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

Published - Saturday, June 28, 2008

Obituaries for Saturday, June 28, 2008

By Tribune staff

Dorothy ‘Deedle’ Dahl Kranick

NAPLES, Fla. — Dorothy “Deedle” Dahl Kranick, 87, a resident of The Moorings, Naples, passed away on 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 was 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.

Henry Lester Ekern

GALESVILLE, Wis. — Henry Lester Ekern, 87, of rural Galesville, died Thursday, June 26, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, La Crosse.

Henry was born Aug. 10, 1920, in Gale Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., to Harry and Lena (Stensven) Ekern. During World War II, he served his country in the U.S. Army. On March 29, 1947, he married Esther E. Raichle-Foss in Blair, Wis. Henry was a dairy farmer and while doing that he also worked at Farmco Mill in Ettrick, Wis., and the G.L. Rall Feed Mill in Galesville.

He was a member of Living Hope Lutheran Church, Ettrick; the Ettrick American Legion; and the Gale-Ettrick VFW Post 11156.

Survivors are his wife of 61 years, Esther; two daughters, Eileen (Alton) Ziegler and Karen Ekern, both of Galesville; two grandchildren; two great-granchildren; four sisters, Mildred Dick and Anna Sorenson, both of Ettrick, Elsie Knutson of Blair and Shirley Hughes of Phillips, Wis.; two brothers, Raymond (Anna) and Roland (Ann), both of Ettrick; two stepsons, La Vern (Barbara) Foss of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and Allen (Alice) Foss of Ettrick; 11 stepgranchildren; 10 stepgreat-grandchildren; five stepgreat-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Doris; a brother, Norman; and two stepsons, Gene Foss and John Foss.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 30, at 1 p.m. at Living Hope Lutheran Church, Ettrick, with the Rev. Kristin Wendland officiating. Burial will be in Pine Cliff Cemetery, Galesville, with military rites by Gale-Ettrick VFW Post 11156.

Friends may call at Zwickey Funeral Homes, Galesville Chapel, on Sunday, June 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Monday at the church from noon until services.

Gordon Opheim

HARPERS FERRY, Iowa — Gordon Opheim, 75, of Harpers Ferry died Thursday, June 26, 2008, at Harmony House, Waterloo, Iowa. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church, Waterville, Iowa. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon, Iowa. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Martin Funeral Home, Waukon.

David N. Rogness

WEST SALEM/PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. — David N. Rogness, 71, of West Salem and formerly of Prairie du Chien passed away Thursday, June 26, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, La Crosse, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on June 24, 1937, in La Crosse to Sanford “Sam” and Evelyn (Erickson) Rogness. David graduated from Monona High School in Monona, Iowa, in 1955 before enlisting in the United States Navy. After he was honorably discharged, he then attended University of South Dakota in Vermillion. On Feb. 13, 1965, David married Judith Harmon in Prairie du Chien. He was employed by Scenic Concepts Aerial Photography in La Crosse for 13 years. David’s family was very important to him and they will miss him dearly.

Survivors include his loving wife of 43 years, Judi; two children, Jeff (Stephany) of Madison and Jennifer (Kent) Flock of West Salem; two granddaughters, Sydney Susan Rogness and Samantha Grace Rogness, both of Madison; two brothers, Dennis A. (Joanne) Rogness of Berwyn, Ill., and Darrell S. (Suzanne) Rogness of Waukon, Iowa; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 30, at 11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 359 N. Leonard St., West Salem. The Rev. Martha J. Hampton will officiate. Burial will be in Hamilton Cemetery with military honors by Berg-Hemker-Olson American Legion Post 51 of West Salem and the U.S. Military Funeral Honors Program. Friends may call at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

Fay O. Peaslee

ONALASKA, Wis. — Fay O. Peaslee, 80, of Onalaska died on Friday, June 27, 2008, at his home.

He was born on June 26, 1928, in La Crosse to Thomas and Alma (Bankes) Peaslee. He married Bonnie Larson on Sept. 9, 1950, in La Crosse and she preceded him in death in 2002.

