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

Published - Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Obituaries for Tuesday, June 17, 2008

By Tribune staff

Crystal H. Linse-Moilien

WESTBY, Wis. — Crystal H. Linse-Moilien, 43, of rural Westby passed away unexpectedly Saturday, June 14, 2008, at her home.

She was born March 31, 1965, to Darol and Ruth (Jandt) Linse in La Crosse. Crystal was baptized, confirmed, married and a lifelong member at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bangor, Wis. She attended parochial school there also. She graduated from Luther High School, Onalaska, Wis., in 1983. Crystal attended Wauzeka (Wis.) Technical School and then graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

She was united in marriage to Ronald Moilien on Oct. 7, 1995, at St. Paul’s. Crystal worked for United Cerebral Palsy in Madison followed by Chileda in La Crosse and was currently employed by Vernon County Human Services in Viroqua. She was a former member of the Madison Jaycees. Crystal was an animal lover — horses, cats and dogs and had many animals on the Moilien farm. She also enjoyed fishing.

Crystal dearly loved her husband and was a devoted mother to her boys. She was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, niece and friend. She will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her husband, Ron; two sons, Hunter and Darik; her parents, Darol and Ruth Linse of Bangor; a brother, Rick (Marlea) of Oconomowoc, Wis.; aunts, Vi Garbers and Carol (Butch) Schams, both of La Crosse, Mary Linse of Onalaska, Joyce (Reid) Horle of Bella Vista, Ark., and Maren (Allan) Thomack of Clarksville, Tenn.; uncles, Donald (Vicki) Jandt of Oak Harbor, Wash., and Jack (Betty) Ringquist of Idaho Falls, Idaho; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Paul and Jean Moilien of rural Westby; brothers-in-law, Richard Moilien (friend Pat) and Robert Moilien, all of rural Westby; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents and a nephew, Hans Linse.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, at Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley, Wis. Pastor Roy Hefti will officiate with burial in Burns Cemetery, Bangor. Friends may call today from 4 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the services, both at Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley. Memorials may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bangor or Luther High School, Onalaska.

Phyllis Mae Easland

BARABOO, Wis. — Phyllis Mae Easland, 68, of Baraboo passed away after a long, courageous battle with breast cancer on Sunday, June 15, 2008, at the Golden Living Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

Phyllis was born July 30, 1939, in La Crosse, the daughter of James and Helen (Deters) Easland.

Phyllis was a graduate of La Crosse Central High School in 1957 and a graduate of Hamlin University in St. Paul, Minn., in 1961. In July 1961, she was united in marriage to Robert Rindfleisch in La Crosse. He preceded her in death on Jan. 22, 2007. Phyllis was employed by the state of South Dakota and state of Wisconsin in the Employment Service Department. While in Wisconsin, she pioneered a program in the Eau Claire area where she helped youth gain employment. Locally, Phyllis was an avid volunteer at the Crane Foundation and in the St. Clare Hospital Emergency Room. She was a proud Democrat and advocate for equal rights and was an active member of the League of Women Voters. In addition, she was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, where she participated in the women’s fellowship and choir. Phyllis loved nature and the outdoors, which inspired her to write poetry and do artistry.

Phyllis is survived by her mother, Helen Easland of Pierre, S.D.; two children, Jennifer Rindfleisch of Baraboo, and Paul Reindfleisch of Victorville, Calif.; one sister, Anita Easland of Annapolis, Calif.; a brother, Roger (Jean) Easland of Pierre; three nephews; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; and her father, James Clark Easland.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 19, at First Congregational U.C.C., 131 Sixth Ave., Baraboo, with Pastor Douglas Fauth officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the church or to the International Crane Foundation. The family wishes to thank the staff at Golden Living Center in Wisconsin Dells and the physicians and staff at St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo for the wonderful care given to Phyllis.

Rago-Baldwin Funeral Home, Baraboo, is assisting the family.

Mary Ann ‘Mims’ Mettille

Mary Ann “Mims” Mettille, 77, of La Crosse and formerly of Winona, Minn., passed away on Sunday, June 15, 2008, in her home.

She was born Nov. 2, 1930, in Winona to Peter and Gertrude (Niemczyk) Michalski. She married John L. Mettille on Feb. 5, 1949, in Winona at St. Casimir’s Catholic Church. Together they raised eight children.

