Jim M. Loomis
VIROQUA, Wis. — Jim M. Loomis, 64, of Viroqua died on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at the Vernon Manor Nursing Home, Viroqua.
He was born July 16, 1943, in La Crosse, the fourth son of Lloyd and Mary (Ambroz) Loomis. Jim was a United States Army veteran having served several years in Europe.
On March 12, 1977, he married Cynthia “Cindy” Raaum at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in La Crosse. Jim had worked for many years for the L.B. White Company in Onalaska, Wis., along with other various jobs during his working career. He was a member of American Legion Post 138 in Viroqua as well as American Legion Post 52 in La Crosse. Jim enjoyed fishing, bingo, playing cards, gardening, baking and cooking, especially outdoor grilling.
In addition to his wife, Cindy of Viroqua, he is survived by a brother, Richard “Dick” (Di) Loomis of La Crosse; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alston and Elaine Raaum of Viroqua.
He was preceded in death by a son, Timothy James Loomis in 1980; his parents; and two brothers, Lloyd “Junior” Loomis and Jack Loomis.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse, with the Rev. Scott Skogen officiating. Burial with military honors will take place at a later date. Friends and family may call at the funeral home from noon until the time of services Saturday.
Lawrence ‘Larry’ G. Kaufmann
Lawrence “Larry” G. Kaufmann, 86, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, June 5, 2008.
He was a lifelong resident of La Crosse, born in La Crosse on March 16, 1922, to Earl and Christine (Dutcher) Kaufmann. He graduated from Logan High School in 1939 where he played tennis and was a member of the La Crosse and Wisconsin Skating Associations, taking part in local, state and national speed-skating tournaments. He also played forward in CYO basketball before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in October 1942. Staff Sgt. Lawrence Kaufmann was in the Air Force until October 1945. His years in the service were filled with many adventures. He was lead bombardier on over 57 missions and served with the 5th, 8th and 12th Air Forces. His squadron’s special duties were knocking out important bridges and highways and leading the softening-up process so the 5th and 8th Armies could advance, first on Cassino, then Rome and Florence. Larry served as gunner on the 486th Squadron of the 340th Bomber Group during WWII. He went on 17 missions with Astronaut Deke Slayton in the same B-25 Bomber plane. Larry flew the most missions of any U.S. crew member in the U.S. Air Force by the time he left the service. He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism beyond the call of duty, shooting down three German planes while stationed in Corsica, the Soldier’s Medal for his participation in the French campaign, and the Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters for being the first to drop bombs on Cassino. When speaking of his years in the service, he said, “I have traveled over thousand of miles of air, sea and land, but there is no place more beautiful than La Crosse in good old Wisconsin.”
Larry was a hard worker, sometimes working more than three jobs. Besides being the building engineer for Lincoln Middle School for 34 years, where he was known by the students as “bow tie”, he was a butcher at numerous grocery stores which he did on weekends along with concrete work and home remodeling for many La Crosse residents. Proud of his country, Larry also was active in local veterans activities. He served as commander of the VFW Post 1530 from 1978-79, and as vice commander of the La Crosse American Legion Post 52 in 1980.
On April 23, 1984, he married Arlene (Hutzenbuehler) Robinson and enjoyed their life and home together. He was always busy with some new project in the garage or adding something new to one of the rooms in the house. He loved the Green Bay Packers and watching “M.A.S.H.” on TV.
Larry is survived by his wife, Arlene; one son, Larry (Michelle) Kaufmann of New Albin, Iowa; two stepsons, James Robinson of La Crosse and Dennis Robinson of Medford, Wis.; three daughters, Nancy (James) Wally of La Crescent, Minn., Jennifer (Richard) Langowski of Onalaska, Wis., and Carol (Mark) Trehey of Onalaska; a stepdaughter, Kathy Grady of Mesa, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; five great-grandchildren with one on the way; seven stepgreat-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Frank and Earl Kaufmann; four sisters, Vera (Marver), Ruth (Needham), Hazel (Lewis) and Mary Jane (Silha); and a stepson, Richard Robinson.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 9, at 10:30 a.m. at Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman. The Rev. Michael Gorman will officiate. Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 10, at 1:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. A rosary will be recited Sunday at 6:45 p.m. Memorials may be given to Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman or the Gundersen Lutheran Hospice Program.
Larry’s family would like to give a special thank-you for all the wonderful and caring people that aided in the care of Larry, including Gundersen Lutheran Hospice, Dr. Witt, Dr. Carroll and Dr. Farnen.
Eyvind J. Peterson
WHITEHALL, Wis. — Eyvind J. Peterson, 86, of Whitehall died Thursday, June 5, 2008, at Grand View Care Center, Blair, Wis. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church with burial in Lincoln Cemetery, both Whitehall. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Jack Funeral Home, Whitehall, and 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the church.
