Charted Course - March 2025

Football

The SC Rockets finished their regular season with a 2-7 record which included some exciting wins against Pittsville and Loyal/Greenwood and some close losses.  For their efforts the following CCS athletes earned conference accolades: Mac Konieczny, First Team Punter, First Team Kicker and Honorable Mention Wide Receiver; Jude Becerra Second Team Offensive Lineman; Ryan Bernick, Second Team Defensive Lineman;  Devlin Timmler, Honorable Mention Quarterback; and Drew Lang, Honorable Mention Defensive Back.  We look forward to what the future holds for this young team.

Tennis

Seniors Maria Elizabeth Garcia and Akosua Yeboah, originally singles players, teamed up for doubles this year and became a formidable duo. Their hard work paid off as they advanced to Sectionals in Minocqua on October 9, 2024 and earned a spot at the State tournament at Nielsen Stadium in Madison.  At State, they faced the undefeated #1 seed in a challenging match but showcased incredible sportsmanship and resilience. After regrouping, they fought back to secure a hard-earned third place finish and the D2 Bronze Medal.  Congratulations to Maria, Akosua, and the entire team on an outstanding season!   We also offer a  special congratulations to Coach Thompson for her guidance and support. 

Soccer

The soccer team had an outstanding regular season, clinching their fourth straight Central Wisconsin Conference Championship! We're proud to recognize our players: Ray Becker, Colin Stocks, and Xan Rodriguez as they earned Honorable Mention All-Conference. Mason Edwards, Cole Wallace, Ben Weiland, and Carter Sommer secured spots on the Second Team; while senior Ezra Duda and junior Cade Jansen were awarded First Team accolades.  On October 31, 2024, they faced off against Aquinas in the Sectional Semifinals at Griese Park, fresh off their Regional Championship victory the previous weekend. They ultimately fell to Aquinas, but had an incredible season filled with hard work and determination. 

Volleyball

The volleyball team had an incredible regular season, finishing first in the Cloverbelt East Conference and claiming their eighth straight championship - what an amazing achievement! Gracie Wilczek and Alayna Egle earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors, while Delia Trader secured a spot on the Second Team All-Conference. The standout performances of senior Aubrey Waldhauser and junior Shelby Spata earned them First Team All-Conference recognition.  Our team faced off against Gilman October 31, 2024 in the Sectional Semifinals at Columbus Catholic, fresh off their Regional Championship win. Columbus won 3-1 which propelled them to the Sectional Finals on Saturday, November 2, 2024 in Almond-Bancroft.  They defeated Royall 3-0 and, with the win, earned their first trip to State where they faced Newman Catholic in the State Semifinals.  The Dons won in a thrilling fashion 3-1 and punched their ticket to the Division 5 State Championship.  The Dons ultimately fell 1-3 against top-seeded Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran. In their efforts, junior Shelby Spata set the all-division record with 10 aces during the tournament series. Following the State Tournament, the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association recognized Delia Trader as All-State Honorable Mention; Shelby Spata All-State First Team and All-Tournament Team; and Aubrey Waldhauser All-Tournament Team. Our team was also recognized with an Honorable Mention at the State Tournament for sportsmanship. Great job to all!

Cross Country

Congratulations to dynamic brothers Isaac and Nathan Scheer for qualifying for the WIAA State Individual Cross Country Meet! They showcased their incredible talent Saturday, November 2, 2024, at the scenic Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids.  To kick off the excitement, we sent them off in style with a spirited pep rally on Friday, November 1, 2024, rallying the school and community behind these talented athletes. At State, Isaac finished fifth in the Division 3 boys race and later also earned honorable mention for the Wisconsin Cross Country Association award for the second year in a row.  A huge shout-out to the rest of the team and coaches for their hard work throughout the season. It’s been an amazing journey, and we’re proud of everyone’s dedication and achievements!

Caption:  Bishop Battersby (left) gets a tour of the field house January 30, 2025 from CCS President David Eaton (center) and CCS Dean, Father Robertson (right).

The new CCS fieldhouse is getting closer to completion. It will be available to us next school year and may be finished in July.  Windows have been installed, including in the gym, fitness center and batting cages. The roof over the batting cages is nearly done. Soon the HVAC can be placed to heat the gym. The lower classroom, back entrance, and fitness center are taking shape.  The upper classrooms, bathrooms, and concessions are next.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR ENTIRE CALENDAR

Spring Break
March 17 - 21, 2025.  All school buildings will be closed.

