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

Published - Friday, June 27, 2008

Obituaries for Friday, June 27, 2008

By Tribune staff

Dorothy ‘Deedle’ Dahl Kranick

NAPLES, Fla. — Dorothy “Deedle” Dahl Kranick, 87, a resident of The Moorings, Naples, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2008.

She was a former resident of Wisconsin and Waterloo, Iowa, and wife of Lewis Kranick (deceased).

Her children are Lin (Dwight) Ellis, Judy (Mark) Schueller, Jan Martineau and Steven (Ruth) Kranick. Grandchildren are Jenny (Greg) Richards, Stephanie (Jay) Radtke, Matt Gridley, Jordan Kranick, Taryn Kranick and Madison Kranick.

She is the stepgrandmother of Terri (Gary) Knight, Jeanne (Mark) Louden, Rose (Devrim) Deniz and Tony Schueller, and sister of Howard Dahl (deceased), Kate Fergeson and Kenneth Dahl.

She is also survived by great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends.

Deedle graduated from Milwaukee Downer Seminary and attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. One of the greatest joys of her life was time spent with Lew living in St. Croix in the Virgin Islands and sailing the Caribbean. Another joy was the lifetime of summers spent at Crystal Lake, Wis., with her extended family. We will miss her intelligent, fun-loving and generous spirit.

A private family service was held shortly after her death. Memorials in Deedle’s name may be made to the Building Fund of the Naples United Church of Christ, 5200 Crayton Road, Naples, FL 34103, or to the local chapter of the American Lung Association, 12734 Kenwood Lane, Suite 25, Fort Myers, FL 33907, or The Humane Society of Naples, 370 Airport-Pulling Road N, Naples, FL 34104.

Naples Memorial Funeral Home & Cemetery, (239) 597-3101, assisted the family.

Eileen M. Wilde

WILTON, Wis. — Eileen M. Wilde, 88, of Wilton died Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at Heritage Manor in Elroy, Wis.

She was born July 25, 1919, to Theodore and Emma (Shiemann) Kuderer in the town of Wilton, Wis. She was united in marriage to Waldemar W. Wilde on Nov. 29, 1938, in Waukon, Iowa. They farmed in the town of Wilton until 1966 and then moved to the village of Wilton.

She worked at Northern Engraving in Sparta, Wis., for many years. She was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Wilton, where she was baptized and confirmed. She was a past president of the Altar Society and a member of the PCCW. She enjoyed baking for her family, crocheting, and quilting things for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by two sons, Edward (Donna) of Wilton and Eugene (Chris) of Wilton; two daughters, Rosalene (Benice) Graham of Lincolnton, Ga., and Cheryl Mike of Jackson, Wis.; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson;, a daughter-in-law, Diane Wilde of Elroy; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Waldemar; and two sons, Rodney and Charles.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Wilton. The Rev. Richard C. Dickman will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Tomah, Wis. Relatives and friends are invited to call at Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Wilton, on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Walter T. Weihrouch

HOLMEN, Wis. — Walter T. Weihrouch, 86, of Holmen died Monday, June 23, 2008, at Hillview Health Care Center, La Crosse.

He was born Jan. 19, 1922, in Hannibal, Wis., to Walter and Hazel (Hosley) Weihrouch. Walt graduated from Hannibal High School in 1940 and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After his military service, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He married Phyllis Anderson on June 12, 1948, in Baldwin, Wis. Walt had worked at Tri-State Breeders and then served as chairman of the agriculture department at Western Wisconsin Technical College, retiring in 1984. After retirement, Walt and Phyllis spent their time at their lake home on Whitefish Lake and wintering in Arizona. Walt was very active with the Boy Scouts and received the Silver Beaver Award, the Order of the Arrow, and the Wood Badge. Walt was one of the original members of Ducks Unlimited in the La Crosse area, was a member and state director of Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and had taught hunter’s safety for more than 35 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and skiing with his granddaughter.

He is survived by his wife Phyllis; three children, Susan (Jon) Wilcox of Fort Worth, Texas, Tim (Karla) Weihrouch of Onalaska, Wis., and Bob (Pattie) of Oregon, Wis.; and two grandchildren, Kayla and Austen. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 28, at 11 a.m. at Holmen Lutheran Church. Pastor Glenn Borreson will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date in Hannibal. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska today from 4 to 7 p.m. and at the church Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association or Holmen Lutheran Church.

