Leo C. Schmidt Jr.
HERNANDO, Fla. Leo C. Schmidt Jr., 85, died June 5, 2008, at his daughter’s residence in Hernando.
He was born May 29, 1923, in Chicago to the late Oleander “Lena” Kretzer Schmidt and Leopold Carl Schmidt Sr. He served in the Army Air Force, European Front from 1943-1945. He retired from his job as building operations supervisor at Perkin Elmer Corp. in Oak Brook, Ill., in 1985 at 62. His hobbies included building RC planes, custom woodworking, playing cards, and fishing in Arkansas and Minnesota. He was born into the Lutheran faith.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Jean Hoff Schmidt, and four sisters, Evelyn Edfors, Leona Olsen, Gladys Struska and Edith Schmidt.
He is survived by three daughters, Patricia Schmidt Korfhage and husband Jack of Zachary, La.; Linda Schmidt Johnson and husband Dennis of Hernando; and Eileen Schmidt Mandell and husband Bob formerly of Onalaska, Wis., now in Lawrence, Kan. His grandchildren include Neal Korfhage and wife Christal, Lea Korfhage Rettig and husband Lukep, Kenneth Johnson, and Zachary and Evelyn Mandell. Great-grandchildren include Matthew Korfhage and Ava and Julia Rettig.
Services for Leo will be at 11 a.m. at 25 County Road 27 (Hwy. 5 North and Walker Road), Mountain Home, Ark. 72654 on Saturday, June 14. Friends and family may call at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of services Saturday.
Maude M. McGill
Maude M. McGill, 88, of La Crosse died Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center, La Crosse.
She was born April 11, 1920, in La Crosse to Herman and Mary (Marcou) Stokes. Maude lived in Dakota and Dresbach, Minn., for several years. On May 26, 1939, she married James F. McGill. Together they had six children. Maude worked as a housekeeper for St. James Catholic Church for many years, where she also was a member of the Ladies Altar Society. In 1963, they moved to Minneapolis, where she resided for 25 years. While there, she worked for Lutheran Social Services as a cook for an all-girls treatment facility. She was also a member of Rock Club in Minneapolis for many years. Minneapolis held a special place in Maude’s life. Maude most recently resided at Sauber Manor on La Crosse’s North Side for 10 years. She enjoyed traveling, gardening and her family.
She is survived by three daughters, Eleanor McGill of Los Angeles, Sue (Gary) Lassig of La Crosse and Debra (Doug) Kropelin of Holmen, Wis.; two sons Michael (Jill) McGill of Minneapolis and Alan (Grace) McGill of Plano, Texas; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; three great-great- grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Heather McGill of Kalamazoo, Mich.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James; a son Frank McGill; two grandsons, Paul Lassig and John Kropelin; six brothers; and three sisters.
A memorial gathering will be at SchumachernKish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse, on Monday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Marian B. Sacia
GALESVILLE/SPARTA, Wis. Marian B. Sacia, 84, of Galesville and formerly of Sparta died Friday, June 6, 2008, at Mari-nuka Manor, Galesville.
She was born Feb. 6, 1924, in Galesville to William and Alice (Onsrud) Hardie. She grew up in the North Bend, Wis., area. She graduated from Galesville High School in 1941. She attended La Crosse Technical College.
She married Spencer Sacia in 1943. After marriage, they lived in North Bend and then moved to Sparta.
She worked at the Jackson County (Wis.) Extension Office, Bank of Melrose (Wis.), and then at First Bank of Sparta. She retired in 1978. She moved to Marinuka Manor in Galesville in September 2005.
She is survived by her children, Russell (Diane) Sacia of Holmen, Wis., Gerald (Vicky) Sacia of Melrose and Terry G. (Janet) Sacia of Winona, Minn.; one brother, Glen (Joyce) Hardie of Holmen; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Spencer, in 1977.
Funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. at North Bend Presbyterian Church in North Bend, with Pastor Allen Hanson officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, North Bend.
Family and friends are invited to call at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.
Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.lanham-miller.com.
Russell Joe Van Loon
MAPLE GROVE, Minn. Russell Joe Van Loon, 78, of Maple Grove passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, June 4, 2008.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; children, Debra (John) Lindell, Daniel (Beth) Van Loon, Barbara (Brian) Karsjens and Laurie (David) Strom; brothers, Paul and Donald Van Loon; sister, Rachel Williams; 13 granchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.
Russ was a beloved high school math teacher for 32 years in the Robbinsdale (Minn.) School District.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 9, at New Hope Church, 4225 Gettysburg Ave. N., New Hope, Minn., with visitation one hour before the services at the church, and 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 8, at Washburn-McReavy, Robbinsdale Chapel, 4239 W. Broadway (763)-537-2333.
Interment will be in Crystal Lake Cemetery, Minneapolis.
Memorials are preferred to Camp Nathanael or the Gideons.
Eyvind J.B. Peterson
WHITEHALL, Wis. Eyvind J.B. Peterson, 86, of Whitehall died Thursday, June 5, 2008, in Grand View Care Center in Blair, Wis.
