play simultaneously.

In 1996, Frank Babbitt was asked to join the Lyric Opera Orchestra by its conductor, Bruno Bartoletti. Zubin Mehta’s first performances with the orchestra were in January 1991. Two years later, in January 1993, he led the Lyric Theater’s Ring cycle.

Mr. Babbitt went to Lawrence University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Drama. He then went to SUNY Stony Brook and earned a Master of Music in Violin Performance. He has taught in the music departments of the Merit School, Lawrence University, Loyola University, and the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University.

As a member of many chamber music groups, he has played at the “Music Now” series at the Symphony Center and the Ravinia Festival. Most recently, he made his debut at St. James Cathedral with the “Rush Hour” group.

Frank’s obituary and funeral arrangements will be released by the family at a later date.

Lance Bennet

Birth Date: 1958-10-20

Deceased Date: 2022-10-02

Obituary:
Lance A. Bennett, 63, of Exeland, WI, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.

He was born October 20, 1958, in Eau Claire, the son of Edward and Carol (Wimmer) Bennett. Lance graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School in 1977. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1981 serving in Korea and in many U.S. states until his honorable discharge in 1992.

On May 28, 2002, Lance married Karen Bohn in Menomonie, WI.
Lance worked for Cenex in Durand, Sportsman’s Guide Inc. in St. Paul, MN, and also drove truck for a local Eau Claire company until he became disabled.

His hobbies included everything outdoors, including 4-wheeling, backpacking, hunting and fishing. He especially enjoyed his time muskie fishing.

Survivors include his wife, Karen; stepchildren, Andrew Flores of Red Granite, WI, and Adam Flores of Menomonie, WI; three sisters, Cheryl (Donn) Olson of Dalbo, MN, Liana (Harvey) Johnson of Rochester, MN, and Rochelle (Gordon) Quayle of Granite Falls, WA; and by nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his grandmother, Hazel Wimmer.
A memorial gathering for family & friends will be held from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at Thompson Funeral Home & Chippewa Valley Cremation Services in Bloomer. Military Honors rendered by the Bloomer VFW and American Legion/AMVets will be held at 4 p.m. to conclude the memorial gathering.

Thompson Funeral Home & Chippewa Valley Cremation Services in Bloomer is serving the family. To express condolences online, please visit www.thompsonfuneralhome.com.

There are currently no tributes.

Heidi Munger (Bjurstrom)

Birth Date: 1958-10-01

Deceased Date: 1995-10-11

Obituary:
Heidi Jane (Bjurstrom) Munger, 37, 379 Heather CT., died Wednesday, Oct. 11, 1995, at her home, surrounded by her family.

Heide was born Oct. 1, 1958, to Dr. Robert O. and Dorothy H. Bjurstrom. She married Jon James Munger on Aug. 9, 1980.

Heidi was a graduate of Memorial High School and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She was an accomplished horsewoman, downhill skier and an active volunteer. Above all else, she took great pride in raising her children, Courtney and Sam.

She is survived by her husband and best friend, Jon; a daughter, Courtney Anne age 10; a son, Samuel Alex age 7; her parents, Robert and Dorothy Bjurstrom of Three Lakes; a sister Kristin (Harry) Bjurstrom Krueger of Madison; a brother, Eric Bjurstrom of Milwaukee; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ralf and Maureen Munger of Eau Claire; tow brothers-in-law, Joseph (Megan) Munger and Jeffrey (Eileen) Munger of Eau Claire; as sister-in-law, Jan (Greg) Andrews of Rochester, MN; a special friend and au pair, Heather Hasart of Eau Claire; many nieces and nephews; many friends.

Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Obert Lowe officiating. Internment will be private.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at Grance Lutheran Church Chapel at 200 West Grand Avenue in Eau Claire.

Memorials may be given to the University of Minnesota Department of OB/GYN Women’s Health Fund. Checks payable to the Heidi Munger Memorial Fund should be sent to M&I Bank, 301 Water Street, Eau Claire, WI 54701, c/o Mr. Bill Kaiser.

Fuller-Speckien Funeral Home is serving the family.

Karolyn Zuehlke - May 21st, 2017

This story needs a bit of setting up, so bear with me...

