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Published - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Obituaries for Wednesday, May 14, 2008

By Tribune staff

Grace Blomberg

SHENNINGTON, Wis. — Grace Blomberg, 85, of Shennington passed away Friday, May 9, 2008, at the Tomah Healthcare Center in Tomah, Wis. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Bethel Baptist Church, Camp Douglas, Wis. Pastor Tom Baker will officiate. Burial will follow in the St. John’s Cemetery, Shennington. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Albert R. Ceason

Albert R. Ceason, 81, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2008. Funeral services, with military honors, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 809 Gillette St., La Crosse. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, and again from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service Saturday, both at the funeral home. A complete obituary will be provided for Thursday’s Tribune.

Ruth E. Sramek Cisler

Ruth E. Cisler, 79, died Tuesday, May 13, 2008, in the Bethany-St. Joseph Health Care Center.

She was born May 10, 1929. She married Richard Cisler on March 14, 1949, and in 1968 they moved to the Genoa area. Richard preceded her in death on Aug. 29, 2006.

Ruth is survived by a sister; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 1425 Jackson St., La Crosse. Burial will be in the Stoddard Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 9 a.m. until the service.

Gloria J. Dawley

BOSCOBEL, Wis. — Gloria J. Dawley, 62, of Boscobel passed away Monday, May 12, 2008, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Funeral services will be at noon Friday at the Kendall Funeral Home in Boscobel, with Pastor Stan Pegram officiating. Burial wil be in the Boscobel Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the Kendall Funeral Home in Boscobel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Gloria’s name to the Boscobel Rescue Squad or the Boscobel Fire Department.

Arthur M. Ebner

Arthur M. Ebner, 90, of La Crosse, died Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at the Bethany Riverside Care Center. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Faith and Life Center at Bethany Riverside Care Center, 2575 So. Seventh St. Friends may call from noon until the time of services Saturday at the Faith and Life Center. A complete obituary will be announced by the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse.

Patricia (Vollmar) Grissmer

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — Patricia (Vollmar) Grissmer, 67, of Ridgefield, wife of John M. Grissmer, died at her home Friday after a long and courageous battle with cancer, surround by her loving family.

Mrs. Grissmer was born in La Crosse on April 2, 1941, daughter of Raymond and Selma (Klahn) Vollmar. She attended La Crosse schools and graduated from La Crosse State University in the class of 1963, where she majored in theater. She later received her master’s in fine arts from Catholic University.

As a partner with her husband in their company, P.J. Productions, she served as a co-producer of the off-Broadway play, “Open Twenty-Four Hours” and as associate producer on the feature films, “The House That Cried Murder” and “Scalpel.”

A deep interest in Asia led her to travel, in the ’90s, once to Japan and Tibet and twice to China.

She was an active citizen of Ridgefield, a member of the Connecticut Party, working on the campaign and subsequent election of Lowell P. Weicker as Governor, served as a Justice of the Peace, a member of Keeler Tavern and a past manager of its Garden House; she was also involved with the Ridgefield Symphony and the Ridgefield Library.

An avid reader, she enjoyed reading medical journals and periodicals.

A resident of Ridgefield since 1974 coming from New York, she was a member of St. Mary’s Church.

In addition to her husband, John, of 43 years; she is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Deborah Grissmer of Ridgefield; two brothers, David Vollmar of Milwaukee, and James Vollmar of La Crosse; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary Lou and Michael Dellapa of Potomac, Md.; and two grandchildren, Benjamin and Katherine Grissmer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:15 a.m. Saturday in St. Mary’s Church, Ridgefield. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 8 p.m. on Friday in the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah St., Ridgefield.

Memorial contributions to Regional Hospice, Home Care Program, 405 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810 would be appreciated.

Earl R. Grunke

LA CROSSE/VIROQUA, Wis. — Earl R. Grunke, 83, of La Crosse and formerly of Viroqua died Friday, May 10, 2008, at Bethany-Riverside Nursing Facility, La Crosse. A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Sunday at the chapel at Bethany-Riverside Nursing Facility, 2575 S. Seventh St. La Crosse. The Rev. Kimberly Jordan will officiate. Friends may call at Bethany-Riverside Chapel from 2 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Place of Grace in La Crosse. A complete obituary will follow. Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse, is in charge of arrangements.

Mildred E. ‘Midge’ Hemstock

Mildred E. “Midge” Hemstock, 91, of La Crosse died Sunday, May 11, 2008, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. The Lord said to her, “Come unto me and I will give you rest.” He took her hand and she followed Him.