Mary Ann was a loving mother and wife. She was always passionate about the lives and interests of her family. Bird watching, poetry, gardening, road trips and sporting events were her favorite pastimes. She found her volunteer work at St. Francis very rewarding and found inspiration at Bible classes at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. She participated regularly at Prayer Devotionals at Viterbo University and was a devout Catholic. She was very loved by her family and close circle of friends, who will miss her quick wit and playful sense of humor.

She is survived by her beloved husband, John; four sons, Edward (Cindy) of Onalaska, Wis., John, Jr. (Shayla) of Versailles, Ky., Peter of La Crosse, and Jim (Sally) of Onalaska; three daughters, Ann (Larry) Heiman of Berkley Lake, Ga., Sue (Jim) Hill of La Crosse and Cindy Mettille of La Crosse; a brother, Robert Michalski of California; brother-in-law/sister-in-law, Charles and Anita Mettille of Winona; twelve grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Thomas Mettille; a brother, Edward Michalski; and two sisters, Rose Duellman and Eleanor Schultz.

A Mass of the Christian Burial will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1333 S. 13th St., La Crosse. The Rev. Larry Berger will officiate and burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Winona. Friends may call at the Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 1425 Jackson St., La Crosse, today from 4 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the service. A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. today in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Marilyn Rae ‘Molly’ Ness

Marilyn Rae “Molly” Ness, 54, of La Crosse died on Sunday, June 15, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.

She was born on March 20, 1954, in La Crosse to Robert and Mavis (Berg) La Fleur. Molly married James Ness and they later divorced. She has spent the last 14 years with Jeff “Fluff” Solund.

Molly had worked as a beautician for 25 years at Norma’s, the Ultimate Salon, State Street Stylists, Bethany-Riverside Care Center and La Boutique. She also had bartended at Teddy Bear’s, now the Adams Street Pub. Molly enjoyed sewing, crafts, fishing, camping and her yearly trips to Canada.

She is survived by a daughter, Heather (Ness) Rogers of La Crosse, a son, Jamie Ness of La Crosse; three grandchildren, Alex Rogers, Allison Rogers and Rylan Borne; her mother,

Mavis (Harold) Knutson of La Crescent, Minn.; two brothers, Steven (Mary Beth) La Fleur of Cataract, Wis., and Larry (Tracy) La Fleur of La Crosse; her best friend and soulmate, Jeff “Fluff” Solund of La Crosse; several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles; and her pets, Sophie and Billy. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert La Fleur, and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 19, at 1:30 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, La Crosse. Pastor Bruce Iverson will officiate. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

The family would like to thank the Gundersen Lutheran medical staff; the palliative care team including Dr. Gerlyn Brasic, Dr. Frank Cadwell, Dr. Stephanie Carroll, Dr. John Conzemius, Dr. Kyla Lee and Dr. Tom Klemond; Bud Hammes and the Ethics Committee; all the nurses and staff on 3 Center; the Hospice Team; CCU; Psych Unit; and Rehab Center for their wonderful care of Molly. Also, thanks to Robyn Shapiro and her staff and anyone else we may have forgotten.

Leo Ammerman Jr.

WESTBY, Wis. — Leo Ammerman Jr., 80, of Westby passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, June 15, 2008.

He was born April 21, 1928, in Sparta, Wis., to Leo and Beulah (Burt) Ammerman. He enlisted in the Navy on April 21, 1945, and served four years; most of the time was spent in Panama. On Oct. 15, 1949, he married his “Babes,” Marian Swartz. Leo retired from Trane Co. in 1990 after 38 years. He was a member of the Trane 25 Year Club and was a former elder at First Presbyterian Church in Bangor, Wis.

He enjoyed spending time with family, going for drives in the country and visiting many restaurants. He also enjoyed working with wood and creating wonderful gifts for his family. He was an avid sports fan and played in his youth and in the Navy. He carried his passion through his entire life being a fan of the high school teams as well as a faithful Packers and Badgers fan. His years gave him plenty of stories, and he loved to tell them. After retirement, Leo and his wife moved to a hobby farm outside of Westby where they raised a variety of farm animals. They later moved to the city of Westby from the farm due to illness.

Leo is survived by his wife of 58 years; four daughters, Diane (David) Johnson of West Salem, Wis., Judith (Dan) Triplett of West Salem, Linda (Gary) Heilman of La Crosse, and Lois (Karl) Stoker of Westby; two sons, Bruce Ammerman of La Crosse and Brad Ammerman of Bangor; nine grandchildren, Sandi (Randy) McDaniel, Sara Howe, Brandon “Johnny” Howe (fiancée Jenny Smith), Brian Heilman, Sister M. Renata (Heather) Heilman, Whitney Stoker, Andrew Stoker, Brittney Ammerman and Jared Ammerman; six great-grandchildren, Cody Clements, Chelsea Clements, Desjah Howe, Therrick Roberts, Janaeja Savage and Hailey Howe; and two sisters, Beulah Udell of Arizona and Beverly Swartz of Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and seven sisters.

