Budd C. Cole
Budd C. Cole, 74, of La Crosse passed away at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, on Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
He was born in La Crosse on March 25, 1934, to Budd W. and Inez A. (Hall) Cole. Budd served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and worked at the Trane Co. for many years, making many friends along the way.
He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia; his daughters, Kimberly Zoerb and Patsy Eichmann, both of La Crosse; three grandchildren, Michelle Boness, Kevin Zoerb and Tamara Zoerb, all of La Crosse; a great-grandchild, Bradley Boness of La Crosse; many nieces and nephews; two aunts; and two uncles.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister; a stepbrother; and a special cat, “Magic.” No words can express how much he will be missed.
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 14, at 11 a.m. at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 809 Gillette St., La Crosse. The Rev. Scott Skogen will officiate. Burial, with military rites, will be in French Island Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested for the Humane Society on Critter Court.
Gordon Cunningham
A gathering for Gordon Cunningham, 77, of La Crosse, who died Monday, March 31, 2008, will be from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at his home, 1331 Caroline St. Dickinson Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Walter C. Schlicht
VIROQUA, Wis. — Walter C. Schlicht, 85, of Viroqua died Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at Vernon Manor in Viroqua. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Seland Funeral Home, Coon Valley, Wis.
Dorothy ‘Lucille’ Parish
WESTBY, Wis. — Dorothy “Lucille” Parish, 90, of Westby and formerly of Ontario, Wis., died Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at Norseland Nursing Home, Westby. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Community Baptist Church in Ontario. Burial will be in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Hillsboro, Wis. Relatives and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church. Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Wilton, Wis., is assisting the family.
Alice Ione Jones
PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — Alice I. Jones, 79, of Paradise Valley and formerly of Prairie du Chien, Wis., was called home to be in the loving arms of Christ Jesus on Saturday, April 5, 2008, after a short, courageous battle with cancer in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church with burial in Evergreen Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien.
Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Thornburg-Hanson Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien and one hour prior to services at the church.
She is survived by her children, Douglas Jones of Paradise Valley, Patti (Jim) Petersen of Spokane, Wash., and Sheila (Russ) Johnson of Paradise Valley; four grandchildren, Tracy Jones, Alicia Jones, Andrew Petersen and Haley Johnson; one great-grandchild, Wyatt Jones Baker — all who will miss her and loved her dearly. Also surviving are six siblings, Robert Eckert and Joseph Eckert, both of Mount Hope, Wis., Betty (Donald) Wetter of Boscobel, Wis., Mary (John) Bremmer of Mount Hope, Bonnie (Tom) Reynolds of Hartland, Vt., and Chuck (Nancy) Eckert of Woodman, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Alice Jones to the Hospice of the Valley (Brighton Gardens) 6001 E. Thomas Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.
Alice was born May 24, 1928, in Midland, S.D., to Joseph and Cleone (Wachter) Eckert. She worked for the 3M Company in Prairie du Chien and retired from there after more than 25 years of service. Alice moved to Paradise Valley eight years ago to live with her daughter, Sheila, and her family.
Vivian L. Barney
ROCHESTER/LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Vivian Linda (Scherz) Barney, 66, formerly of La Crescent died Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at her home in Rochester after fighting a tough battle with cancer.
She was born April 9, 1941, in La Crosse to Irving and Ruth (Lampert) Scherz.
Vivian graduated from Central High School and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from UW-La Crosse. She then taught English at Central High School for 35 years, retiring in 2000. She also helped her husband, Larry, run their business, Riverland Retreading in La Crescent until they sold it in 2004. Vivian loved spending time with her family playing cards and games, especially with her grandchildren. Her favorite pastimes were cooking for her family and friends, and gardening.
She played the piano, loved to watch politics, NASCAR racing and the Packers. She loved to do crosswords, puzzles, needlepoint and go fishing on the lake she lived by. She also loved her Yorkie dogs, Tiffany and Stephanie.
She is survived by a daughter, Melanie (Van) Sy of Rochester; two sons, Cory of Sparta, Wis., and David of La Crosse; five grandchildren, Andy, Robby and Rachel Barney, and Noah and Aaron Sy; one great-granddaughter, Kianna; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; her parents; a grandson, Christian Sy; and her brother, Darrel.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 12, at noon at the Onalaska (Wis.) Church of Christ. The Rev. Gordon Clary will officiate. Burial will be in Toledo Cemetery, La Crescent. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of services.
