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

Published - Monday, June 30, 2008

Obituaries for Monday, June 30, 2008

By Tribune staff

Edward C. Anderson

WHITEHALL, Wis. — Edward C. Anderson, 84, of Whitehall died Friday, June 27, 2008, at Tri-County Memorial Nursing Home, Whitehall.

He was born April 10, 1924, in Arcadia Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., to Gabriel B. and Julia (Nelson) Anderson. He married Mavis Smith on June 3, 1953, in Galesville, Wis. She died Nov. 16, 2000.

Ed was born and raised on the farm in Square Bluff, rural Whitehall, where he continued farming until he was 80 years old. Ed and Mavis raised 10 children and were involved with their school and 4-H activities. Ed was an active member of Independence Lutheran Church, Independence, Wis., and served on the church council. He served on the Whitehall School Board and was a member of Trempealeau County Farm Bureau.

Survivors include 10 children, Kay (Robert) Speerstra of Whitehall, Beth (Kent) Nilsestuen of Arcadia, Ina (Gary) Klonecki, Carol Anderson, Michael (Dee Ann) Anderson and Bruce (Mary) Anderson, all of Whitehall, Paul (Judy) Anderson of Hopkins, Minn., Julie (Les) Dokkestul of Hixton, Wis., Susan (Richard) Pronschinske of Waumandee, Wis., and Laurie (James) Olson of River Falls, Wis.; a brother, Goodwin Anderson of Whitehall; 18 grandchildren, Kelly and Clint Cohan, Craig Speerstra, Kyle, Jeffrey and Erin Nilsestuen, Alison and Brett Klonecki, Drew, Micah, Jacob, Joshua and Elijah Anderson, Bryce and Katie Dokkestul, Sarah, Jamie and Arick Pronschinske.

Edward was preceded in death by his wife; a brother, Bennet Anderson; two sisters, Carrie Hegge and Irene Berg; and two infant siblings.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Whitehall, with Terry Lorenz officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery, rural Independence.

Friends and relatives may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Edison Funeral Home, Independence and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Charles W. Bender

WOODMAN, Wis. — Charles W. Bender, 73, of Woodman died Saturday, June 28, 2008, at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa. Services will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at United Methodist Church, Boscobel, Wis. Burial in the Boscobel Cemetery. Visitation from 3 p.m. Wednesday until the time of services at the church. Memorials preferred. The Kendall Funeral Service, Boscobel, is assisting the family.

Sandra L. Bey

Sandra L. Bey, 61, died in the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center on Saturday, June 28, 2008. She was born Nov. 21, 1946, in La Crosse, to Wilbert and Delores (Hoyer) Braun. Sandra graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1964, and on Oct. 18, 1969, she was united in marriage to Douglas Bey. In 1982, she started her employment with the Trane Company and is a member of the 25 Year Club.

Sandra was a very caring person and often put others’ needs before her own. She loved her cats and Elvis.

She is survived by her son, Kirk (Cindy) Bey of Onalaska, Wis.; a grandson, Nolan; two brothers, Philip (Barbara) Braun of West Salem, Wis., and Stanley (Barbara) Braun of Madison, Wis.; and her best friend of over 50 years, Sandy Fritz. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1201 Main St., in Onalaska. The Rev. William Bader will officiate, and burial will be in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services.

Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.

The family would like to thank the staff of Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center for the loving and compassionate care provided to Sandra.

The Dickinson Family Funeral Homes and Crematory are assisting the family.

Leslie ‘Bud’ H. King

HOLMEN, Wis. — Leslie “Bud” H. King, 86, died Sunday, June 29, 2008. Services will be at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, Holmen. Friends may call the funeral home from 3 p.m. Wednesday until the time of services. A complete obituary will be provided for Tuesday’s paper.

Joan M. Kruger

WAUKON, Iowa — Joan M. Kruger of Waukon died Saturday, June 28, 2008, at Good Samaritan Center, Waukon. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Zalmona Presby-terian Church, rural Waukon. Burial will be at Zalmona Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Martin Funeral Home, Waukon.

Mary C. Mason

BURLINGTON, WIs. — Mary C. Mason of Burlington passed away Saturday, June 28, 2008, at Lakeland Health Care Center in Elkhorn, Wis. She was born March 11, 1921, in La Crosse to Edwin and Mathilda (nee Naegle) Taylor. She spent her early life in La Crosse and attended Logan High School.

On Feb. 6, 1940, in Dubuque, Iowa, Mary was united in marriage to Lyle R. Mason. Following marriage, they resided in La Crosse before moving to Burlington in 1960. Lyle preceded Mary in death on Aug. 30, 1997.

Mary was a waitress for White Oaks Restaurant, the Cotton Picker and the Plush Horse, all in Burlington. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Mary enjoyed politics and worked in Burlington and La Crosse for the Democratic Party. She also worked for Sen. William Proxmire as a volunteer. Her hobbies included playing bingo and cards.