A special thank you to Dr. Feltes and his staff.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Westby. Pastor Gary Daines will officiate. Friends may call on Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com.

Memorials are preferred to the American Lung Association or the Westby Area Schools Fine Arts Foundation. Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.

Evelyn A. Jacobs

COBLESKILL, N.Y. — Mrs. Evelyn A. Jacobs, 88, of Early Woodland Apartments, Cobleskill, died Saturday, June 14, 2008, at Robinson Terrace Nursing Home in Stamford, N.Y.

Mrs. Jacobs was born Aug. 14, 1919, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of Charlie and Anna S. Christensen.

She had retired from Aid Association for Lutherans of Stamford, Conn., where she was employed as an insurance agent. Mrs. Jacobs graduated as a registered nurse from Roosevelt Hospital School of Nursing. At one time she had also been a flight attendant for the former TWA Airlines and was an accomplished poet, going by the pen name of “Link.”

Formerly of Pound Ridge, N.Y., Mrs. Jacobs moved to the area 38 years ago. She was of Lutheran faith.

She was preceded in death by two husbands, Arthur O. Petersen and David H. Jacobs.

Survivors include two sons, Paul (Rosemary) Petersen of Cobleskill and David (Lorna) Petersen of Lansdale, Pa.; two daughters, Christine (Eugene) Gaudio of Brookfield, Conn., and Mary (Lonnie) Simmons of La Crosse; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home 171 Elm St., Cobleskill, with the Rev. Jeff Jones of Cobleskill Wesleyan Church officiating. A reception at Wesleyan Church Hall on Legion Drive, Cobleskill, will follow the service. Inurnment will be private at Fairfield Memorial Park, Stamford, Conn. There will be no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to Catskill Area Hospice Hope Foundation, 327 W. Main St., Suite 3, Cobleskill, NY 12043.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.merenessputnamfuneralhome.com.

Lucille Amelia Ludeking

WAUKON, Iowa — Lucille Amelia Ludeking, 91, of Waukon died Saturday, June 14, 2008, at Veterans Memorial Hospital, Waukon. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Salem United Church of Christ, with burial in Salem Cemetery, both in rural Waukon. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. today at Martin Funeral Home, Waukon.

‘Moss’ Larry Dahn

ONTARIO, Wis. — “Moss” Larry Dahn, 60, of Ontario died Saturday, June 14, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Torkelson Funeral Home, Tomah, Wis. Family and friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Veterans Assistance Foundation. Online condolences may be left at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Helen J. Lewis

WEST SALEM, Wis. — Helen J. Lewis, 75, of West Salem died Saturday, June 14, 2008, at her home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, West Salem. Burial will be in Neshonoc Cemetery, West Salem. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem, and 10 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and may be given to the David Lee Lewis Scholarship Fund at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or to the West Salem Historical Society for the restoration of the Lewis Octagon House. A complete obituary will follow.

Walter J. Elsheimer

NEW ALBIN, Iowa — Walter J. Elsheimer, 93, of New Albin died Sunday, June 15, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Evangelical Church of Peace, Crooked Creek township, rural Freeburg, Minn. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at New Albin Townhouse and Chapel and 10 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the church. A complete obituary will follow. Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia, is in charge of arrangements.

Victor Pronschinske

WAUMANDEE, Wis. — Victor Pronschinske, 83, of Winona, Minn., and formerly of Waumandee died Sunday, June 15, 2008, at Community Memorial Hospital, Winona. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Boniface Catholic Church, with burial in St. Boniface Cemetery, both in Waumandee. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church, where there will be a 7 p.m. prayer service and a 7:30 p.m. rosary, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the church. Wozney-Killian Funeral Home, Arcadia, Wis., is assisting the family. Online condolences or memories may be sent to wozneykillianfh@aol.com.

Randy Ray Todd

RUSHFORD, Minn. — Randy Ray Todd, 42, of Rushford died Sunday, June 15, 2008, from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident in Hart, Minn. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Root River Community Church, Rushford. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the church. Hoff Funeral Homes — Rushford Chapel is assisting the family.