I had always thought Heidi was pretty, from the day I learned who she was when all the grade schools in Eau Claire came together for us all at Central Junior High for seventh grade. She was in my chorus class with Mr. Russell. I don't think I could ever put two words together to actually talk to Heidi. I guess I thought she was on a different, somehow better level than me. I found out she lived in Corydon Park. Well, that was so-oo much better than two blocks from Arlington Heights. You know how kids can think at that age. I remember wishing I had clothes like Heidi, and long, dark, straight hair like Heidi, and blah, blah, blah.

If you all remember, I had lighter brown hair that was more bushy and frizzy, like a. well....like a brillo pad. I know this, because that is what Brad, my big brother, called me (Brillo Pad, among other things) just to be mean like big brothers can be. Robin and I, both. What you probably don't know is Robin and I wore hats to bed with wet hair in a pony tail hoping we would wake up with straight hair , like the other girls. Hmph...the things kids think and do.

Anyway, my little sister, Robin, and I were fortunate enough to have had horses to ride when we were younger. My mom told me it was to keep us girls busy, and out of other trouble. My dad started us out with a work horse, a Percheron, he had pruchased from a co-worker, Murray Plante, who was selling the horse from somewhere up by Jim Falls. No, wait...Dad came home with a black leather saddle with silver adornments. We didn't even have a horse yet. My mom tells me that they, my mom and dad, didn't have a pot to put under the bed when we five kids were small, so that was a huge deal...the saddle. Oo-oo, my dad was in deep weeds because of that. The horse? We didn't care. We didn't know any better to care. We had a horse!

Well, it just so happened that after Robin and I were old enough and had gotten better at riding, Dad had bought another, better horse, a buckskin Quarter Horse that became 'my' horse, the work horse was sold, and Dad bought a Palomino for Robin, and we began showing them at local venues...mostly all games, with some other girls we knew who had horses.

It just so happened that at one particular location we showed often, I realized, oh, Heidi was showing her horse, a great little buckskin I think was called Sonny, there as well most Sundays we were there. My folks and Heidi's folks had different sized pocket books, so needless to say my tack and attire wasn't what Heidi's tack and attire was for the most part. Robin and I got by. We had horses!

Heidi rode very well, and entered all the Horsemanship, Pleasure, and Halter classes, and her little buckskin, Sonny, was like a robot, usually winning and always placing. Robin and me? We rode well, but were all into the games, like barrels, pole bending, pole weaving, musical tires, sack race, magazine race, ride-a-buck, and Egg-and-Spoon.

This is my story of Heidi and me...my memory of Heidi.

It seemed to me I was alway one step behind Heidi. I put myself there, Heidi didn't. I'm sure Heidi had no idea I had this little private competition going on between her and I...maybe. Until this one day.

This one Sunday, there was a horse show at Bit and Spur riding arena. I believe that Heidi had kept her horse at what used to be known as Murphy's Stable back in the day across the street from Bit and Spur out near the end of Cameron Street in Elk Lake. I had entered the Egg and Spoon class. Heidi entered the Egg and Spoon class, This, I found out as all the horses and riders, each collecting a spoon and a fresh egg, entered the ring.

Now, the object to this game is to place the fresh egg on the spoon, hold the spoon in one hand, and do not touch the egg at all once the game begins. The horses and riders spread around the ring, give room to each, and settle down. The announcer would begin by asking all riders to walk their horses, spoon in one hand, not touching the egg, feet in the stirrups. Then all were asked to trot their horses. A few riders were asked to go to the center of the ring after their egg had fallen to the ground. Trotting with your feet out of the stirrups cleared out alot of riders, too. Okay, Heidi and I were still in the running. Now, this was a class I was quite good at, and usually won, if not placed any other day. "Canter your horses, please. Canter your horses." A few more rode to the center of the ring. After a few more go-rounds, it was down to just two horses and riders.

Yep, just Heidi and me. Rats. I can remember looking up to the sky and praying almost out loud, "Oh, Lord God, ple-e-e-ease, let me win. I'll never ask for anything else as long as I live." We were asked to canter our horses. No problem. Buck and I were a well-oiled machine when it came to that. I'm on the balls of my feet in the stirrups, leaning forward at a graceful, easy lope. Then, "Stop your horses!" He's a Quarter Horse. He stopped on a dime.