Midge was born Oct. 15, 1916, in Burns Valley, La Crosse County, to Herman G. and Rosa (Youncke) Meyer. She was baptized and confirmed in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran faith in Bangor, Wis., and attended school in La Crosse County. At age 16, she began working at Matzinger’s White Bakery in Sparta, Wis., until she was accepted to work at the Monroe County Telephone Co. in Sparta as a telephone operator. She worked there until her marriage to the love of her life, Cecil F. Hemstock. They were married Nov. 17, 1940, in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bangor. She lived in Sparta until 1961, when she moved to La Crosse with her family, where she continued to make her home.

Midge was an active, dedicated and faithful member of Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse, where she was a member of the Women’s Guild, the Mission Society, the Ladies Aid Society and also served on the Sunshine and Visiting Committee as long as her health permitted. She and Cecil were life members in the Founder’s Society of the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation.

In 1976, her husband Cecil retired and they delivered Meals on Wheels for several summer months and spent much of their time traveling and visiting family and friends. They spent their last 20 years in Mesa, Ariz., during the winter months and were associate members of King of Kings Evangelical Lutheran Church in Apache Junction, Ariz. After her husband passed away in 1989, Midge continued to spend her winter months there for eighteen years until she was unable to travel any longer.

Midge is survived by three children, Stephen (Linda) Hemstock of Hoschton, Ga., Marilee (Kirk) Swenson of Mantorville, Minn., and Stuart (Brenda) Hemstock of Joliet, Ill., four beautiful grandchildren, Stephany Lyn (Brian) Angielski, Heather Lyn Garcia, Kristin Sue (Matthew) Parent and Kelli Ann Hemstock; six adorable great-grandchildren, Kailah Lyn Garcia, twin girls, Alanna Lyn and Alyssa Lyn Garcia, twin boys, Tanner S. and Blake M. Parent, and Taylor A. Angielski; two sisters, Alberta Piske of Bangor and Ardelle Senner of North Glen, Colo.; two brothers, Orville (Beverly) Meyer of Des Moines, Iowa, and Harlan (Patricia) Meyer of West Salem, Wis.; and several sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nieces; nephews; cousins; and a host of friends in this area and in Mesa.

Preceding her to their eternal home were her parents; her beloved husband, Cecil, with whom she shared 47 years of happy wedded life; four brothers, Henry and Lyle Meyer, who died in infancy, Merlin Meyer at age 13 and Maynard Meyer; two sisters, Violet Gooch and Bernice Ford; a grandson, Scott Cecil Hemstock at age 19; her father and mother-in-law, Thomas and Ida Hemstock Sr.; five brothers-in-law, Louie Schlauer, Theodore Piske, Robert Ford, Herbert Senner and Aubrey Gooch Sr.; and a sister-in-law, Alta Hemstock.

Midge was a very social person. She enjoyed the company of her dear family, relatives and friends. She enjoyed her life being a housewife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved baking cut-out cookies and decorating them for family gatherings, birthdays and holidays. She crocheted many afghans for family and friends, and had kept a diary since 1965. Midge enjoyed playing cards, attending baseball games and watching them on TV, win or lose. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor Robert Wassermann will officiate. Private family burial will be in the Burns Cemetery, rural Bangor. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Friday from 4 until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Luther High School, Onalaska or the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation for cancer research or hospice care.

Evelyn Kokott

ARCADIA, Wis. — Evelyn Kokott, 84, of Arcadia died Saturday, May 10, 2008, as the result of an automobile accident. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Family Parish, with the Rev. Michael Klos officiating. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Arcadia. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Wozney-Killian Funeral Home, where there will be a 7 p.m. prayer service. They may also call from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, at the funeral home.

Alphonse Kokott

ARCADIA, Wis. — Alphonse Kokott, 91, of Arcadia died Sunday, May 11, 2008, as the result of an automobile accident. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Family Parish, with the Rev. Michael Klos officiating. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Arcadia. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Wozney-Killian Funeral Home, where there will be a 7 p.m. prayer service. They may also call from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, at the funeral home.

John A. ‘Jack’ Rochester

John A. “Jack” Rochester, 43, of La Crosse died unexpectedly Friday, May 9, 2008, in his home. He was born in La Crosse on Oct. 5, 1964, to John and Mary Lou (Mathews) Rochester.

Jack was a graduate of Logan High School, class of 1983. He was employed by the La Crosse Rubber Mills, until its closing. He then drove bus for First Student Transportation until the time of his death. Jack was a caring, fun-loving person who loved classic rock and roll music, such as Skynard, DIO and Molly Hatchet. He enjoyed going to Rock Fest and Summer Fest to see and listen to some of his favorite music with his good friends Frank and Kelly Hass. Jack will be missed, his smile was infectious.

