Jeffrey P. Abbs
TOMAH, Wis. Jeffrey P. Abbs, 48, of Tomah died Saturday, July 26, 2008, at his home. He was born Oct. 15, 1959, to Raymond and Mary (Fuerstenberg) Abbs in Tomah. He was united in marriage to Michelle Norman in 1979. He was a member of the Stoughton High School graduating class of 1978. Jeff enjoyed the outdoors and especially deer hunting. He was an avid Packers and NASCAR fan. His true passion in life was spending time with his grandchildren. He was a loving and devoted Papa and took great pride in teaching them their ABCs and 123s.
He is survived by a daughter, Kim Abbs (friend John Davis) of Tomah; a son, Brian Abbs (Nicole Neumann) of West Salem, Wis.; 12 grandchildren, Breanna, Keira, Triton, Maura, Tanner, McKenna, Cody, Becca, Jacob, Brandon, Wyatt and soon-to-be baby Abbs; his mother, Mary of Tomah; a sister, Pamela Zimmerman-Waters of Tomah; a foster sister, Rhonda Presnoll of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; an aunt, Helen (Ray) Salzman of Warrens, Wis.; three uncles, Jerry (Sharon) Fuerstenberg of Millston,Wis., Bill (Carolyn) Fuerstenberg of Janensville, Wis., and Richard (Audrey) Abbs of Tomah; a special niece and nephew, Nikki and Richard VanHoof; other nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ray in 1985; and a brother, Lester in 1976.
A Christian Prayer Service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah. The Very Rev. Steven J. Kachel will officiate. A private family burial will be held.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 11 a.m. Wednesday until the time of services at Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home.
Daryl B. Lampert
LA CRESCENT, Minn. Daryl B. Lampert, 62, of La Crescent died Friday, July 25, 2008, in his home. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crescent.
Paul Joseph Mahoney
Paul Joseph “Mooch” Mahoney died Thursday, July 3, 2008, at McAllen Medical Center in McAllen, Texas. He was born April 13, 1935, in La Crosse County to Paul K and Charlotte (Allender) Mahoney. He attended Central High School, then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1953 and was a Korean war veteran. On July 10, 1957, Paul married June Rose of La Crosse. He was employed as an engineer on the Burlington Northern Railroad for 45 years until his retirement.
Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and attending family gatherings. He spent many seasons golfing with friends at Pine Creek and Ettrick golf courses. Paul and his wife, June, spent many years camping and traveling in their RV. In later years, they enjoyed spending their winters together in Texas with family and friends. Paul was also an avid Packers fan. In 2007, he and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Paul was a Golden Age Eagle and React member of the La Crosse Eagles Club Aerie 1254. He was employed there part time after his retirement. He was a member of La Crosse VFW Post 1530 and French Island American Legion Post 417. He also belonged to Local 311 of the United Transportation Union.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. Paul enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and his sense of humor will be missed. He is survived by his wife, June; a son, Jeffery (Rebecca) Mahoney of Rhinelander, Wis.; daughters, Susan (Dale) Gehri of Holmen, Wis., and Barbara (Jerry) Brooks of Independence, Wis.; son-in-law, Mark (Catherine) Hollowitsch of La Crosse; grandchildren, Michael (Heidi) Gehri, Amy and Melissa Brooks, Jacob and Jenna Mahoney, Mackenzie Hollowitsch, and Colleen and Morgan Roach; great-grandchild, Logan Paul Gehri; and nephew, Rodney (Marty) Wilson. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kimberly Rose Hollowitsch; parents, Paul and Charlotte Mahoney; sister, Alice; brother-in-law, Donald Wilson; and niece, Patty Wilson.
Memorial services will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 Sill St., La Crosse. The Rev. Stephan Sandness will officiate. Relatives and friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of services.
Interment will be at a later date.
Leatrice C. Marten
WEST SALEM, Wis. Leatrice C. Marten, 80, of West Salem died Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Onalaska Care Center, Onalaska, Wis. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem.
Ashley M. McCoy
WEST SALEM, Wis. Ashley M. McCoy, 17, of West Salem died unexpectedly Friday, July 25, 2008. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem.
Herman C. Miller
Herman C. Miller, 99, of La Crosse died Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Hillview Health Care Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse.
Gynther Muhle
HOUSTON, Minn. Gynther Muhle, 94, died Friday, July 25, 2008, at Valley View Nursing Home in Houston. Hoff Funeral Homes-Houston Chapel will be assisting the family with arrangements.
