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

Published - Friday, July 11, 2008

Obituaries for Friday, July 11, 2008

By Tribune staff

Margaret Eleanor Grace (Hartmann) Redig

WINONA, Minn. — Margaret Eleanor Grace (Hartmann) Redig passed on in her 96th year of life July 4, 2008, at her farm home, where she had lived for 69 years. She showed incredible determination, grace and courage as she lived with arthritis that impacted her physical ability to do some of the things she loved.

Margaret was born Oct. 6, 1912, to Aloysius and Elizabeth (Rachel) Hartmann in Wadena, Minn., the eighth of nine children. She grew up on the family farm near Staples, Minn., and attended area schools. She was a direct descendant of Minnesota territorial pioneers who secured farmland in Carver County (Chanhassen, Minn.) from the U.S. government in 1850 before Minnesota became a state.

On Sept. 6, 1939, she married Gerold Redig, and together they farmed in Wilson Township, where they raised seven children.

Margaret was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Wilson; the Ladies Aid, WCCW, Catholic Aid Society. She was involved in the Homemakers, 4-H, and School District (Club) 99.

Margaret loved gardening and valued her connection to the land and soil that brought her close to God. Her gardens provided generous amounts of vegetables and fruits for immediate use as well as for preserving. She always made room for flowers in her vegetable garden, saying, “Flowers are food for the soul.” Margaret enjoyed raising and tending farm animals ranging from horses, cows, pigs and sheep to geese and chickens. Over the years, she enjoyed crocheting, sewing and making “jean quilts” from well-worn farm overalls and jeans. She had a keen interest and concern about what was happening in her community and world. Although her formal education ended with the eighth grade, she was an eager, lifelong learner and avid reader, reading the daily paper to the day she died.

Margaret is survived by her seven children, Theresa (Donald) Yaeger of Ferryville, Wis., Sister Ann Redig of Rochester, Minn., Mariar (Patrick) Gannon of Bloomington, Minn., Ardis (Robert) Johnson of Surprise, Ariz., Robert (Kathy Foster) Redig of Winona, Joan Redig (Wayne Purtzer) of Houston, Minn., and Jane Redig (John Williams) of Menomonie, Wis.; 13 grandchildren, Kara Yaeger (Nancy Wehinger), Jeni Yaeger (Eric Jones), Richard Yaeger, Matthew (Alicia) Yaeger, Dean (Jennifer) Gannon, Bradley Gannon (Deborah), Nathan (Kristin) Johnson, Peter (Paula) Johnson, Jeffrey Johnson (Krissandra Anneca Anfinson), Isaac (Lauren) Redig, Eryn Redig, Ray (Tonya) Purtzer and Jill (Jay) Reed; 14 great-grandchildren, Riley, Alexandra, Will, Connor, Jacob, Jessica, Kaitlyn, Breanna, Makenna, Draven, Zechaiah, Bennett, Campbell and Cameron; one sister, Frances Hartmann Ostrowski; two brothers-in-law, Arthur (Lorraine) Redig and Wilfrid (Margureite) Redig of Winona; and many nieces, nephews, neighbors, relatives and friends.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gerold; her sisters, Mary, Regina, Barbara, Magdalena, Sr. Constantia and Elizabeth; and her brother, John.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Margaret will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 18, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Wilson, with the Rev. Marreddy Pothireddy officiating. Inter-ment will be at Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery, Wilson.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service —Hansen Goodview Chapel, and beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at the church. There will be a prayer service at the funeral home at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Memorials may be directed to any of the following: Land Stewardship Project, Winona Hospice, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church—Wilson, Sisters of St. Francis in Rochester, Women’s Resource Center-Winona or Winona Catholic Worker.

Feel free to share a memory of Margaret with her family, sign the online guest book and view her video tribute at www.hofffuneral.com.

Eva M. McNally

JANESVILLE, Wis. — Eva M. McNally, 100, of Janesville died on Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at home.

She was born in Cashton, Wis., on April 14, 1908, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Geier) Marx. She married Paul “Pete” A. McNally on Sept. 24, 1934, in Cashton, and he preceded her in death July 20, 1986. Eva had been a Janesville resident since 1929 and had been employed by St. Mary’s Catholic School, Parker Pen, and Colvin’s bakery. She taught for many years at St. Mary’s Catholic School and was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Altar Society, Catholic Women and LAMP. Eva enjoyed knitting, crocheting, playing cards and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her two daughters, Kathleen (Charles) Steed and Mary (Robert) Foss, both of Janesville; two sons, Richard (Donna) McNally of Rockford, Ill., and Joseph (Ruth) McNally of Janesville; 16 grandchildren: Mike, Marty, Julie, Paul, Maria, Maureen, William, Thomas, Michelle, Scott, Steve, Joseph, Thad, Anne, Matt and Jaimi; 33 great-grandchildren; one brother, Paul (Pat) Marx of Janesville; a brother-in-law, Floyd (Caroline) McNally of Janesville; and two sisters-in-law, Regina (Merritt “Red”) Brown and Kathleen McNally, both of Janesville.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers: the Rev. Lambert Marx, the Rev. Joseph Marx and Clement Marx; and two sisters, Helen Degenhardt and an infant, Christine.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, July 14, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Janesville, with the Rev. Stephen J. Umhoefer officiating. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Janesville. A visitation will be Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Schneider Apfel Schneider & Schneider Funeral Home. A memorial fund will be established at a later date. For an online obituary and registry go to www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com.

Sister Marie (Louise Regine) Addis, FSPA

Sister Marie Addis, 85, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, died Thursday, July 10, 2008, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse.

Sister Marie was born to Siad and Shaheene Addis on Aug. 4, 1922, in La Crosse. She was employed at La Crosse Garment Co., clerked for S.S. Kresge Co. and Fayz Wakeen Grocery, was secretary-bookkeeper for Becker Roofing Co. and stenographer for the State Department of Public Welfare before entering St. Rose Convent in 1949. She professed vows in 1952 and taught on the elementary level for five years. After earning a degree in business education from Edgewood College and a master’s degree in religious studies from the University of Detroit, Sister Marie taught 28 years in high schools in Wisconsin including 15 years at Aquinas High School, La Crosse. From 1988-1992 she served as receptionist (and bookkeeper for one year) at St. Rose Convent and then as a volunteer for 12 years at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare and St. Rose. She formally retired at St. Rose in 1995 and to the Villa in 2004.

Sister Marie is survived by her Franciscan community; a sister, Elaine Addis, La Crosse; and nieces and nephews. Her parents, five brothers: Fred, Philip, Ford, Joseph and Michel; and a sister, Josephine, preceded her in death.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. Sunday, July 13, when the body will be brought to St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be at 6 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Rev. Thomas O’Neill, chaplain at Viterbo University, will preside at the Mass of Christian Burial Monday at 10 a.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.

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

Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Shirley Steele

WAUKON, Iowa — Shirley Steele, 69, of Waukon died Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at Veterans Memorial Hospital, Waukon. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Martin Funeral Home, with burial in Oakland Cemetery, both Waukon. Friends may call from 12:30 p.m. until the time of services Sunday at the funeral home.

Evalena M. Sommer

WAUKON, Iowa — Evalena M. Sommer, 91, of Waukon died Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at Good Samaritan Home, Waukon. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery, both Waukon. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Martin Funeral Home, Waukon.

Clarence E. Sidie

WEST SALEM, Wis. — Clarence E. Sidie, 73, of West Salem died Wednesday, July 10, 2008, at Lakeview Health Care Center, West Salem. A full obituary will be provided by Dickinson Family Funeral Home.