Pacesetter 2020 01-15

The

PACESETTER

January 2020

Happy

New Year!

Pacesetter

A person or organization viewed as

taking the lead or setting standards of

achievement for others.

Get involved! Be Included!

Don’t be left out! Tribute’s next PACESETTER

deadline is April 15.

Submit your photos, family updates, articles

of interest, bragging rights, etc. as soon as

possible to heidib@tributeinc.com.

Three Issues per Year...

•May Issue.................Deadline April 15

•September Issue.....Deadline August 15

•January Issue..........Deadline December 15

Stay Connected

Why Like us on Facebook and Instagram?

Because you love us, you personally know

one or more of us and you are interested in

what we are doing. When you follow us on

Facebook and Instagram, you’ll see what we

are up to and enjoy our journey with us! After

all, we love to keep our family and friends

updated!

If you’re not already following us on

Instagram or Facebook, maybe it’s time to

start. Each week, we post photos and stories

about our team, project updates, industry

news and articles of interest.

Check one or all of us out...

• The Tribute Companies

• Fort Howard Memorial Park

• Pinelawn Memorial Park

• Restlawn Memorial Park

– 2 – Tribute Pacesetter January 2020

A Letter from the President

We welcome 2020 with open arms, open eyes and an open heart!

The holidays were wonderful, but certainly throws our momentum

off as a team. I hope you all had a wonderfully joyful and peaceful

season with your families and friends.

Tribute has a theme for 2020 which I hope everyone can participate

in: MORE Purpose, MORE Passion, MORE Success. This theme

generally means that by giving just a little more, A LOT more will be

realized to everyone including you, your families and our clients.

Growing individually and as a company means a lot to me and I look

forward to seeing the collective nature of having you all do that this

year as well. It does not take much more to get a lot more in return.

Let’s do this together and make 2020 our best year yet.

There are lots of great projects in the works for 2020 that we will try to keep everyone

informed about through the year. Our new office 365 computer implementation should help

us with some of this, but we are all learning the best way to use it, so bear with us.

This newsletter is also important to us. Your ideas and pictures should be coming to Heidi

continuously so that we can know more about you and share with the team.

Let’s go conquer this year! It’s so much easier when we have each other’s back and

support the team. Thank you for continuing to provide that to me, to the company and to

each other... and give a little bit more as you’re doing that. I guarantee you’ll see results.

Sincerely,

Christie Toson Hentges

President

Hartland, WI – A new flag pole proudly stands

in front of the Tribute offices.

Tribute Pacesetter January 2020

– 3 –

Christmas Card 2019


Exceptional Employee 2019

Christie Toson Hentges – I’m happy to have tallied up the

comments on “Exceptional Employee” throughout the year

from our cemeteries. These come from our surveys we send

and from our online surveys that are sent after services and

when a name is filled in with the individual that the family felt

provided exceptional service.

For the winner... you get the traveling plaque on display at

your location for the next year AND $25 for each time your

name appeared (to be paid out by year end)! Here are the

results:

Family Service Counselor GARY BOYLE at RESTLAWN is our

WINNER with 16 MENTIONS! Gary will receive $400!

An extremely close second goes to Sarah Soetenga, Family

Service Counselor at Pinelawn who had 15 mentions. This

has been the closest race yet and kudos certainly go out to

Sarah for this great honor.

The rest of the results:

David Smith - 7 mentions

Heather Carlson - 5 mentions

Amber Pender - 4 mentions

Christmas at Tribute...All Decked Out for the Holidays

The Tribute office was all

decked out for Christmas this

year.

In addition to festive

garlands, wreaths, trees,

cards and bows, there was

a special tree in the new

conference room. Heidi

Bischmann, Marketing and

Administrative Coordinator,

was pleased to share a

portion of her Mom’s Antique

Ornament Collection with

the Tribute family. The

tree was adorned with 700

hundred twinkling lights and

more than 200 ornaments.


– 5 –

Special Celebrations

Christie Toson Hentges – Maia turned 21 on November 9, 2019 and had a wonderful

celebration on game day in Madison.

Clyde Rupnow, Director of Buildings and Grounds –

Clyde and LuAnn Rupnow are overjoyed to welcome a new granddaughter to their

family. Marcella Ann Rupnow was born on October 25th. She was 5.2 pounds, 18.5". She is

grandchild #3 joining Croix and Elin.

Marcie is already destined for greatness! She was featured on the Green Bay Packers

website photo gallery (shown here with Blake Martinez) after attending an autograph signing

event. Packers LB Blake Martinez and defensive linemen Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster

signed autographs at Lambeau Field in exchange for donations to the Salvation Army.


