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

Published - Thursday, June 19, 2008

Obituaries for Thursday, June 19, 2008

By Tribune staff

Catherine O. (Cowen) Farmer

TOMAH, Wis. — Catherine O. (Cowen) Farmer, 86, of Tomah died on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at Touch of Home, Tomah. Private family services will be at a later date. A full obituary will follow. Torkelson Funeral Home, Tomah, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Rosemary Nickerson

Rosemary Nickerson, 66, of La Crosse died Wednesday, June 18, 2008, in Lakeville, Minn. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 Sill St., La Crosse. Family and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday at the church. A full obituary will be provided by Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory, La Crosse.

Evelyn D. Johnson

ONALASKA, Wis. — Evelyn D. Johnson, 97, of Onalaska died Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at Onalaska Care Center. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 809 Gillette St., La Crosse. The Rev. Judd Larson will officiate. Burial will be in Greenmound Cemetery, rural Holmen, Wis. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the funeral home. A complete obituary will follow.

Glennis Mae Molid

GALESVILLE, Wis. — Glennis Mae Molid, 80, of Galesville died Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, La Crosse. Funeral arrangements are pending with Zwickey Funeral Homes, Galesville Chapel.

Zoe M. Langrehr

BANGOR, Wis. — Zoe M. Langrehr, 11, of Bangor died Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at Fifth Avenue Children’s Home in La Crosse.

She was born April 8, 1997, in La Crosse to Dean and Deanna “Dee” (Knutson) Langrehr.

Zoe is survived by her loving parents, Dean and Dee of Bangor; two brothers, Zach and Zane, both living at home; maternal grandparents, Dale and Tootie Knutson of Stoddard, Wis.; maternal great-grandma, Blanche (LeRoy) Knutson-Reuter of Onalaska, Wis.; maternal great-grandma, Vivian Christianson of West Salem, Wis.; paternal grandparents, Harvey and Mae Langrehr of Bangor; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandpa and her paternal great-grandparents.

Dean and Dee would like to thank their family, friends, nurses and caregivers for the wonderful support they were given during Zoe’s short time on earth.

A visitation will be held today from 5 to 8 p.m at Jandt Funeral Home, Hwy. 162 and Hattan St., Bangor. A private family graveside memorial service and burial will be held on Friday, June 20, in Burns Cemetery. The Rev. Martha J. Hampton of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, West Salem, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Ervin T. Woestman

TREMPEALEAU, Wis. — Ervin T. Woestman, 85, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at his home in Trempealeau.

He was born Dec. 6, 1922, to Anthony and Clara (Schindler) Woestman. He lived in the Trempealeau area all of his life. Erv married Carmen Buchholz on Sept. 30, 1947. He farmed and worked for L.B. White Co. for 25 years.

Erv was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Catholic church, Friends of Trempealeau, past member of the Trempealeau Lions Club, and was honored in the past as Lion of the Year and Citizen of the Year for Trempealeau. He enjoyed his family and friends and was always ready for a good card game.

Erv is survived by his wife, Carmen; seven children, Donald (Kris) Woestman of Verona, Wis., Lois Woestman of Galesville, Wis., Michael (Bernice) Woestman of Trempealeau, Norman (Randy) Van Vleet of Galesville, Phyllis (Fred) Schaffner of Trempealeau, Douglas (Jeanne) Woestman of Galesville, and Janice (Mike) Abel of Ettrick, Wis.; 14 grandchildren; Brian, Brooke (fiance Dustin) Woestman; Matthew (Becce), Jackie, Michelle, Mark and Julie Woestman; Brandon (Katie) Johnson; John (Crystal) Van Vleet; Nicholas Schaffner; Brittany, Blake Woestman; and Kelly, Cory Abel; and four great-grandchildren; Haylee, Isaiah Woestman; Aiden Johnson, Paige Van Vleet.

Erv was preceded in death by his parents and two grandsons, Jonathan Federick Schaffner and Kyle Michael Abel.

Funeral services will be Friday, June 20, at 11 a.m. at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, Trempealeau, with the Rev. Arul Joseph officiating. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Trempealeau.

Friends may call at Zwickey Funeral Homes, Galesville Chapel today from 6 to 8 p.m. with a liturgical vigil at 7:30 p.m.

Arlene Marie Peloski

Arlene Marie Peloski, 76, of La Crosse died peacefully on Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at her home surrounded by family.

Arlene was born Aug. 14, 1931, to Jeffrey and Marie (Schaller) Hanson of La Crosse. Arlene was a 1949 graduate of Aquinas High School, later attended Western Wisconsin Technical Institute and retired after 20 faithful years of service at La Crosse Lutheran Hospital as an OB/GYN secretary.

Arlene was such a joy to be around and brought a smile to the faces of everyone she came in contact with. She always had a “can do” attitude, possessed a lot of character, was stubborn in her own right, was mentally strong up to her final day and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. She was very proud of her eight children, which included two sets of twins.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, sister Vivian (Paul) Mezera, brother Robert (Patricia) Hanson, ex-husband John Peloski, son David Peloski and grandson Steven Peloski. She is survived by her sister, Jean A. Hanson of La Crosse; daughters, Linda (John) Henry of Melbourne, Fla., Diane Peloski of La Crosse and Cynthia Peloski of Waukesha, Wis.; sons, Jeffrey of La Crosse, Gary (Janet) of Onalaska, Wis., Kevin (Marsha) of La Crosse, and Kenneth (Sharon) of Woodbury, Minn.; and five grandchildren, Matthew Peloski of Woodbury, Michael Peloski of La Crosse, Christopher Henry of Lothian, Md., Melissa Peloski of Woodbury, and Mark Peloski of Woodbury. She is also survived by nephew, Robert Hanson Jr. of Zion, Ill.; and nieces, Teresa (Robert) Walters of La Crescent, Minn., and Susan Limberg of Racine, Wis.

