Leader Staff
Services will be held this weekend for three teens who died this week after a crash on state Highway 22 in Belle Plaine.
The accident about 5:20 p.m. Tuesday near Friendship Road claimed the lives of Shawano Community High School seniors Cody Borsche, 17, and Tyler Welch, 18, and Bonduel High School sophomore, Paige Brunette, 15.
Another Shawano student, 17-year-old Ryan Swadner, of Clintonville, is hospitalized in the Fox Valley in critical condition.
Services for Welch are being held Saturday at Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano, 336 S. Sawyer St. Pastor Ron Raddatz will officiate. Friends may call at the funeral home from 3-7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service Saturday.
“He was an outgoing, friendly boy who got along well with others,” according to the obituary.
The notice also states that Welch passed away with his best friend, Borsche.
Visitation for Borsche will be from 3-8 p.m. Friday at the Wichmann Funeral Home, Tri County Location, 1592 Oneida St., Menasha. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 9-10:30 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 3009 N. Meade St., Appleton. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Dee Sim officiating.
“Cody was a ‘nice guy’ with a beautiful soul,” his obituary states. “He had a very kind, warm heart and was always there for anyone who needed anything.”
Services for Brunette are being handled by the Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., Green Bay. Friends may call from 1-5 p.m. Sunday. The funeral service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with Pastor Bob Wied officiating. Burial will be in the Suamico Cemetery.
“Paige was a sophomore at Bonduel High School where she was affectionately known as “Pooge” or “Pooh Bear,” according to her obituary. “Paige loved horses, camouflage clothes, mud running and her music. She was a true country girl. She especially enjoyed being with her many, many friends.”
According to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, the teens were in a Ford Mustang driven by Swadner. The investigation so far indicates the vehicle swerved to avoid a vehicle stopped to make a left turn into a driveway, crossed into the path of an oncoming sport utility vehicle and was hit broadside.
The driver of the SUV sustained non-life threatening injuries.
The Sheriff’s Department said the crash remains under investigation.