Eric R. Piasecke Jr.
NEW LISBON, Wis. Eric R. Piasecke Jr., 73, of New Lisbon died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, at Hess Memorial Hospital in Mauston, Wis
He was the son of Eric R. and Violet (Lamphere) Piasecke and was born May 26, 1934, in Richland Center, Wis. Eric was raised in the Richland Center, Wis., area and attended school in Richland Center. Eric farmed for a little while and later became a truck driver. He has driven for Larry’s Express in Tomah, Wis., Martin’s Bulk Milk Service in Wilton, Wis., and most recently as an independent driver for FRS Farms. He is a veteran of the Korean War serving his country in the U.S. Air Force. Eric was united in marriage to Margaret L. Drews on Aug. 24, 1969 in Beloit, Wis. He enjoyed working, driving the Amish and attending auctions. “He loved to collect things.”
Eric is survived by his wife, Margaret of New Lisbon; a son, Richard (Bonnie) Piasecke of Beloit; a daughter, Sherrie Piasecke of Beloit; two stepsons, David (Kathy) Anderson of Clinton, Wis., and Larry (Anna) Anderson of Monroe, Wis.; a brother, Wayne (Beverly) Piasecke of San Bernardino, Calif.; two sister, Doris (Harvey) Suiter of West Salem, Wis., and Arlene (Jerry) Wald of Beloit; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Alice Armstrong; and a sister, LaVonne Williams.
Funeral services along with military honors will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, at Hare Funeral Home in New Lisbon. Relatives and friends may call from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. time of service Monday at Hare Funeral Home. Private family interment will be at a later date in New Lisbon City Cemetery. Online condolences and information available at www.harefuneralhome.com
David L. Craig
BANGOR, Wis. David L. Craig, 60, of Bangor, died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, at his home.
He was born Oct. 8, 1947, in Sparta, Wis., to Levi and Maebelle (Haugstad) Craig. On July 22, 1967, he married Darlene DeYoung, and together they had two daughters before later divorcing. David was a dairy farmer on the family farm in Sand Creek, Wis., for many years. After retiring from farming, he became employed at Western Wisconsin Plastic Corp. in West Salem, Wis. He was a motorcycle enthusiast who enjoyed the simple things in life.
Survivors include a daughter, Paula Craig of La Crosse; a granddaughter, Kayla Lichthardt of La Crescent, Minn.; two sisters, Lynda Craig and Sally Craig, both of Madison; a brother, Calvin (Deb) Craig of Mindoro, Wis.; his special friend, Sandy Huff of Whitehall, Wis.; three nieces and one nephew, Sondra, Megan, Sara and Michael Craig; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a daughter, Kim Lichthardt on April 2, 2007.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 28, at Jandt Funeral Home, Hwy. 162 and Hattan St., Bangor. The Rev. J. David Bersagel will officiate. Burial will be in Burns Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 until 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and also from 10 a.m. until the time of service Monday.
Merval J. Strang
VIROQUA, Wis. Merval J. Strang, 84, of Viroqua died Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, at Bethel Home in Viroqua after a short illness.
He was born on Sept. 24, 1923, to Merval Strang Sr. and Emma (Engen) Strang in Iowa County, Wis. His family moved to Vernon County, Wis., when Merval was 7 years old. He lived in the Viroqua community for the rest of his life. He graduated from Viroqua High School in 1943, where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 until 1946. During that time, he was an MP and in the medics. After his service in the army, he continued to participate in sports in the Viroqua city baseball and basketball leagues. He also enjoyed many years of bowling.
Merval married Kathleen Fulmer on May 12, 1947. He worked at Freidell Plumbing, during which he earned his master plumber’s license. In 1957, he started his own plumbing and heating business, Strang’s Plumbing and Heating. He retired in 1986. Merval and Kathleen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary May 12, 2007. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He especially liked the visits from his grandchildren and great-grandsons.