Well, you imagined correctly, I watched my egg in slow motion go over the edge of my spoon, roll down the neck of my horse to the ground and break. I looked up to see Heidi's face relax, her sink back down in her saddle, her eyes looked up to the sky, and she sighed in total relief, egg still on her spoon. In my eyes, Heidi was used to winning at whatever she did, because she was good at whatever she did. I was good, too, just not that day.

You know, when I learned that Heidi had passed away, I was sad to hear she had left a family of her own behind, and for a split second I thought to myself, "Heidi, you beat me again. You got to Heaven first."

I believe that when I get to Heaven myself, Heidi will meet me with a smile on her face and show me how things are done (because it's Heaven)!

mary walters - March 18th, 2017

She was one of my best friends in high school. We had many good times. Best wishes to Heidi's family. Eric if you remember me Thank you for indulging in our antics so many years ago

John Boie

Birth Date: 1958-12-01

Deceased Date: 2019-05-07

Obituary:
John Andrew Boie went to be with The Lord on Tuesday May 7th, 2019 at the young age of 60. John was an independent linesman working near Enterprise Oregon with beautiful views of God's landscape when he passed away suddenly.

Born December 1st, 1958 he and his brother were adopted as children by George and Rose Boie and grew up in Eau Claire, WI. He spent much of his life in Helena, MT and other parts in the great northwest. John is survived by wife Jessua Boie, 5 daughters; Brianna, Brandy, Sierra, Suzanne, Sandra, son Matthew and 12 incredible grandchildren, brother Kip Boie, 2 nieces Betsy and Amanda and nephew Benjamin.

John touched many lives everywhere he went and he will be deeply missed. Funeral services will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday May 25th at the Helena Valley Faith Center. Reception to follow on Sunday May 26th, for information contact a family member. Memorial contributions to help the family with expenses are greatly appreciated.

There are currently no tributes.

Barb Branson

Birth Date: 1958-11-02

Deceased Date: 2014-01-04

Obituary:
Barbara Jo (Branson) Klauber, 55, went home to be with her Lord on January 4, 2014. She died unexpectedly in her sleep, at her home in Grayslake, Illinois.

Barb and her twin brother, Bob, were born on November 2, 1958, in Oconto, Wisconsin, to Donald and Bonnie Branson. Barb grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and attended Lowes Creek Elementary School and Central Junior High School. She graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School in 1977 where she was proud to sing with Memorial's Madrigal Choir. Four years later she graduated from UW-Whitewater with a degree in Finance. With her degree she became one of the first female stockbrokers in Eau Claire. Barb also lived and worked in Madison where she met seminary graduate Martin Klauber. Marty and Barb were united in marriage in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on May 30, 1987. Barb worked in finance until the joyful births of their daughter, Bonnie Jo, and son, William Martin. She then made her home and family her priority, in Grayslake, Illinois.

Faith and family meant so much to Barb. Each and every holiday was celebrated together. It was so important to her to celebrate these traditions with her entire family. She loved her Lord and continually sought to learn and grow in her faith.

Barb is survived by her husband, Marty; daughter, Bonnie; son, Billy; mother, Bonnie (George) Branson-Stone of Eau Claire; twin brother, Bob (Jane) Branson of Hudson; sisters, Susan Stein (Todd Krueger) and Ruth (Ray) Nyland, all of Eau Claire. She will also be deeply missed by her loving nieces, nephews and cousins, including Johanna, Rachel and Dan Stein, Ben (Janet), Sarah and Davy Branson, Anna and Bobby Nyland. She is also survived by her husband Marty's extended family.

Barb was preceded in death by her father, Donald C. Branson; and grandparents.

Bob Branson - August 3rd, 2017

Barb was a gift and so good to all of us especially myself and her children. I miss the joy in her smile and her love and affection. Some of my fondest high school memories of Barb are:

*Barb making pies for me and all my friends. Pecan, strawberry and banana cream were our favorites.

*Barb was always there to celebrate all of my successes and especially my failures. Her positive attitude would always help me feel better when I needed it most.

*I enjoyed watching Barb perform and sing with the Madrigals and the school play. She loved that so much.

*Barb enjoyed teaching Sunday School and her students were blessed to have a teacher so thoughtful and caring.

Sometimes life is hard on people who are sensitive, compassionate, conscientious and sympathetic. I miss her every day.

