Rachel O. Emerson
BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Rachel Orletta (Arneson) Emerson, 96, of Black River Falls died Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Black River Falls Evangelical Luther-an Church, with burial in South Beaver Creek Lutheran Ceme-tery. Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the church. www.
buswellfuneralhome.com.
Paul W. Gade Sr.
EITZEN, Minn. — Paul W. Gade Sr., 79, of Eitzen died Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, in South Padre Island, Texas. Funeral services will be announced by Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia, Minn.
Jay Russell Gantenbein
Jay Russell Gantenbein, 62, of Chipmunk Coulee quietly passed away Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, at his home, with his family at his side.
Jay was born July 24, 1945, in La Crosse to Jack and Frances (Boe) Gantenbein. Jay graduated from Central High School in 1963. As a senior, he played on the undefeated 1962 football team. That spring, his 880-yard relay time set a new state record at the WIAA state track meet. After dropping out of college to travel to California, Jay joined the Marine Corps. Major back surgery ended his military service, and he returned to work at G. Heileman Brewing Company. On Jan. 30, 1970, Jay married Susan Haugland. Together they raised two daughters. He loved to bow hunt and play cards with his friends. He retired from City Brewery in 2006 to enjoy time with his wife and family. Spending time with his grandchildren brought him the greatest joy.
He is survived by his wife, Susan; daughters, Laura (Jess) Boardman of Rochester, Minn., and Jody (Robert) Marcou of Holmen, Wis.; grandchildren, Hannah, Jaylynn, Thomas and Adam; his mother, Frances; sisters, Patricia Outcelt and Joanne (Ron) Tischer; brother, Howard Walton of La Crosse; mother-in-law, Rosanne Haugland; brothers-in-law, Peter Haugland, Gary (Phyllis) Haugland and Tom Lawrence; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (John) Elliott and Barbara (Michael) Watunya; aunt, Edna (Ernest) Anderson; uncles, John and Ronald Boe; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorial services will be Monday at 2:30 p.m. in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2135 Weston St., La Crosse. The Rev. Bruce Iverson will officiate. A gathering to celebrate Jay’s life will be held in the La Crosse American Legion Post 52, 711 S. Sixth St., on Monday from 3:30 to 7 p.m.
Memorials are preferred and may be given to the Franciscan Skemp Hospice Program.
Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family.
G. Singh Grewal
SPARTA, Wis. — G. Singh Grewal, 76, of Sparta died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, in Mexico. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta.
Jean M. Halverson
HOLMEN, Wis. — Jean M. Halverson, 67, of Holmen died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, at her home. She was born Jan. 18, 1941, in La Crosse to James and Marjorie (Glaab) Halverson.
Jean is survived by a sister, Joanne; a brother, James; a half-sister, Melissa; an aunt, Edna Sumner of La Crosse; numerous cousins and friends; her caregivers, Bonnie and Kit; and her guardian, Sally.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. today at Woodlawn Cemetery. Pastor Jeff Thompson will officiate. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family.
Ruth Anna Hansche
STODDARD, Wis. — Ruth Anna Hansche, 90, formerly of Stoddard died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, at Hillview Health Care Center.
She was born in Somers, Wis., on June 4, 1917, to Samuel and Dora (Helding) Gardinier. She married Charles W. Hansche on Feb. 12, 1938, at Somers Congregational Church. Charles preceded her in death Dec. 10, 1998.
Ruth worked as a bookkeeper for many years with the Leo Walkowski & Son Lawn and Garden Center in Kenosha, Wis., until retiring in 1978. She and her husband then moved to a farm in Cataract, Wis. There they raised produce for the La Crosse Farmers Market for many years until about the early 1990s, when they moved to Stoddard. She was a member of Stoddard United Methodist Church for many years.
Ruth loved life and enjoyed being around people. She enjoyed gardening and working in the yard. She was also a wonderful cook and loved playing the role of hostess for gatherings with family and friends. She was an avid sports enthusiast and was especially a fan of the Packers, both the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers and of golfer Phil Mickelson.
Ruth is survived by her children, Robert (Donna) Hansche of Kenosha, Wis., William Hansche of Sparta, Wis., and Judy (Dan) Maas of Stoddard; nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great- grandchildren; one sister, Helen Thomas of Lake Geneva, Wis.; two brothers, James (Marie) Gardinier of El Cajon, Calif., and Calvin Gardinier of Kenosha; and nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, James Hansche, on Nov. 3, 2004; a grandson, Michael, on March 10, 1968; two sisters, Marge Hubbard and Doris Gardinier; and two brothers, Samuel “Bill” Gardinier and Edwin Gardinier.
Funeral services will be held Monday, March 3, at 12:30 p.m. at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. The Rev. Mel Brinkley will officiate. Entombment will follow in Garden of Peace Mausoleum in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m., and Monday from 11:30 a.m. until the time of services. Memorials may be directed to Stoddard United Methodist Church or the charitable organization of the donor’s choice.
Mikeal Eugene Heisz Sr.
GAYS MILLS, Wis. — Mikeal Heisz, 53, of Gays Mills, went home to the Lord on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. He spent his final days at home surrounded by his loving family.
