Wisconsin
Kim Swoverland, 60
Died December 1, 2020.
Sheridan Elementary School, Sheboygan, WI
Custodian
Kim “Swovy” Swoverland of Sheboygan left this earth on December 1, 2020 to embark on his endless motorcycle ride in the sky. After a long courageous battle with COVID, and hearing messages from those whose lives he touched, he passed peacefully while holding his loving wife’s hand.
Kim was born October 14, 1960, to Andrew and Gwendolyn Swoverland. He graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School in 1979. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he received a “Good Conduct First Medal Award” for his four years of service. After the Marine Corps, he was a foreman at Polar Ware for 16 years. In April 2005, he joined the Sheboygan Area School District as a custodian. Over the past 15 years he worked at Longfellow Elementary School and Sheridan Elementary School. The staff, parents, and students fondly called him “Mr. Kim.”
He was united in marriage to the love of his life Berta Campbell on October 1, 1993. He proudly took on the role as step-father to Paul, Jennifer, and Stephanie Campbell. After their nest was empty, they followed their dreams and opened Swovy’s Bar and Grill. It was there they unexpectedly gained another “family” of lifelong friends.
Kim lived his life with zest and as if there were no tomorrow. He would ride his motorcycle starting in spring before all the snow melted until well after the first snowfall of winter. Kim rode that Goldwing, which his wife referred to as “the other woman,” to all 48 contiguous United States and it was a part of making countless memories and friendships.
Kim always knew what someone needed to brighten their day, whether it was a warm smile, a joke, a piece of advice, a helping hand, a listening ear, a Santa suit, or even a broom in their hand. He got joy from going on adventures with his wife, friends, and family—from Brewer bus trips and weekend getaways to annual family vacations. He loved spending time with and spoiling his three grandchildren: Logan (14); Austin (10); and Emalyn (6). He took them fishing, camping, to sporting events, and especially enjoyed just hanging out playing games. Emalyn in particular had him wrapped around her little finger. This big macho man could be found on the floor playing with Barbies, Legos, Play-Doh, and coloring books if Emalyn had invited him to do so. She also had a special privilege of being able to take endless selfies and pictures of him without his normal tendency of providing close ups of his middle finger or elbow to block the shot.
Kim had a big heart, a warm smile, and a strong desire to brighten every person’s day he encountered. He worked hard and played hard without sweating the small stuff. His montages were truly a reflection of how he lived his life: “Don’t worry, it will be okay”; “Anything can be fixed with glues and screws”; “Seriously?”; and “Living the dream.” He ended many conversations with “Gotta go! Got sh@* to do!” as he would scurry away. We can honor him by remembering to take things as they come, being present for each person we meet, helping those around you, and living each day like tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Kim is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Berta; his three step-children: Paul Campbell (Las Vegas), Jennifer Campbell (Sheboygan Falls), and Stephanie (Brandon) Hurst (Sheboygan); his three grandchildren: Logan Sanders, Austin Sharp, and Emalyn Hurst; siblings, Jacqueline (Michael) Kaiser, Andrew “Bud” (Julie) Swoverland (Howards Grove) and Jeff Swoverland (Sheboygan); and his best bud Alan (Nicole) Kleinke. Many (and many) other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He also leaves behind two dogs whom he loved and will miss him dearly, Karma and his “little buddy” Coal.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Gwendolyn and Andrew, and brother, Dale, and many aunts, uncles, and friends.
A celebration of life to be held at a later date to honor this simple, humble, but amazing man who touched so many lives.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors, nurses, CNAs, lab technicians, and respiratory therapists at Essentia Health – St. Mary’s Duluth Minnesota for the compassionate care they provided Kim.
George Bures, 73
Died September 23, 2020.
Nekoosa School District, Nekoosa, WI
Substitute Teacher
George Bures, age 71, passed away on September 23, 2020 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital due to Covid-19 with no pre-existing or underlying conditions.
George was born on July 6th, 1949 in Elgin, IL to the late Claire (Walter) and George Bures, Sr. He grew up in Fox River Grove, Illinois and graduated from Cary-Grove High School in 1967. He attended UW-Stevens Point where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. George was united in marriage to his wife, Karen, on July 21st, 1973 at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Wisconsin Rapids.
George was a Senior Systems Analyst at Sentry Insurance and First Financial Bank in Stevens Point, Wisconsin before he left the corporate world to pursue a career in teaching. He spent 17 years as a band director in the Tomorrow River School District in Amherst, Wisconsin, and after retirement, continued to work as a substitute teacher for the Nekoosa School District. George also spent countless hours on the football field as a referee, officiating games for teams of all ages, from Rapids Raptors youth football to Division I WIAA Varsity football games.
George’s greatest gift was as a teacher, which extended far beyond the classroom and the podium as a band director. He loved to teach his grandsons how to fish and hunt and enjoyed special trips to Canada each summer with Karen and his “boys”. He also enjoyed his summers with Karen, entertaining friends and family by the pool, gardening, and attending many of his grandsons’ sporting events. In winter, George was usually found on a black diamond slope at Granite Peak ski hill, his favorite winter pass time. He was a nationally certified ski patrol and instructor, and was looking forward to another season at the hill this year.
George also spent time giving back to his community. He was an active member of Elks Lodge 693 in Wisconsin Rapids and served in many leadership roles, including Exalted Ruler in 2013-14 and 2015-16.
George is survived by his wife, Karen; daughters Cara (fiancé Ryan Parker) and Krista (Josh) Hafenbredl; grandsons Keagan and Carter Christy, Ethan and Alex Hafenbredl; brother Mark (Julie) Bures of Cary, IL; niece Maggie Bures of Chicago, IL; nephew Andy Bures of North Aurora, IL; and great-nephews Joey and Will Bures of North Aurora, IL.