Ethel H. Northcott
SHENNINGTON, Wis. Ethel H. Northcott, 81, of Shennington died Friday, July 25, 2008, at Serenity House in Tomah, Wis. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Open Door Baptist Church near Tomah. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery near Shennington. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Torkelson Funeral Home, Tomah, and 10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Tomah Hospice Touch program. Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ruth M. Udulutch Senn
Ruth M. Udulutch Senn, 77, of La Crosse passed away peacefully July 25, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 26, 1931, in La Crosse to Wilfred and Myrtle (Wardwell) Udulutch.
Ruth was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Catholic Church in La Crosse and was a 1950 graduate of Aquinas High School. She married Lawrence John Senn on Sept. 16, 1950, at St. John’s Catholic Church. She worked at Gundersen Lutheran Clinic and retired in 1996.
Ruth was born with a sweet and gentle spirit that she channeled as a loving and devoted mother and she delighted in the lives of her children.
She is survived by four daughters, Rita (Stephen) Senn-Sikorski of Oceanside, Calif., Rose (Barry) Sidell of Madison, Julie Hanson of Mesa, Ariz., and Janice (Todd) Erickson of New Market, Minn.; four sons, Robin (Kristine) Senn of Tomah, Wis., Randy (Rebecca) Senn of Janesville, Wis., Mark (Olivia) Senn of Burnsville, Minn., and Christopher (Angie) Senn of Blair, Wis.; and eight grandchildren, Jeffrey Senn, Nicole Senn, Michael Sidell, Mark Senn, Gabriela Senn, Matthew Senn, Ryan Erickson, and Grace Erickson.
Ruth is also survived by one brother, Charles (Eleanor) Udulutch of Oshkosh, Wis.; and four sisters, Carol Udulutch, Mary (Gerald) Guentner, Janice Rogness, all of La Crosse, and Ellen Bradford-Filzen of Onalaska, Wis.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence in 1973; one infant child, Rosemary; her parents; and one brother, William.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1333 S. 13th St. La Crosse. The Rev. Lawrence Berger will officiate with burial to be held in Woodlawn Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends and family may call at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Monday.
Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Homes of La Crosse are assisting the family with arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.
Her parting words: “There is nothing as strong as being gentle.”
The family would like to thank the staff at Meadow Wood Assisted Living for their professional and loving care our mother received.
Anna L. Wojahn
Anna L. Wojahn, 85 of La Crosse died Friday, July 25, 2008, at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center. She was born Nov. 23, 1922, in the Town of Bergen, Vernon County, to Reinhold and Leda (Proksch) Beitlich. She married Robbert E. Wojahn on Jan. 3, 1948, in La Crosse. Anna was an honorary member of First Evangelical Lutheran Mother’s Club. She enjoyed gardening, baking, watching baseball and trips with her husband and friends.
She is survived by two daughters, Barbara (David) Follendorf and Kristine (Michael) Wagoner, both of La Crosse; two sons, William Wojahn and Karl Wojahn, both of La Crosse; two grandchildren, Jon (Valerie) Follendorf of Holmen, Wis., and Benjamin Wagoner of La Crosse; a grand-son-in-law, Thomas Loeffler of Almont, Mich.; five great-grandchildren, Anna Loeffler, Allyson Loeffler and Kyle Loeffler, all of Almont, Mich., and Rylie Follendorf and Ian Follendorf, both of Holmen; one sister, Louise Beffa of La Crosse; a brother-in-law, Edward Wojahn; three sisters-in-law, Annlouise Beitlich, Evelyn Beitlich and Gerri Wojahn; along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert in August 1999; a son, Arthur in September 1969; a granddaughter, Laura Loeffler in June 2007; and four brothers and four sisters.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse. The Rev. Richard Pamperin will officiate. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and again at the church from 10 a.m Wednesday until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Evangelical Lutheran Church, First Evangelical Lutheran School or Luther High School.
Jean P. Artz Jr.
CAMP DOUGLAS, Wis. Jean P. Artz Jr., 80, of Camp Douglas died Friday, July 25, 2008, at his home. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Torkelson Funeral Home, Tomah. Burial with military rites will follow in Potter’s Cemetery, Wonewoc, Wis. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Wednesday until the time of services at the funeral home. Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements.