Survivors include her children, Jim Mason of Burlington, Lance (Therese) Mason of McFarland, Wis., Terry Mason of McFarland, Pat (Suzanne) Mason of La Crosse, Colleen (David) Benkendorf of Burlington, Tom (Deanna) Mason of Holmen, Wis., and Brian (Susan) Mason of Monona, Wis.; by grandchildren, Nick, Mike, Hayley, Bria, Kylie, Conner, Billy Jack, Madelyn, Jordan, Dylan, and Gavin Mason, and Joe, Ryan and Kate Benkendorf. She is further survived by great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Marie Benkendorf; special friends, Rick and Mike Tangedahl, Lorry Fitzpatrick, Bob Zarek, Richard Kiekenbusch, Dr. George Krismer, Keva Bloom, Betty and Frank Voss, Del and Dick Duerr and a multitude of friends. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Jack Mason; and a grandson, Collin Michael.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in La Crosse, with Father Larry Choate officiating. Burial will follow at La Crosse Catholic Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home in Burlington and from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in La Crosse.

Victor E. Mikkelson

SPARTA, Wis. — Victor E. Mikkelson, 89, of Sparta died Sunday, June 29, 2008, at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta.

Ruth E. Pribek

FOX POINT, Wis. — Ruth E. Pribek (nee Broderick) of Fox Point, former longtime resident of La Crosse, Saturday, June 28, died at the age of 82. Beloved wife of Dr. Robert A. Pribek. Loving mother of Ann (H. Joseph) Lynch, Dr. Thomas Pribek, Molly (James) Petr, John (Deena) Pribek, Fr. James Pribek, S.J., Jane (Kody) Salem and Daniel Pribek. Devoted “Grammy” of John and Cecelia Lynch, Andrew, Jane and Grace Petr, and Caitrin and Anika Salem. Dear sister of James Broderick and the late John Broderick. Sister-in-law of Gini Broderick, Dolores Broderick and Harold Steinmetz. Best friend of Phyllis (William) Younger and Mary (Charles) Felker. Greatly missed by nieces, nephews other relatives, many friends and good neighbors.

Ruth was born June 20, 1926, in Manitowoc, Wis., daughter of the late Ephraim and Cecelia Zeiss Broderick. She graduated from Manitowoc Lincoln High School in 1944 and from Lawrence University in 1948. Ruth taught English at schools in Wausau, Wis., and Muskegon, Mich., before teaching at the former Lincoln High School on Milwaukee’s East Side. She remained a teacher at heart and was a grammarian who taught her children well the finer points of the English language, in addition to numerous important life lessons.

She married Dr. Robert Pribek, also of Manitowoc, on June 26, 1953, at Gesu Church in Milwaukee. Robert and Ruth lived in Duluth, Minn., and Milwaukee before relocating to La Crosse, where they resided for 38 years. Although a physician had advised Ruth that she would never be a parent, she joyfully proved him wrong by having seven children. For many years while in La Crosse, Ruth served as a substitute teacher and a parish school board member, and volunteered in various capacities at the YWCA. Perhaps her favorite roles were as a swimming teacher of young children, and later, managing a bookstore. Ruth and Robert returned to Milwaukee in 1995.

Throughout her adult life, Ruth loved her bridge and book clubs, as well as traditional jazz and folk music, and she was a voracious reader, especially of mystery novels. She also loved reading the daily newspaper and had strong progressive political commitments. She spent much of her free time at the family cottage on Clark Lake in Door County, Wis. She brought her excellent tastes, combined with her love of a good bargain, to decorating her home and to gift-giving, and she never forgot a birthday or other special occasion. She loved hosting family gatherings, was an exceptional cook and always enjoyed a good martini.

She was actively involved in Lawrence University Alumni activities and served for many years as her class secretary, organizing reunions. She was a devoted member of Old St. Mary’s Parish in Milwaukee. Ruth took great pleasure in her frequent trips to Ireland, where she had reconnected with relatives there.

Ruth died on an excursion to Chicago, treating her grandchildren to a day’s shopping on the Miracle Mile.

Visitation will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1, at the Feerick Funeral Home, followed by a vigil service at 7 p.m. The celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church, corner of N. Broadway and E. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee. Interment will take place at 11 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc, on Thursday. Memorials in Ruth’s name may be made to Old St. Mary’s Parish, 836 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, 53202 or St. Clare Health Mission, 916 Ferry St., La Crosse, WI 54601.

Online condolences may be sent to www.feerickfuneralhome.com.

Pauline ‘Pat’ Schmoll

CALEDONIA, Minn. — Pauline “Pat” Schmoll, 91, of Caledonia died Saturday, June 28, 2008, at Caledonia Care and Rehab.

