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Ruder Ware Expands Ag Focus Team

Four new attorneys bring unique knowledge to serve their clients

As farm clients and agribusinesses have been busy in the fields, Ruder Ware’s Ag Focus Team has grown. The last few months have brought four new additions to the attorney team, each of whom brings unique knowledge to serve clients.

Mykayla Dado Eau Claire

Wisconsin is home to more dairy farms than any other state. Mykayla’s family’s seventh-generation dairy farm is one of them. In addition to her law degree, Mykayla’s undergraduate is in agricultural business. She plans to assist Ruder Ware clients with farm transition and estate planning.

Eric Johnson Wausau

Eric’s litigation focus has allowed him to work on a multitude of agricultural cases, including feed product claims, agricultural losses, and timber trespass claims, along with the experience in transactional work that he brings with him.

J.P. LaChapelle Wisconsin Rapids

Wisconsin Rapids native J.P. LaChapelle grew his practice in the heart of cranberry country (Wisconsin leads the nation in cranberry production) and has cultivated many close connections with cranberry growers.

Kelly Wilfert Green Bay

Kelly Wilfert grew up representing the fifth generation of her family’s farm in northeast Wisconsin where they still grow fresh market fruits and vegetables, cash grain crops, and processing vegetables. Kelly’s experience in ag policy helps her maintain an understanding of hot-button ag issues, as well as stay on top of specific laws and regulations affecting farmers and agribusinesses on local, state, and federal levels. Kelly focuses her practice on agribusiness transactions and risk management. The additions of Mykayla, Eric, J.P., and Kelly bring Ruder Ware’s robust Ag Focus Team to a total of nearly 15 attorneys specializing in business transactions, trust and estate planning, litigation, and employment issues in agriculture.

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Al Sowinski Passes Away

Potato grower drove truck, built warehouses and traveled the country

Alvin “Al” Charles Sowinski, 86, of Sugar Camp, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 13, 2022. Al was born on January 4, 1936, to Henry and Evelyn Sowinski, and was later dubbed “Bubber” by his sister growing up on the family farm. He left school in the ninth grade to work in logging, and dairy and beef farming with his father and grandfather. He also took technical college classes, became an accomplished sharpshooter through the National Rifle Association and served in the National Guard. Al, his father, and his brother, David “Sonny” Sowinski, started growing potatoes, so Al became a long-distance truck driver, built warehouses with washing systems, and traveled the country to meet customers. He also worked with his father and brother, Henry Jr. “Butch” Sowinski, to operate the Rhinelander Foods potato chip factory. With his sons, Paul and Vince, and nephews, Greg and John, the farm expanded to Missouri. Al served as a board member of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, including a term as president, receiving Volunteer of the Year and Distinguished Service awards.

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Alvin Charles Sowinski January 4, 1936 – October 13, 2022

While Al was devoted to building the family farm, the lights of his life were family, his faith, and the community of Sugar Camp. He was a member of St. Kunegunda Catholic Church from birth, serving as cemetery co-sexton, as a member of the parish council and building committee, and as Eucharistic minister.

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Al served on the Sugar Camp Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years, including eight years as chief, receiving a Governor’s Award for his service. He also received awards from local Lions clubs and is an Honorary Life Member. A volunteer for the Sugar Camp Snowmobile and Youth clubs, he’s received the Town of Sugar Camp Outstanding Citizen’s Award. Al has been a Knights of Columbus member for over 50 years. Al married the love of his life, Shirley (nee Bennett, of Harshaw), 59 years

ago, and together they have traveled the world, helped others, and enjoyed the simple things in life. Al was an avid gardener, preferred the outdoors, and loved hunting and fishing with his family and friend, Richie Gross. He also loved flying his airplane, making his own sausage, and raising and releasing birds on his game farm. Al always had a story or a joke to tell and didn’t hesitate to share his opinion. After traveling with his family to California to see the redwoods, he reported, “And now I’ve accomplished just about everything I’ve wanted to do in my lifetime!” Without question, his delight and joy were his grandchildren. He was their biggest fan, and the loss of their grandpa leaves a space in their hearts. At his side, they heard many of his stories and learned to till the earth, serve others, and love God.

COULD FIX ANYTHING

Grandpa could fix anything, would do so as often as he could in his last days, and is certainly doing so in heaven. Al was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Dorothy Cirilli and Sonny Sowinski; his son, Vince; dear friend, Denny Dart; and several brothers-in law and sisters-in law. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; and his children, Anne (Paul) Gamoke, Plymouth, Mary (Rich Javenkoski) Sowinski, Three Lakes, and Paul (Tunie nee Rychlock) Sowinski, Sugar Camp. Al is further survived by his grandchildren, Allison, Marcus, and Sarah Gamoke, and Lauren, Madalyn, Bradley, and Kara Sowinski. He is also survived by his siblings, Mary Ann Roberts, and Henry Jr. (Diane) Sowinski; cousins; many sistersin law; brothers-in law; nieces; nephews; and other loving friends and family. In lieu of flowers, the family will share memorials in memory of Al with St. Kunegunda Catholic Church, the Rhinelander Knights of Columbus, and other Sugar Camp organizations. The family encourages everyone who is in good health to donate blood. Al gave blood many times, and through this gracious gift of strangers in the past few months, he was able to spend precious time with his family, and in his shop and garden. Visitation for Alvin was held on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at the Carlson Funeral Home, in Rhinelander, and on Monday, October 24, at the St. Kunegunda Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on October 24 at the St. Kunegunda Catholic Church. You may leave your private condolences for the Sowinski family at www.calsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home, 715-369-1414, is serving the Sowinski family.

continued on pg. 58 What do you expect from the seed potatoes that you buy? Over 100 Years of Tradition

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WISCONSIN For a directory of Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Growers or a free video, contact: CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES View a directory of the Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Growers on your smartphone. Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association, Inc. P.O. Box 173, Antigo, WI 54409 715-623-4039 www.potatoseed.org WISCONSIN CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES

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Reinke Recognizes Roberts Irrigation Technician

Streekstra garners PLUS Program Longevity Award for 15 years of certification

Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology, has recognized Roberts Irrigation’s Eric Streekstra, of Plover, Wisconsin, with a 15-year PLUS Program Longevity Award. The Reinke PLUS (Proven Leaders in Unmatched Service) Program is a demanding service training program that’s offered to full-service Reinke dealers and includes a series of six courses and a testing process that qualifies them as a PLUS or Platinum PLUS certified technician. “At Reinke, our mission is to exceed our customers’ expectations of quality, service and innovation,” says Jennifer Craig, technical training and documentation administrator for Reinke. “By dedicating himself to a higher level of continuous training, Eric has shown that he is dedicated to serving the growers in his area,” she adds. “Maintaining this level of certification for 15 years is a big accomplishment, and Reinke is proud to honor his commitment as he continues to take care of our systems and customers.” To maintain certification, 16 service training credits must be earned each year either through online or inclass training. Certified Reinke PLUS and Platinum PLUS technicians are trained to deliver the most advanced technical service and support to customers. With hundreds of dealers in more than 40 countries, Reinke Manufacturing is the world’s largest privately held manufacturer of center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems. Family owned since 1954 and headquartered in Deshler, Nebraska, Reinke develops products and technology designed to increase agriculture production while providing labor savings and environmental efficiencies. Reinke is a continued leader in industry advancements as the first to incorporate GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite-based communications and touchscreen panel capabilities into mechanized irrigation system management. For more information on Reinke or to locate a dealership, visit https:// www.Reinke.com.

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