LaVern Vern’ R. Grobe
MADISON LaVern “Vern” R. Grobe, 81, passed away surrounded with the love of his family Sunday, June 1, 2008.
He was born May 2, 1927, in Parshall, N.D., the son of Arthur and Emma (Giese) Loock. Arthur passed away in 1929. Emma remarried August Grobe, who then adopted Vern.
In 1950, Vern joined the U.S. Army and served for two years as a radio operator while stationed in Alaska during the Korean War. In his civilian life, he worked many adventurous jobs as a Black Hills gold miner in Lead, S.D., a surveyor on an offshore rig near Texas and a seismographer for an oil company in Oklahoma before finding his first true love, Arlene Hovda. They moved to St. Paul, Minn., where they were united in marriage July 9, 1955. They raised three daughters together.
He advanced to professional management of private country clubs and enjoyed a 35-year career in the St. Paul area, Bismarck, N.D., and La Crosse. In 1972, he lost his wife in a tragic accident. After some time, in 1982, his other true love, Sharon Hatleberg, came into his life, when they chose to marry and merge families on Sept. 4, 1982. Vern worked tirelessly at the La Crosse Country Club until his retirement, after which they relocated to Sharon’s hometown, Madison. There, he worked as the bar manager of the VFW Day Post 7591 to stay out of trouble and do what he was best at: developing friendships and serving his comrades. Other favorite pursuits of his included playing golf, cards and pool. He held longtime memberships to the CMAA (Club Managers Association of America), American Legion and Elks.
Vern was deeply loved by his extended and blended families, and is survived by his wife, Sharon Grobe; his daughters, Sandy (Greg) Davison and Stacy (Steve) Dresen; stepchildren, Robin (John) Kneebone, Barry (Penny) Hart, Darcy (Doug) Clary, Stacy Horne and Jenifer Horne; 15 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; a sister, Betty (Mel) Kackman; a brother, Norm (Carol) Grobe; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Vern was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Arlene Grobe; and a daughter Sheila Barnard.
Sincere thanks to all our tremendous family, friends and neighbors, and to the warm and supportive medical staff who have been so reassuring through this difficult transition.
Memorial services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2126 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, with Pastor Gerry Kuhnke officiating. A visitation will be held at the church Wednesday, June 4, from 10 a.m. until time of services. A celebration of Vern’s life will be held at Pettibone Resort, 333 Park Plaza Drive, La Crosse, on Thursday, June 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. Ryan Funeral Home & Cremations Services of Madison are assisting the family with arrangements.
“You’ll Always Be Our Mr. Fantastic ...”
Kenneth Groth
DECORAH, Iowa Kenneth Groth, 80, of Decorah died Sunday, June 1, 2008, at his home from natural causes.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 5, at Highland Lutheran Church, rural Decorah, with the Rev. David Andreae officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah and after 10 a.m. at the church on Thursday.
Kenny’s survivors include his six children, Chuck (Dawn) Groth of Decorah, Dean Groth of Tucson, Ariz.; Linda (Jerry) Nelson of La Crosse, Lois (Dan) Downing of Waterloo, Iowa, Janice (Bob) Hewitt of Waterloo and Michael Groth of Minneapolis; 17 grandchildren, Jill, Jacob and Jason Groth, Brandon and Dustin Viller, Kristy (Gabriel) Maness, Jessica (David) Stock, Daniel, Allison, Leah and Noah Downing, and Cody, Kristen, Lucas, Jenna, Logan and Emmy Hewitt; one great-grandchild, Ava Stock; two sisters, Norma (Donald) Halse of Decorah and Ila Barnes of Rochester, Minn.; two brothers, Keith (Rita) Groth of Decorah and Duane (Shirley) Groth of Decorah; and many nieces and nephews. Kenny is also survived by his special caregivers, Britney and Courtney Bakken, along with two faithful friends, Lee Naley and Howard Johnson.
Kenny was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy, on April 5, 2008; and four brothers-in-law, Ronald Barnes, Alden Droivold, Mervin Selness and Charlie Hagen.
Online condolences may be offered at www.schluterbalik
funeralhome.com.
Steven Hammes
ONALASKA, Wis. Steven Hammes, 53, of Onalaska died Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
He was born in La Crosse on Sept. 14, 1954, to Donald and Lois (Miller) Hammes. He married Paula Daily in Las Vegas on Dec. 28, 1992. Steve had been employed by Trane Co.