We Love Our Fur Babies

Adriane Feltz, Accounting –

Adriane’s household has a

new addition! Judy Feltz

is the new fur-baby in our

house. We picked her up

Labor Day Weekend at 9

weeks old. She is an Aussie-

Doodle and full of mischief

and love.

Other recent pup visits to

Tribute include:

Chip (Doug Engel, Ashley)

Christie Toson Hentges visited Mexico to immerse herself

in the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) culture with

friends from Brazil and Guatemala. While there, they

visited Santa de la Laguna where Mama Coco lives. A

wonderful learning opportunity! Amazing experience!!

Mila (Heidi Bischmann)

Rufus (Christie Toson Hentges)


– 7 –


A Brand New Look at Tribute

After many months of hard work and

patience on everyone’s part, the Tribute

office renovation project is almost

complete in Hartland. A few things

remain on the punch list including new

granite counter tops in our kitchenette

which will be installed on January 22.

Here is a write up from the designers

at Iron Age from their Project Gallery –

https://www.ironageoffice.com/projects/

the-tribute-companies

When it comes to starting a new project,

there is always one key detail that sticks

out; design. The Tribute Companies

specialize in an area that many may not

expect; cemetery layout, design and

construction services, including, but not

limited to: Funeral Home and Cemetery

Architecture and Land Planning. Even

though our industries are completely

different, our sense of design is one in the

same. With Iron Age’s sense of design

for designing furniture and The Tribute

Companies sense of layout design, we

knew that we could work together to

create something amazing.

The Tribute Companies got the full

treatment, being outfitted with height

adjustable desks, a standing glen

conference table, a reception desk, and

credenzas. The end result was a total

wash of their ordinary workspace, and a

upgrade to an industrial masterpiece.

The end project was astonishing,

consisting of a more modern and up

to date feel, while still maintaining

functionality. What was once a blank

canvas now consists of workstations, a

communal area, height adjustable desks,

and tables.


– 9 –

Away from the Office

Christie Toson Hentges – I traveled to Paris

over Thanksgiving with my cousin, Justin, his

wife Amy and their daughters Ana, Taylor

and Emily. We visited the catacombs, Eiffel

Tower, Versailles, the Louvre, Champs-Elysée,

went to an opera and did a chocolate tour.

It was a wonderful trip!

Joan Bohl, Accounts Payable made her very

first quilt as a special Christmas present for

her niece, Anna! With a little bit of help from

Heidi Bischmann, Joan selected her pattern

and fabrics, cut, pressed and pieced this

beautiful lap quilt. The quilting was done on

a long-arm computerized machine at The

Quilting Connection in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.


Holiday Festivities

Pinelawn and Tribute employees gathered together on Friday, December 20 to enjoy some

holiday cheer and an ornament exchange at Chenequa Country Club in Hartland. There’s

no doubt from these photos that a great time was had by all!


– 11 –

Fort Howard News

At Fort Howard we installed a new columbarium this fall. The features of this unit include 96

cremation niches and seven cremation spaces in the bench of the unit. Another unique

feature is that it has an ossuary which will provide for the burial of cremated remains under

the columbarium and memorialization for the person’s name on the memorial wall of the

columbarium.

We installed state of the art media and sound equipment in the chapel. It consisted of large

screen smart monitors, wireless microphones and new sound bars and speakers. This will

provide a better experience for our families services and programs.

New carpeting was replaced in the chapel giving it a fresh modern look.


Year Long Sales Incentive

Year Long Incentive

Caribbean Vacation

2019

Amanda Heidtman, Regional Administrator

has surpassed the qualifying Volume in Sales

of Funeral/Final Expense Insurance during

2019 and has earned an all expense paid

trip as part of the Year Long Sales Incentive

Program. Amanda will enjoy a five day four

night stay in a Caribbean resort in Nassau,

The Bahamas! GREAT JOB, Amanda!!

Family Service Counselors

& Location Managers

Fort Howard had the Highest Pre-Need Property Volume at

$395,436.57 (January–November 2019).

Welcome to Fort Howard

Annette Peters, Administrative Assistant –

Annette Peters joined Fort Howard on December 13, 2019 as a part

time Administrative Assistant. Annette was born and raised in the

Green Bay area and has worked with the local community for many

years. She is married and has twin sons. Annette enjoys spending

time with her family, especially her granddaughter. In the summer,

she loves to be outside gardening and biking. In the wintertime she

likes to visit her parents in Florida and go snow-shoeing when she is at

home. Welcome, Annette!!


