November 20, 1943 – February 20, 2025

In loving memory ~

It is with great sadness that the family of Chuck Wallace, a longtime resident of Nelson, announces his passing on February 20, 2025, at the age of 81.

Chuck was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was pre- deceased by his loving wife of 58 years, Pat Wallace, and survived by sons Chip (Stephanie), Justin (Brenda)

and Christopher. Chuck was a proud, loving grandfather of four: Jackson, Maggie, Jana and Jake, and was a great-grandfather to Mackenzie Ann. Chuck has four surviving sisters: Betty, Linda, Kathryn, and Mary.

Chuck was born in Houghton, Michigan to Robert and Mary Wallace on November 20, 1943. As a child, his family moved to Hibbing, Minnesota. He met Pat in Hibbing, and they were high school sweethearts. Chuck graduated from Oregon State University with majors in Forestry Engineering and Civil Engineering. After college, Chuck and Pat were married and moved to Corvallis, Oregon. They later emigrated to Canada and after forestry jobs in Kitimat, Pemberton, and Campbell River, they settled in Nelson where they found the town and community they loved and wanted to raise their family.

Chuck was a long-time employee of Kootenay Forest Products and spent a lot of time logging in the Lardeau and Meadow Creek area. When KFP closed down, he was a founding member of Timberland Consulting with some other former KFP employees. Chuck loved forestry and logging and working in the woods of the Kootenays.

Chuck was a very devoted father. He was a regular at the rink, ball and soccer fields and on road trips supporting the sports pursuits of his 3 boys. He coached Minor Hockey and was a great supporter of all youth sports in Nelson, doing whatever he could to support fundraisers and travelling near and far with the teams. He was always there for the boys and their teams.

He loved spending time outdoors, getting in as much hunting as he could between sports seasons. He loved hunting, especially duck hunting, and was very active with the local Ducks Unlimited chapter for many years. He loved spending time at the lake, especially with his labs and goldens, Viking, Buck, Mac and Loki, and taking them for walks in the woods behind their house. Later in life, he loved seeing his grandkids, travelling to Florida and Alaska to spend time and go on adventures with them.

Chuck enjoyed woodworking and made many unique pieces for Pat and his kids and grandkids. He liked playing golf and went on a very memorable golf trip to Scotland with his father. He also travelled to Brazil, Finland & Sweden, Germany, Italy and Austria as well as around the U.S. Chuck enjoyed travel and was always up to go somewhere and see something new. More than anything, Chuck was a devoted husband and father and put his family’s needs and well-being above everything else. He was a great example of what a father and a family man is. He was a wonderful person, husband, father, and grandpa, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the amazing nurses and staff at Jubilee Manor and Mountain Lakes Senior Center for helping keep Chuck comfortable and safe during his last few years as he battled Alzheimer’s disease.

The family will hold a small Celebration of Life on July 20, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the beach he loved across the lake in Nelson.

For more information and to leave a message of condolence, please see the Thompson Funeral Service website at https://www.thompsonfs.ca

Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.

Patrick J. Deist, a beloved member of the Wild Rose community, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2025, at Sylvan’s Crossing in Stevens Point, at the age of 59. Born on November 24, 1965, in Fort Atkinson, the son of James and Jo Ann (Martin) Deist. Patrick was a lifelong resident of Wild Rose, where he made a lasting impact through both his work and his compassionate spirit.

On January 28, 1997, Patrick married Michelle Lepine in Jamaica. She preceded him in death on May 13, 2001. Patrick owned and operated Deist Log Homes, a venture through which he built many homes for families in the area. His dedication to craftsmanship and attention to detail were evident in every project he undertook, earning him the respect and admiration of his clients and fellow builders alike.

A proud graduate of Wild Rose High School, Patrick continued his education, excelling in not only academics but also sports. He was a formidable athlete, showcasing his talents in football, baseball, and wrestling, which he carried with him throughout his life.