MaryAnn ‘Wanikpeiga’ Yazzie
MERRILLAN, Wis. — MaryAnn “Wanikpeiga” Yazzie, 69, of Merrillan died on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at her home. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ho-Chunk United Church of Christ, town of Komensky, rural Black River Falls, Wis. Burial will be in Decorah Prairie Cemetery, Galesville, Wis. Family and friends may call at 5 p.m. today at the Yazzie Residence, 10782 Hardwood Road, Merrillan. Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, is assisting the family.
Leonard W. Knower
KERRVILLE, Texas/HOLMEN, Wis. — Leonard W. Knower, 76, of Kerrville died early Saturday morning, May 31, 2008, at the VA Hospital in Kerrville.
He was born in Mauston, Wis., to Lloyd W. and Caroline (Bymers) Knower on March 3, 1932. After graduating from Holmen High School, he joined the USAF and served in Texas. Following discharge from USAF, he worked as an airline mechanic at Los Angeles and Minneapolis, owned his own trucking business and worked at the Nevada Test Site.
In addition to his wife, Barbara, he is survived by a brother, Wilbur, and a sister Clara, both of Holmen; two sons, Lloyd (Brooks) of Colorado and James (Glenda) of Kentucky; three grandchildren; two stepsons, Timothy Lasenby (Linda) of Minnesota and Lonnie Lasenby of Las Vegas; three stepdaughters, Dee Fourzan (Rudy), Carol Raugust (Eugene) and Misty Lucina (Phillip), all of Las Vegas; 11 stepgrandchildren and four stepgreat-grandchildren; numerous nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister; his wife, Joyce Lasenby Knower; and one stepson.
Burial will be in Las Vegas; the date is pending.
Nancy L. Amling
CATARACT/SPARTA, WIS. — Nancy L. Amling, 46, of Cataract died Tuesday, June 3, 2008.
She was born on May 10, 1962, in Edgerton, Wis., to Dean A. and Ethel M. (Knudtson) Potter. She grew up in the Janesville, Wis., area and moved with her family to the Cataract area. She attended Sparta High School.
She married Steve Amling on Aug. 7, 1982. They lived in Europe, Pennsylvania, and Maryland due to Steve’s military tours. After military retirement they returned to the Cataract area in 2000.
She worked for Sara Lee and the Sparta Area School District. She enjoyed quilting, scrapbooking and boating.
She is survived by her husband, Steve of Cataract; her father, Dean A. Potter of Cataract; her mother, Ethel Greene of Sparta; brothers, Tim Potter of Black River Falls, Wis., and Terry Potter of Mindoro, Wis.; sister, Debbie Greene of Sparta; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents.
Graveside services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Cataract Cemetery, Cataract, with the Rev. Nathan H. Berg officiating.
Family and friends are invited to call at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.lanham-miller.com.
Marion D. (Niedfeldt) Schmeckpeper
Marion D. Schmeckpeper, 84, of La Crosse died Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at Mulder Health Care Facility, West Salem, Wis. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, La Crosse. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the church. Memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church, La Crosse; Luther High School, Onalaska, Wis.; or the American Cancer Society. A complete obituary will follow.
Homer M. Harris
Homer M. Harris, 85, of La Crosse passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at his home.
He was born June 21, 1922, in Livingston, Wis., to Thomas and Margaret (Opie) Harris. Homer was a 1940 graduate of Livingston High School. On May 20, 1944, he married Dorothy Allen at Lancaster Methodist Church in Lancaster, Wis., and they celebrated 63 years of marriage. Dorothy preceded Homer in death on Aug. 4, 2007. Homer was employed as the chief train dispatcher for Milwaukee Railroad for 42 years retiring in 1982. He was a longtime member of Asbury United Methodist Church in La Crosse. Homer enjoyed fishing, playing cards, especially Bridge, working in his yard and tending to his flowers, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. He also was an avid sports fan.
Survivors include one daughter, Rebecca Harris of Schofield, Wis.; one son, Thomas (Mary Jane) Harris of Brookfield, Wis.; one granddaughter, Michelle Harris of Brookfield.; two sisters, Esther (Ken) Recknagel of Mahwah, N.J., and Ethel Keane of Clearwater, Fla.; one sister-in-law, Emmeline Brun of La Crosse; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Homer was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Robert and William Harris.
Funeral services will be Saturday, June 7, at 10:30 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1818 Redfield St., La Crosse. The Rev. Lewis Lebakken Jr. will officiate. Graveside services will be at 3:30 p.m. at Rock Church Cemetery, Livingston. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, 4239 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church.
Alice L. Grover
RICE LAKE, Wis. — Alice Grover, 77, of Rice Lake died Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at her home.