Margaret L. Mikolajczyk

TOMAH, Wis. — Margaret L. Mikolajczyk, 86, of Tomah died Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at Tomah Health Care Center. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, Tomah. Burial will be in Wood Cemetery, town of Byron, Wis. Relatives and friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, is assisting the family.

David N. Rogness

WEST SALEM, Wis. — David N. Rogness, 71, of West Salem died Thursday, June 26, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, La Crosse. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem.

Richard A. Saltz

Richard A. Saltz, 80, of La Crosse died at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, La Crosse, on Saturday, June 21, 2008. Dickinson Family Funeral Home, La Crosse, is assisting the family.

Sister Leona (Adele) Brugman, FSPA

Sister Leona Brugman, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 92, died Thursday, June 26, 2008, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse.

Sister Leona was born to Henry and Anna (Milder) Brugman on March 5, 1916, near Nichols, Iowa. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1932 and professed vows in 1936. Entering the field of education, Sister Leona taught for 50 years in Catholic schools in Idaho, Iowa, Washington and Wisconsin, including six years at Calmar and nine years in Carroll, both in Iowa. Before her retirement she served as librarian at Sacred Heart School, Spencer, Iowa, from 1985-91. Sister Leona retired to St. Rose Convent in 1991, where she volunteered as bookkeeper for the Franciscan Spirituality Center until she moved to the Villa in 2006.

Sister Leona is survived by her Franciscan Community; a sister-in-law, Lois Brugman of Muscatine, Iowa; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Stephen and Hubert; and two sisters, Eleanor and Sister Dorothy Ann Brugman, FSPA.

Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. Monday, June 30, when the body will be brought to St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be held Monday at 7 p.m. The Rev. Larry Berger, Holy Trinity Parish, La Crosse, will preside at the Mass of Christian Burial in Mary of the Angels Chapel on Tuesday, July 1, at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse.

Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market St. La Crosse, WI 54601-4782.

Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, La Crosse, is assisting with arrangements.

Helen Marie Davidson Fortney

VIROQUA, Wis. — Helen Marie Davidson Fortney, 82, of 200 Park View Court in Viroqua passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse with her girls at her side.

She was born April 12, 1926, in Soldiers Grove, Wis., to David and Mabel (Olson) Davidson. She was baptized, confirmed and married at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Soldiers Grove. She graduated from Soldiers Grove High School in 1944. Helen then worked at the bank in Soldiers Grove until her marriage on Aug. 8, 1948, to Vilas Kenneth Fortney. They lived in Soldiers Grove until moving to Viroqua in 1957.

She was a stay-at-home mom while her husband was in the tobacco business. She was a loving and caring wife and mother and considered her children her best friends. She was beautiful inside and out. Helen always had a kind word, listening ear, and an infectious smile. She enjoyed listening to music.

After her husband passed away, Helen moved to Park View Court in Viroqua. Here, she found a group of special friends whom she truly enjoyed and their friendship enhanced her quality of life.

She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua, the Martha Circle and Running-Johnson-Ray VFW Post 3032 Auxiliary in Viroqua and William Schoville American Legion Post 220 Auxiliary of Soldiers Grove. Helen will remain in our hearts.

Helen is survived by three daughters, Vicki (Geoff) Banta of Viroqua, Nanci (Kevin) Wuolle of Genoa, Wis., and Linda (special friend Nick Harring) Fortney of Viroqua; and five grandchildren, Nick Halverson, Stephanie Spaeth, Lance (Melissa Manzel) Fortney, Tyler Fortney and Hannah Ellefson. She is also survived by a special ex-tended family member, Lynn Swiggum of Viroqua; four stepgrandsons, Jeff (Gale) Banta of Naperville, Ill., Steve (Cindy) Banta of Parris Island, S.C., Brent (Sue) Banta of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and Frank (Heather) Wuolle of Genoa, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ken on Aug. 15, 2003; a daughter, Mary Lou “Tess” Fortney on June 26, 1977; a son, Mark “Bug” Kenneth Fortney on June 6, 2007; a brother, Victor Davidson; and three sisters, Grace Davidson, Margaret Erickson and Maxine Daley.

GOD GAVE US LOVE, AND SOMEONE TO LOVE HE LOANED US. LOVE YA, MOM.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 30, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua, with Pastor Lindsey Jordan and Pastor Meg Hoversten officiating. Burial will be in Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home in Viroqua. Friends may also call at the church after 10 a.m. Monday. The family suggests memorials to the food pantry at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua or the building fund at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Soldiers Grove.