Fay is survived by seven children, Thomas P. (Lisa) Peaslee of Antigo, Wis., Dennis J. (Darla) Peaslee of Sun Prairie, Wis., Robert D. (Kathy) Peaslee of New Canton, Va., Sharon E. (Lyle) Dorschied of La Farge, Wis., John A. (Gina) Peaslee of Holmen, Wis., Jackie S. (Dennis) Klinkenberg of Owatonna, Minn., and Shelly A. (Johnathan) Fisher of River Falls, Wis.; 20 grandchildren, Kristin (Andy) Moehn, Annie, Katie, Gary, Becky, Robby, Jimmy, Brian (Cat) and Jacob Peaslee, John, Erich and Steven Boldt, Michelle (Jason) Keir, Shanna (Jason) Neece, Dianna and Jenna Klinkenberg, and Adam, Liana, Aleksa and Abrielle Fisher; nine great-grandchildren, Casey Le Seuer, Kiana Peaslee, Joshua, Noah, and Dylan Keir, Ethan Moehn, Alex and Max Neece and Kayla Klinkenberg; and two great-grandchildren on the way; two stepgrandchildren, Justin Dorschied and Nicole (Kraig) Kledehn; two sisters, Lucille (Marlyn) Ryall of Loves Park, Ill., and Della (Ira) Stuhr of Holmen; two brothers, Herman (Ethel) Peaslee of Caledonia, Ill., and Thomas Peaslee of La Crosse; and a former son-in-law, Daniel Boldt.

In addition to his wife he was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Fay Edward and Brian; a grandson, Joshua Peaslee; and three brothers, Lloyd, Leonard and Harold.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 30, at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Onalaska. Pastor Norris Baumann will officiate. Burial with military honors will be in the Onalaska City Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Monday from noon until the time of services. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska is in charge of arrangements.

Vivian E. Clark

BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Vivian E. Clark, 87, of Black River Falls died Wednesday, June 25, 2008, in Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.

Vivian Eileen Zeman was born on June 18, 1921, in the town of Albion (Disco area), Jackson County, Wis., to George and Mabel (Stone) Zeman. She graduated from Melrose High School.

On Nov. 2, 1940, she married Eugene Clark Jr. at North Bend Presbyterian Church. The couple settled on a farm in the town of Irving, where Vivian lived for the rest of her life. Eugene Clark Jr. died in 1963.

Vivian was employed at the Black River Memorial Hospital (nurse’s aide, laboratory, X-ray department and emergency room) for 35 years. She also was employed at the Federation Cooperative Black River Crossing Oasis for 12 years.

She was a member of the Melrose (Wis.) United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and the Jackson County Bird Watching Club. She also was a former member of the Ruth Circle of the Melrose United Methodist Church.

Vivian enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed bird watching, vegetable gardening, flower gardening, spending time outdoors, canoeing and camping.

Survivors include four daughters, Karen Clark-Stone of Alexandria, Va., Sharon Jacobson of Parker, Colo., Janice (James) Farish of Monument, Colo., and Kay (Mark) Simonson of Greenfield, Wis.; three sons, Jerome (Patricia) Clark of Chippewa Falls, Wis., Gordon (Judith Friederichs) Clark of Green Bay, Wis., and Wayne (Lynne) Clark of Poynette, Wis.; 17 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Roger Zeman of Black River Falls.

In addition to her husband, Eugene Clark Jr., Vivian was preceded in death by a sister, Kathleen Olson, and a brother, Gerald Zeman.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, at Melrose United Methodist Church, and burial will be in the Irving Cemetery, town of Irving, Jackson County on Saturday, July 5. Loretta Waughtal will officiate.

Family and friends are invited for visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, at Buswell Funeral Home (www.buswellfuneralhome.com), Black River Falls, and from 10 a.m. until services on Thursday at Melrose United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be given to either the Melrose United Methodist Church, the Jackson County Bird Watchers Club, or the Irving Sticktights 4-H Club.