Alice was born on Aug. 7, 1930, to Orrie and Marsha (Lovelace) Lee in Spooner, Wis. She graduated from Spooner High School in 1948.
She worked at Rice Lake Grocery Co. for many years and she also had a paper route for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Alice Lee was married to Harry D. Grover on April 18, 1956, in Rice Lake. They owned and operated the Grover Auto Supply in Rice Lake for many years. She was a member of the Rice Lake Elk’s Lodge, Fortnightly and various bridge clubs. She loved to cook and entertain, loved flowers and loved to play bridge.
Alice Grover is survived by three children, Don and Patty Grover of Apex, N.C., Mary and Mike Johnson of Lakeville, Minn., and Terry Grover of Chetek, Wis.; five grandchildren and one great-grandson; her special companion, Lyle Mashak of Rice Lake and his children, Larry and Traci Mashak and their two children all of Rice Lake; a sister, Eva Biddle of Elburn, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry D. Grover in 1982; her parents; a sister; and a brother.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rice Lake. The Rev. James Powers will officiate, with interment in Nora Cemetery in Rice Lake. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake.
Sister Gertrude (Mary Stanisla) Rohner, FSPA
Sister Gertrude Rohner, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 93, died Thursday, June 5, 2008, at St. Joseph Nursing Facility in Spokane, Wash.
Sister Gertrude was born to John and Lillian (Raney) Rohner on a farm near Spokane. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1933, and professed first vows in 1936. Sister Gertrude entered the field of health care, ministering as a nurse and X-ray technician for 44 years in hospitals in Idaho, Iowa, Washington (including Deaconess and Providence Hospitals in Spokane) and Wisconsin. From 1978-1995 she devoted her life to pastoral care at Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane. For the next 12 years Sister Gertrude was a volunteer at Our Lady of Lourdes parish. In 2005, she retired in Spokane.
Sister Gertrude is survived by her Franciscan Community and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, John, George and Leo.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, on Saturday, June 7, at 11:15 a.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 11, at 7 p.m. at Hennessey and Smith Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 12, at 10 a.m. A reception will be held immediately after the Mass. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Spokane.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market St., La Crosse, WI 54601-4782.
Hennessey and Smith Funeral Home in Spokane is assisting with arrangements.
Lois E. Nimocks
Lois E. Nimocks, 92, of La Crosse passed away at Bethany-Riverside Nursing Facility in La Crosse on Monday, June 2, 2008.
She was born Lois E. Mc Cubrey on Feb. 9, 1916, to Lewis and Hazel (Brock) Mc Cubrey of La Crosse. Lois graduated from Logan High School in 1933 and attended UW-L. She worked at Northern States Power Company until her marriage to Willard J. Nimocks on Nov. 9, 1940.
When Willard served during WWII, Lois went back to work at Northern States Power Company. Willard passed away in 1966 and Lois, at age 50, returned to school. She graduated from Western Technical College and was hired by the school’s registrar’s office where she worked until she retired.
Lois, who joined the First Presbyterian Church in 1941, was honored as a 67-year member last fall. She was an active church member including the Afternoon Circle and was awarded a lifetime membership in Presbyterian Women for her years of service.
Besides her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, one of Lois’ great joys was traveling. She and her friends traveled extensively in North America and Europe. She also did some traveling in Latin America and visited her daughter who was living in Panama at the time.
Lois was a very active member of several masonic organizations. She was Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star (1966), Chapter #22, now Ruth Chapter OES. She was appointed to serve as a grand page in 1966 and as a grand representative of Quebec in Wisconsin in 1969-71 for the Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of Wisconsin. She was also a member of the La Crosse Assembly No. 215 Social Order of Beaucant and of the La Crosse Auxiliary of the Shriners.
She volunteered at Telecare, Mobile Meals, La Crosse County Historical Society Museum, and Gundersen Lutheran Day Care Center.
Lois is survived by two daughters, Jane Radloff and Emily/Penny Skogen of La Crosse; five grandchildren, James Domenget, Heidi Radloff, Christine Parry, Catherine Domenget and Brian Domenget; 12 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and life-long friends Charlotte Paar and Laura Johnson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Willard; her sister, Arlene; and her grandson, David Paul Domenget.
The family wishes to thank Peggy from Claddaugh House for her special care of Lois and to thank all the staff at Bethany Lutheran Riverside (400 Wing) for their thoughtful, kind and loving care of Lois in the last months of her life.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Ron Gustafson will officiate. Family and Friends may call at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 1425 Jackson St., La Crosse, today from 5 to 7 p.m. with an Order of the Eastern Star service to be held at 6:30 p.m. There will also be a visitation at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation, Bethany Riverside Lighthouse, First Presbyterian Church, or the charity of donor’s choice.
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