Described as a genuine and caring gentleman, Patrick consistently prioritized the needs of others above his own. His commitment to the community was particularly evident in his dedication to youth sports, where he devoted countless hours to coaching and mentoring young athletes.

Beyond his contributions to sports, Patrick cherished the great outdoors; he loved hunting, fishing, and spending time with his canine companions, finding joy in nature’s beauty.

Patrick’s proudest accomplishment was raising his son, Tanner, whom he adored more than anything. This father-son bond was central to his life, and he took immense pride in guiding Tanner through life’s challenges.

Patrick is survived by his son, Tanner (significant other, Sarah Hamilton) Deist. He is also remembered affectionately by his brothers, Tom (Carla) Deist and Tim (Dawn) Deist; his sister, Laurie (Dan) Steffens; father-in-law, Guy Lepine; brother-in-law, Shannon (Jamie) Lepine; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Michelle, his two sisters, Diane Patterson and Linda Jones, and his mother-in-law, Marsha Lepine.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all of Patrick’s caregivers over the years for their loving care and respect; Sylvan Crossing, Compassus Hospice, Inclusa Family Care and ADRC of Waushara County, you will never be forgotten. Patrick J. Deist will be sorely missed by all who knew him, and his legacy of kindness and devotion will remain in the hearts of many.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 12:00 noon in the Stahl Celebration & Remembrance Center, W7452 State Road 21/73 Wautoma. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. at the celebration center until time of services. He will be laid to rest next to his wife Michelle in the Oakhill Cemetery, Wild Rose. Stahl Funeral and Cremation Services are assisting the family with arrangements, www.stahlfuneralhome.com.

Though an outbreak in Ohio appears to have subsided since the spring, outbreaks of measles are still popping up all over the country. The summer break does not seem to have slowed the spread of this dangerous disease. Canada and Mexico are experiencing thousands of cases, too.

In the U.S., the total number of confirmed cases this year sits at 1,267 — just shy of the 30-year high. Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah have active outbreaks.

So far, two children and one adult have died. All were unvaccinated.

Irrational decisions against the vaccine are reducing herd immunity. More parents are requesting religious or personal conscience waivers based on bizarre fear-mongering. It is not too late to do the right thing. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old, with a second shot between four and six years old.

Why on earth would a parent risk this for their kids? Those who realize there aren’t many legitimate reasons to do so should consider talking to their children’s pediatricians about making things right.

For Sydnee Lorenson, the Penokee Range Little League diamond in Bessemer, Michigan, has always been more than just a field — it has been a place where community and competition come together. Her journey to becoming an umpire began with her curiosity about the rules of the game that she loved the first time she laced up her cleats, and her local Junior Umpire Program is where she found the perfect way to stay involved.

Umpiring is just one piece of who Lorenson is. By day, she teaches at her local K-12 school in Ironwood, Michigan, where she not only educates students but also cheers them on from the sidelines at their scholastic games. Outside of the classroom, she is coaching, watching her niece play, or heading out to her own slow-pitch softball games. Lorenson’s life is full of moments that reflect her love of the game and community.

What started as a small step into her local Junior Umpire Program has turned into something much bigger. This year, her journey in umpiring brought her to one of the biggest stages in youth sports — Howard J. Lamade Stadium at the Little League^® International complex in Williamsport, Pennsylvania— where she served on the all-female crew in the in the second Maria Pepe Little League Baseball^® Legacy Series, a weekend dedicated to showcasing girls in baseball.

“Where I am from, there has been a lot of community support. I am from a small town of about 5,000 people and when I found out about this opportunity, I was able to share with others about the experience,” said Lorenson. “It was great to tell my friends from back home that you can be from a small town and do something big. I think that it is great that there are female umpires, coaches and players all weekend in Williamsport, which has been a very inclusive and supportive environment for me.”

Junior Umpires play a critical role in growing and sustaining the Little League program, offering teenagers the opportunity to gain leadership skills, confidence, and community service hours while supporting their local league. Training programs pair the Junior Umpires with veteran umpires, helping them to build confidence while understanding the mechanics and rules in a live setting—often starting at the Minor Division level.