Eyvind was born June 20, 1921, in Voss Coulee, near Taylor, Wis., to Bennie and Ella (Gilbertson) Peterson. After graduating from Taylor High School in 1939, he attended La Crosse Business College. Eyvind returned to Voss Coulee to work on the family farm and married Janice Duffield on July 8, 1944, in Blair. In 1946, Eyvind and Janice opened a farm implement business, Peterson Implement Co., in Whitehall, selling John Deere tractors and other implements.
Later they added an Olds-mobile dealership to the business, which he operated into the early 1960s. Northwest Equipment in Eau Claire, Wis., was created by Eyvind and four partners to trade in heavy construction equipment and was sold in the 1980s. Eyvind continued to own and operate Peterson Implement Co. for more than 50 years, retiring and selling the business at 80.
Throughout his life, Eyvind was active in the community, serving as a city council alderman for 30 years. He was a member of the Whitehall Lions Club, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and quietly supported numerous civic improvements, such as the high school and swimming pool. He was well known and respected throughout the state, with numerous friendships developed over many years of service to the farming community.
Eyving enjoyed playing on a baseball team as a young man, hunting for deer and pheasants, and taking long scenic drives through the countryside on Sundays with his family.
Eyvind will be remembered as a hard-working, kind and honest man, dearly loved and admired by his family and by many who came into contact with him over the years.
Eyvind is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Janice; two daughters, Nedra (Loren) Hanson of Janesville, Wis. and Robbie Sommer of Santa Fe, N.M.; three grandchildren, Christian Sommer of Santa Fe, Kristen (Jeff) Sundlin of Janesville and Laurie (Gary) Clark of Milton, Wis.; four great-grandchildren, Patrick and Riley Clark and Justin and Jacob Sundlin; and a brother, Oliver Peterson.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, in Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, with burial in Lincoln Cemetery, both in Whitehall. Pastor Thomas W. Smith will officiate.
Visitation will be Monday, June 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall and also one hour prior to the services at the church Tuesday.
Memorials may be designated to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church or to Grand View Care Center in Blair, where he was so lovingly cared for during the last few months of his life.
Gerald E. McDonah
TREMPEALEAU, Wis. Gerald E. McDonah, 78, of Trempealeau died Friday, June 6, 2008, at his home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Trempealeau, and burial will be in Trempealeau Public Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the church. A complete obituary will be provided by Dickinson Family Funeral Home, Holmen, Wis.
Marion D. (Niedfeldt) Schmeckpeper
Marion D. (Niedfeldt) Schmeck-peper, 84, of La Crosse, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at Mulder Health Care Facility, West Salem, Wis., after a difficult but mercifully short battle with cancer.
Marion was born Dec. 2, 1923, in West Salem to August and Maria (Witte) Niedfeldt. She was confirmed at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Salem on March 21, 1937. On June 23, 1943, she married Albert Schmeckpeper at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, West Salem, and they were married for almost 51 years. Marion and her husband farmed in the Barre Mills area until moving to La Crosse in 1949. She worked part time in domestic work as necessary, but for the most part, was a devoted full-time wife, mother, and homemaker. Marion was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, La Crosse, for 59 years and consistently volunteered for church activities and at The Good Steward Shop, La Crosse. She will be remembered by family and friends as a woman who was always there when you needed her, had an excellent, old-fashioned work ethic, had a very talented green thumb and could polka with any and all of her children to exhaustion.
She is survived by her three children, Darlene (Russel) Johnson, Terry Schmeckpeper and Nancy (John) Lautz; 10 grandchildren, Brent (Stephanie) Johnson, Ryan Johnson and Gayle (Sara) Johnson, Rebecca (Sean) O’Neill, Benjamin Schmeckpeper, Robert Schmeckpeper and Teri Lynn Schmeckpeper and Heather (Jamie) Horsfall, Audra Lautz and Briana (Lester) Stanfield; and seven great-grandchildren. She will also be sadly missed by her brother, Maynard (Lorraine) Niedfeldt; numerous nieces and nephews; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many, many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Albert; three brothers, Archie, Harlan and Theodore; and her sister, Leona.
Funeral services will be Monday, June 9, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1201 Avon St., La Crosse. Pastor Mark Rieke will officiate. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. and also at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church,La Crosse, Luther High School, Onalaska, Wis., or the American Cancer Society.
Our hands have to let go and sadly wave “Good-bye” as she leaves on her final journey, but we are comforted knowing that when she reaches her destination, she’ll be in the loving hands of God.
Lillian Rose Roraff
Lillian Rose Roraff, 86, of La Crosse died Friday, June 6, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center in La Crosse. A funeral Mass will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Mary Mother of the Church at St. Thomas More, La Crosse, with a gathering of family and friends at 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the church. A full obituary will follow. Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, La Crosse, is assisting the family.