Merval was an accomplished storyteller and never forgot a joke. He enjoyed his weekly bingo games and his daily coffee group. He was a member of Viroqua Country Club for many years. Merval and Kathleen spent 16 winters in Mesa, Ariz., where he loved to play golf. He loved following Viroqua High School sports. In 1987, he was awarded the “Sports Fan of the Year” for all his support of Viroqua High School Athletics. He also loved the Green Bay Packers and had season tickets for many years. Merval was a member of the Viroqua Eagles and the American Legion.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, twins, Trent (Mary) Strang of Viroqua, and Lynette (Richard) Getter of Viroqua; granddaughter, Nicole (Dan) Hewitt of New Berlin, Wis.; and grandson, Jason Getter of Minneapolis; two great-grandsons, Tyler and Matthew; brother-in-law, Steward Groves; and nephews, Cory Groves, Tim Groves and Toby Groves.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Gerhard Johnson; sister, Anna Mae Groves; and nephew, Scott Groves.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The Rev. Margaret Eiben Hoversten will officiate. Burial with military honors will be in Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 until 6 p.m. Tuesday at Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker (Hwy. 56) in Viroqua.
The family requests that those wishing to give a memorial make a donation to the Vernon Memorial Hospice Building Project.
Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com
Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.
Ronald G. Frey
ROAN MOUNTAIN, Tenn./LA CROSSE Ronald G. Frey, 75, formerly of La Crosse died on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, in his home in Roan Mountain.
He was born on March 7, 1932, in La Crosse to Arthur and Evelyn (Eeg) Frey. Ron was never married and had no children. He had worked as a tool and die maker and also at Gundersen Clinic before retiring to care for his mother. After retirement, Ron was active in the hiking community, enjoying traveling and socializing with backpackers. He was known as a “trail angel” for all the good deeds he did for the hikers over the years. He received several commendations from the International Appalachia Trail Society and the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association.
Ron is survived by his longtime companion, Scott, also of Roan Mountain; a brother, Arthur (Jackie) Frey; and eight nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Olson, formerly married to “Doc” Olson of La Crosse.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, La Crosse. Pastor Dennis Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the church. Memorials are preferred to the Coulee Region Humane Society, Chileda Foundation, or the Sugar Creek Bible Camp. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements.
Marvin E. Kolden
Marvin E. Kolden, 65, of La Crosse died Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, at Lakeview Health Care Center in West Salem, Wis. Funeral arrangements are still being planned and will be announced by Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse.
Joan L. (Hutschenreuter) Byers
MINDORO, Wis. Joan L. (Hutschenreuter) Byers, 70, of Mindoro died Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, at Mulder Health Care Facility, West Salem, Wis. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mindoro Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Farmington Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. Monday at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem, and at 10 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday at the church. Memorials are preferred. A complete obituary will follow in Monday’s La Crosse Tribune.
Charles R. Chuck’ Norman
READSTOWN, Wis. Charles R. “Chuck” Norman, 65, of Readstown died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, in the comfort of his home after a long bout with cancer.
He was born on Sept. 12, 1942, in La Crosse to Max and Jennie (Griswold) Norman. He graduated from Central High School in La Crosse and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. Chuck was involved in sales for most of his life. He married Diane Schau, and they were later divorced. On April 11, 1987, he married Marlene (Roerkohl) Scoville.
Chuck enjoyed reading, working on computers, building things and tinkering around the house. He also had a deep appreciation of nature and the outdoors, and shared his interests with his family. He was the clerk for Kickapoo Township until his health failed. Of all his interests and activities, quite possibly the most important thing to Chuck was his family: He loved his family and being a grandpa!