Mike was born March 31, 1954, in Boscobel, Wis., to Lincoln “Gene” and Harriet (Lomas) Heisz. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathi “Kate” (Ingle) Heisz; three children, Mikeal, Charles (Deambra) and Mindi; and two grandchildren, Monica and Daryen. He is also survived by his parents, Gene and Harriet Heisz; five siblings, Kathy (Bill) Statz, Ed (Sue) Heisz, Harry (Marla) Heisz, Donna (Brad) Bay and Ivan (Deb) Heisz. He is further survived by his mother-in-law, Maria Ingle; seven in-laws, Renee Ingle, Cindy (Bob) Jacobus, Steve (Kelly) Ingle, Deb (Dan) Noble, Penny Hazlett, Janita Ingle and Georgene Ingle. Mike was a devoted uncle to 24 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also survived by special friends, Janelle Jacobson, Jarred Reed, Sophia Kisolek, many other close friends and godchild Luke Bay.
Mike lived his entire life in Gays Mills. He graduated from North Crawford (Wis.) High School in 1972. He married Kate on May 20, 1978, at Robb Park and renewed their vows March 8, 1991, in Las Vegas. He set many records at Frank’s Orchard picking apples. His many hobbies included: hunting, raising elk, fishing, shooting pool and darts, morel hunting and visiting with family and friends over chocolate milk at the Amoco. He was an active member of the Gays Mills Fire Department (28 years), Gays Mills Village Board, and the Sportsman’s Club. He volunteered for many community groups and activities. Mike took pride in helping others, and throughout a lifetime of giving he touched many lives. Even while ill, he assisted all he could during the flood of 2007. Mike and Kate were honored by the Community of Gays Mills, being named Apple Ambassadors in 2007. He has worked on the family farm, at Advanced Transformer, owned an orchard and operated his own business for many years. He also spent many endless hours in the tobacco field and was honored as Tobacco Grower of the Year in 1990.
Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, his father-in-law, several aunts and uncles and special friends, Robin Eitsert and Ray Lacina. He will always be loved and missed by family and friends. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 2, 2008 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Dommersnaes-Bertram Family Funeral Home, Gays Mills. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with a luncheon following at the Gays Mills Community Building. Mike will be laid to rest at the Gays Mills Cemetery.
Larry R. Jacobson Jr.
VIROQUA, Wis. — Larry R. Jacobson Jr., 38, of Viroqua died unexpectedly Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008.
He was born April 21, 1969, in Viroqua to Larry and Martine (Sordahl) Jacobson. Larry attended and graduated from Viroqua High School with the class of 1988. On September 12, 1991, he married Stephanie Harris in Viroqua. He was working at Cummings Filtration in Viroqua as a welder.
Larry enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, art and the outdoors in general. He also enjoyed hanging out with his friends but especially enjoyed spending time with his daughter, Shelby, and son, Chase. Larry will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
Larry is survived by his wife, Stephanie (Harris) Jacobson of Viroqua; his children, Shelby and Chase Jacobson, both at home; parents, Larry and Martine Jacobson of Viroqua; sister, Diana Jacobson of
La Crosse; brother, Darrian (Jamie) Jacobson of Beloit, Wis.; maternal grandmother, Eleanor Sordahl; nieces and nephews, Jacob, Kenneth and Tyler Jacoboson and Austin, Nikita and Darrian Jacobson; mother-in-law, Christina (Joseph) Dolan of Coon Valley, Wis.; father-in-law, Donald S. (Ingrid) Purvis of Medford, Wis.; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Jason, Jennifer and John Purvis; maternal grandmother-in-law, Jane Harris of Gays Mills, Wis.; brother-in-law, Adam (Heather) Dolan of Onalaska, Wis.; many aunts, uncles and other relatives; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Courtney Jacobson; sister, Lisa Jacobson; a niece, Angel Hart; and nephew, Brandon Jacobson
Funeral services will be at
3 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home, Viroqua. Officiating at the service will be Pastor Pete Beckstrand with burial to follow in Viroqua Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.
Bernice L. Klein
CALEDONIA/LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Bernice L. Klein, 83, formerly of Caledonia and La Crescent, died Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, at Laurel Manor, Onalaska, Wis. Funeral services will be announced by Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia.
Ruth V. Knutson
Ruth V. Knutson, 88, of La Crosse passed away Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, at Bethany Riverside Nursing Facility, La Crosse.
She was born to Oscar and Bolette (Holstad) Lindevig on Jan. 15, 1920, at Sand Hill near Rockton, Wis. A year later, the family moved to Prairie Farm, Wis., where they resided until moving to rural Westby, Wis. Ruth graduated from Westby High School in 1938 and started working at Auto Lite until her marriage to Raymond M. Knutson on March 26, 1947. He preceded her in death Nov. 30, 2005.
Ruth and Raymond owned and operated the Pompey’s Pillar Cheese Factory near Highland, Wis. She secured her cheesemaker’s license and was one of the first women in the state to do so, learning the trade from her husband. They moved to Whitehall, Wis., and Independence, Wis., where they operated the Elk Creek Cheese Co. until 1986, then moving to La Crosse.
