Printable Version

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

Published - Thursday, May 08, 2008

Obituaries for Thursday, May 8, 2008

By Tribune staff

LeRoy J. McDowell

LA CRESCENT, Minn. — LeRoy J. McDowell, 18, of La Crescent went to be with his loving Father while surrounded by family members and friends at home on Monday evening, May 5, 2008.

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” — Psalm 84:10.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Evangelical Free Church in Onalaska, Wis. Pastor Andy Hahn will officiate. Friends may call from 10 a.m until the time of the service Saturday at the church.

LeRoy was born in La Crosse on July 7, 1989, to Daniel and Lee Ann (Brittenham) McDowell. He was a student at La Crescent High School, where he enjoyed choir and the special treatment he received from so many classmates and teachers.

Survivors include his father, Daniel McDowell; Dan’s wife, Becky, and their three children of Onalaska; his mother, Lee Ann Finn and his stepfather, Scott Finn of La Crescent; five brothers, Daniel McDowell of Madison, Elijah McDowell of La Crosse, and Gabriel McDowell, Isaac and Noah Finn, all of La Crescent; one sister, Emmalee Finn of La Crescent; his paternal grandmother, Beverly McDowell of La Crescent; and his maternal grandparents, Lois Brittenham of Yuba City, Calif., and Lee and BJ Brittenham of Laurie, Mo.

He is also survived by loving grandparents, Frank and Laurie Finn of Onalaska and Patrica Kapinski of Elgin, lll.; two great-grandmothers, Vivian Ostert and Betty Seitz;, and many aunts, uncles and cousins; his special helpers, Melisse Klug, Kathy Schmidt, Rebecca Hickock, Bethia Coryell and Karen Schultz, and all of his school helpers; his “other” parents, Rich Wigdal and Laura Johnson; friends, Diane Kies and her sons, Rusty and Ricky; his best friend, David Adams; and his “extra brother,” Cody Fairey. All will miss him greatly.

There is simply no way to thank all of the people who assisted with LeRoy’s care over the span of his life. The health care, social services and love he received from nearly every person he encountered enriched his life and the lives of his family members. One of LeRoy’s unique character traits was that all he really knew was love. People from all walks of life were attracted to him and he freely gave and received nothing but love.

One of the memorials chosen for LeRoy is the YMCA of La Crosse.

Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crescent is assisting the family.

Vernon W. Crouch

SPARTA, Wis. — Vernon W. Crouch, 73, of Sparta died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta. Burial will be in Wood Cemetery near Valley Junction, Wis. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be offered at www.lanham-miller.com.

Milton L. Gerard

NEWBURG, Minn. — Milton L. Gerard, 84, of Newburg died Monday, May 5, 2008, at his home.

Milton was born Oct. 31, 1923, in Wiesel in Amherst Township, Fillmore County, Minn., to Philip and Hazel (Vickerman) Gerard. He attended the “Cigar Box” country school near Amherst, Minn. On Dec. 30, 1943, he entered the United States Navy, where he served as a fireman first class aboard the USS Highlands A.P.A. during World War II in the South Pacific, where he witnessed the sinking of the Bismark Sea, the raising of the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima, and was present in Tokyo Bay when the peace treaty was signed aboard the USS Missouri. After his discharge on March 29, 1946, he returned to the Mabel, Minn., area. On June 25, 1956, he married Cora (Thompson) Newton in Harmony, Minn. They resided in Newburg, where he operated a sawmill and lumberyard. Milton grew up with an appreciation of the outdoors and was a skilled hunter, fisherman and trapper, and was concerned about conservation of the natural resources. He was a member of the Newburg United Methodist Church, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Milton is survived by his wife, Cora of Newburg; four daughters Ann (Tom) Emery of Caledonia, Minn., and Carol (Rodney) Thompson, Pauline Vigeland, and Elaine Johnson, all of Mabel; a son, Tony (Shelly) of Canton, Minn.; a stepson, David Newton of Mabel; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert of Olympia, Wash.; and “Sam,” his faithful rat terrier.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Phyllis (Norris) Sorenson; and three brothers, Richard, Eldred and Charlie.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 9, at Newburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jeanne Martin officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military rites by the American Legion and VFW.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. today at Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel and one hour prior to services at the church.