Dale W. Richards
BROWNSVILLE, Minn. Dale W. Richards, 77, of rural Brownsville died Friday, June 6, 2008, at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born April 7, 1931, in Houston County, Minn., the son of William and Louise (Elsheimer) Richards. He attended school in Reno, Minn., and New Albin, Iowa. He furthered his education in the service by taking courses in agriculture. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army in Korea in 1954-55. Dale married Fern Thillen on Sept. 14, 1957, in Caledonia, Minn. He farmed near Brownsville and also near Mabel, Minn. He was a hard worker and a good manager; he thoroughly enjoyed farming and raising Angus cattle with the help of his wife, Fern. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Brownsville.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Fern; his daughter, Dawn Richards of Brownsville; his son, Dean (Teri) Richards of St. Charles, Minn.; three granddaughters, Debbie, Sarah and Katie Richards; a brother, Virgil (Sandra) Richards of Piedmont, S.D.; two sisters, Lois Shelton of New Carrolton, Md., and Virginia (Donald) Pavek of Janesville, Wis.; and other extended family members. Dale was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, John Shelton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 9, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Brownsville. The Rev. James McCauley will officiate, and burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Brownsville. Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Breza Hall, next to St. Patrick’s Church, with a rosary at 3 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 5 p.m. Friends also may call one hour prior to the service at the hall Monday.
McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Steven Steve’ L. Ernst
MERRILLAN, Wis. Steven “Steve” L. Ernst, 51, of rural Merrillan died Thursday, June 5, 2008, in his home. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. June 14, at Squaw Creek Lutheran Church, rural Black River Falls, Wis., and burial will be in the church cemetery. Family and friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services June 14 at the church. Memorials may be given to Black River Hospice. Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, is assisting the family. www.buswellfuneralhome.com.
Eleanor Mary Haines
ARCADIA, Wis. Eleanor Mary Haines, 89, of Arcadia died Thursday, June 5, 2008, at Lake Winona Manor, Winona, Minn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Family Parish, with burial in Calvary Cemetery, both Arcadia. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Wozney-Killian Funeral Home, where there will be a 7 p.m. prayer service, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Monday, at the church. Online condolences may be sent to wozneykillianfh@aol.com.
Gwendolyn (Gwen) M. Gutzel
Gwendolyn (Gwen) M. Gutzel, 92, of La Crosse passed away Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse.
Gwen, the only child of Anna (Thaldorf) and Alvin Cellar was born Feb. 5, 1916, on the Thaldorf family farm in the town of Waumandee in Buffalo County, Wis. For the first years of her life, she and her parents lived in Burlington, Iowa. When Gwen was seven years old, her parents built their home in La Crosse. Gwen lived in this home from the age of 7 until last year, when at the age of 91, she moved to Hillview Health Care Center, La Crosse. On May 1, 1938, Gwen married Donald F. Gutzel in the parsonage of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, and he preceded her in death in 1999.
Gwen enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, embroidery, needlepoint and ceramics. She was masterful at any craft she attempted. She was a kind and patient woman who always had time for conversation with family and friends. Gwen’s faith in God and in a better day guided her life. Her wise and mirthful nature will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Gwen is survived by her son, Allen Gutzel, and his children Laurie (Robert) Nicholson and Tia (Jeff) Hrudka, and Allen’s wife, Barbara, and her son, Darren (Beth) Verhota, and his family. She is further survived by her daughter, Merry Kocar, and her children Vanessa, Alexander and Ian; and her son, Randy Gutzel, his wife, Laura, and their daughter, Christa. She delighted in her great-grandchildren, Karrie and Max Nicholson. Gwen provided true and unconditional love to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her Thaldorf cousins and her neighbor and good friend, Betty Jirsa.
Gwen was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her mother, Anna, and her aunt, Stevie Thaldorf, who was like a sister to Gwen.
The family would like to thank all who had supported Gwen while in her home, the caring staff of Hillview Health Care Center and the thoughtful staff of the seventh floor of the Franciscan Skemp Medical Center.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 9, at English Lutheran Church. A reception for family and friends will follow the service at the church.
Memorials are preferred to Hillview Health Care Center, Franciscan Skemp Medical Center or the Women’s General Auxiliary of the Shriners Hospital for Children.
Dickinson Sletten Mckee Hanson Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
Valentine J. Suchla
INDEPENDENCE, Wis. Valentine J. Suchla, 77, of Independence died Friday, June 6, 2008, at Tri-County Memorial Hospital, Whitehall. Arrangements are pending with Edison Funeral Home, Independence.
Roland O. Rye’ Hagen
WESTBY, Wis. Roland O. “Rye” Hagen, 87, of Westby died Thursday, June 5, 2008, at Old Times Assisted Living in Westby. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church Burial with military rites will be in Coon Prairie Cemetery, rural Westby. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials may be made to the Coon Prairie Cemetery Fund or the Fine Arts Foundation of the Westby Area. Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby is assisting the family. A complete obituary will follow. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com.
Naomi M. Bremmer
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. Naomi M. Bremmer, 95, of Prairie du Chien died Friday, June 6, 2008, at Brunson Terrace in Prairie du Chien. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Prairie du Chien. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bloomington, Wis. Friends may call on from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Garrity Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien, where there will be a parish rosary at 4:30 p.m. www.garrityfuneralhome.com.
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