Emma B. Dettinger

Mukwonago/Black River Falls, Wis. — Emma B. Dettinger, 87, of Mukwonago and formerly of Black River Falls died Thursday, June 26, 2008, in Kiwanis Manor, East Troy, Wis. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Black River Falls United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Komensky Cemetery, rural Black River Falls. Family and friends may call from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, is assisting the family. The family prefers memorials to ALS Research.www.buswellfuneralhome.com.

Mildred M.L. Cook

TOMAH, Wis. — Mildred M.L. Cook, 89, of Tomah died Friday, June 27, 2008, at Tomah Healthcare Center.

She was born Sept. 26, 1918, to Otto and Lisset (Bindschaedel) Boeder in the town of Clifton, Wis. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, Indian Creek, Wis., and attended the Dorset Ridge Country School. She was united in marriage to Charles Cook on May 9, 1942, at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church. He preceded her in death on Aug. 3, 1982. Together they farmed in the town of Clifton until 1972 when they sold their farm to their son, Richard, and moved to Tomah. Mildred worked as a seamstress for Kinder Manufacturing until her retirement. She loved to sew and enjoyed reading. She was a faithful member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church.

She is survived by three daughters, Bonnie (Dale) Ludeking of Camp Douglas, Wis., Lavonne (Bill) Spiers of Tomah and Mary Lou (Marty) Rost of Mankato, Minn.; two sons, Richard (JoAnn) Cook of Hustler, Wis., and Laverne (Ozlem) Cook of Ankara, Turkey; 12 grandchildren, Craig (Kate) Spiers of Tomah, Chris Spiers of Horicon, Wis., Dawn (Michael) Pryzby of Springfield, Va., Aaron (Renee) Cook of Maryland, Ishik Cook of Ankara, Turkey, Amy Rost of Lebanon, N.H., Matthew Rost of Ocala, Fla., Robyn Rost of White River Junction, Vt., Tina (Jason) Brandvig of Tomah, Todd (Rhonda) Cook of Camp Douglas, Lorri Cook of Sheboygan, Wis., and Melinda Cook of Tomah; nine great-grandchildren, Alexis and Jacob Spiers, Cole Pryzby, Statler and Emmalyn Brandvig, Sierra and Krista Cook, Dillon Cook-Stelter and Aidan Koll; a sister- in-law, Inez Boeder of Tomah; three brothers-in-law, Rudolph (Elaine) Cook of Milwaukee, Floyd (Lois) Cook of Tomah, Alvin (Ruth) Cook of town of Clifton; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Ronald; her parents; two brothers, Marvin and Norbert Boeder; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 2, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor Donald R. Buch will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Memorial Gardens.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday at Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah, from 4 to 7 p.m., and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the services.

Geraldine Kyser

VIROQUA, Wis. — Geraldine Kyser, 78, of Viroqua died Friday, June 27, 2008, at Vernon Manor Nursing Home, Viroqua. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Viroqua Church of Christ. Nathan Prong, minister, will officiate with burial in Manning Cemetery, rural Readstown, Wis. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker St. (Hwy. 56), Viroqua, and 10 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com. Memorials may be directed to Vernon Memorial Hospice or Manning Cemetery.

Doris Yvonne Jecklin

RIO RANCHO, N.M. — Doris Yvonne Jecklin, most recently of Rio Rancho died peacefully early Friday morning, June 27, 2008, while visiting her son, Bob, and his family in Holmen, Wis.

Yvonne was born to Ora Claire and Jett F. Owen on March 20, 1917, in Sapulpa, Okla. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, in 2004, both parents, and brothers Frank Owen (Tulsa) and Jess Owen (Kerrville, Texas), and Frank’s wife, Eileen.

Yvonne is survived by her son, Bob and Debra (Rude) of Holmen and their daughters, Claire, Heidi and Melanie; her son, Ray and Julie (McMaster) of Rio Rancho and their son Eric; her sister-in-law, Alice Owen; and her much loved nieces and nephews.