Tina Marie Remington

BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Tina Marie Remington, 49, of town of Manchester, rural Black River Falls, died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at her home. Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls.

Funeral services and burial will be at a later date in St. Joseph, Mich. www.buswellfuneralhome.com.

Ethel M. Manning

Ethel M. Manning, 85, of La Crosse died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center, La Crosse.

She was born March 5, 1923, in Dakota, Minn., to John and Madeline (Shima) Thesing. Ethel received her education in Winona, Minn., schools. She worked as a professional seamstress for many years. She married Edward Sebranek on May 6, 1943, in Milwaukee. He passed away in 1954. She married Raymond Nibbe on June 30, 1962, and he passed away on May 6, 1984. She then married Joseph Manning on Oct. 7, 1987, at St. James Catholic Church in La Crosse.

Ethel is survived by her husband, Joe; two daughters, Donna (Roger) Emerson of Barneveld, Wis., and Gloria (Stephen) Heck of Rockford, Ill.; five grandchildren, Sara (Paul) Buschman, Mark Emerson, Michael Emerson, Holly (Scott) Williams and Heather (fiance’ Josh Feldman) Heck; one sister, Hildegard Lachman of Lakeland, Fla.; and many friends and neighbors.

In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Rebecca Ann Sebranek, and two brothers, James Thesing and George Thesing.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1333 S. 13th St., La Crosse. The Rev. Lawrence B. Berger will officiate. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Friends may call from 5 to

7 p.m. Friday at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse, where a rosary will be recited at 6 p.m., and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church. Memorials may be directed Gundersen Lutheran Foundation. Ethel’s family would like to thank the staff at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center for their support and loving care.

Wayne R. Hollowitsch

Wayne R. Hollowitsch, 67, of La Crosse died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at Hillview Health Care Center, La Crosse. Private

family services will be held. Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home-Nelson Chapel, La Crosse, is assisting the family.

Robert C. Stingl

Robert C. Stingl, 81 of La Crosse died at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center, La Crosse, on Monday, May 5, 2008.

He was born in La Crosse on June 28, 1926, to Clarence and Carrie (Smith) Stingl. He married Ruth Goeldner in La Crosse on July 4, 1947, and she preceded him in death on July 17, 2004.

Robert served with the U. S. Navy during WWII and drove landing crafts at the invasion of Sicily. He was a member of the Holmen American Legion Post 419. Prior to retirement, he was employed by La Crosse Concrete Company.

He is survived by three daughters, Barb Stingl of La Crosse, Judi (Leo) Ris of McAllen, Texas, and Linda Ham of La Crosse; two sons, David (Stepheni) Stingl of Eitzen, Minn., and Brian Stingl of Holmen, Wis.; 10 grandchildren, Daniel, Trevor, Carrie, Jason (Jennifer), Sarah (David), Ashley, Travis, Andy, Jordan and Alicia; a great-grandchild, Melinda; two sisters, Carol (Bud) Melcher of La Crosse and Pat (Paul) Flottmeier of West Salem, Wis.; and a daughter-in-law, Jean Stingl of La Crosse.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Michael, and his parents.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m. at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 809 Gillette St.,

La Crosse. The Rev. Scott Skogen will officiate. Entomb-ment, with military rites, will be in Chapel of Devotion Mauso-leum of Woodlawn Cemetery, La Crosse.

Following services for Robert at the cemetery, there will be lunch served and a time of fellowship at the Moose Lodge, 1932 Ward Ave., La Crosse, at approximately noon.