Printable Version

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

Published - Sunday, May 11, 2008

Obituaries for Sunday, May 11, 2008

By Tribune staff

Ralph M. Proksch

STODDARD, Wis./YUMA, Ariz — Ralph M. Proksch was born in rural Stoddard to Leonard and Frieda (Baudler) Proksch on Feb. 25, 1933. He was received into our Savior’s kingdom through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism one month later. On Aug. 27, 1959, he was married to Judith A. Hundt at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Stoddard. His soul was called home by our gracious Savior on April 27, 2008.

A musician most of his life, Ralph formed his first band at the age of 15 and was a band leader with multiple bands for the next 40 years. His most notable band appearances included playing with the Whoopee John Polka Band, Al Soucheck and the Five Yanks, Uncle Ozzie’s Show Band, and the Richie Yurkovich Band.

Ralph and Judy farmed for many years in rural Stoddard and also ran a successful business with the Shaklee Corp. They later purchased and operated a mail transportation contracting business along with their son Robert until their retirement in 1991. They have made their home in Yuma since 1998, where they were members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church since 1999. In marginal health during recent years, Ralph’s favorite pastimes included playing cards, fishing, and enjoying his backyard ponds.

Survivors include his wife, Judy, of Yuma; two sons, Robert of Stoddard and Thomas (Kyle) of Schoolcraft, Mich.; and one daughter, Lynne of Onalaska, Wis. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Collin, Caleb and Krista Proksch of Schoolcraft; two brothers, Donald (Jo) and Wilbert (Sandy) of Stoddard; one sister, Elaine (Bill) Zierke of Onalaska; an aunt, Elsie Baudler of Onalaska; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 16, at St Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Stoddard. A lunch will be served following the service at the Stoddard American Legion Hall with a musical tribute performed by the Richie Yurkovich Band.

Memorials may be directed to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Yuma; Life Care Center, Yuma, or St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Stoddard.

Grace Blomberg

TOMAH, Wis. — Grace Blomberg, 85, of Tomah died Friday, May 9, 2008, at the Tomah Health Care Center. Funeral services will be announced by the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Online condolences available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Karen Y. Bradshaw

Karen Y. Bradshaw, 66, of La Crosse died Saturday, May 10, 2008, surrounded by her family in her home. She was born in New Lisbon, Wis., on Oct. 31, 1941, to Harold R. and Frances (Stratton) Davis. She married Thomas Bradshaw on Aug. 9, 1974, in La Crosse.

She is survived by her husband; Thomas of La Crosse; four daughters, Anne Marie Drager of Minneapolis, Donna Bradshaw of Olympia, Wash., Letitia (Dave) Devine of Onalaska, Wis., and Tia Friemel of La Crosse; one son, David (Christine) Bradshaw of Onalaska; five grandchildren, Matthew, Miranda, Jacob, Madeline and Sydney. She is further survived by one sister, Kay (Bernie) Alberts; four brothers, Harlan (Pat) Davis of Woodview, Wash., Marvin (Edna) Davis of La Crosse, Lowell (Linda) Davis of Dubuque, Iowa, and Wally Davis of Madison.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one grandson, Thomas Filipiak; and one brother, Raymond.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, in Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1333 S. 13th St. The Rev. Lawrence Berger will officiate, with burial to be held in Oak Grover Cemetery, La Crosse. Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave. S., La Crosse, with a rosary to be held at 6:30 p.m. Family and friends may also call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church on Wednesday.

Arra Agnes Brenengen

Trempealeau, Wis. — Arra Agnes Brenengen, 92, of Trempealeau passed away peacefully, Thursday, May 8, 2008, at Marinuka Manor, Galesville, Wis., surrounded by her family.

She was born June 7, 1915, to M. Frank and Janet (Smith) Butman on Decorah Prairie, Galesville. On Oct. 6, 1934, she married Alfred M. Brenengen. He passed in July of 1984. Arra was a member of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Trempealeau, where she was an avid quilter. She loved to work crossword puzzles, put many jigsaw puzzles together, play Rubik’s Cube and was a member of two card clubs.

Survivors are a daughter, Eileen Trim of Galesville; a son, Donald (Alice) Brenengen of Trempealeau; a daughter-in-law, Joan Brenengen of Strum, Wis.; 11 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and her dear friends, Dorothy Dutton, Lorene Harris and Shirley Sacia.

