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Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Thursday, October 11, 2007

Obituaries for Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007

By Tribune staff

Eleanore H. Steinfeldt

LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Eleanore H. Steinfeldt, 94, of La Crescent died Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, at Hillview Health Care Center, La Crosse.

She was born Aug. 10, 1913, in Buffalo County, Wis., to Emil and Lillie (Vollbrecht) Steinfeldt. She was baptized at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Winona, Minn., and confirmed at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse on April 10, 1927. She graduated from Central High School in La Crosse in 1931. She had been employed at the Pagel Store in Nodine, Minn., for many years before moving to La Crescent in 1973. She then worked at Smale’s store in La Crosse before retiring in 1977. She was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crescent.

She is survived by four nieces, Elaine (John) Angst of Blair, Wis., Shirley (James) Koster of Hot Springs, Ark., Karen (Ted) Kosmo of Arcadia, Wis., and Ann (Marlon) Boettcher of La Crescent; one nephew, Glen (Sue) Papenfuss of Kasson, Minn.; and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 414 Main St., La Crescent. Pastor Paul A. Ibisch will officiate. Burial will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Nodine. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crescent is assisting the family.

Harold H. Peters

CATARACT, Wis. — Harold H. Peters, 88, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, at Black River Falls (Wis.) Memorial Hospital after a short illness.

He was born in the Farmington area Feb. 1, 1919, to Harry and Ruby (Abbott) Peters. He married Frances Isensee Oct. 5, 1940, in Waukon, Iowa. They had three children, Nancy, Larry and LaVern; they were later divorced. He lived and farmed in the Cataract area most of his life. He loved to fish, hunt and trap, and he was a great story teller.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Frances Stone; a son, Larry (special friend, Kristy); three grandchildren, Bart (Julie) Peters, Tammy (Dean) Von Ruden and Jerry (Tera) Peters; six great-grandchildren, Bailee Peters, Treyton Peters, Kacia Von Ruden, Katyra Von Ruden, Desiree Peters and Dalton Peters; a brother, Freemont (Kathy) of Sheboygen, Wis., and four sisters, Louisa (Nelson) Johnson of Cataract, Ethel (John) Hughes of Black River Falls, Elizabeth (Dean) Berry of Cataract and Vernie (James) Marquart of Sturtevant, Wis.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy; a son, LaVern; his parents; and seven brothers, Harrison, Willie, Royal, Percy, Robert, Stanley and Melvin.

There will be no services. Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Doris L. Anderson

BLAIR, Wis. — Doris L. Anderson, 79, of Blair died Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.

Doris was born June 27, 1928, in the town of Preston, Trempealeau County, Wis., to Bennie and Esther (Semb) Olson. She married Lyle Anderson June 8, 1947, in Blair.

Doris worked at the dime store in Blair, was a secretary for Zion Lutheran Church for many years and was employed as a teller at Union Bank of Blair for 24 years prior to her retirement in 1988.

Doris is survived by her husband, Lyle; three children, Layne (Cindy) Anderson of Blair, Rod (Holly Hamilton) of White Bear Lake, Minn., and Colleen (Ron) Hamilton of Topeka, Kan.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, in Zion Lutheran Church, with burial in the church cemetery, both in Blair. Pastor Mark Kvale will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in Jack Funeral Home, Blair, and from 10 a.m. until the time for services Saturday at the church.

Mark A. Novak

HOLMEN, Wis. — Mark A. Novak, 46, of Holmen died Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, in Trempealeau, Wis.

He was born in La Crosse on Sept. 21, 1961, to Theodore J. and Elsie Mae (Torgerson) Novak. Mark worked for Hawkeye Forest Products of Trempealeau for the past five years and prior to that had worked for Northern Engraving in Holmen for 12 years. He loved shooting pool with his friends.

He is survived by a sister, Barbara Lunetta of Trempealeau; three brothers, Theodore Jr. (Diane) of Hokah, Minn., Dwain (Diane) of Holmen and Michael (Cheryl) of Ettrick, Wis.; and 11 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 515 McHugh Road, Holmen. The Rev. Robert Schaller will officiate. Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. until the services Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenmound Cemetery, rural Holmen.

Myrtle Fagerness

WESTBY, Wis. — Myrtle Fagerness, 94, of Westby died Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007, at Norseland Nursing Home, Westby. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Westby-Coon Prairie Lutheran Church, Westby, with burial in Coon Prairie Cemetery, rural Westby. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the church. Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is assisting the family.