– 13 –

This year Fort Howard sponsored three children in foster care for Christmas. Donations were

accepted to purchase gifts for each of them. When we reached out to the agency for a

“wish list” from each child, they were so excited because no one has ever asked them what

they wanted before; they usually receive one gift each of what they need. Items included:

Bella (9-girl) – La La Loopsy toys, Hatchimals, Walmart gift card

Wade (15-boy) – Kohl’s or Walmart gift cards, Harry Potter Lego set, Red Queen books

Aggie (14-girl) – Kohl’s or Walmart gift cards, clothes, Wings of Fire book series

Received from Foundations Health and Wellness –

“Thank you to Amanda and the rest of her team at Fort Howard Memorial Park for

helping out Santa’s elves by purchasing items from the wish lists of some of the children

in foster care. Your generosity means so much to Foundations foster families and the

kiddos in their care! Christmas is a time of giving, sharing, and love - Fort Howard

Memorial Park, we thank you for exemplifying the Christmas spirit!”

Santa Fun at Fort Howard

Gifts for Kids this Christmas!

A very special Holiday Remembrance Program was held at Fort Howard Memorial Park

Mausoleum on December 5. The program featured light hors d’oeuvres, a beautiful candle

lighting ceremony with harpist, and a special visit from Santa. A free will donation was

collected to be used towards gifts for several local foster children.


Welcome to Pinelawn

Kimberly Padden, Administrative Assistant –

Kimberly Padden joined the Pinelawn team on October 7, 2019 as a

part time Administrative Assistant. Kimberly currently attends MATC

with a major in Dental Hygiene. She enjoys bowling every Friday as

well as spending a lot of time with her family. She travels every year

with her family. She has been to four different countries as well as

46 of the 50 US states. Kimberly also coaches her little sister’s 7 th – 8 th

grade volleyball team. Welcome, Kimberly!!

Sarah Soetenga (Pinelawn) had the Highest

Number of Sales with 172 in 2019, beating the next

Family Service Counselor by 36 sales.

New Cremation Trail

Work is continuing on Phase I of the new cremation trail at Pinelawn. A pond and trail were

installed this year. Inventory has been added with more new features planned.

The asphalt was replaced at both entrances of Pinelawn giving it a new look.

The aging granite on Pinelawn’s 300 building was replaced. Pinelawn is in the process of

re-drilling and installing each name back on the granite. In the month of December the

building will be getting a new roof.


– 15 –

We installed state of the art media and sound equipment

in the chapel. It consisted of large screen smart monitors,

wireless microphones and new sound bars and speakers. This

will provide a better experience for our families, services and

programs.

Happenings at Restlawn

Catering Added to Extended Family Services

Each Tribute Cemetery offers a unique menu of

Extended Family Services that can be offered to our

families.

At Restlawn, when weather allows, beautiful

butterflies, doves, colorful balloons, or lanterns can

be released as a symbolic way to customize a

committal service within the Park.

Special music including guitar or harp, beverage

service or light hors d’oeuvres can also be provided.

To meet the need of families who wish to host a

meal as part of a Celebration of Life at Restlawn, full

catering services have been added.

This picture is from our first catering event.


Holiday Remembrance Program

A very special Holiday Remembrance

Program was held at Restlawn Memorial

Park Mausoleum on December 5. The

program featured light holiday snacks, a

musical performance by the Master Singers,

a beautiful remembrance ceremony and a

slide show.

Thursday, December 5, 2019 • 5:30 pm

www.restlawn.net | 715.675.3309 | Wausau, WI

Cynthia Segura (Restlawn) had the Highest

Average Sale $3,685.94 in 2019 on 34 sales.

Gary Boyle (Restlawn) had the Best Month Overall

$75,116.50 in 2019. Gary sold his first private estate this

month!

Gary also had the Highest Sales Volume in 2019 with

$455,877.98! Way to go, Gary!


– 17 –

Amber’s New Addition

Amber Pender, Office Manager – Our family welcomed a new addition on Friday, December

6. Her name is Tinzie and she is a Chocolate Lab mix, we aren’t sure what breed of dog her

dad is.

Tinzie was adopted from Woof Gang Rescue in Racine. She came from a kill shelter in

Arkansas, and they saved her. Her adopted name was Titos, but we changed it.

Fun fact- The rescue doesn’t reuse names. So they have to get creative with the names they

choose.

Welcome to Restlawn

Casey McCulloch, Grounds Technician –

Casey joined the Restlawn Grounds Crew on October 21, 2019. In

his spare time Casey and his wife Lillie enjoy hunting, fishing, fourwheeling

and horseback riding. Welcome, Casey!


Go, Go, Go Green Bay Packers

Amber Pender, Office Manager and

Heather Carlson, Administrative Assistant –

Amber and Heather had an opportunity to enjoy a

preseason Packer game at Lambeau Field in August. It was

so much FUN!! Let’s hope they can do something AWESOME

in the postseason this month! Go Packers!

Meet Oakley!

Shawn Henrichs, Grounds Manager – Shawn’s

family got a new puppy named Oakley – a

German Shorthair Pointer. The kids call him

Oak, and hope to make a bird dog out

of him. Oakley had a great time meeting

everyone at Restlawn one day this fall. “He is

a handful, but other than that he is a puppy

yet!”