Preceding her in death were her husband; two sons, Allen and Larry; three brothers, Stark Douglas, Gerald and John Milton; a sister, Dora Vesta; a great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Trim; and a son-in-law, George Trim.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, from Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Trempealeau, with the Rev. Dana Jackson officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Centerville, Wis. Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. on Monday, May 12, at the church, and from noon until service time on Tuesday.

Memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice. Zwickey Funeral Homes, Galesville Chapel, assisted the family.

Michael D. Eggen

Michael D. Eggen, 41, of La Crosse died at his home after a lingering illness on Thursday, May 8, 2008.

He was born in La Crosse on June 8, 1966, to Armand W. and Sharon (Kubal) Eggen. Michael was a self-employed painter who took great pride in his work until his illness prevented him from continuing. He was an excellent cook and a very immaculate person, always wanting everything in perfect order. Mike loved to fish and was the kind of person who would talk to anyone and everyone. “He had a heart of gold.”

He is survived by a son, Casey M. Eggen; his parents, Sharon (Don) Prosser and Armand W. (Sharon) Eggen; sister, Natalie (Fred) Iausly; brother, Tom (Jane) Eggen; three nieces, Amanda, Caroline and Olivia; and a nephew, Matthew.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Tammy Eggen; his maternal grandparents, Edward and Harriet Kubal; and paternal grandparents, Armand Sr. and Geraldine Eggen.

Private family services will be held. The Rev. Judd Larson will officiate, and burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery. The Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Shirley Fruechte

ELKO, Minn./WESTBY, Wis. — Shirley Fruechte, 80, of Elko and formerly of Westby passed away peacefully on May 7, 2008, at The Lodge at Natchez Hospice Facility in Elko with her family at her bedside.

Shirley was born June 22, 1927, in Redwood Falls, Minn., to Norval and Leila (Blanchard) Weeks. She married Armin Fruechte June 9, 1951. Shirley graduated from Macalaster College in 1949. She was the 4-H Club agent in Houston County, Minn., until marrying Armin in 1951, and moved to Westby. Shirley was a volunteer at Norseland Nursing Home and Vernon Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was supervisor of the 4-H building at the Vernon County Fair for over 30 years, a member of Eastern Star, past president of the Ladies Aid at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and enjoyed her bridge clubs. She also enjoyed camping in Hatfield, Wis., and considered her campsite on Arnold’s Creek her second home for 30 years.

Shirley is survived by her children and families, Linda (Brad) Morse of West Salem, Wis., and their son, Derek (Amy) Morse; Bruce (Christine) Fruechte of Eau Claire, Wis., and their children, Laura Shaw and her children, Robert and Andrew; Bruce Elliott, Gabrielle and Kaitlinn; Lisa (Marty) Lunde of Eden Prairie, Minn., and their children, Christian, Elizabeth and Katherine; Robin (Joe) Becher of Mondovi, Wis., and their children, Nichole and Jacob. She also is survived by her sister, Kay Prouty of Redwood Falls, Minn.; brother-in-law, Burton (Lois) Fruechte of Caledonia, Minn.; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Estenson of Northfield, Minn.; Audrey Hulsey of Omah, Neb.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Armin, in 1979.

Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, May 16, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Westby. Pastor Gary Daines will officiate, with burial in Coon Prairie Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 until 9 p.m. Thursday, May 15, with an Eastern Star service at 8:30 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St. (Hwy. 14), in Westby. Friends may also call at the church on Friday from 8 a.m. until the time of service at 9 a.m. Memorial services will be held in Eden Prairie on Monday, May 12, 2008. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com.

The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.

Earl R. Grunke

Earl R. Grunke, 83, of La Crosse, died Saturday, May 10, 2008, at Bethany-Riverside Nursing Facility, La Crosse. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse.

Pastor Vernon A. Hintermeyer

BURNSVILLE, Minn. — Pastor Vern Hintermeyer passed away at home on May 9, 2008.

He was born April 6, 1930, in Eau Claire, Wis., to Arthur and Laura (Norrish) Hintermeyer. He grew up in Rock Falls, Wis. Graduated from Durand High School. Graduated from Northwestern College, Minneapolis. After seminary and ordination, he served Lutheran parishes in Freemont, Platte Center, and Potter, Neb., Galesville, Sturgeon Bay and Mondovi, Wis., and served Grace Lutheran in Bloomington, Minn., from 1981 to 1995 when he retired.

He married Betty Lou Olson on Aug. 25, 1951, in La Crosse. They were married 40 years until Betty Lou’s death in 1991. Vern then married Joan Finn in 1993, and they were constant companions for the last 15 years.