He is survived by one brother, Tim (Kathy) Rochester and their son Hunter of Wausau, Wis.; and many uncles; aunts; and many other friends and family. He was also survived by his good friends, Frank and Kelly Hass of La Crosse. Jack also enjoyed spending holidays and any chance he could with his brother’s family in Wausau.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 16, in St. James the Less Catholic Church, 1032 Caledonia St., La Crosse. The Rev. Roger Scheckel will officiate with burial to be held at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Friends and family may call from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday in the church.

The Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home-Nelson Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorials are preferred.

Judith R. Schaller

BANGOR, Wis. — Judith R. Schaller, 68, of Bangor passed away early Monday morning, May 12, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.

She was born March 2, 1940, in Bangor to John and Irene (Streeck) Souchek. Judy was a lifetime resident of the Bangor area, graduating from Bangor High School in 1958. On Sept. 2, 1961, she was united in marriage with Eugene M. Schaller at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bangor. Judy was employed at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse for 25 years until her retirement. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bangor, where she spent many years as a Lector and Eucharistic minister. Judy was also very proud to serve a number of years as a member of the Bangor First Responders.

Judy was a very caring person, always putting others before herself. Many will miss her bringing them baked goodies, etc., in their time of need or for no other reason than just her kindness. She was a reflection of the many angels she collected. Judy’s family was her pride and joy, the grandchildren being very special. She truly dedicated her life to them. She will be greatly missed by all.

Survivors include her husband, Gene; four sons, Michael (Carrie) and their children, Kate, Jack, and Maggie, all of Midland, Mich., Kevin and his children, Marvin, Molly, Mitchell, and Mariah, all of West Salem, Wis., David (Lana) and their daughters, Brianna and Camryn, all of Greenwood, Wis., and Lyle (Kelly) of Cashton, Wis.; sisters, Norma Anderson, Barbara (Lawrence) Anderson, Sharon (John) Gilbertson, Sandra (Rick) Lasko, and Linda (Jerry) Lasko; one brother, John (Marianne) Souchek; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; and an infant brother, David.

A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 15, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 303 South 16th Ave., Bangor. The Rev. Del Malin and the Rev. Paul Sankoorikal will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call at Jandt Funeral Home, Hwy. 162 and Hattan St., Bangor, on Wednesday from 4 until 8 p.m. and at the church Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. Memorials may be given to the Bangor First Responders or the Bangor Scholarship Foundation.

Judy’s family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Udell and all the staff at Gundersen Lutheran for their kindness and care during her stay there.

Buford ‘Shorty’ James Sherrick

LA FARGE, Wis. — Buford “Shorty” James Sherrick, 64, of La Farge died unexpectedly at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, La Crosse. Services are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home, Viroqua. Complete arrangements will be announced later.

Rita Kathryn Smerud

LANSING, Iowa — Rita Kathryn Smerud, 82, died peacefully Monday, May 12, 2008, at Thornton Manor Nursing Home, surrounded by her loving family, following a long struggle with cancer. She was born April 19, 1926, to Thomas and Florence (Teeling) Lyons of rural Waukon, Iowa. She attended country school and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Waukon.

On Nov. 29, 1949, she married John F. Smerud of New Albin, Iowa, and they farmed for 10 years on English Bench, rural Allamakee County, Iowa. They then moved to Jefferson Ridge, Houston County, Minn., where they farmed successfully for 37 years while raising their family. Rita enjoyed working alongside her husband and children, and when they retired to New Albin, Rita brought her outstanding homemaking talents to the project of remodeling their house. Wherever they lived, Rita kept a beautiful and immaculate home. A wonderful cook and gracious hostess, her varied interests included refinishing furniture, mowing the lawn, doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku puzzles. Most of all, she enjoyed time with her children and grandchildren.

