Ardell “Ardy” R. Aarstad
Ardell “Ardy” R. Aarstad, 83, of La Crosse died peacefully Thursday, June 19, 2008, at Hillview Health Care Center, surrounded by his family.
Ardy was born in Westby, Wis., on Aug. 11, 1924, to Anton and Sadie (Nelson) Aarstad and grew up in Viroqua, Wis., graduating from Viroqua High School in 1941. After attending UW-La Crosse for one year, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was a B-29 pilot until 1946, when he returned to UW-La Crosse and graduated in 1949. He was also a member of the Beta Sigma Chi fraternity at UW-La Crosse.
Ardy taught for one year in Gays Mills, Wis., and then continued his teaching career at Logan High School until 1966. He taught many academic subjects and coached track, cross-country, gymnastics and started the wrestling program. In 1966, he joined the faculty at UW-La Crosse as associate registrar, where he served until his retirement in 1988.
Ardy married Jane Mitchell in 1950, and they have two children, David and Jennifer; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Ardy was one of the founders of Boys and Girls Club of Greater La Crosse, serving on the board of directors since 1964 and was inducted into the Boys and Girls Club Wall of Fame in 1986. He also served as treasurer for Retired Teachers of La Crosse, and served on the board of directors of the Logan Alumni Association and was also honored as an inductee in the Logan High School Wall of Fame. He also served on the church council of English Lutheran Church in La Crosse for several years.
Ardy loved being involved with Norskedalen and had served on the board of directors, as executive committee treasurer and on its investment committee for many years. He also enjoyed his association and friendships as a member of La Crosse Antique Engine Club over the years.
Ardy was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a loyal and faithful Cubs fan. He is survived by his wife, Jane; his son, David (Kathy) Aarstad of
La Crosse; his daughter, Jennifer (Steve) Dunn, of Sparta, Wis.; his six grandchildren, Nicole (Jason) Bishop, Ryan, Christofer and Anthony Aarstad and Kayla and Nicholas Dunn; and his great granddaughter, Chloe Bishop. He is further survived by a sister, Shirley (Kossie) Thompson of Snellville, Ga., and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Lorraine Aarstad and Marilyn Johnson.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Ardy’s life from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the Cleary Alumni and Friends Center, 615 E. Ave. N., on the UW-La Crosse campus. There will be time for sharing personal remembrances of Ardy beginning at 2 p.m. A private family burial will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Memorials can be directed to the Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center, Boys and Girls Club of Greater La Crosse, UW-La Crosse Foundation or English Lutheran Church in lieu of flowers. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of
La Crosse is assisting the family with arrangements.
William W. Hanke
BROWNSVILLE, Minn. — William “Bill” W. Hanke, 75, of Leesburg, Fla., and formerly of Brownsville died Friday, June 20, 2008, at Leesburg Regional Medical Center. Services will
be at 1 p.m. Friday at Zion Evangelical Church, Browns-ville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the church Friday from noon until the time of services. A complete obituary will follow. Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia, Minn., is in charge of arrangements.
Robert C. Johnson
HOLMEN, Wis. — Robert C. Johnson, 79, of Holmen passed away unexpectedly Thursday, June 19, 2008, surrounded by his family.
He was born Aug. 13, 1928, to Charles and Lark Johnson in La Crosse. After attending schools in La Crosse, ending at Central High School, Bob enlisted in the Navy and proudly served his country from 1945 to 1949. Upon returning home from the Navy, Bob met Marjorie Priebe of Plano, Ill., and they were married in the Baptist Church on July 29, 1950. They resided in Galesville, Wis., and moved to Holmen in 1954.
Bob is survived by his wife of 57 years; son, Richard (Deborah) of Eau Claire, Wis.; daughters, Marta (Michael) Herde of West Salem, Wis., Sue (Mark) Kramer of Eau Claire, Julie (John) Koepl of Liberty Hill, Texas, Dena (John) Schlitz of De Forest, Wis., and Sandra Johnson of North St. Paul, Minn.; 10 grandchildren, Andrew and Michael Johnson, Christina Paszek and Matthew Breidel, Elizabeth and Jessa Kramer, Hailey and Larissa Schlitz, John (Trey) and Robert Koepl; three great-grandchildren, Tyler and Abigail Paszek and Drew Johnson; and a brother, Raymond Bradley.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Roger Johnson; and sister, Lorraine Pierce.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 23, at Holmen Lutheran Church. The Rev. Glenn Borreson will officiate, and burial with military rites will be in the Greenmound Cemetery, Holmen. Family and friends may call at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 515 McHugh Road, Holmen, from
3 to 5 p.m. today at the church and 10 a.m. Monday until the time of services. Memorials may be given to the Holmen Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.
Raymond W. Korn
CASHTON, Wis. — Raymond W. Korn, 79, of Cashton passed away Friday, June 20, 2008, at his farm on Bohemian Ridge.
Raymond was born July 26, 1928, to Wenzel and Anna (Norlin-sky) Korn, on the family farm in the town of Washington, La Crosse County. After graduating from Cashton High School, Ray served in the United States Army with the 5th Regimental Combat Battalion in the Korean War. He returned home and ran the family farm. Ray continued to live and work on the farm until his death.
On June 1, 1954, he was united in holy matrimony to Audrey Hammes at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Norwalk, Wis. Together they raised five children on the farm.
Ray was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Cashton Knights of Columbus and the Western Wisconsin Agricultural Museum. Ray loved the outdoors and had a keen interest in vintage equipment. One of Ray’s favorite pastimes was to purchase and restore tractors and other antique machinery. When he was not outside, he enjoyed listening to good old time music.