In addition to his best friend and loving wife, Paula, he is survived by a daughter, Kimberly (Tim) Sires of Monroe, La.; two sons, Adam (Bekke Geier) Hammes of Madison and Troy (Kelly) Wing of La Crosse; four grandchildren, Jerome Hammes of Madison and Christopher, Alex and Kasey Wing, all of
La Crosse; two brothers, Bill (Sue) Hammes of La Crosse and Jay (Jane) Hammes of Hastings, Minn.; two sisters, Michaeline Kay of Rosemont, Minn., and Sue Hammes of Red Wing, Minn.; mother-in-law, Dorothy L. Daily; brothers-in-law, Steve (Carol) Daily, John (Bambi) Daily and Mike Daily; sisters-in-law, Virginia Gibbons, Judith (Scott) Lee, Kerry (Matt) Pierce, Kelly (Ron) Daily, Tracy (Bruce) Wavra, Susan Daily and Lynne Proksch; and his fish fry buddies, Tim Olson, Fred Lund and John Thiel. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., Onalaska. The Rev. Steve Meyer will officiate. There will be a private family burial. Family and friends may call at the funeral home today from 4 to 7 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested for the Brice Prairie First Responders.
Michael P. Henthorne
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. Duke and Phyllis (Weaver) Henthorne’s grandson, Michael Patrick Henthorne, 19, of Breckenridge, died in a hiking accident on May 28, 2008, at Mohawk Lake, Colo.
Michael is survived by his parents, Michael J. Henthorne of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Linda Herrick of Breckenridge; his sister, Noelle Herrick; his grandparents, Duke and Phyllis Henthorne of Chapel Hill, N.C., formerly of La Crosse, and Mary and Bill McGoldrick of Dana Pointe, Calif.; and his uncle and aunt, Patrick and Linda Henthorne of Columbus, Ohio.
Merle D. Hood
SIOUX FALLS, S.D./VIROQUA, Wis. Merle D. Hood, 92, died Thursday, May 29, 2008, in Faulkton, S.D. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church in Sioux Falls. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the Viroqua Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 6 p.m. today at Miller Funeral Home in Sioux Falls. Memorials may be given to First Christian Church or American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be offered at vosseteig
funeralhomes.com. Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family locally.
LaValle M. Lund
IRONTON, Minn. LaValle M. Lund, 94, of Ironton passed away Monday, June 2, 2008, at Bethany Riverside Nursing Facility in
La Crosse.
LaValle was born June 12, 1913, in Platte, S.D., to Hjalmar B. and Lydia Bertha (Mathes) Lund. He graduated from Kewatin High School and then graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in mortuary science. LaValle and his father, H.B. Lund, started Lund Lumber Company in 1937. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he served in the pharmaceutical branch and was stationed in many of the South Pacific Islands during World War II. On June 19, 1944, LaValle married Blanche E. Bedard. LaValle worked at the Naval Dispensary in Washington, D.C., until he was honorably discharged in 1945. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby, Minn. LaValle was also a member of American Legion Post 443 of Ironton, Masonic Lodge 276 of Crosby and the VFW of Hibbing, Minn.
Survivors include his wife, Blanche of Ironton; his daughter, Sherry (Lou) George of La Crosse; and his grandchildren, Kelsey and Garrison Dichraff of La Crosse, Jamie Lund of La Crosse and Brandi Lund of Denver.LaValle was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Gary J. Lund.
Private graveside services will be Wednesday, June 4, at Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse. Pastor David Allan will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made and will be given to Bethany Lutheran Homes.
Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements.
Carl V. Manke Jr.
WESTBY, Wis. Carl V. Manke Jr., 79, of Westby died Friday morning, May 30, 2008, at the home of his brother in the town of Clinton, Wis.
He was born in Monroe County, Wis., on Sept. 23, 1928, to Carl P. and Hazel (Sherrick) Manke. Carl work for the Coon Valley Farmer’s Telephone Co. as a lineman for 43 years. On May 3, 1975, he married Clarice (Paulsrud) Wang, and she died Dec. 26, 2003. He served in the military from Nov. 29, 1950, until Nov. 28, 1952, as PFC Battalion 32nd Combat Engineer. He was a member of Westby American Legion Post 155. Carl loved to hunt, fish and play his accordion. He was a very hard worker and liked to help his friends.