No School
April 4, 2025 for Diocesan In-Service.  All school buildings will be closed.

Jazz Fest
The CCHS Jazz Band competes April 12, 2025 at UW-Eau Claire.

Good Friday
April 18, 2025.  All school buildings will be closed.

Easter Break
April 21, 2025.  All school buildings will be closed.

Prom
April 26, 2025.  

Galleon
May 2, 2025 at Hotel Marshfield.

SHARE YOUR NEWS / UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFO.
www.columbuscatholicschools.org/alumni.cfm    

CONNECT WITH OTHER ALUMNI
In Facebook search for:  Marshfield Columbus Alumni

ADD YOUR NAME TO OUR VETERAN’S WALL
www.columbuscatholicschools.org/veterans_wall.cfm 

CLICK HERE TO SEE OBITUARY

Father James J. Logan, at the age of 91 and a priest for 65 years, died on Friday, October 18, 2024 in Marshfield, Wisconsin.  Some of his many accomplishments include:

• Attending Holy Cross HS and College Seminary in  La Crosse, WI the first year it opened in 1951.
• Bishop John Patrick Treacy ordained him a priest in La Crosse on May 9, 1959.
• In June, 1960 he was appointed Assistant Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish and teacher at Columbus High School in Marshfield.  
• Earned his Master’s Degree in Religious Education from Loyola University.
• On August 16, 1967 he was appointed Assistant Pastor at Our Lady of Peace Parish while continuing his appointment at CHS. 
• Over the years, he was also appointed to parishes in La Crosse, Menominee, Boyceville,  Stevens Point, Weston, Loyal, and Plover.
• Finally in 1993, he was appointed Pastor at Our Lady of Peace Parish until he was granted the status of Senior Priest on June 30, 2003. 

In Graduation Order (as of time of print):

Lucille (Hamus ‘52) Bauer
August 17, 2024, Marshfield, WI

Marietta Jane (O’Neill ‘52) Halpin
September 10, 2024, Oconomowoc, WI

Mary Ann (Hamus ’53) Heyer
August 21, 2024, Mequon, WI

Patricia (Gowey ‘54) Raab
January 6, 2022, Port Washington, WI

Betty (Schlecht ’55) Puscheck
January 20, 2023, Alexandria, VA

Paul Wolf ‘55
September 18, 2024, Marshfield, WI

Betty Lou (Daniels ‘57) Redetzke
September 11, 2024, Marshfield, WI

Charles A. Schlagenhaft ‘57
September 7, 2024, Wausau, WI

Lawrence “Larry” Dick ‘58
February 6, 2024, Marshfield, WI

Marjorie (Straub ’58) Joslin
June 26, 2024, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Wendelin A. David ‘59
October 31, 2024, Marshfield, WI

Gerald J. Bell ‘62
October 9, 2024, Schofield, WI

James A. Cooper ‘62
August 19, 2024, Bradenton, FL

Joan (Kupfer ’63) Laessig
August 31, 2024, Stratford, WI

Kathleen D. (Lutz ‘64) LaSee
Sept. 21, 2024, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Mary (Coleman ’64) Wilke
October 2, 2024, Scottsdale, AZ

Janice (Burr ‘65) Evert
July 26, 2024, Wausau, WI

Andrew Joseph Gleisner ‘66
November 28, 2023, Clintonville, WI

David W. Weibel ’67
July 27, 2024, Osseo, MN

Elizabeth (Jirschele ‘70) Bliven
July 24, 2024, Marshfield, WI

Larry Petersen ’70
August 30, 2024, Cottonwood, AZ

Joy (Spindler ‘70) Treutel
July 12, 2024, Mosinee, WI

Thomas “Tom” J. Breu ’74
August 13, 2024, Janesville, WI

Louise (Swedberg ‘75) Gates
October 3, 2024, Stoughton, WI

Michael P. Stangl ’76
October 3, 2024, Marshfield, WI

This is a partial list of alumni we have lost contact with.  If you have any information, contact us at 715-387-1177 x3315, konieczny.joseph@columbusdons.org or loucks.angela@columbusdons.org. 