To learn more about her experience in the Junior Umpire Program and her journey as a female umpire, Little League sat down for a “Full-Count Conversation” with Lorenson during the 2025 Maria Pepe Little League Baseball Legacy Series.

1-0 Count: How do you like to connect with players as an umpire?  

I like to have fun with them for sure! Obviously, it is a game, and the players want to win every game, but there is always going to be a loser in the game. You want to make sure that each team is having fun, whether you’re dancing with them, asking them what their favorite ice cream flavor is, or if they have any fun summer plans. I want to be interactive with them and have easy and fun conversations with them, especially if they are losing, so they are not focused on being down. I am the only female umpire at my local league, which is great, because I have a lot of younger girls looking up to me who are wanting to try new things. A lot of the girls have a better connection with a female umpire, so it’s nice to be able to have fun with it and not be so strict about everything.

1-1 Count: Reflecting on your umpiring journey, what are some things you would tell your younger self?

I would tell myself not to be nervous. When I was younger and in the Junior Umpire Program, I was very nervous while I was umpiring games. It is very intimidating seeing the adult coaches and they can get frustrated. Seeing it as a teenager, it was a lot harder because I would ask myself, “what do I do?” because you are nervous that something is going to happen. I would also tell my younger self to be focused on your goal, and you will not have to worry about anything else.

2-1 Count: Were there any mentors throughout your journey to becoming an umpire?    

Sam Fontecchio is the one who helped me get started with umpiring. There were a lot of people who helped me along the way though such as my dad, people from the local school, and coaches. Otherwise, right now, I am the only female umpire in my district. It is a great opportunity to get to work with the guys and get advice from those who are older and have traveled to umpire Little League Region Tournaments and World Series games. It is always great to gain simple advice from them. Fontecchio, who umpired at the Little League Baseball World Series a few years ago, once told me to never let anyone change my perspective. He said, “You are the one who is there — you are the one calling the game. Don’t let anyone change your perspective unless it’s a reviewable play.

2-2 Count: What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about joining the Junior Umpire Program?

If you truly love the game, go for it. There is nothing wrong with trying something, but you will regret it if you don’t. Just try it, and if you don’t like it, you don’t like it. If you do like it, then you found something new. At my local league we have a high school girl who is now umpiring and was unsure at first if she wanted to participate in the program. I told her to just try it, and has now been umpiring for about a year. She always asks me questions about situations. My advice to her is to be confident and loud on the field.

3-2 Count: What are some of the things you learned in your time as a Junior Umpire?

In the Junior Umpire Program, they do a great job of breaking down the job when you are younger because it is a lot to learn. Whereas, if you start umpiring as an adult, they tend to throw all the rules at you, and it is a lot harder to learn. When you are growing, learning, and developing in the junior program there is an emphasis on focusing on one thing for this game. Then in the next game, let’s focus on a different part of the game. They train you from the bottom up on how to be a better umpire.

Interested in becoming a Little League umpire? Visit LittleLeague.org/Umpires to learn more.

Beginning in the fall of 2025, Austin Parks and Recreation Youth Sports participants’ age as of January 1 will now determine their age division for all youth sports leagues. This replaces the previous cutoff date of September 1. All Austin Parks and Recreation youth sports will be impacted from this summer forward.

The adjustment aligns Austin Parks and Recreation’s age classifications with those of the University Interscholastic League (UIL). This provides greater consistency and a smoother transition for young athletes who participate in both recreational and school-based sports programs, reducing confusion for families and ensuring a more unified experience as they progress.

To further simplify the registration process, families will now have the convenient option to register for both the fall and winter youth sports seasons during a single registration period, beginning in Fall 2025. For a comprehensive list of registration dates, deadlines, and league schedules, please visit AustinTexas.gov/YouthSports. You may contact the Athletics Office at 512-978-2670 with additional questions.