Frederick H. Burkhardt

BENNINGTON, Vt. — Frederick H. Burkhardt, prominent educator and editor, died on Sept. 23, 2007, in his home in Bennington at the age of 95.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he attended New York public schools, then received a scholarship to Columbia University, where he earned bachelor and doctoral degrees in philosophy. After a fellowship at Oxford University in England, he taught philosophy at the University of Wisconsin until beginning 10 years as president of Bennington College. After this position, he became head of the American Council of Learned Societies in New York. The council supported scholarly research with exchange of scholars in different countries, including the Soviet Union.

While in New York, Mr. Burkhardt served on the New York City Board of Higher Education, promoting open admission for all high school graduates into the City College system. He was also on the New York City library board and was appointed by President Nixon as chairman of the President’s Commission on Libraries. He influenced the expansion of national interlibrary access by means of new technology.

After retirement, Mr. Burkhardt, with sponsorship by the ACLS, began the Darwin Correspondence Project, decades of work in collecting, editing and publishing all available letters written to and from Charles Darwin. The project is still in process.

Mr. Burkhardt is survived by his wife, Anne Schlabach Burkhardt, formerly of

La Crosse; his daughters, Jane and Susan; his son, Ross; and grandchildren, Gillian and Jonathan Burkhardt.

Armand William Eggen Sr.

HOLMEN, Wis. — Armand William Eggen Sr., 86, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, at Hillview Health Care Center, La Crosse.

Armand was born to John and Mary (Young) Eggen on March 28, 1921, in Stevenstown, Wis. He graduated from Mindoro High School in 1939. He married Geraldine Peterson; they spent almost 50 years together before her death

April 11, 1989. He was a World War II veteran who served his country in the South Pacific and a member of the Holmen American Legion.

Upon his return from service, Armand was employed by Autolite. He also worked many years for Sorge Dairy Supply until his retirement. He was a man of great faith and a longtime member of Bethel Lutheran Church in La Crosse. He volunteered his time serving various church committees and organizations.

He is survived by his son, Armand (Sharon) Eggen Jr. of Holmen; a daughter, Marilyn (Kent) Cottrell of Holmen; six grandchildren, Tom (Jane) Eggen of La Crosse, Mike Eggen of La Crosse, Natalie (Fred) Iausly of Spring Green, Wis., Deanna (Mike) Wolf of

La Crosse, Shari (John) Cavadini of Holmen and Bryan (Melissa) Cottrell of La Crosse; seven great-grandchildren, Matt and Amanda Eggen, Casey Eggen, Caroline and Olivia Iausly, and Gibson and Beckett Cottrell; a brother, Robert (Corrine) Eggen of West Salem, Wis.; a sister, Doris (Sam) West of Holmen; several nieces and nephews; and a speical friend, Jan Harris of St. Paul.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; a granddaughter, Tammy Eggen; a sister, Ruby Eggen; and three brothers, Lester, Glenn and Bernard Eggen.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Bethel Lutheran Church,

La Crosse. Pastor Judd Larson will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse.

Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Dickinson Funeral Home in Onalaska, Wis., and from 10 a.m. until the services Saturday at the church.

A Tribute to our Father and Grandfather

Though we must say goodbye for now, we are left with so many precious gifts from you. The memory of your warm, gentle smile will give us peace. Thank you for the unique way in which you made each of us feel that we were special to you. We are blessed to have been loved so deeply by such an honorable man.

You have been an inspiration to all and left a legacy like no other. Together, we are strong as we share an enormous bond ... the love of our “sweet and precious” Papa. We will carry a piece of you in our hearts forever.

Jerry D. Smith

MELROSE, Wis. — Jerry D. Smith, 65, of Melrose died Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. Funeral services will be announced by Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem, Wis.

Ansel ‘Arnie’ Otto Remus

GALESVILLE, Wis. — Ansel “Arnie” Otto Remus, 85, of Galesville passed away Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.

In 1902, his parents Henrich and Frieda (Gutzman) Remus emigrated to the U.S. On

Jan. 18, 1922, Ansel, the youngest of 10 children, was born at home in rural Ettrick, Wis. Arnie grew up on a farm in German Coulee, rural Ettrick, and attended Harmon School. He was baptized and confirmed at North Beaver Creek Lutheran Church.