Our family would like to thank Dr. Kris Lahren and all of the amazing nurses and caregivers in the Covid ICU Unit at Wausau Aspirus Hospital who took such extraordinary and compassionate care of George since due to restrictions we were not able to be by his side.
Duane Bark, 61
Died October 7, 2020.
Markesan District Schools, Markesan, WI
Superintendent
On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, Duane Douglas Bark went to his eternal home at the age of 61 years.
Duane was born on July 23, 1959, to Douglas & Jill (Myers) Bark in Lancaster, WI. At age four he and family moved to Montfort (from Brooklyn and Oregon) where he attended the Iowa-Grant school system. He graduated from Iowa-Grant in 1977. From there he attended the UW-Platteville and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. He furthered his education with a Master’s in Administration and an Education Special Degree.
On June 12, 1982, he married the love of his life Pamela Ferris and together they raised three amazing children who are his pride and joy. Duane was also “papa” or “poppy” to six grandchildren, who had him wrapped around their fingers. It was his sheer joy to spend time, play and even dance with them.
Duane spent his life as an educator, administrator, coach, leader and mentor. He has influenced and impacted countless lives in various school districts he has served. His greatest mission in life was to help others reach their full potential and in return he earned the love and respect of many. Duane was a man of faith in all he did, he led by example, and was a true testimony to God. He was an inspiration to all and left a legacy of love far and wide. Besides spending time with family, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, sports and of course mowing his lawn. He coached many sports for 32 years including football, wrestling, softball and baseball. He was an avid Badger fan, enjoyed watching sports on TV with family and friends, and attending all school activities.
Duane is survived by his wife, Pam, his children and grandchildren: Dr. Bradley (Candice)- Cora, David and Reuben of Muscatine, IA. Brian (Caitlin)- Henry, Russell and Eliza of Poynette, WI. Brittany of Markesan, WI. His parents Doug and Jill Bark, his “sis” Kim (Al) White, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, mother-in-law, Charlotte Ferris, and his canine hunting sidekicks Beau and Gracie; other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by maternal and paternal grandparents, infant brother David, father-in-law, Dean Ferris and sister-in-law, Jolene Kaiser; dear friends Grizz, Jeff and Tom; and faithful hunting dogs Belle and Lexy.
Heidi Hussli, 47
Died September 17, 2020.
Bay Port High School, Green Bay, WI
German
Born on July 15, 1973 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to parents Kim Derleth and Larry Hussli is survived by one sibling, her sister Heather Hussli.
Heidi graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1991 During a high school trip to Germany, she fell in love with Germany, an enduring love she later shared with students. While attending The University of Wisconsin Green Bay where she studied German and secondary education, Heidi again took the opportunity to spend semesters studying in Germany. After graduating in 1997, my sister returned to Germany in 1998 where she studied German and Linguistics at Univeritat of Konstanz.
While studying in Germany in 1996, she met the love of her life Amir Nouri. They celebrated their love by marrying October 10, 2000 in Konstanz, Germany. While Amir worked to complete his architecture degree, Heidi began her educational career teaching English in a private school. As their relationship grew, so did their family, adding their son Kurosh in 2004.
Heidi enjoyed working with the Howard Suamico School District for16 years, teaching all levels of German. She thrived on students’ eagerness to learn and she encouraged them every step of the way. With an open-door environment, students knew they were welcome and safe in Heidi’s classroom; she truly cared about each student and would go to the ends of the earth to help them. Heidi fell in love with the German culture, language, and people on her first trip in high school. Coupling her passion for all things German and caring for her students, Heidi knew the power of life experiences outside the classroom. She played an integral part in bringing the German American Participation Program (GAPP) to Bay Port High School, a student exchange program with the Bondenwald Gymnasium in Hamburg, Germany. Over the years she, along with colleague Julie Kramer, shared the Germany she grew to know and love by taking a total of 83 Bay Port students to Germany to study at the Gymnasium for 2 weeks and then travel the entire country. Since 2006, 232 German students have attended Bay Port High School from Hamburg.
Outside the classroom, Heidi reveled in being a wife and mother to the two men she loved fiercely and fearlessly. Amir trusted his wife, doing things like white water rafting (despite not being able to swim well!) he knew Heidi, she loved him and would never let anything hurt him. Being a mom was her most treasured gift in life; she instilled perseverance, love, hard work, kindness and so much more to her son Kurosh. A special pride resided in Heidi, seeing her son embody compassion for others, a characteristic she believed central in life.
My wife loved and supported me in everything I wanted to do. The day I met her my whole world changed and I felt complete. She was the love of my life and always will be.
My sister was a warrior, refusing defeat and fighting through any obstacle she faced. Heidi loved her family, loved challenging herself, me and others, loved traveling abroad, loved visiting national parks, and loved life. She was my sister, rock, frozen fish specialist, confidant, and inspiration.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Kim Derleth who passed away just 19 days prior, on August 29, 2020, as well as her maternal and paternal grandparents, Aunt Carol Hartl and Uncle Frank Derleth.
Heidi is survived by her husband Amir, son Kurosh, her precious dog Leni, father Larry Hussli, sister Heather Hussli, her cousin tribe, Aunts Mel and Linda Derleth, Uncle Hank Derleth and many dear American and German friends.
Her mantra in life was “Bringt die Menschlichkeit zurück” translation “Bring Humanity Back”, please honor her in trying your best to do so.