Ruth last worked for Laidlaw bus company as an aide for the youngest children.
Ruth was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and Sons of Norway for over 30 years. She loved the arts, especially oil painting, which she took up at age 50 and had won several awards. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage and taught herself to read, write, speak and translate the language for others.
Ruth is survived by two sons, Gordon (Margie) Knutson of Hubertus, Wis., and Douglas Knutson of Madison; five grandchildren, Ray Gauthier of Mission Viejo, Calif., Michael Knutson of Hubertus and attending UW-Madison, Jason Knutson of Hubertus and attending UW-La Crosse, Tyler Knutson of Milwaukee and a recent graduate of Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Kendra Knutson of Sun Prairie, Wis.; four stepgrandchildren and one stepgreat-grandchild, all of Milwaukee, a brother-in-law, Norman (Delores) Knutson; and nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Raymond, Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Marlene Gauthier; a son, Eugene Knutson; three sisters, Ona Nordrum, Thelma Lindevig and Alva Larson; and a brother, Olaf Lindevig.
Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 1, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 Sill St., La Crosse. The Rev. Stephan Sandness will officiate, and burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park,
La Crosse. Family and friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Bethany Riverside Nursing Facility for their wonderful care.
Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Florence Adeline Mlynek
INDEPENDENCE, Wis. — Florence Adeline Mlynek, 78, of Independence died Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, at her home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Independence, with burial
in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., and 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at Edison Funeral Home, Independence.
Frances I. Odenbreit
BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis./ST. PAUL, Minn. — Frances I. Odenbreit, 101, of St. Paul and formerly of Black River Falls died Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008 in Highland Chateau, St. Paul. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Black River Falls. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls. Relatives and friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the church. Torgerson’s Funeral Service, Black River Falls, is assisting the family.
Myrabelle Pitzner
Myrabelle Pitzner, 86, of La Crosse died at Bethany-Riverside Nursing Home on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2008.
She was born in Argyle, Wis., on May 12, 1921, to Oscar and Susie (Stavass) Paulson. She married Harold Pitzner in La Crosse on Sept. 1, 1940, and he preceded her in death April 21, 1990. Myrabelle and her husband had owned and operated Pitzners Dry Cleaners in La Crosse.
She loved music and started playing the piano at age 8, and played a calliope in a couple of parades. She loved to talk, and with her beautiful smile and colorful personality, she touched many lives and made many friends.
She is survived by a daughter, Paula (Jerry) Cina of De Soto, Wis.; a son, Terry of Ajijic Jalisco, Mexico; six grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her identical twin sister, Maybelle Fredrickson, and three brothers, Carl, Philip and Luther.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, March 3, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 1931 Loomis St., La Crosse. The Rev. Merill Herder will officiate, and burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the church. Dickinson-Sletten McKee Hanson Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Emily V. Richey
VIROQUA, Wis. — Emily V. Richey, 89, of Viroqua, formerly of Shell Knob, Mo., and Chicago, died Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, at Bethel Home.
She was born Jan. 1, 1919, in Chicago to John and Martha (Gumbinas) Stalilonis. On Oct. 4, 1944, she married Robert Richey in Chicago. Emily worked as an office clerk for Sears & Roebuck Co. in the Sears Tower. She was one of the first employees in the Sears Tower. After retirement, the couple moved to Shell Knob and enjoyed fishing and fun in the sun. After 20 years in Shell Knob, they moved to Viroqua to be with their daughter, Marlene (Patrick) Leding. Emily had lived in Viroqua for five years.
Emily is survived by her husband of 65 years, Robert Richey of Viroqua; and two daughters, Bernadine (Michael Hays) Richey of New York and Marlene (Patrick) Leding of Viroqua. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Martha Stalilonis.
A memorial service will be held in Illinois at a later date. Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home, Viroqua, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Leora Pauline Schmeckpeper
MESA, Ariz. — Leora Pauline Schmeckpeper, 98, of Mesa passed away Friday, Feb. 22, 2008, in Mesa.
She was born June 7, 1909, in Oregon, Wis., the daughter of the late William and Louise (Frieden) Brockman. She lived most of her life in the La Crosse area before moving to Mesa in 2000 to be near her children. Leora worked at Northern Engraving in La Crosse for several years during World War II. She married Walter Schmeckpeper on Sept. 12, 1928.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Donna Akright, Karen Williams and Ann (Leo) Chocholous, all of Mesa, and Diane (Charles) Akright of Carrollton, Texas; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and also several nieces and nephews.
Leora was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; her parents; two grandchildren, Kurt Akright and Cynthia Holmes; two brothers, Ray and Bill Brockman; and one sister, Helen Drudick. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother and was loved by all who knew her.
A memorial service for Mrs. Schmeckpeper will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at English Lutheran Church, 1509 King St., La Crosse. Arrangements entrusted to Mariposa Gardens Funeral Care, Mesa, AZ, (480) 830-4422.
Charles E. Seeley
LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Charles E. Seeley, 96, of La Crescent died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, at Golden Living Center in La Crescent. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, La Crescent.
Advertisement