Arnie was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theatre in Italy and North Africa with the 361st Powder River Division. He received three battle stars, a bronze star and the presidential unit citation.

On Oct. 26, 1946, he married Ila Jane Olson. Together, they farmed in the Ettrick area for many years. When he retired to his small farm in Galesville, he was able to enjoy fishing, hunting, playing cards, reading and spending winters in the south.

Survivors are his wife of 60 years, Ila; five daughters, Jane Johnson (Jim Burroughs) of Galesville, Karen Schermer-horn (Joe Mayer) of West Salem, Wis., Beth (Jim) Nolan of Chandler, Ariz., Brenda Remus of Houston, Minn., and Angie Remus (Paul Beseler) of Ettrick; four sons, Alan of Holmen, Wis., Dean (Jane) of Coon Valley, Wis., Darcy (June Johnson) of Holmen, and Jon (Dolores) of Galesville; 20 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard (Irene) of Onalaska, Wis.; and a sister, Hilda Krueger of La Crosse.

He was preceded in death by a son, Arno; a granddaughter, Karie Johnson; his brothers, Fred, Hank, Art, Erick, William and Louie; and a sister, Gertrude Herald.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Zion Lutheran Church, Galesville, with the Rev. Thomas Lee officiating. Burial will be in North Beaver Creek First Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Ettrick, with military rites.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Zwickey Funeral Homes, Galesville Chapel, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or North Beaver Creek First Lutheran Church Cemetery Association.

Susan M. Meyer

SPARTA, Wis. — Susan M. Meyer, 99, of Sparta died Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at United Methodist Church, with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, both Sparta. Family and friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of services Sunday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.lanham-miller.com. Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family. A complete obituary will be in the Tribune on Friday.

Arnold Raymond Smikrud

GALESVILLE, Wis. — Arnold Raymond Smikrud, 87, of Galesville died Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007.

He was born July 22, 1920, in the town of Gale, Galesville, to Carl and Ella (Ekern) Smikrud. He was baptized and confirmed at Hardies Creek Lutheran Church, rural Ettrick, Wis.

On Oct. 31, 1942, he married Beverly Westlie in Galesville. Arnold and Beverly farmed together on the family farm for more than 50 years.

Arnold enjoyed fishing, hunting, the great outdoors and sharing time with his grandchildren. He always enjoyed visiting with family and friends. He was a loving father and grandfather.

Arnold was involved in various community organizations, having served on the town of Gale board for many years, and served as a trustee and church council member at Hardies Creek and Zion Lutheran churches. He was active in the Galesville Horseshoe League, served on the Trempealeau (Wis.) County Livestock Auction Committee, and was actively involved in his children’s 4-H activities.

Survivors are two children, Gary (Elsie) Smikrud of Galesville, and Diane (Harvey) Wood of Black River Falls, Wis.; six grandchildren, Debbie (Brian) Stolz of Hudson, Wis., Kathy Smikrud of Juneau, Alaska, Robert (Gina) Smikrud of Galesville, Jason Wood of Florence, Wis., Kristin Wood of Eau Claire, Wis., and Amanda Wood of Black River Falls; great-grandchildren, Gavin Smikrud, Gabriel Stolz and Jacob Stolz; a sister, Esther Pervisky of Galesville; and brothers-in-law, Merlin (Laura) Westlie of Galesville and Newmen (Margie) Westlie of Trempealeau.

Arnold was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly, and his parents, Carl and Ella Smikrud.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at Zion Lutheran Church, Galesville. The Rev. Thomas Lee will officiate. Burial will follow in Hardies Creek Cemetery, rural Ettrick. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Zwickey Funeral Homes, Galesville Chapel, and from 10 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church or Black River Memorial Hospice, Black River Falls.

Robert H. Stevens

CAMBRIDGE, Wis. — Robert H. Stevens, 85, of Cambridge died Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, at Tomah (Wis.) Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Oakland-Cambridge Presbyterian Church in Cambridge. Pastor Sandy Nuernberg will officiate. Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Barry D. Kurtz

HOUSTON, Minn. — Barry D. Kurtz, 61, of Houston died Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, after injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Barry was born May 31, 1946, in La Crosse to Russell and Faye (Johnson) Kurtz. He was raised in Houston and graduated from Houston High School in 1964. On Nov. 24, 1973, he married Margie Meyer in Houston. He worked for Fiberite in Winona, Minn., Winona Industries and the city of Houston, where he retired in 2005. He continued to work for the city of Houston on a part-time basis after his retirement.