She was born Dec. 5, 1916, in Ligonier, Ind., to Guy and Wilma (Growcock) Besse. On Sept. 13, 1935, Pat married Leon Schmoll in Huron, S.D., and they were blessed with over 68 years of marriage. They moved to Wilmington Township and farmed in the Spring Grove and Caledonia area for 25 years. In addition to farming, Pat was employed at the factory in Spring Grove and at the Caledonia Hospital. In 1979, Pat and Leon moved to Caledonia where they were members of the Presbyterian Church until its closing and then of Immanuel Lutheran Church. In her years in Wilmington, Pat enjoyed spending time in her flower garden. She also enjoyed her many collectibles. Pat and Leon spent the last years of their lives living at the Loretto Heritage Haven Apartments in Caledonia where their many neighbors and friends gave them much joy. On Feb. 29, 2004, Leon preceded Pat in death.

Survivors include one brother, Russell “Tubby” (Lorraine) Besse, and one sister, Helen (Marvin) Meiners, both of Brownsville, Minn.; special friends, Harriet and Norvin Qualey of Burr Oak, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Pat was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Ila and Loretta; and four brothers, Dale, Robert, George and Delbert.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Caledonia. The Rev. Elizabeth Stempinski will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at the church at 10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services. Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia, is in charge of arrangements.

Irene J. Sill

La Crosse/Onalaska, Wis. — Irene J. Sill, 98, died in the hospice unit of Franciscan Skemp Medical Center on Saturday, June 28, 2008. She was born March 2, 1910, in La Crosse, to Thomas and Jennie (Stucks) Holberg. At the age of 11, Irene had polio. She learned to walk all over again. She graduated from Central High School in 1926. She was a registered nurse, graduating from St. Francis School of Nursing in 1930. Graduating from nursing school was an accomplishment after having polio and not being able to walk. She worked for Dr. Archie Skemp as his nurse at his Skemp Clinic at 312 State St., La Crosse. She also assisted him in delivering babies, in those years mostly at homes and farms. She married Willard Sill on July 3, 1934, in the English Lutheran Church in La Crosse. They were married 74 years. She has been a member of English Lutheran Church since 1921. An active worker in the church, she served on many committees through the years. She was active in PTA activities, was a Cub Scout den mother and delivered Mobile Meals. She was an avid reader and enjoyed knitting. She knitted beautiful afghans for each family member. Irene donated hundreds of items she knitted to charity. Beautiful sweaters and items knitted by her were given to family members at Christmas time. Family always came first in her life. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

She is survived by her husband, Willard; two daughters, Marge Johnson of Beloit, Wis., and Marilyn (James) Pfister of Daggett, Mich.; a son, James Sill; special friend, Mary “Punky” Orrico of Onalaska, Wis.; five grandchildren, Robert (Jacquelyn) Johnson of Bruce, Wis., Kathy (Scott) Weiser of Beloit, Lynn (Jeff) Caple of Beloit and Aaron and Jennifer Sill of La Crosse; stepgrandchildren, Fred Pfister of Newton, Texas, and Bill (Stephanie) Pfister of Bridge City, Texas; nine great-grandchildren, Stephanie (Shaun) Longman, Cole and Maci Weiser, Tyler and Trey Caple, all of Beloit, Jequella and Micquel Jackson and Haley Sill, all of La Crosse, and Nicholas Pfister of Bridge City; nephews, David (Ginny) Holberg of Springfield, Mo., and Daniel (Cheryl) Frantz of Tomah, Wis.; and a niece, Grace (Lee) Snead of LeSeur, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her son, Thomas Sill; a son-in-law, Frank V. Johnson of Beloit; her parents; two sisters, Anna (Merritt) Wagner of La Crosse and Frances (Sylvester) Frantz of Tomah; and a brother, Richard (Olga) Holberg of Kansas and Florida; and a niece, Lois (Wagner) Slonka of La Crosse.

Memorial services will be at noon Tuesday in the English Lutheran Church, 1509 King St., La Crosse. The Rev. Duane Baardseth and the Rev. Mark Solyst will officiate, and burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 11 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services.

Memorials are preferred to the St. Clare Health Mission, the La Crosse Boys and Girls Club, English Lutheran Church or the Salvation Army.

The Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family.

Harvey M. Solberg

BLAIR, Wis. — Harvey M. Solberg, 90, of Blair died Saturday, June 28, 2008, in Grand View Care Center in Blair. Funeral arrangements are pending with the Jack Funeral Home, Blair.

Richard Zenner

SOLDIERS GROVE, Wis. — Richard Zenner, 77, of Soldiers Grove died Saturday, June 28, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, at St. Phillips Catholic Church in Rolling Ground, Wis. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. at Sime Funeral Home in Readstown, Wis., on Tuesday and from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the time of services at the church.