Yvonne grew up in a loving family on the plains of Texas and Oklahoma, graduating from Tulsa’s Clinton High School in 1935. Sally O’Connor and Mary Jo Robinson became Yvonne’s lifelong friends after the three worked and lived together in Washington, D.C., during the lead-up to World War II. Yvonne returned to Tulsa to meet a tall young corporal from Wisconsin at a USO dance; they married in 1947 when he returned from Europe, and the two moved to Watertown, Wis., to start their life together. Yvonne and Bob loved many friends in Watertown and kept those friends when they moved to Wauwatosa, Wis., just outside of Milwaukee in 1960. Yvonne usually worked as a bookkeeper, retiring from RCA and relocating to Belen, N.M., in 1980; together they enjoyed many new Belen friends and visitors from the Midwest. In 2005, Yvonne joined Ray and his family in Rio Rancho.

Yvonne regularly expressed her love for her sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, dogs, cats and just about everybody. She enjoyed playing bridge, camping, 42nd Rainbow Division reunions and traveling with her husband. Yvonne and Bob enjoyed Tierra del Sol, Moose Lodge, Peso Breakfast Club, and the Senior Meal Site in Belen. Yvonne was a Southern Baptist, learning and worshipping in churches built by her father’s brick masonry; in Wisconsin she worshipped at Congre-gational churches in Watertown and Brookfield and kept a strong faith throughout her long life.

The family encourages memorials in lieu of flowers to the charity of your choice.

Stuart M. Johnson

BOSCOBEL, Wis. — Stuart M. Johnson, 77, of Boscobel died Friday, June 27, 2008, at Boscobel Area Health Care in Boscobel. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at United Methodist Church in Boscobel. Burial will be in Hickory Grove Cemetery, Hickory Grove Township, Grant County , Wis. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Boscobel Fire Department or Boscobel Rescue Squad. Kendall Funeral Service, Boscobel, is assisting the family.

Gertrude M. Davidson

CHASEBURG, Wis. — Gertrude M. Davidson, 81, of rural Chaseburg died Friday, June 27, 2008, at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby, Wis. Funeral services will be announced by Seland Funeral Home, Coon Valley, Wis.

Arthur Lowe

SOLDIERS GROVE, Wis. — Arthur Lowe, 95, of Soldiers Grove passed from this life and into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, June 26, 2008, at Sannes Skogdalen Nursing Home in Soldiers Grove.

He was born to Thomas and Inez (George) Lowe on Sept. 22, 1912.

Arthur lived a very full life. He was a loving husband and father. He lived by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” He served for a time as justice of the peace, ran a gas station, kept bees and helped put up the first telephone lines. He farmed all his life, first at the “company farm” in Haney Valley and later on Sugar Grove Ridge after buying his own farm. He owned the first hay baler in the area and, when he needed one, built his own hay conveyer out of an old hay loader. Whatever needed fixing he fixed and whatever needed to be made he made. Given enough time, he could repair just about anything. Some thought he could even get milk out of a fence post! He loved planting trees, grafting fruit trees and raising crops and cows. For years he raised hounds and the first sound any visitor would hear when pulling into the yard were the hounds baying their welcome. Art had a huge garden and enjoyed showing it off to people. Many times he would insist on sending produce home with visitors. He tapped maple trees to make syrup and grew sugar cane for sorghum. He filled his old cistern with potatoes and apples, always making sure he had enough provisions not only for himself but for his family. He made perfect sauerkraut and wasn’t afraid to try anything.

Art loved sports and often listened to the Brewers (or Milwaukee Braves) on the radio or TV which could make visiting difficult. He was often found at the ball diamond watching the 4-H teams play during the summer.

Art was an active member of the Sugar Grove Church of Christ and served on the board for many years. He will be greatly missed.

Arthur was preceded in death by his wife, Nathell Hazel Lowe; two daughters, Francis and Ruth; his parents; three sisters; and one son-in-law, Maurice Moe.

He is survived by three daughters, Rose Moe, Barb (Orville) Haynes and Pat (Ed) Krogan; his sister, June Williams; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 30, at 1 p.m. at Sugar Grove Church of Christ. Pastor Dennis Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at Sime Funeral Home in Readstown, Wis., on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Monday at the church from noon until time of services.

Condolences may be offered at simefuneralforum.com.