F. Clark Carnes
OCONTO, Wis. — F. Clark Carnes, 93, graduate of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1937, died Wednesday, June 25, 2008, after suffering a heart attack in his Oconto home.
He was born in a tarpaper shack on a land claim in Fergus County, Mont., on Aug. 20, 1914. His father, a cowboy turned homesteader, Elijah Bliss Carnes, and his mother, a strong-willed adventuress, Irene Clark Carnes, were originally from Appleton, Wis. In 1921, the family returned home to Appleton.
F. Clark Carnes was a man of the earth, a lifelong naturalist, birder and insightful observer of the natural order. Early on, he attracted statewide notice and interest for his youthful observations and work with butterflies and moths of Wisconsin.
He was also a lifelong writer, writing journals, stories, plays and poetry. He published many of his poems, including a volume titled Mess-A-Verse. An inquisitive, reflective and sometime humorous writer, he continued writing throughout his business career.
Physically adept, he was an award-winning athlete in swimming and gymnastics throughout his early years and college. He graduated from UW-La Crosse with a bachelor’s of science degree in chemistry and physical education and received his law degree from UW-Madison. He served in the U.S. Navy as a PT boat captain during WWII.
When he returned, he resumed his interrupted career in industry at Kimberly-Clark Corp. in Appleton. He retired from the industry as vice president of new enterprises at Graphic Controls Corp. in Buffalo, N.Y.
Upon his retirement he retreated to a more contemplative environment in Wisconsin’s northwoods. There he adopted a suitable state of being; drifting in his canoe, dreaming on the clouds, and inspired by the natural beauty around him, he pondered the ways of the world. He also wrote, this time as social critic, humorist and philosopher. He wrote “Word from North Peavy,” a long-running column in the Rhinelander (Wis.) Daily News, where he shared his observations, insights, subtle humor and wisdom with his readers. He was a man of quality and depth, self-made and a gentleman to the last.
Upon returning from Montana, F. Clark Carnes spent his early years in Appleton on Vine Street at the YMCA and working about town. He graduated from UW-La Crosse in 1937, completed law school at UW-Madison and was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in 1940.
On June 6, 1941, he married Genevieve in Black Creek, Wis., with whom he had three sons. He worked for Kimberly Clark Corp. from 1941-43, served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-45, and resumed work at Kimberly Clark from 1945-57. In 1959, he moved to East Aurora, N.Y.
He worked for Graphic Controls Corp. from 1961 until his retirement in 1979. On May 28, 1983, he married Anne in East Aurora, and later that year moved to Parrish, Wis. In 2003, he moved to Oconto, where he died on June 25, 2008.
He was preceded in death by siblings, Robert and Jean Carnes; wife, Genevieve; and sons, Scott and Douglas. He is survived by his wife, Anne; son, James; and daughter-in-law, Catherine.
A memorial service will be held at the Carnes family plot, Riverside Cemetery, Appleton, at 10:30 a.m. July 26. Contact through Gallagher Funeral Home (920-834-3000), 217 Congress St., Oconto, WI 54153.
The family requests no flowers or donation but rather a few moments of genuine reflection on the human condition and on the beauty of our natural world.
His was surely a curious mind.
Concetta Gunther
BETHEL, Alaska — Concetta Gunther, 39, died on Thursday, July 10, 2008. She was born on May 26, 1969, in Bethel, Alaska, to Michael and Mary Sheppard.
While growing up in Alaska, Connie worked at a local convenience store and on the fishing boats in the summer. She loved the mountains and beauty of her home state. She was quick to smile and had an unforgettable laugh. She knew how to have fun and make a house a home and was a foster mother for a few years before moving to Wisconsin. Connie loved those around her deeply.
Connie is survived by her son, Stanley L. Gunther; stepchildren, Ed Jr., Gina, Amy and Sarah; a niece, Michelle Sheppard of Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved in Alaska. Although Connie may have left the state of Alaska, she never left the hearts of her parents, Michael and Mary Sheppard; her brother, Michael “Junior” Sheppard; and sisters Lizzie, Marilynn and Matilda. She remains in the heart of her special friend, Mike O’Reilly. She will be missed deeply. Connie was preceded in death by a sister, Alexandra; her husband, Edward Gunther Sr.; and her grandparents, Tommy and Lizzie Sheppard.
Funeral services will be held in Mountain Village, Alaska. Local memorial services will be announced at a later date.
Lonny Canard
Lonny Canard, 59, died at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center on Friday, July 18, 2008. Funeral services are tentative for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 809 Gillette St., La Crosse. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 p.m. Tuesday until the time of services. A complete obituary will be provided in Monday’s Tribune.