He is survived by five stepchildren, Russell Wang of Edgerton, Wis., Pam (Glenn) Reitsna of Scotts Valley, Calif., Eric Wang of Westby, Brian (Diane) Wang of Rockland, Wis., and Patty (Phil) Mlsna of Sparta, Wis.; 13 stepgrandchildren; two brothers, LeRoy (Ann) of Westby and Eldon (Clara) of Waipahu, Hawaii; nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; and a very good friend, Donald Jefson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Clarice; and a sister, Cozette Parker.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 9, at Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St. (Hwy. 14), Westby, with Pastor Julie Wollman officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday from 10 a.m. until time of services at 11 a.m. at Vosseteig Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteig
funeralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be given to Vernon Memorial Hospice.
Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.
Nancy C. Matson
VIROQUA, Wis. Nancy C. Matson, 64, of Viroqua died Saturday, May 31, 2008, at Bethel Home in Viroqua. Funeral services will be at
11 a.m. Thursday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. Burial will be in Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, with a 7 p.m. prayer service, at Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua and 10 a.m. to services Thursday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.
com. A complete obituary will follow.
Francis Franny’ C. Muehlenkamp
Francis “Franny” C. Muehlenkamp, 87, of La Crosse died Monday, June 2, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center in La Crosse. A funeral Mass will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in La Crosse. Visitation will be from noon to services Friday at the church. A complete obituary will follow in Wednesday’s Tribune. Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Homes of La Crosse are assisting with arrangements.
Jon Steven Sheehy
ONALASKA, Wis. Jon Steven Sheehy, 51, of Onalaska died Sunday, June 1, 2008. Memorial services will be at
11 a.m. Saturday at Bethany Evangelical Free Church in
La Crosse. Friends may call at the church Saturday from
10 a.m. until services. A complete obituary will be provided by Dickinson Family Funeral Homes and Crematory.
Anna R. Stone
Anna R. Stone, 85, of
La Crosse, died Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Bethany Riverside Care Center in La Crosse. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at West Salem (Wis.) Baptist Church. A complete obituary will be announced by Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse.
Jon Mark Turnell
DODGE, Wis. Jon Mark Turnell, 52, of Dodge passed away Friday, May 30, 2008, in his home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Jon was born May 6, 1956, in Valders, Wis., to Lenard and Fern (Petersen) Turnell. He graduated from Valders High School in 1974, where he was a standout athlete. Jon then went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in technology education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1978. While at UW-Platteville, he was a four-year letter winner in football.
After graduation, Jon began his teaching career at New Holstein (Wis.) High School where he taught Tech Ed for 151/2 years. While in New Holstein, Jon coached football and track and also served as a municipal judge. In May 1993, Jon received his master’s degree in education from Marian College in Fond du Lac, Wis. That same year, he was hired at Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac as an assistant principal. In 1996, Jon joined the staff at New Lisbon (Wis.) High School as its principal. He later became its district administrator. In 2005, Jon became the district administrator for the Arcadia (Wis.) School District, where he remained until the time of his death.
Jon married his wife, Deb (Anders), in 1978. Together, they have three beautiful daughters, Abby (26) of Wauwatosa, Wis., Dyanna (23) of Monroe, Wis., and Kaitlin (21) of Dodge.
Jon was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, trap shooting, camping, boating and waterskiing. He lived life to the fullest and will be missed by many.
Jon is survived by his loving wife of 30 years; his three daughters; his sister, Anne (Jim) Fuenger of Fond du Lac; his brother, Roy (Debbie) of Shaker Heights, Ohio; his mother, Fern Turnell of Valders, Wis.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jon was preceded in death by his father, Lenard Turnell.
Funeral services will be at
11 a.m. Friday, June 6, at Christ Lutheran Church in Arcadia, Wis., with Pastor Kris Fahey officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday,
June 5, at Wozney-Killian Funeral Home in Arcadia and from 10 a.m. until time of services Friday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Arcadia Education Foundation or the New Lisbon Education Scholarship. Online condolences may be offered at wozneykillianfh@aol.com.
Clara White
POSTVILLE, Iowa Clara White, 89, of Postville died Monday, June 2, 2008, at her home following a brief illness. Services are pending with Schutte Funeral Home of Postville.
Stephen E. Wilkinson
CANTON, Minn. Stephen E. Wilkinson, 36, formerly of Canton died Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel, Minn. Graveside services with military rites will be at
1 p.m. Friday at Pulaski (Iowa) Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and noon to services Thursday, both at the funeral home.
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