Robert Brandt ‘78
Michael Bruggeman '78
Lori (Merkel '78) Carlson
Christa (Kramer '78) Chantelois
Kelly (O'Reilly '78) Christiansen
Pat '78 and Lisa (Tollefon '78) Connaughty
Angela (Acker '78) Daniel
Melinda Dean '78
Betty (Kraus '78) Delsarte
Lonna Drach '78
Steven Durst ’78
Janalee (Kolbeck '78) Lindquist
Steven Michalski '78
Sara (Koller '78) Olson
John Pritzl ‘78
Sam (Douglas '78) Schulte
Gregg Smith '78
Valerie Behrens '79
Steve Berg '79
Teresa (Bishop '79) Bridges
Darla Dickman '79
Patty (Redtzke '79) Esper
Jackie Kraemer '79
Denise Merkel '79
Steven Radlinger '79
James Ruder '79
Jay Schlagenhaft '79
Pamela Schreiner '79
Sheila (Specht '79) Zimmerman
Margaret (Breu '79) Zirneskie
Rich Coogan '80
Linda (Schecklman '80) Kolb
Pamela (Jacobs '80) Miller
Linda (Wilhelm '80) Rasmussen
Kathleen (Hess '80) Saari
Tammy (Wix '80) Schmitt
Victoria Smith '80
Steven Zimmermann ’80
Diane (Kraus '81) Bauer
Barbara Borowski '81
John Braem ‘81
Ronald Dietel '81
Lisa (O'Donnell '81) Flash
Jean (Weigel '81) Franke
Erin (Doyle '81) Fritz
Kristin Lipari '81
Mary Porter '81

For more details, visit our website HERE or call 715-387-1177 x3315.

CLASS OF 1975
Date:  August 1, 2025
Location: American Legion
Details: Gathering with MHS Class of 1975
Date:  August 2, 2025
Location: Hotel Marshfield
Details: “Official” CHS class reunion
Contact:  John Baltus
Contact Phone:  715-305-3178
Email:  john@baltusoil.com 

CLASS OF 1980
Date:  August 9, 2025
Location: American Legion Hall
Contact:  Frank Baltus
Contact Phone: 715-305-0886
Contact Email:  fdbaltus@gmail.com 

We changed our campaign name from “Annual Appeal” to “Annual Fund” in 2023 so that we can engage with our constituents (you!) all year long by offering a variety of ways to give back to CCS throughout the year (including volunteering) and keeping our doors open when you have questions, concerns, and ideas.

This year, the 2025 Annual Fund Goal is $100,000.  Please consider a 10% increase over your donation last year.  And be sure to ask your employer if your workplace offers matching gifts when you donate to a non-profit organization.  We offer ACH (can have your donation withdrawn directly from your bank account) to make donating easy.  You can also donate by writing a check and mailing it to Columbus Catholic Schools, Attn: Annual Fund, 710 S. Columbus Ave., Marshfield, WI  54449 or donate online with your credit card.

You may have heard about our campaign to raise money for a new field house.  However, donations are still needed now for our everyday operational costs.  Our average “Cost to Educate” (CTE) per student is approximately $8,000, but our average tuition is approximately $3,500, or 40% of our CTE.  We make up the difference with donations and special events.

RECOGNITION
Donations of more than $100 appear on our online “Honor Roll of Donors.”  Donors who have gifted a minimum of $10,000 in their lifetime (to ANY fund) qualify to have their names on our “Lifetime of Giving” recognition wall.  Contact the CCS Development Office with questions at giving@columbusdons.org or 715-387-1177 ext. 3318.

What is WPCP or the Voucher Program?

The WPCP allows families to receive a tuition voucher to enroll their children in approved private and religious schools. Columbus Catholic Schools has been in the program since 2012. 

How To Apply

Fill out the online application on the Department of Public Instruction’s website (CLICK HERE).  The easiest and best way to apply is to contact our President, David Eaton, at 715-387-1177 ext. 3302 or eaton.david@columbusdons.org. 

When To Apply

FEB. 3, 2025 - TO - APRIL 17, 2025 for the 2025-2026 School Year.  No applications will be accepted after the deadline, 4:00pm, April 17, 2025.

Who Can Apply

• Any child currently enrolled in our school - or another private school - and entering 4K, 5K, 1st, or 9th grade next year.
• Any other child not enrolled in a private school prior to the second Friday in January during the school year.

Income Limits

The program is limited to families with incomes equal or below 220% of the federal poverty level (ranges from approx. $44,968 for a single parent with one child to $99,312 for a married couple with six children).  Call to find out if you qualify!