Halloween 2019

Restlawn Group Halloween Costume!

Heather Carlson,

Administrative Assistant –

My boys’ Halloween

Costumes! Proud mom!!


– 19 –

Dean Wardlow, Plant Manager –

Freeport Plant News

I would like to announce the wedding of Lindsey Wardlow

and Lucas Goncalves on December 13, 2019. Lindsey is the

daughter of Dean and Marcia Wardlow of Forreston, Illinois.

Lindsey recently graduated from University of Wisconsin-River

Falls, with a Bachelors degree in Speech Pathology. She is

now attending University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for her

Master of Sciences and Disorders-Speech and Language

Pathology degree. Lucas is a graduate of University of

Wisconsin-Platteville. He has a Bachelors degree in Electrical

engineering and is now working at Seagrave Fire Apparatus

in Clintonville, WI.

Serving Our Country

Melodie Smith, Administrative Assistant –

My son, Ryan Chapman, was pinned as Chief in the United States

Navy on Friday, September 13, 2019 in Oklahoma City, OK. I am so

excited for this to happen for him and his family.

Welcome to Freeport

Robert Knight, Production

Robbie has many interests outside of work. He enjoys hunting,

playing kickball and spending time with his nephews.

He enjoys learning all of the different job duties at Tribute and is

hoping his knowledge will advance him up through the ranks.

His personally and willingness to learn is encouraging for others.

Welcome, Robbie!!!!!


Good Cheer at Christmas

The Christmas luncheon was held at the

Tribute Precast Systems Freeport Plant on

December 19. Christie Toson Hentges and

Zach Rasmussen traveled to Freeport to

enjoy an afternoon with the Freeport team at

a local establishment. A great time and lots

of laughs were had by all!

Ashley Post Holiday Luncheon

Santa Christie and her

elves, Zach Rasmussen

and Clyde Rupnow were

extra busy in December, so

their visit to host the Tribute

Precast Systems Ashley Plant

Holiday Luncheon took

place on Friday, January

10. Plant Manager Doug

Engel prepared a smoked

barbecue with all the fix-in’s

for everyone at the plant.


– 21 –

On the Road...in Canada

Christie Toson Hentges and Zach Rasmussen

ventured up north to Toronto, Canada for a

client visit. After their work was done, they

headed out to a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey

game where they lost to the Winnipeg Jets in

overtime. It’s not all work and no play!

Before and After...Bronze Marker Restoration

Did you know that a bronze

marker can be restored to

look like new? Shown here

are a before and after

picture of a restoration at

Pinelawn Memorial Park by

Clyde Rupnow, Director of

Buildings and Grounds.


Upcoming Celebrations

Birthdays

Anniversaries

December

6 James Lameyer

7 Justin Stiver

18 Adam Watson

28 Heidi Bischman

December

1 Amanda Heidtman – 3 Years

Keith Huenefeld – 5 Years

3 David Smith – 1 Year

Joe Scanlan – 7 Years

10 Clyde Rupnow – 16 Years

17 Lynnae Henderson – 1 Year

January

5 Joan Scanlan

11 David Smith

12 Janelle Korinek

26 Danny Merkt

January

3 Zach Rasmussen – 3 Years

5 Dean Wardlow – 25 Years

9 Philip Butler – 3 Years

10 Jack Lancaster – 6 Years

21 Melodie Smith – 1 Year

22 Shelvie Hall – 1 Year

February

22 Bill Toson

28 Billy Gibson

February

1 Seth Roggie – 4 Years

11 Matt Weible – 1 Year

20 Jordan Daul – 1 Year

21 Sarah Soetenga – 2 Years

22 Jeff Kovnesky – 4 Years

March

2 Willie Walker

7 John Allen

9 Dean Wardlow

11 Adriane Feltz

13 Philip Butler

15 Jack Lancaster

19 Gary Boyle

24 Barb Toson

26 Amanda Heidtman

March

1 Barb Toson – 47 Years

Bill Toson – 47 Years

2 Joshua Schemel – 5 Years

5 James Lameyer – 33 years

14 Shawn Heinrichs – 9 Years

25 Darren Meyer – 1 Year

26 Billy Gibson – 6 Years

April

8 Christine Hentges

Melodie Smith

14 David Line

25 Darren Meyer

April

22 Adam Watson – 1 Year

23 Heidi Bischmann – 1 Year


– 23 –

Building & Planning Futures — Together!

The Tribute Companies | Tribute Design Systems | Tribute Precast Systems

Pinelawn Memorial Park | Gardens of StoneBank | Fort Howard Memorial Park | Restlawn Memorial Park

Pacesetter 2020 01-15

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