Obituary, from the Daily Press (Ashland, Wis.)
27 December 2004

Louie Reinhardt Bay, Glidden, died December 23, 2004 at the Park Manor Nursing Home, Park Falls. He was born in Shanagolden, September 1, 1908, the son of Frank and Rosa (Rein) Bay . He graduated from the Shanagolden Grade School in 1923. He worked in the logging camps as a worker and cook.

In 1927 he went to Canada to work in the wheat fields threshing, for a former Shanagolden resident. While there with his cousin, they met their future wives. Louie 's was only five years old at the time. Louie also farmed and did woods work with his father. He loved trapping, hunting and fishing. He made a little extra money by being a hunting and fishing guide during the depression.

In April 1942 he entered the Army. He served as head cook in Africa, Italy, Corsica, and Sicily with the Army Air Corps 1073. He returned home in October 1945 and took over his father's farm.

On Dec. 12, 1945 he married Jessie Mae Wright of Bengough, Saskatchewan, Canada. Louie improved the farm to a Grade A Dairy. He served as chairman of the Ashland County Agriculture Committee for 10 years. He continued doing woods work on his own land, and with Jessie's great help, sold commercial maple syrup. He retired from diary farming in 1970 and continued working in the woods until the age of 82.

The highlight of many years was hunting season. He and Jessie boarded as many as 18 hunters, and Louie guided for them. He enjoyed playing many types of card games, snowmobiling, and riding 4-wheelers. He baited deer and bear for others, and with them until the age of 86. He took his last 4-wheel ride in the woods at the age of 91.

On Christmas Day 2002, he broke his hip. After an operation, he went to Park Manor where he enjoyed playing cards, looking at photographs, and visiting. He also enjoyed going to the Glidden Fair. In 2004, at 96 years young, he was the oldest one attending.

He was an active member of the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, serving on the building committee. He was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Knights of Columbus, the VFW, and the American Legion.

He is survived by his five children: Merilyn, Larry, Donald, Norma Jean (Gary Jones), Janice (Rusty Drott); 10 grandchildren: Kelly and Devin Jones, Monica (Craig Schloer), Matthew and Michael Drott, James, Jenna, Jamie, Tiffany and Dominic Bay; twin great-granddaughters, Naomi and Mackenzie Schloer; his only remaining sister-in-law, Mabel (Victor) Bay; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

His wife of nearly 53 years died in October 1998. He was also preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Bernard, George, Carl, John (Huns), Frank, Victor, and Valentine (Pete); sisters: Anne (John Imboden), Rose (Eugene Fleury), Margaret (Roy Butler), Caroline (Raymond Eder) and a daughter-in-law, Suzette (Donald).

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 28 at 10:30 a.m. from Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Glidden. Father James Jackson will officiate. A visitation will be held on Monday, Dec. 27, from 4-8 p.m. at the church with a Rosary Service at 7 p.m.

Visitation will also be held on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of the service at the church. Burial will follow in the spring at Most Precious Blood Catholic Cemetery with military rites under the auspices of the Glidden American Legion and VFW Posts. The Novitzke Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.