Josephine Ann Guse
RURAL WHITEHALL, Wis. — Josephine A. Guse, 90, of rural Whitehall died on Saturday, July 19, 2008, in her home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Saint John’s Catholic Church with burial in Lincoln Cemetery, both in Whitehall.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in Jack Funeral Home, Whitehall, where a Christian prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. followed by a parish rosary. Friends may also call one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday.
Ronald D. Kenyon
MELROSE, Wis. — Ronald D. Kenyon, 70, succumbed to cancer Friday, July 18, 2008.
He was born on Jan. 7, 1938, the son of George and Theresa (Stapert) Kenyon. He lived in the Melrose and North Bend, Wis., area and was an Air Force veteran, an avid sportsman and he drove truck for many years.
He is survived by four daughters, Laurie (Edward) Burckhardt of Poynette, Wis., Christine Kenyon (Eric Wiley) of Sauk City, Wis., Deb (Kevin) Rathermel of Waupun, Wis., and Holly (Rob) Kurt of Lodi, Wis.; 12 grandchildren; a great-grandchild; his mother, Theresa Kenyon of Sparta, Wis.; a very close friend, Bunnita Burcher of Melrose; two sisters, Carol Kenyon of North Bend and Mary (Don) Schellin of Westfield, Wis.; five brothers, Wayne (Sharon) Stapert of Sutherlin, Ore., William (Beverly) Kenyon of Apache Junction, Ariz., Duane (Jean) Kenyon of Dunoon, Scotland, Charles Kenyon of San Jose, Calif., and Paul Kenyon of LaValle, Wis.; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, George; and his grandson, Jeff Burckhardt.
A memorial service in Melrose will be announced at a later date.
Francis J. Curti
WEST SALEM, Wis. — Francis J. Curti, 84, of West Salem died Saturday, July 19, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, La Crosse. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem.
Arlen Richard Mathews
Arlen R. Mathews, 65, died on Friday, July 18, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. A complete notice will follow. Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Margie A. Knutson
SPARTA, Wis. — Margie A. Knutson, 89, of Sparta died Friday, July 18, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. She was born on June 1, 1919, in Middle Ridge, Wis., to Joseph and Margaret (Arentz) Strittmatter. She grew up in Middle Ridge and moved to La Crosse when she was 18 years old. Margie worked as a housekeeper and cook at the Blaschke Funeral Home. While in La Crosse she met George Knutson. They were married on July 17, 1940.
After marriage, they lived in Irish Coulee, Wis. They farmed on several farms until they moved to Rockland, Wis. They lived in Rockland for six years and then moved to Sparta in 1968. Margie worked as a nurses aid at Mulder Healthcare, West Salem, Wis., and then at Rolling Hills Nursing Home, Sparta until she retired in 1981.
She is survived by her children, Jeanette (William) Fisher of Sparta, Bonnie (Larry) Dempsey of Sparta and Patricia (Roger Suhr) Ziegler of Sparta; six grandchildren, Kim (Paul) Knoll of Sparta, Richard (Jann) Fisher of St. Charles, Minn., Jeff (Anita) Fisher of Sparta, Dawn (Paul Mahlum) Ziegler of Holmen, Wis., Michael (Loretta) Ziegler II of La Crosse, and Mark Ziegler of Shreveport, La.; and five great grandchildren, Josh, Brady, Calle, Andrew and Ava.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George on April 11, 1972; a son, Ronald on June 29, 1999; and three brothers, Joseph, Lawrence and Everette.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sparta, with the Rev. Matthew E. Toso officiating. Burial will be in Burns Cemetery, rural Bangor, Wis.
Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta and at the church from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the time of services. Online condolences may be offered at www.lanham-miller.com
Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Joseph G. Potaracke Sr.
Joseph G. Potaracke Sr., 77, of La Crosse, died on Friday, July 18, 2008, at Hillview Health Care Center.
Joe was born in La Crosse on Oct. 21, 1930, to John and Theodora (Kreibich) Potaracke. He was a graduate of Aquinas High School, Class of 1949. After graduation, he began his carpenter apprenticeship with Local 1143. This was interrupted by his service in the U. S. Air Force from 1951-55. Joe was stationed at Shepherd’s Grove Air Base in Suffolk, England. He was a member of Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52 of La Crosse for 35 years.
On May 15, 1952, Joe married Shirley Vodde of La Crosse at Edmund the Martyr Church in Bury St. Edmunds, England.