In retirement, John and Rita enjoyed traveling to see their children and grandchildren. She enjoyed low stake gambling and their several trips to Las Vegas, and even the euchre tournaments they had during family visits. She and John enjoyed socializing with their many friends, and their children and grandchildren were tremendous sources of pride, happiness and inspiration. As a remarkably devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Rita was active in church and community, a member of St. Joseph Catholic church and of the Rosary Society. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Rita is survived by John, her loving husband of 60 years; and five children, Thomas (Ann) Smerud of Greeley, Colo., and their children Brian, Patrick, Kevin and Allison; Dr. Michael (Randi) Smerud of Dallas, and their children, Matthew and Katie; Scott (Theresa) Smerud of La Crosse, and their children Anna, Aidan, Kristian, Quinlan and Emma; Mary (Greg) Hejlik of Quincy, Ill., and their children Melissa, Nikki and Eric; and Kara Smerud of Caledonia, Minn. She is further survived by two brothers, Ralph (Theresa) Lyons and Frankie (Joyce) Lyons of Waukon, Iowa; a sister, Betty Zischke of La Crosse; brothers-in-law, Alfred (Lorna) Smerud of La Crosse, and Donald Smerud of Waukon; sisters-in-law, Evangeline McKenna of Clutier, Iowa, and Margaretta (Walter) Keenan of Waukon, and Lorraine Lyons of Waterloo, Iowa; plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Francis John; a grandson, Greg Hejlik, Jr.; a sister, Mary Howes; a brother, James “Bud” Lyons; and a brother-in-law, Don Ziscke.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Albin, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. until services begin at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Daniel Knipper will officiate, with Rita’s grandchildren serving as honorary pallbearers. Inurnment will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Music and other remembrances will be provided through “The Times of Your Life” with Rita’s nieces, the Rev. Tina Keenan, Mary Ellen Mohn and Louise Keenan as vocalists, readers, poets and writers, and Linda Manning as organist, according to Rita’s wishes. In her usual thoughtful way, she planned her funeral service in advance so her family would not have to do so.

McCormick Funeral Home of Caledonia is assisting the family with arrangements.

Robert W. Steele

Robert W. Steele, 67, of La Crosse died Monday, May 12, 2008, at the Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center.

He was born in La Crosse on May 24, 1940, to Donald and Irene (Albitz) Steele. On Aug. 8, 1970, he married Diane M. Ruland in La Crosse. She preceded him in death on Jan. 17, 1980.

Bob attended Aquinas High School. He later worked for La Crosse Footwear in La Crosse for over 20 years until the plant’s closing. After his retirement, Bob completed his GED at Western Wisconsin Technical College.

Bob was an avid Packers fan. In his free time, he also enjoyed following local sports teams, especially those teams his son, Mike, coached for the Park and Recreation Department.

He is survived by a daughter, Katherine (Aaron) Lee of La Crosse; two sons, William and Michael, both of La Crosse; two sisters, Susie Evenson of Prairie du Chien, Wis., and Alice (Larry) Myhre of La Crosse; two brothers, Leonard and Richard, both of La Crosse; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife; and parents; he was preceded in death by three sisters, Rose Riel, Joyce Ann Lowry, and Mary Ann Miller; and two brothers, Jimmy and Donald, Jr.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center chapel. Chaplain Linda Kuehl will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at Bethany-St. Joseph on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials can be directed to the La Crosse Park and Recreation program.

Lawrence ‘Fritz’ Wiedl

NORWALK, Wis. — Lawrence “Fritz” Wiedl, 72, of Norwalk died Monday, May 12, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Center in Sparta, Wis.

Fritz was born and raised in the town of Ridgeville, Monroe County, Wis. He was born Oct. 22, 1935, to George and Marie (Lawrence) Wiedl. He attended Bohn Country School. After school, he joined the U.S. Army for a few years before coming home to do the job he loved best: farming. He was united in holy matrimony to Darlene Hansen, and together had two children. They later divorced.

For most of Fritz’s life he farmed in the town of Ridgeville, Wis., only a few miles from where he was born. He was also a driller with Mathy Construction. He loved hunting. He hunted turkey, deer and squirrel, and enjoyed fishing too. When he retired, Fritz would be seen solving world problems at the 71 express and helping the Ridgeville or Norwalk patrol men. Anywhere you saw Fritz, he had a big smile and hearty hello for you.

Fritz is survived by his son, Steve (Kari) Wiedl of Leon, Wis.; his daughter, Mary Wiedl of Norwalk; brothers, Tony (Marie) Wiedl of Norwalk, and Richard (Louise) Wiedl of Onalaska, Wis.; sisters, Millie and Jeanne Wiedl of Norwalk, Pat Miller of Sparta, Wis., and Carol (Bill) Heller of Carroll, Iowa; four grandchildren, Erikka, Adam, Allyson and Hailley; along with many other relatives and friends.

Fritz was preceded in death by his parents, George and Marie; and one brother-in-law, Leonard Miller.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Norwalk. The Rev. Amal will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 5 until 8 p.m. on Friday, May 16, at the St. Augustine Church in Norwalk. Visitation will also be from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home in Norwalk is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.