Vivian loved her husband, children and family very much! She will be sadly missed as she was a testament of true strength.
Beatrice M. Van Loon
HOUSTON, Minn. n Beatrice M. Van Loon, 77, of Houston died Tuesday, April 8, 2008, after a long battle with cancer.
Beatrice, known by most as Bea, was born June 15, 1930, in La Crosse to John and Leila (Owen) Bymers. She was raised in Onalaska, Wis., and moved to La Crosse at age 15, where she attended and graduated from Central High School. On June 8, 1951, she married Norman Van Loon in New Amsterdam, Wis.
Bea had a vibrant Christian faith that was the foundation for her life and service. That faith, and the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, was lovingly passed on to her children, as well as to a number of young people who experienced the loving ministry of the Word of God to them in youth groups, Sunday School and personal ministries. Bea first attended Northwestern Bible College and then transferred to the University of WisconsinnLa Crosse, where in 1960 she earned her bachelor’s degree.
She earned her master’s degree in elementary administration from Winona (Minn.) State University in 1969. Bea taught first grade for five years, after which she also became the acting principal prior to serving as full-time principal at Houston Elementary School, where she served for a total of 30 years. She was an active member of numerous educational organizations. The last 15 years Bea and Norm have spent their winters in Gulf Shores, Ala. She loved the things of God, family, reading, travel, puzzles and people.
Beatrice is survived by her husband, Norman Van Loon; three sons, Kenneth (Sandra) Van Loon of Newton, Iowa, Timothy (Rita) Van Loon of Winona, and Ronald (Cindi) Van Loon of La Crescent, Minn.; one daughter, Kimberly Van Loon of Honolulu; six grandchildren, Rebecca, Jonathon (Cheryl), Nathan, Andrew, Benjamin and Angela; two great-grandchildren, Bridget and Amber; one sister, Mary Bymers of Watervliet, Mich.; and one brother, Robert (Dody) Bymers of Coloma, Mich.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Ruth.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 11, at Hoff Funeral HomesnHouston Chapel.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 12, at 11 a.m. at Bethany Evangelical Free Church in Houston. Burial will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in Green Mound Cemetery, Holmen, Wis.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Christian Air Ministries.
Feel free to sign the online guest book and leave a memory of Bea at www.hofffuneral.com.
Donald J. Williams
GENOA, Wis. — Donald J. Williams, 63, of Genoa and formerly of Marseilles, Ill., died suddenly on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, after a successful day of fishing on the Mississippi River.
Don was born Oct. 9, 1944, to Earl and Gladys (Cox) Williams. He attended Marseilles Grade School and High School, where he played football and participated in track, graduating in 1962. Don attended Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Ill., and Joliet (Ill.) Junior College.
He went to work for Caterpillar in Joliet on Jan. 7, 1963, and retired on April 1, 2001, after 38 years, 3 months of service. His last position with the company was product quality engineer in the transmission valve business unit.
Don was a former member of the Morris Moose Lodge and Marseilles Masonic Lodge 254 AF&AM. Don requested a dement from Masonic Lodge 254 AF&AM when he retired in 2001 and relocated to Wisconsin.
Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and travel. He gave up hunting in 1991 and became very active in walleye fishing on the Mississippi River in Genoa, where he caught many trophy fish. He and his fishing partners placed first in the P&M Walleye tournaments in 2002 and 2003. His favorite trip was the Alaskan Inside Passage Cruise and Alaska itself. He leaves behind family and many friends located in Illinois, North and South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, California, Oregon, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.
