Printable Version

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

Published - Friday, June 13, 2008

Obituaries for Friday, June 13, 2008

By the Tribune staff

Thomas ‘Chopper’ W. Schroder

CRANSTON, R.I. — Thomas “Chopper” W. Schroder, 58, a dedicated advocate for those with behavioral health needs, passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, in Cranston after a three-year battle with ALS.

A memorial service will be held for Tom in La Crosse on Saturday, June 14, at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park from 1:30 to 2 p.m.

Tom was the beloved son of the late Charlotte (Meyer) and William Schroder of La Crosse. He was born May 13, 1949.

He is survived by his devoted brother, Richard, and sister in-law, Evelyn Zabo, of Issaquah, Wash.; sister, Barbara, and her husband, Frank Barby, of Altoona, Wis.; sister, Linda Sorenson of La Crosse; and two nephews, Steven and Scott Sorenson. He was the loving companion of Dr. Terrie Mailhot, with whom he resided in Cranston and in Fitchburg, Wis.

He was an outstanding four-sport star at Altoona from 1963-1967. He was a rare 12-letter winner for his high school, lettering in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was an All-Northwest Athlete his senior year as well as all-state in basketball. His “sweet” jumpshot will always be remembered by his teammates. His classmates always admired his leadership qualities on and off the field.

Tom was among the first in “Who’s Who in Students” for being academic as well as atheletic.

Tom played football, basketball and baseball at Coe College in Iowa and lettered in all three.

Tom graduated from Coe College before earning a master’s degree in education in 1978 from Rhode Island College. He continued his studies at RIC, completing all but his dissertation in psychology.

Tom spent more than 25 years in the behavioral health field, working at Rhode Island treatment programs including CODAC, The Providence Center, and United Behavioral Health, and in Wisconsin, Gateway Mental Health and University of Wisconsin’s Adolescent Drug & Alcohol Assessment Services.

Tom maintained a private practice of psychotherapy in East Greenwich, R.I., for many years. He was well-liked and appreciated by his clients. Tom relished the opportunity to help others and received a commendation from the governor after his volunteer therapy services for Station Fire survivors and family members.

He also served on several statewide task forces related to substance abuse issues.

Tom loved his family and friends and enjoyed playing Santa for his clients and children from The Providence Center and the Casey Family Services. A varsity football player in college and lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, Tom also enjoyed golf, skiing, tennis, football and basketball. He touched many souls and will be forever remembered for his kindness to others, smiles for all, generosity of spirit, and his love of God and mankind.

Carl E. Keene

SPARTA, Wis. — Carl E. Keene, 94, of Sparta died Thursday, June 12, 2008, at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, both in Sparta. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home, Sparta, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church. Memorials are requested to Trinity Lutheran Church or Morrow Memorial Home. On line condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhomes.com.

Jessie ‘Joybelle’ Fulton

Jessie “Joybelle” Fulton, 85, of La Crosse passed away Thursday, June 12, 2008, at her home.

She was born Aug. 4, 1922, in Esofea, Wis., to Jerry and Julia (Skaaland) Thompson. On Dec. 29, 1952, she married Claude Fulton in Caledonia, Minn., and he preceded her in death in 2001. Joybelle was employed in the dietary department at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, for 37 years retiring in 1984.

Survivors include her daughter, Judy Fulton of La Crosse; a brother, Jerry (Donna) Thompson of Onalaska, Wis.; three special cousins, Dorothy La Due, Esther Gabrielson and Mary Lee, all of Westby, Wis.; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Joybelle was preceded in death by her brother, Royal Thompson, and her sister, Edith Jensen.

Memorial services will be Tuesday, June 17, at 11 a.m. at Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, 4239 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse. The Rev. Kathleen Charles will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date in Columbarium at Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

The family would like to acknowledge the staff at the Franciscan Skemp Hospice program and especially to Sara Gonyea for all of the wonderful and compassionate care given to Joybelle.

Ferdinand J. Seidel

Ferdinand J. Seidel, 81, of La Crosse died on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.

He was born in Stoddard, Wis., on Nov. 12, 1926, to Frank and Alida (Johnson) Seidel. He married Gloria Kvam and they later divorced.

Ferd worked for the city of La Crosse Street Department for 38 years. He was a wonderful father who enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping, fishing and hunting.

Ferd is survived by his four children, Jeffrey and Brian Seidel, both of La Crosse, Paula Seidel of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Julie (Jim) Elsbernd of Cincinnati; five grandchildren, Angela (Aaron) Buck, Christopher Gillingham and Sara Seidel, all of La Crosse, and Kristina and Kimberly Riemer, both of Cedar Rapids; and two great-grandchildren, Elijah and Adrienne Gillingham. He is further survived by his loving companion of 30 years, Mary M. Sullivan; one sister, Arlene Jacobson of New Albin, Iowa; two brothers, Wendelin (Margaret) Seidel of Viroqua, Wis., and Franklin (Lois) Seidel of Chaseburg, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two half-brothers, Sam and Adolph Seidel; and one half-sister, Selma Grabhorn.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 14, at 11 a.m. at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. The Rev. Donald Iliff will officiate. Burial will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

Russell O. Potter

TOMAH, Wis. — Russell O. Potter, 96, of Tomah died Thursday, June 12, 2008, at Agape Acres, Warrens, Wis. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Warrens Baptist Church, Warrens. Burial will be in Warren Mills Cemetery, Warrens. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Torkelson Funeral Home, Tomah, and 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be given to Tomah Hospice or Child Evangelism Fellowship of Western Wisconsin.

Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Herbert J. Parkhurst

HILLSBORO, Wis. — Herbert J. Parkhurst, 82, of Hillsboro passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tomah, Wis.

He was born on May 9, 1926, to James Sr. and Laura (Travnick) Parkhurst at La Farge, Wis. He graduated from Hillsboro High School. Herb served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1944 to 1946. He then worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for many years, serving in Minneapolis, San Diego and Cleveland. With retirement, he moved back to the Hillsboro area, where he enjoyed auctions and his collections. He was also active with the Hillsboro Senior Citizens.

Survivors include his sisters, Dorothy Lindloff of Reedsburg, Wis., Doris Hissey of Rockford, Ill., and Donna Parkhurst of Viroqua, Wis.; a brother, James (Mary) Parkhurst of Elroy, Wis.; a sister-in-law, Elva Parkhurst of Bloomington, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Joseph and Jon Parkhurst.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 17, at 11 a.m. at Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Burial with military rites will be at Mount Vernon Cemetery in Hillsboro. Friends may call at Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. For online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com.

John K. Burch

HILLSBORO, Wis. — John Keith Burch, 61, of Cottontown, Tenn., died Monday, June 9, 2008, in Gallatin, Tenn. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. at Picha Funeral Home, Hillsboro. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday and the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans, Donor Relations or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

James E. McGrath

James E. McGrath, 60, of La Crosse and formerly of Onalaska, Wis., died Tuesday June 10, 2008, at Veterans Administration Hospital in Madison. Funeral services are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday. A complete obituary will be in the La Crosse Tribune on Sunday. Blaschke and Schneider Funeral Home’s Nelson Chapel, La Crosse, is assisting the family.