Arlene wanted to acknowledge all of the wonderful home health care providers who aided her in being able to enjoy day-to-day living in her home while dealing with many medical problems over the past years, especially Sandy Elliott and Carla Potter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 20, at 10 a.m. at Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman’s Marian Chapel. The Rev. Michael Gorman will officiate. Burial will be in Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of services. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements.

Jodi Ann (Harstad) Lillejord

Jodi Ann (Harstad) Lillejord, 29, of La Crosse passed away unexpectedly Sunday, June 1, 2008.

She was born in Viroqua, Wis., on June 16, 1978, and was the beloved daughter of Mike and Karon Harstad, loving sister of Jeremy Harstad, and the wife of Judd Lillejord, who she married on May 9, 2005.

Jodi was a 1995 graduate of Westby (Wis.) High School. She studied at Western Wisconsin Technical College, La Crosse, and graduated with a degree in mechanical design in 1997. Upon graduation, she held a position with Trane Co. until 2006.

Survivors are her husband, Judd Lillejord of Los Angeles; parents, Mike and Karon Harstad of Westby; brother, Jeremy of La Crosse; great-grandmother, Tille Krause of Prairie Farm, Wis.; grandmother, Opal Harstad of Menomonie, Wis.; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jodi is further survived by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Meredyth Lillejord of La Crosse; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joel and Nicole Lillejord of Provo, Utah; nieces, Ava and Uma Dona of Provo; brother-in-law, Kraig (Isabelle) Anderson of Burlingame, Calif.; and nephews, Tor Anderson of Burlingame, and Quinton Lillejord and Blaine and Chance Franc, all of Montville, N.J.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents and paternal grandfather. Also preceding her in death was a brother-in-law, Jacob Lillejord.

As you can imagine, Jodi was a joy to all of those who had a chance to know her. A blue-eyed lady with enviable long wavy hair, Jodi was intelligent, creative and very kind. She was an avid reader, and loved exploring antique shops, planting herbs and cooking with Judd. Professionally, she was particularly adept at computer programming.

Jodi was quite modest about all of her talents. As an artist, she sketched and painted regularly, often giving a particular piece of art as a surprise gift to a loved one. Her musical talents were exceptional. Jodi played very well many instruments such as the piano, flute, saxophone and clarinet.

Jodi’s untimely passing will leave all of us sadly missing her smile and sweet spirit. She touched so many hearts and was greatly loved.

Seland Funeral Home, 204 Central Ave., Coon Valley, has assisted the family.

A memorial celebration honoring Jodi’s life will take place for family and friends on Sunday, July 13, between 1 and 4 p.m. at Nell’s City Grill, 1111 S. Third St., Suite A, La Crosse.

Patricia Rice Hoffman

SPARTA, Wis. — Patricia Rice Hoffman, 87, of Sparta died Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, Sparta.

She was born Jan. 19, 1921, in Sparta to Zelotes S. and Vena (Hemstock) Rice. She grew up in Sparta and graduated from Sparta High School in 1939. Patricia attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and then returned home to work at Monroe County Publishers.

Patricia married Harold G. Hoffman on June 5, 1943, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta. After marriage, they resided all their married lives in Sparta. They owned and operated Harold’s Studio in downtown Sparta until 1951.

After her family had grown, she returned to the Monroe County Publishers until retiring in 1994.

Patricia was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for many years and served as banquet chairwoman. She often chaired the mother daughter banquet at St. Patrick’s. She was on the board of directors for the Sparta Housing Authority and the Sparta-Tomah Broadcasting Co. Patricia was a member of the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Auxiliary and St. Clare Mission Clinic.

She is survived by two sons, Harold G. II (Barbara) Hoffman of West Salem, Wis., and William R. (Suzanne) Hoffman of Sparta; a daughter, Patricia H. (Ronald) Donnell of Cave Creek, Ariz.; six grandchildren, Marion T. (Mark) Fraley, Michael B. (Marie) Hoffman, Luke P. (Amanda) Hoffman, Matthew W. Hoffman, Natalie M. Hoffman and Shannon L. Hoffman; four great-grandchildren, James, Thomas, Josef and Madison; a brother, Zel S. (Babette) Rice of Sparta; a sister, Elizabeth (Allen) Ecker of New York, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Barbara Rice of Sparta; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold G. Hoffman on Feb. 1, 1981; an infant daughter, Mary Elizabeth in 1962; a son, Thomas J. Hoffman on Jan. 22, 2003; a sister, Mary Ellen Marzolf; and two brothers, John D. Rice and James W. Rice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with the Rev. James Leary O.F.M. Cap. officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta.

Friends may call at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. and at the funeral home on Monday from 8:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. Online condolences may be offered at www.lanham-miller.com.

Memorials may be given to St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Monroe County Cancer Society or Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Sparta Foundation.

Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.