He is survived by his wife, Mary L. (Westness) Williams; two stepdaughters, Deb (Rich) Kramer of La Crosse and Connie (Jerome) Pedretti of Genoa; one stepson, Jay Hutzenbuehler of La Crosse; three grandchildren, April and Jake Kramer of La Crosse and Stephen Pedretti of Genoa; his father-in-law, Robert Westness of La Crosse; a brother, David (Lois) Williams of Florida; three sisters, Sharon (Earl) Jennings of Marseilles, and Kathy (Mike) Lamie and Patricia Freese, both of Ottawa, Ill.; a lifelong friend, Joe Hott of Marseilles; a special friend, Art Petersen of Joliet; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; maternal grandparents, Gusty and Pearl (Underwood) Cox of Marseilles; paternal grandparents, Lyle and Dorthea (Kraft) Williams of Dexter, Minn.; a nephew, William Harvey Crum at birth; and his mother-in-law, Leona Westness of La Crosse.
Family and friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Saturday, April 12, from 2 to 5 p.m. Condolences may be left at www.schumacher-kish.com.
“In my memory, hang my sock on the mantle every year for Stephen! Make sure he puts something in it. I also want him to go to Alaska and put my CEDAR CHIP in the fire at Icy Straight Point and ride the Roberts Tram in Juneau.”
Jane E. Justin
SPARTA, Wis. — Jane E. Justin, 90, died Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta. Graveside services will be in Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home of Sparta is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Sister Ann (Claranne) Kapfer, FSPA
Sister Ann Kapfer, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 82, died Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse.
Sister Ann was born on March 14, 1926, to August and Bertha (Youngman) Kapfer in Spokane, Wash. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1945, and made profession of vows in 1948.
Sister Ann served as a homemaker in convent homes for 33 years in Iowa, Washington and Wisconsin. From 1981-89 she ministered to the aging in Spokane and Phoenix. Sister Ann served on the RCIA Team at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Phoenix for one year before working as a personal aide through the social services of the Diocese of Phoenix until 1996. She retired at St. Rose Convent in 1996 and moved to the Villa in January 2008.
Sister Ann is survived by her Franciscan community; a sister-in-law, Joan Kapfer of Kernersville, N.C.; and nieces and nephews. Her parents and two brothers, William and Paul, preceded her in death.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. today when the body will be met at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Rev. Tom O’Neill, chaplain at Viterbo University, will preside at the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 11, in Mary of the Angels Chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market St., La Crosse, WI 54601-4782.
Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Harry Fred Beier
SUN CITY, Ariz. — Harry Fred Beier, 87, of Sun City passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2008.
He was born in La Crosse on Sept. 19, 1920.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marjorie Beier; his four children, Stephen Beier, Robert Beier, Barbara Medigovich and Mary Beier; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Richard Beier, and his daughter, Carol Beier-Hall.
He served honorably in the U.S. Army in World War II. He was a successful business owner before moving to Glendale, Ariz., in 1956 where he began his 30-year career with the United States Postal Service. His passion for golf was only exceeded by his love for wood crafting.
His extensive repertoire of projects included such items as cabinets, furniture, games and swings designed exclusively for his family and friends. Though he loved the sunshine and the Arizona lifestyle, he never forgot his roots and remained a passionate fan of the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs.
His family would like to invite all to celebrate his wonderful life at the visitation and rosary at Advantage Funeral Home in Youngtown, Ariz., on Friday, April 11, at 7 p.m. (viewing 6 p.m.) and at his funeral Mass on Saturday, April 12, at 10 a.m. at St. Joachim & St. Anne Church in Sun City.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to St. Vincent De Paul: Richard Beier Scholarship Foundation, P.O Box 13600, Phoenix, AZ 85002.
Robert ‘Bob’ E. Wallace
Robert “Bob” E. Wallace, 91, of La Crosse, died on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
He was born in La Crosse on March 11, 1917, to John C. and Anna M. (Fries) Wallace. He attended La Crosse schools and graduated from Central High School. He married Mary Ellen Caven in 1937 and they later divorced. Bob then married Esther Selke on Sept. 6, 1958, in La Crosse. She preceded Bob in death on Jan. 15, 1995.
Bob served with the U.S. Army during World War II, and was a past member of the American Legion. He worked for the Trane Co. for 42 years before retiring on April 1, 1979, and was a member of the Trane Co. 25 Year Club. Earlier in his life, he also worked as an electrician on the side.