Ray is survived by his wife of 54 years, Audrey; two sons, Daniel (Debby) Korn and their son, Nicholas, all of Cashton, and William (Jane) Korn and their children Amelia, Joshua, Lydia and Isabell Korn, all of Cashton; two daughters, Nancy (Donald B.) Korn-Smith of La Crescent, Minn., and Paula (Ken) Silha and their children, Sam and Ted, all of Coon Valley, Wis.; son-in-law, Randy Silha and his children, Weston, Wyatt, Walker and Wrenna of Woodbury, Minn.; and many other relatives and friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Patricia Lynn Silha; a daughter-in-law, Marlene (Brueggen) Korn; two grandchildren, Jacqueline and Janessa Korn; two sisters, Agnes Silha and Dorothy Korn; and a brother, Victor Korn.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday, June 24, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peters Catholic Church in Middle Ridge, Wis. The Rev. Francis Abuah-Quansah will officiate. Burial, with full military honors provided by Dickman-Spaeth VFW Post 8584, will be in the church cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation Monday, June 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. Peters Catholic Church. Cashton Knights of Columbus will lead a rosary at 8 p.m. Torkelson Funeral Home of Cashton is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Ruth ‘Deedee’ A. Raitzer
Ruth “Deedee” Raitzer, 88, of La Crosse and formerly of Coon Valley, Wis., died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at Bethany Riverside Nursing Facility, La Crosse. A celebration of life gathering will be 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Masonic Center, 118 S. Eighth St., La Crosse. Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse is assisting the family.
Constance “Connie” Schwinn
Constance “Connie” Schwinn, 56, of La Crosse died peacefully Sunday, June 15, 2008, at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center, La Crosse. She was born Aug. 12, 1951, in Chicago to Elmer and Leona (Twigg) Wieber. On Feb. 13, 1976, she married John Schwinn in Waukegan, Ill., and he preceded her in death.
Connie was a talented artist and a wonderful friend who touched many hearts. She endured and battled cancer and dialysis for many years and was the bravest person her daughter and family knew. She will be in our thoughts every day and will be missed very much.
Connie is survived by her mom, Leona Wieber; her daughter, Brandi Miller; her sister, Linda Krzyzak; her grandsons, John “Scooter” Schwinn and Aiden Miller; her favorite nephew, Ron Corder, as well as many other nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, John, she was preceded in death by her father; a sister, Sherry Pride; and her niece, Beth Ann Belleifuille.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 26, at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center Chapel with the Rev. Lawrence Berger officiating. Friends and family may call from 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the care center until the time of services. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, La Crosse is assisting the family.
Rodney K. Sheffield
Rodney K. Sheffield, 62, of La Crosse died at his home Thursday, June 19, 2008. Services will be announced by the Dickinson Family Funeral Home.
Alvina Veneman
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. — Alvina “Butchie” (Polodna) Veneman, 97, of Prairie du Chien passed away Friday, June 20, 2008. She was born
in Prairie du Chein on Dec. 16, 1910, to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Polodna. Her father and stepmother raised Alvina and her three sisters and five brothers in La Crosse. Alvina and Wayne Veneman married in 1928 and had one daughter, Keo. In 1948, Keo married Richard Peterson and all four moved to Miami.
In 1972, Alvina and Wayne began taking yearly trips around the United States until Wayne passed away in 1991. They both bowled twice a week at Bird Bowl in the Monday Senior Birds and Friday Early Bird leagues. She was known as Butchie, a nickname her husband gave her. They began bowling in 1934.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Wayne, her husband of 63 years; two sisters, Marie Williams and Irene Flynn; five brothers, Charles, Joseph and Edwin Polodna and Frank and William Preban; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mildred and Wayne Waas.
She is survived by her daughter, Keo Peterson; granddaughter, Lynda (Ralph Lopez); sister Helen Olsen of Golden Valley, Minn.; sisters-in-law, Marita and Vivian Polodna; and many nieces and nephews. Alvina lived a good life and will now be with the Lord and her beloved husband.
Visitation will be held at Van Orsdel, Coral Gables, Fla., on Tuesday, June 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. and funeral Mass will be held at the Church of the Little Flower at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 25.
ONALASKA, Wis. — William F. Weiss, 81, of Onalaska died at his home Saturday, June 21, 2008. He was born in La Crosse on July 21, 1926, to Fred and Nora (Granke) Weiss. Bill was a graduate of Logan High School, La Crosse, served in the South Pacific during World War II and then attended Lincoln Aeronautical School of Engineering. He married Violet Severson of West Salem, Wis., on Oct. 1, 1949, and they made their home in Onalaska. He worked for Trane Co. for several years and later at Altec. In retirement, Bill and Vi enjoyed traveling to antique shows with their business, the Sideboard. Bill was an active member of First Lutheran Church and Onalaska Historical Society.
Bill is survived by his wife, Vi; son, Keith (Karen) of Madison; grandsons, Nick and Neil; sister, Doris Clark; and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Hicks and Opal Weiss.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Bill Jr.; and a brother, Don. There will be a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 23, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., Onalaska. Private graveside services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given to First Lutheran Church in Onalaska or to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center Foundation.
Peng “B.G.” Xiong
Peng “B.G.” Xiong, 24, died suddenly at his home in La Crosse. Services will be June 28 through June 30 at Hmong Cultural Center, La Crosse. Interment will be in West Salem, Wis. Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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