Vernon is survived by his wife, Joan; children, Judi, Scot, Bruce and Paul and their spouses. He had 14 grandchildren. Stepchildren, Bill Finn, Becky Barnes, Amy Finn and Joe Finn; one stepgrandson; one brother, Gordon and wife, Elaine; one brother-in-law, Robert Olson; and wife, Sharon; seven nieces and nephews; and eight grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, May 15, at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 12650 Johnny Cake Road, Egan, Minn., at 11 a.m. Visitation from 4 until 8 p.m. Thursday at the church, and one hour before service on Friday. Burial will be in La Crosse at a later date.

David Bechtold Hoff

MADISON — David Bechtold Hoff, Brigadier General (Ret.), died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, in Madison surrounded by his family.

He was born in Ettrick, Wis., on Aug. 31, 1932, the son of Oscar Frederick and Elsie Marie (Bechtold) Hoff. Hoff graduated from West Salem High School in 1949. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with high honors from the UW-Madison in 1953. Hoff was one of about 30 undergraduates nationwide awarded a Ford Foundation Fellowship for graduate study in 1953 based on his outstanding scholarship and leadership ability. He joined Air Force ROTC while in college, serving a tour of active duty in Texas, Florida and Fuerstenfeldbruck AFB in Germany. When he returned to Madison in 1958, General Hoff joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard (ANG), where he served as a pilot until 1989, retiring as air commander of Truax Air Base and Wing Commander of the 128th Tactical Fighter Wing.

He was involved in many civic and professional organizations, and was a charter member of American Legion West Side Memorial Post 151. Hoff graduated from the UW-Madison Law School in 1989, cum laude and Order of the Coif. In 1994, General Hoff was inducted into the Wisconsin ANG Hall of Fame.

General Hoff is survived by his wife, Patricia; brothers, Oscar and Ralph Hoff; sister Carla Harrington; brother-in-law, Reynolds Tomter; sister-in-law, Dolores Hoff; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, William and Barbara Hass; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Louis and Ruth Shifrin; children, Frederica (Andrew) Schuster, Kristine (Robert) Schriesheim and Seth Hoff; grandchildren, Karen, Eric, David and Rebecca Schriesheim and Heidi, Joseph and Adrienne Schuster; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at Nakoma Golf Club in Madison on Friday, May 23, 2008. Contact Cress Funeral Home at (608) 238-3434 or www.cressfuneralservice.com for details. Cards may be sent to: P.O. Box 44324, Madison, WI 53744. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to: The Association for Families, 1919 E. Grange Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53707 (provides support for ANG members and their families); University of Wisconsin Foundation, David B. Hoff Scholarship, P.O. Box 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278; or Massachusetts General Hospital ALS Clinical Research, c/o Jocelyn Hoey, MGH Development, 165 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114.

Audrey Helen (Williams) Kinsey

VIOLA, Wis. — Audrey Helen (Williams) Kinsey, 96, and 4 months of Viola, died Friday, May 9, 2008, at Vernon Manor Nursing Home in Viroqua.

She was born Jan. 11, 1912, at Sugar Grove, in the Sylvan area, to Herman and Alice (Spurrier) Williams. She married Byron Kinsey on Aug. 5, 1930, in Winona, Minn., and they were married 76 years on Aug. 5, 2006. Byron passed away on Feb. 18, 2007. They lived and farmed in the area, near Viola, known as Camp Creek. They moved to Viola in 1962. After she was retired, she took painting lessons and painted many lovely pictures. She also worked part-time at the Viroqua Greenhouse. She also did crocheting, knitting, sewing, raising a garden and flowers. She liked to cook and share her baked goods with others. She was a good friend and neighbor.

She is survived by three sons, Leroy (Janette) of Viola, Roger (Marilyn) of Foley, Ala., Joe (Shirley) of La Farge, Wis.; one daughter, Catherine (Gene) Harris of Viola; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren, and three on the way; four step-great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Ione Williams of Mosinee, Wis.; brother-in-law, Robert (Jessie) Kinsey of Viola; nieces nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bryon; her parents; two brothers, Russsell, at age 14, and George Williams; one sister and her husband, Lela and Arthur Ewing; his parents, Eli and Amelia Kinsey; one sister-in-law and her husband, Ethelyn and Frank Armstrong; two grandchildren, David Kinsey and Kelli Snider; one great-grandchild, Sarah Gee; also nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Viola United Methodist Church in Viola. Pastors Karen Bankes and Laverne Larson will officiate, with burial in the Viola Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be made to the Kickapoo Rescue Squad, Viola Cemetery or the charity of your choice.