Throughout his life, Bob loved the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and trapping, as well as mushroom and asparagus hunting, camping, coin shooting and agate hunting. Bob also enjoyed traveling with his wife and family, making trips to Europe, Jerusalem, Alaska and throughout the continental United States. Bob was an accomplished wood worker and also built his home in La Crescent, Minn., years ago. The true love of Bob’s life was his Harley-Davidson, which he was still riding at the age of 90.
Bob is survived by a daughter, Judith (Philip) Roraff Sr., of La Crosse; four grandchildren, Ramona (Steve) Craig, Bobbi (Dan) Garves and Philip (Nancy) Roraff Jr., all of La Crosse, and Sgt. 1st Class Paul (Kim) Roraff of Fort Polk, La.; 10 great-grandchildren, Holly, Heidi and Hannah Craig, Ben, Erica, Cory and T’Kaylah Roraff, and Shelby, Paul Jr. and Carmen Roraff; and a very special lady friend, Phyllis Motylinski of La Crosse.
In addition to his wife, Bob was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Rebecca Jane Roraff; one sister, Jane Johnson; and one brother, George Wallace.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 11, at 1 p.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse. Pastor Roger Sachs will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will take place in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 11:30 a.m. until the time of services. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family with arrangements.
Steven Harold Jacobson
WATERTOWN/BLAIR, Wis. — Steven Harold Jacobson, 53, of Watertown and formerly of Blair traveled onward to his place of peace Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at his mother’s home in Holmen, Wis.
Steve was born to Donald and Twila (Duxbury) Jacobson on Nov. 21, 1954, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse. He graduated from Blair High School in 1972 and from UW-Eau Claire in 1977 with a degree in business administration.
He entered a career in real estate and soon co-founded Northwest Title and Escrow Co. in White Bear Lake, Minn. In 1988, Steve left that lucrative business to pursue a more compelling vision. In 1990, he graduated from UW-River Falls in social studies education and began a teaching and coaching career at Watertown High School that spanned 18 years.
Steve is well-known for teaching excellence. Whether in the classroom, on the playing field or the basketball court, he had a legendary ability to inspire curiosity and passion.
Steve believed that knowledge about others creates caring and he accomplished this by leading students on innumerable trips abroad. He demonstrated consistently how learning about the world can create a hospitable, enjoyable and peaceful place. Steve easily engaged people of many ages, cultures and dispositions.
Children in New Guinea, referees on the basketball floor, exchange students at Friday morning breakfasts — all Steve met were drawn into a world of action, generosity and possibility. And his varied students learned how to earn friendships at home and abroad.
Though he ventured to the far reaches of this earth, to Steve growing at home was as important as it was overseas. In 1994, with seed money he received from the Joe Darcey Excellence in Teaching Award, Steve and his students undertook a monumental task in the creation of the International Peace Garden that graces the grounds of Watertown High School campus.
Steve’s life created joy, peace and passion that will live on in many others.
Steve is survived by his mother; sisters Judith (Michael) Wellert of Missoula, Mont., Sherry (Patrick) McConnell of Neillsville, Wis., Joan (Mark) Olsen of Tulsa, Okla., and Karen (Gary) Rooney of Onalaska, Wis.; and five brothers, Kerry (Mona Vold) Jacobson of Osseo, Wis., Kevin Jacobson of Chicago, John (Michael Mertens) Jacobson of Edgewood, Calif., Jeffrey (Kathy) Jacobson of Platteville, Wis., and Kent (Debbie) Jacobson of Watertown. He is further survived by 24 nieces and nephews, Charles and Matthew Wellert, Jenny (Nelson) Penserga, Amy (Ted) Johnson, Jesse, Kate, Laura and Emily Jacobson, Julia (Scott) Diggins, Kelly (Craig) Dunek, Claire McConnell, Kirsten, Spencer and Jens Jacobson, Erik, Sophia, Caroline, Anders and Jakob Olsen, Elise, Kimberly and Gregory Rooney, and Brett and Kaley Jacobson.
He was preceded in death by his father; maternal and paternal grandparents; and brother-in-law, John Tabbert.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 12, at 11 a.m. in Evangelical Lutheran Church, with burial in the church cemetery, both in Pigeon Falls, Wis. Pastors Kevin Jacobson and Kathy Jacobson will officiate.
Visitation will be Friday, April 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Blair, and 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church.
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