Barry’s interests included motorcycles, woodworking, visiting with friends and playing cards. He was a member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston, Houston Lion’s Club, Houston

Fire Department, Alcoholics Anonymous in La Crosse and the Brothers of the Third Wheel Club in La Crosse.

Barry is survived by his wife, Margie; four children, Jan (Rick) Anderson of St. Charles, Minn., Mike (Michelle) Kurtz, Kim (Tim) Rhyner and Tracy (Brady) Auger, all of Houston; nine grandchildren, Cheyenne, Shane, Katie, Kayla, Desiree, Andrew, Shauna, Aaron and Kenneth; four brothers, Doug (Ginny) Kurtz and Steve (Theresa) Coady, both of Holmen, Wis., Chuck (Marie) Coady of La Crosse and Art (Hazel) Coady of Onalaska, Wis.; and one sister, Cheryl (Dennis) Grimsled of Milwaukee.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Bill.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston with the Rev. Lane Zaffke officiating. Burial will be in Stone Church Cemetery in Houston. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, and from noon to the time of services Friday at the church.

Feel free to sign the online guestbook, leave a memory of Barry and view his video tribute at www.hofffuneral.com.

Sally M. Strupp

LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Sally M. Strupp, 75, of La Crescent died Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, where she lost her battle with cancer.

Sally was born Jan. 21, 1932, in La Crosse to John and Selma (Demorest) Blahaski. She graduated from La Crosse Central High School and had worked at State Farm Insurance until her retirement in 1987.

Sally is survived by her husband, John of 43 years; four children, John (Kerry) Strupp III, Johnna Newmann, Mike (Clara) Murphy and Michele Brown; and three stepchildren, Terry (Dean) Bekkum, Delaine Schneider and Brad (Deb) Strupp.

She was preceded death by her parents; her stepmother, Lenora; a sister, Virginia Churchill; and her first husband, Pat Murphy, who was killed in a car accident.

In keeping with Sally’s wishes, her body will be cremated. A memorial service will be at

11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crescent. Msgr. Donald W. Grubisch will officiate. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Crucifixion Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society.

The family wishes to thank the Gundersen Lutheran Medical staff and hospice for their kind and loving care of Sally. They would also like to thank all of the kind friends and neighbors who visited Sally in the hospital and donated food and support to John at home.

Dorothy A. Shanahan

WONEWOC, Wis. — Dorothy A. Shanahan, 90, of Wonewoc died Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Elroy, Wis. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Picha Funeral Home, Elroy. Burial will follow in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Wonewoc. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to services Friday at the funeral home. www.pichafuneralhomes.com.

Arthur ‘Art’ J. Amundson

VIROQUA, Wis. — Arthur “Art” J. Amundson, 82, of Viroqua died Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007, at Bethany Riverside in La Crosse.

He was born Nov. 8, 1924, in Stoughton, Wis., to Arthur and Mabel (Martinson) Amundson. On Jan. 27, 1945, he was united in marriage to Maellyn “Lynne” Parish. Art served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Art worked for 31 years with the Soil Conservation Service and retired in 1979. He was an active member of the Viroqua United Methodist Church as church school teacher, youth leader, camp counselor, lay leader and lay speaker. He was also a member of the Viroqua Lions Club, the Soil Conservation Society of America and had worked with the Viroqua Industrial Association. Art also was a talented woodworker and had built many items for the church.

In addition to his wife of 62 years, he is survived by three children, Ronald Arthur (Sherry) Amundson, Jeffrey John (Jan) Amundson and Kari Ellen (Taylor) Collins; four grandchildren, Cyrus Lee, Sarah Mae (Travis), Joshua A.J. and Laura Ellen; one great-grandson, Noah Alexander; four siblings, Richard and William Amundson of Stoughton, Gloria Chadbourn of Dallas, and Louise Schmoll of Bloomfield, Conn.; other relatives; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 8, at Viroqua United Methodist Church in Viroqua. Pastor Ethan Larson officiated. Burial was Tuesday, Oct. 9, in Riverside Cemetery, Stoughton.

Memorials may be directed to Viroqua United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Pine Lake Camp, Westfield, Wis. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.

com. Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua served the family.