In addition to his wife, Marlene; he is survived by two children, Greg (Jill) Norman and their son, Max of Danbury, Wis., and Corinne Norman of Milwaukee; five stepchildren: Ronald (Natasha) Scoville De Soto, Wis., and their son, Vlad; Kathleen (Gregory) Mazur of Hopkinton, Mass., and their children, Michael, Natalie, and Rebecca; Gary (Deborah) Scoville of De Soto and their children, Jared and Logan; James (Wendy) Scoville of Grafton, Mass., and their children, Megan and Austin; and Daniel (Angela) Scoville of
De Soto and their children, McKenzie, Emily, and Alex; a sister, Maureen (Carlyle) Gallup of La Crosse; a brother-in-law, Jim Potts of La Crosse; two nieces, Amanda and Krista Potts; and two nephews, Jeff Haas and Bryon Potts.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Carol Potts and one nephew, Sean Potts.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, at Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker (Hwy. 56) in Viroqua, Wis., with the Rev. Robert J. Cook, officiating. Friends may call from noon until the time of service at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com
Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.
Gretchen Doris Lubcke
MELROSE, Wis. Gretchen Doris Lubcke, 93, formerly of Melrose died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
She was born June 15, 1914, to Charles and Margaret Stebbins in Melrose. She met Stuart I. Lubcke in Madison, while working with him at Rennebohm Rexall Drug Store. They married Sept. 18, 1943. For many years Gretchen assisted her husband with his chiropractic practice in Melrose. Stuart died Dec. 5, 1981.
Gretchen was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Bridge Club, both in Melrose, and a lifelong member of Melrose United Methodist Church. She was a past member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Black River Falls, Wis.
She is survived by a son, Kip (Nat) Lubcke of Hillsborough, N.J. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Mary; and a brother, Enos.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday Jan. 29, at Melrose United Methodist Church with Rev. Benito Agtarap officiating. Burial will be in Melrose Cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the church.
Zwickey Funeral Homes, Melrose Chapel assisted the family.
Katherine Anna Harriet Schroeder White
PHOENIX/CASHTON, Wis. Katherine Anna Harriet Schroeder White of Phoenix died Jan. 22, 2008, at Beatitudes Care Center from heart failure.
The youngest of seven children, she was born in Cashton on Oct. 6, 1918, to Katherine Hundt Schroeder and Henry E. Schroeder. Katherine moved to Phoenix in the mid-1950s to become the elementary school art teacher at Longview School, where she taught for 30 years. Her love of the arts continued in retirement when she became a master docent at the Phoenix Art Museum.
Katherine’s husband, George E. White, passed away Jan. 20, 1977. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Katherine; three brothers, Harold, Wilbert and Cleo Schroeder; and three sisters, Marie Hughey, Melinda Veglahn and Crystal Harloff.
Katherine’s sister-in-law, Agnes Schroeder, lives in Viroqua, Wis. Also surviving Katherine are seven nieces and nephews.
Memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Whitney & Murphy Arcadia Funeral Home of Phoenix is assisting with arrangements.
Myrtle Viola Sackmaster
WEST SALEM, Wis. Myrtle Viola Sackmaster, 94, of West Salem, passed away Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, in Mulder Health Care Facility in West Salem. Myrtle was born in North Dakota on Sept. 23, 1913. She married Lloyd Sackmaster on Aug. 26, 1934, in La Crosse.
She was a wonderful cook and loved to bake.
Myrtle is survived her grandchildren, Kelly (Frank) Hass of La Crosse, Katherine (Rick) Hilpert of South Milwaukee, Donald (Cheryl) Sackmaster Jr. of South Milwaukee, Kristine (Gil) Brzezinski of Oak Creek, Wis., and Kerry (Scott) Strittmater of La Crosse; 13 great-grandchildren, April Janik, Sarah and Alicia Hilpert, Sarah and William Schattschneider, Shannon and Erin McArthur, Mychalanne Page, Mathew Brzezinski, Kacie Lucchini, Brent, Danielle and Jeffrey Strittmater; brother, Arthur Christenson of Onalaska, Wis.; and niece, Marie Christenson of Onalaska.
Myrtle was preceded in death by her husband in March 1973; daughter-in-law, Patricia Sackmaster; and son, Donald Sackmaster.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home-Nelson Chapel, 1007 Caledonia St., La Crosse, WI 54603. The Rev. Stephan Sandness will officiate, with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Her family extends a special thank you to the care providers at Mulder Health Care Facility. Memorials preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse.
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