I love you Barb,
Bob

Brian Buckli

Birth Date: 1959-03-09

Deceased Date: 1996-08-10

Obituary:
Brian G. Buckli, 37, 935 Evergreen Road, Wausau, died Saturday, Aug. 10, 1996, while riding his bicycle in the Upper Peninsula.

Brian was born March 9, 1959, in Eau Claire, to Ronald Buckli of Eau Claire and Mary Flynn, also of Eau Claire.

He attended and graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Brian married Kathy Kalous on March 16, 1991, in Wausau.

Brian was a Senior Claims Representative for General Casualty Insurance.

Brian never scored a touchdown, hit a home run, or made the winning basket, but few athletes ever achieved what he did. He skied the Birkebeiner the last 11 years in a row, ran two marathons with his Dad, and biked solo across the United States for the Diabetes Foundation.

He also played Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, YMCA Basketball and football, and was a member of the Flying Eagles Ski Club, president of the Wausau Nordic Ski Club, and past member of the Wausau Wheelers. Brian was also an avid Packers fan.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy Buckli of Wausau; his children, Cody Klein Buckli and Brooke Hannah Buckli, both at home; his father Ronald (Janet) Buckli of Eau Claire; his mother Mary Buckli of Eau Claire; a brother, Pete (Debbie) Buckli of Eau Claire; a sister, Heidi (Frank) Gavinski of Owatonna, MN; a maternal grandmother, Catherine Flynn of Eau Claire; two nieces, Brittany Jade Buckli and Amanda Brook Gavinski; a nephew, Anthony Peter Buckli.

Brian was preceded in death by a brother at birth.

Funeral Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at Zion Lutheran Church in Wausau. The Rev. Clarence Harms will officiate with the Rev. William Grevatch of the Church of St. Michael participating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16 in Forest Hill Cemetery, Eau Claire.

Friend may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Brainard Funeral Home in Wausau. Friends may also call an hour before services on Thursday at the church.

Brian touched so many lives in so many ways. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. Brian died doing what he loved to do, biking. He accomplished everything he set out to do in life.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials in Brian’s memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, c/o M&I First American National Bank, 5211 Rib Mountain Drive, Wausau, WI 54401

There are currently no tributes.

Tamara Clark

Birth Date: 1959-02-27

Deceased Date: 2012-12-25

Obituary:
Tamara Erickson

Tamara Jean Erickson, age 53, of Eau Claire, passed away December 25, 2012, peacefully at home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Tami was born on February 27, 1959 in Eau Claire to Charlie Clark and Marilyn Clark. She grew up in Brackett, WI and graduated from Memorial High School with the class of 1977. She married Daniel Erickson Sr. in 1985; they later divorced.

Tami is survived by Richard Postl, they were married June 7, 2002. She is also survived by her children, Rachel (Kyle) Neidermire, Daniel (Melanie) Erickson Jr., and Adam (Lexi) Erickson. Step children, Cory (Christina) Postl, Nicole Postl and Steven Postl. Grandchildren, Ashlyn and Marissa Neidermire, Harper Lee Erickson, Bryce, Kiara and Bentley Erickson, and Jacob and Lilly Postl. Parents, Marilyn Clark and Ken Stelzig, Charlie and Rita Clark. Sister, Tracy (Cal) Craker; brothers, Ken (Kathy) Clark and Gary (Mary) Clark. Nieces and nephews, Kristi (Mike) Schmidt, Mariah Werner, Elijah and Hailee, Victor Craker, MJ Red-Cloud, Andrew (Amy) Clark, Lucas and Jack, Sarah and Tony Clark, Noah, Nahom, Hannah and Molly Clark; a large and loving extended family; and her lifetime friend, Patti (Mike) Ringhand.

Tami enjoyed watching the Packers, gardening, time with her family, and volunteering in our community, most recently at Sojourner House. "Life is good" was her motto, mantra and way of life. There is so much truth in that simple statement. There are miracles all around us, we just have to open our eyes to see the beauty that God has put before us. Through Tami's faith in God she truly believed life is good.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the caring staff at the Sacred Heart Cancer Center, the St. Joseph's Hospice team, Dr. Naqvi, and special family friend Kadie Schmidt.

Tami was preceded in death by maternal and paternal grandparents.

There are currently no tributes.