The Vosseteig Funeral Home’s Henthorn Memorial Center in Viola is serving the family.

Geri E. Millis

BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Geri E. Millis of Black River Falls passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at the Black River Memorial Hospital under the care of Black River Hospice.

Geri was born Nov. 9, 1917, to John and Zaida (Lynch) Fleming in Hinkley, Minn. She was raised in Hinkley. Her family settled in St. Paul, Minn., while she was attending high school. While growing up, Geri spent her summers in Shamrock, town of Manchester, Jackson County, Wis.

She was united in marriage to Richard “Bud” Millis, and they first resided in Shamrock before moving into Black River Falls. They were later divorced. In 1980, Geri moved to Venice, Fla., where she lived for 23 years before moving back to Black River Falls in 2003.

Geri was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She was an avid golfer, bowler, and enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge. Most of all, she loved her family.

Survivors include her children, Richard “Bill” (Beverly) Millis of Black River Falls and Haines City, Fla., Betty (Dave Helminiak) Millis of Grantsburg, Wis., and Haines City, and Robert (Mary) Millis of Onalaska, Wis.; grandchildren, Michael (Tammy) Millis, Kathy (Jim) Powell, David (Dena) Millis, Kari (Todd) Pearson, Steve (Sue) Millis, Dan (Sheryl) Millis, Paul (Traci) Millis, Michael Gombold, Barbara Marchitti, Sandee (David) Hanna, Brad (Kim) Gombold, Mark (Gayle) Millis, Lisa (Erik) Olson; 40 great- grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her former husband, Richard “Bud” Millis; a daughter, Barbara Jean Millis; and a grandson, Richard “Ricky” Millis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 16, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Black River Falls. The Rev. Fr. Robert Streveler will officiate, and burial will be in St. Columbkille’s Cemetery, rural Black River Falls. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, May 16, at the church.

The family prefers memorials be given to Black River Hospice or Jackson County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers.

The Buswell Funeral Home (www.buswellfuneralhome.com) is assisting the family with arrangements.

Vicki L. Nedland-Schaffer

WESTBY, Wis. — Vicki L. Nedland-Schaffer, 57, of rural Westby died unexpectedly Saturday morning, May 10, 2008. Complete funeral arrangements will be announced later by the Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home, Viroqua.

Ruth A. ‘Deedee’ Raitzer

LA CROSSE/COON VALLEY, Wis. — Ruth A. “Deedee” Raitzer, of La Crosse and formerly of Coon Valley died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at Bethany Riverside Nursing Facility, La Crosse.

She was born March 2, 1920, in Elmhurst, Ill., to Robert and Tess (Mower) Schiefner. Ruth spent her childhood in Lawrence, Mich., and graduated from Michigan State University, East Lansing, in 1941 with a degree in home economics. On July 5, 1941, she married Albert Raitzer in Lawrence, and he preceded her in death on May 2, 1977.

Deedee was a member of the La Crosse County Republican Party, La Crosse County Republican Women, Coon Valley American Legion Auxiliary and Brinkman Ridge Homemakers. She had spent several years volunteering at the Pump House Regional Arts Center, eventually being employed there as volunteer coordinator. Ruth enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, baking and bird watching.

Deedee is survived by five sons, Robert of Smyrna, Ga., Donald of Farmington, Mich., Jerry (Michele) of Seattle, Thomas (Kristen) of Louisville Ky., and Mark of Brownsville, Minn.; three grandchildren, Christine McIntyre, David (Lisa) Raitzer and Theodore Raitzer; great-grandsons, Scott and Brett; and four nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Ginger Sabo of Tujunga, Calif.

In addition to her husband; she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Walter and Robert Schiefner; and sister, Margaret “Dolly” Alberti.

A memorial gathering will take place at a later date and will be announced by Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse.

John A. ‘Jack’ Rochester

John A. “Jack” Rochester, 44, of La Crosse died unexpectedly Friday, May 9, 2008, in his home. A Funeral Mass is tentatively scheduled for Friday in St. James the Less Catholic Church, 1032 Caledonia St.

La Crosse, with burial to be held at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. The Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home-Nelson Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. A complete obituary will follow in Wednesday’s edition of the La Crosse Tribune.