Gordon Henry Bahnub
HOLMEN/ETTRICK, Wis. Gordon Henry Bahnub, 88, formerly of Ettrick died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 20, 2008, in Holmen, where he has resided for the past two years. Gordon was born Aug. 20, 1919, in La Crosse and grew up on the family farm in Disco, Wis. He was the second-oldest of four children born to Fred and Mary (LaFleur) Bahnub. On Dec. 27, 1947, he was united in marriage to Beverly Ann Gilbertson at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Black River Falls, Wis.
Gordon was proud to have served his country from October 1940 to July 1945 in the United States Army’s 32nd Red Arrow Division, where he fought courageously in the South Pacific during World War II. After his discharge, he worked on the family farm in Ettrick. He retired from the Trempealeau County Highway Department in 1990. Gordon was a member of Living Hope Lutheran Church and served on the church council as a trustee. He was also a member of the American Legion, the VFW and the Ettrick Volunteer Fire Department.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; three daughters, Sara Karels and special friend, Michael Wall, Holmen, Julie (Keith) Johnson, Whitehall, Wis., and Beth (George) Giudice, Madison; and one son, Scott (Deanna) Bahnub, Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Va.; six granddaughters, Kari Anderson, Abby Johnson, Jennifer and Michelle Giudice, and Leah and Lindzy Bahnub; one great-granddaughter, Alexis Anderson; one “adopted” granddaughter, Michelle Johnston; and one sister, Mary (George) Stecha.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Gail; his parents, Fred and Mary Bahnub; a sister, Lois Powell; and a brother, Dean.
Gordon will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his incredible wit, his unforgettable performances while playing cards, his memorable moves on the dance floor and his frugal way of living that reminded us daily that he grew up during the Depression. He loved his family and friends and the years he was able to spend in Arizona. Gordon was not only a good man but a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many people. He will be deeply missed by all of us. The world is a better place thanks to the 88 years he spent making so many people laugh. May God bless this precious man.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Gordon’s life at a memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Living Hope Lutheran Church in Ettrick, with Rev. Greg Ofsdahl officiating. A private family burial will be held with military honors by the Ettrick American Legion Post 354 prior to the service, followed by a visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. at Living Hope.
Fossum Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Marie Berthanna (Brudos) Bean
DESOTO, Wis. Marie Berthanna (Brudos) Bean passed away Friday, July 25, 2008, at Bethel Home in Viroqua, Wis. She was born July 4, 1915, on Nash Ridge, Ferryville, Wis., to Sever and Rhena (Thompson) Brudos. She was united in marriage to Irven Bean on June 24, 1939. Besides being a homemaker, Marie worked at DeSoto High School as a custodian and as a cook/baker for the school lunch program and as a cook at Sandvick’s restaurant in De Soto, the Garment Factory in La Crosse and the Button Factory in Lansing, Iowa. She retired from the Button Factory in the mid ’70s. She and Irven were also the custodians for DeSoto Lutheran Church for a number of years before and after their retirement. After her retirement, Marie continued to garden, quilt and bake for family and friends. Marie and Irven lived in DeSoto until moving to Maplewood Terrace (Viroqua) in September 2001. Marie moved to the Bethel Home in February 2003.
She is survived by a son, Roger (Mary Jane) Bean of New Lisbon, Wis.; a daughter, Marilyn (Roger) Oliver of Port Byron, Ill.; eight grandchildren, Douglas (Lauren) Bean of Cottage Grove, Wis., Denise Bean and fiancι Rob LaRosa of Gillespie, Ill., Dru Bell of Stoughton, Wis., Nathan (Nichole) Oliver of Montgomery, Ala., Kristen (Matthew) Reece of Davenport, Iowa, Jody (Jody) Grossman of Cottage Grove, Lori Esser of Chicago and Lee (Carrie) Esser of Elk Mound, Wis.; eight great-grandchildren, Anthony Bell, Ashlee Bean, Ginelle Oliver, Aleck, Rhaena and Micah Reece, and Sydney and Haley Grossman; a brother, Archie Brudos; two sisters, Norma Olson and Eleanor Lee; and several nieces and nephews.
Her parents; her husband, Irven; and a brother, Silas Brudos, preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at DeSoto Lutheran Church, DeSoto. Pastor Libby Howe will officiate, with burial in DeSoto Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call from 11:30 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the DeSoto Lutheran Church Kitchen Fund or Bethel Home Foundation. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com.
The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of De Soto is serving the family.