Following his tour of duty, Joe returned to La Crosse and continued in the carpenter trade. Joe was proud of his lifelong trade as a carpenter. After working for various contractors, he established a business of his own known as Joe Potaracke Construction. In 1980, he became the carpenter for the School District of La Crosse, retiring in 1992. He was proud to have received his 50 year pin as a carpenter.
Joe enjoyed traveling and toured and visited many foreign countries over the years. He enjoyed eating out and he loved to dance.
Joe dearly loved his family and found much pleasure in their visits and the many happy family gatherings. He had a wonderful sense of humor and found joy and happiness in his life. He is survived by Shirley, his loving wife of 56 years; three sons, Edward and Joseph Jr., both of La Crosse, and David (Kelly) of Holmen; four daughters, Debra (Pat) Verse, Mary Johnson and Julie (Chris) Larson, all of La Crosse, and Lori (David) Noack of Sussex, Wis.; twenty-five grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. He is further survived by three sisters, Rosemary (Ray) Noonan of Fort Myers, Fla., Theresa (Pat) McHenry of La Crosse, and Sister Rochelle Potaracke, FSPA; two sisters-in-law, Brazy Potaracke (Leo, deceased) of Columbus, Miss., and Rose Potaracke (Emil or “Don”, deceased) of La Crosse; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Amy Jo Verse; three brothers, Leo, Francis and Emil; one sister, Agnes Hanson; a sister-in-law, Margaret Potaracke (Francis, deceased); and a brother-in-law, Clyde Myers, who was married to Joe’s surviving sister, Theresa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 21, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Rev. Lawrence B. Berger will officiate. Entombment, with military honors, will follow in the St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum in the Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 4 to 7 p.m. today where a rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m., and again from 10 a.m. Monday until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Alzheimer’s Association, or to Hillview Health Care Center. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family with arrangements.
Evelyn J. Feally
Evelyn J. Feally, 66, of La Crosse died Thursday, July 17, 2008, in Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
She was born Aug. 7, 1941, to Evlon and Ethel (Wall) Schanbeck in Coggin, Iowa. She married Wayne Feally at Immaculate Conception Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Oct. 8, 1960.
She is survived by her husband, Wayne, of 48 years; two sons, Terry (Laurie) and their daughter Summer of La Crosse and Brian (Sue) of Madison, Wis.; Brian’s daughter, Crystal Roeser, of Green Bay, Wis.; her sisters, Shirley (Mel) German and Margie Main, both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
In keeping with Evelyn’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Private graveside services will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in La Crosse.
A funeral Mass will be offered and announced at a later date.
Memorials may be given to St. James the Less Catholic Church, La Crosse, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, or Gundersen Lutheran Hospice, La Crosse.
The family wishes to thank the entire wonderful staff at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, the Clinic Oncology Department and Hospice personnel that cared so well for Evelyn, Father Roger Scheckel of St. James Parish for his many visits and prayers, and a very special “Thank You” to Dr. Leah Dietrich for her compassionate care during Evelyn’s seven year battle with cancer.
The Blaschke and Schneider Funeral Home of La Crosse-Nelson Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Dwight ‘Duke’ H. Kennedy III
Dwight Harvey Kennedy, 71, of La Crosse passed away early Thursday morning, July 17, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
He was born Sept. 15, 1936, in Brainerd, Minn., to Dwight Harvey and Eleanor Holby Kennedy. Duke graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1954. He was active in athletics and Scouting, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. During his undergraduate years at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (62), he wrote and published a history of Christ Episcopal Church.
He had a long career in the insurance industry and also as a general contractor. He served and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. After retirement, he remained active as an avid golfer, pool and poker player. In addition to living in La Crosse, Duke spent many years in San Francisco, Hawaii and Dallas.
Duke will be remembered for his intellectual wit and infectious laugh. He made a host of friends throughout his life.
His suffering has ended and may God take him into His realm of peace forever.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dwight Harvey Kennedy II, who died in 1958.
He is survived by his son, David Dwight Kennedy, Dallas, Texas; his mother, Eleanor M. Kennedy, La Crosse; brothers, Dale (Terry) Kennedy, Piedmont, Calif.; Dennis (Regan) Kennedy, Murphy, Texas; and sister, Dawn Kennedy Kosbab, La Crosse. Duke is also survived by nephew, Keven Kennedy, Calif.; nieces, Stephanie Kennedy, Alexandria, Va.; and Sarah Kennedy, Little Rock, Ark.; former wife, Dianne Kennedy, Dallas; Duke Kim, Hawaii, and numerous other friends and extended family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the V. Foundation for Cancer Research. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, July 21, at Christ Episcopal Church, 111 N. Ninth St., La Crosse.
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