Manda H. Veglahn

LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Manda H. Veglahn, 96, of La Crescent, died Thursday, May 8, 2008, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. She was born Nov. 9, 1911, in Spring Grove, Minn., to Ole and Inga (Oium) Arneson. Manda taught elementary school in the La Crescent/Hokah area. She then worked for Gateway Transportation and also as a professional cook for many years.

She is survived by two sons, Robert (Sonja) Veglahn and James Veglahn, both of La Crescent; five grandchildren, Wendee (Tony) Fiorillo of Boston, Bobbee Jo (Tim) Byard of Boston, David (Tricia) Veglahn of Rochester, Minn., Joe Veglahn of Onalaska, Wis., and Elizabeth Veglahn of La Crescent; two great-grandchildren, Lillian Fiorillo and Marcus Fiorillo; a stepgreatgrandchild, Zack Byard.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold; a grandson, William A. Veglahn; two sisters, Hilda Veglahn and Irene Arneson; and one brother Arnie Arneson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 414 Main St., La Crescent. Pastor Paul A. Ibisch will officiate. Burial will be in the Prospect Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the SchumachernKish Funeral Home, 412 S. Third St., La Crescent, on Wednesday from 6 until 8 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Larry Alan Zirgibel

BOYCEVILLE, Wis. — Larry Alan Zirgibel, 60, of Boyce-ville died Friday, May 9, 2008, at Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire, Wis.

He was born Feb. 21, 1948, in Milwaukee to Laurence and Dorothy (Schilz) Zirgibel. Larry was raised in Milwaukee, attended Twenty First Street Grade School and graduated from Boys Tech High School in 1966. He earned a B.A. degree in physical education from UW-La Crosse in 1971 and later a master’s degree in adaptive physical education in 1992.

On June 12, 1971, Larry married Donna Kendhammer at St. Thomas More in La Crosse. After their marriage, Larry taught at St. Thomas More for one year and coached at Aquinas High School while also working at the Family and Children’s Center in La Crosse. They moved to Independence, Wis., where Larry taught at St. Peter and Paul Elementary School and coached football for two years. He then taught at St. Gabriel’s Elementary School in Prairie du Chien, Wis., for one year. In 1975, their daughter Amanda was born. Larry taught and coached football and basketball for two years at Seneca High School, in Seneca, Wis., before moving to Boyceville in 1978. After moving to Boyceville, their son Chad was born in 1979. For 29 years, Larry taught at the Boyceville Elementary and High School and coached football and basketball.

Larry was a master official of the USA Track and Field for 25 years and traveled all over the U.S. to many national competitions in track and field. One of his favorites was the Junior/Senior National Outdoor Championship of Track and Field. He was also a high school volleyball, football, track, basketball and cross-country official.

Larry was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Boyceville. He was on the Boyceville Village Board and a newly elected member of the Boyceville School Board. He was also a marathon runner and trained horses. Larry was an avid sports enthusiast and a fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Braves. Most importantly, he was a devoted, loving, concerned and caring husband, father and grandfather and will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Donna Zirgibel of Boyceville; with whom he spent 37 years of wedded bliss. His son, Chad Zirgibel of La Crosse, will miss his mischievous sense of humor. His adoring daughter, Amanda Zirgibel (Brian) Kreibich of Holmen, Wis., and the grandsons he was so proud of, Braydon and Cole Kreibich, will sense a hole in their lives where he should be. He is also survived by his brother, Glen (Julie) Zirgibel of Marco Island, Fla., whom he could never wait to spend time with. Other survivors include, his nephews, Jeff (Beth) Zirgibel of Hartland, Wis., and Brian (Candice) Zirgibel of Tallahassee, Fla., and their children; and his great-nephews and great-niece, Jake, Zachary, Riley, Joshua, Nolan and Emma Zirgibel. On his wife’s side he is survived by a brother-in-law, Jerry (Val) Kendhammer and his nieces, Amy Kendhammer (Steve) Marsolek and children Makayla and Elyssa; Jamie Kendhammer (Jason) Schrader; Stacey Lukas (Jerry) Steele and son, Mason; and nephew, Matthew (Heather) Lukas all of La Crosse.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Laurence “Buck” and Dorothy Zirgibel; a niece, Angie Zirgibel; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Marvin and Arlene (Kish) Kendhammer; and sister-in-law, Jane Kendhammer (Dave) Lukas; whom were as close as real brothers and sisters to him.

Family and friends are welcome from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2008, at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, Wis. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska, Wis., with Deacon Frank officiating. There will be a visitation at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 pm. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park in the town of Shelby, La Crosse County, Wis.

To express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com.