Eugene M. Engh
VIROQUA, Wis. Eugene M. Engh, 76, of Viroqua died Friday, July 25, 2008, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 21, 1931, in rural Westby, Wis., to Norman and Alice (Sagmoen) Engh. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Vang Lutheran Church. He attended rural schools and was married Nov. 10, 1951, to Maebelle Buros at the Lutheran parsonage by Rev. Peder Nordsletten. Maebelle and Eugene farmed north of Viroqua. He dearly loved the land and animals and watching his crops grow. He was also an avid tractor puller. He was a 36-year member of National Farmers Organization, serving as county treasurer for three years and NFO meat board chairman for three years. He was a supervisor for the Town of Viroqua and was chairman of the Town of Viroqua for 28 years. He served nine years as a trustee of Vernon Manor, three years as trustee for the church board, as well as many hours volunteering in different ways. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a man who was willing to lend a helping hand and couldn’t say no when it came to helping someone out. We were all blessed to know him!
He is survived by one daughter, Carolyn (Duane) Ellefson; two sons, Steven (Linda) and Danny (Penny), all of Viroqua; 10 grandchildren, Paul (Amy) Ellefson, Laura (Steve) Leatherberry, Amy (Dale) Gabrielson, Wendy Hirschfield (special friend, Dan), Shawn (Phoebe) Engh, Jennifer (Mitchell) Harris, Jady (Bonnie) Inman and Tami (Jon) Saleska, Laci Eklov (Mike Olson) and Mindi Eklov; 24 great-grandchildren, Ashley, Cole, Kaila, Lexi, Dillon, Caden, Karlee, Autumn, Brandon, Robert, Patricia, Amanda, Noah, Steven, Taylor, Alexandra, Alexis, Cameron, Alexander, Quinton, Tiffany, Gregory, Vinnie and Joseph; very special friend, Lorraine Coleman and her children, Donna (Jerry) Rossing, Danny (Penny) Coleman, David (Jill) Coleman and Greg (Lori) McComb; brother, Maynard (Char) Engh; sister, Janice (Orvis) Primmer; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends; and “man’s best friend,” Otis.”
In addition to his parents, Eugene was preceded in death by his wife, Maebelle on Sept. 6, 2005; brother, LaVerne Engh; and sister, Beverly Zitzner.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Country Coon Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Westby. Pastor Julie Wollman will officiate, with burial in the Coon Prairie Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Hwy. 14, Westby. Friends may also call after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneral homes.com.
The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.
Shelly Rae Erlandson
WESTBY, Wis. Shelly Rae Erlandson, 48, of Bloomington, Minn., and formerly of Westby died Friday evening, July 25, 2008, at Fairview Southdale Hospital during heart surgery. She was born Feb. 29, 1960, to Sherman and Esther (Engh) Erlandson. She was baptized and confirmed at Westby Coon-Prairie Lutheran Church. Shelly was a graduate of Westby High School and WTC, La Crosse. She drove to California with her cousin and worked as a dental assistant in Beverly Hills. Shelly began working for Northwest Airlines in 1991 in Los Angeles and transferred to Minneapolis, where she was employed until her death. Surviving to mourn her loss are her parents; sisters, Lisa (Bill) Craig and Lori (Paul) Moe; brothers, Scott (Diane) and Jamey (Raya) Erlandson; nieces and nephews, Amanda (Ben) Chennault, Erik (Mandy) Craig, Ben and Makenzie, Bradley and Jeanne, Brandon, Kylie and Mikaela; great-nephew, Noah; and many relatives and friends. Shelly did a lot of traveling and treasured time with family. Her nieces and nephews were her pride and joy. Her keychain read “Special Aunt.” She was a most loving, sharing person, and we feel so blessed to have had her in our family. Thanks be to God. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Westby Coon Prairie Church, with Pastor Julie Wollman officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Hwy. 14, in Westby. Interment will be at a later date at Coon Prairie Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Woodlake Lutheran Church in Richfield, Minn., where she was a member; Westby Coon Prairie Church; Westby Fine Arts or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com.
The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.
Marian Olive Gust
Marian Olive Gust, 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, July 24, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. She was born Jan. 19, 1929, to Clarence and Olive (Fields) Phillips prematurely as a result of complications following a ruptured appendix, which resulted in her mother’s death. She was raised and later adopted by her paternal aunt and uncle, William and Della (Phillips) Junghans. Marian married Alton Becker in Winona, Minn., on Feb. 20, 1947, and they later divorced. She married A. Ray Taggart in 1978. Following his death, Marian married Darrell Gust on June 4, 1982, at “The Little Church of the West” in Las Vegas, Nev.
Marian was an executive secretary at Watkins Co. for many years and later worked as executive secretary and administrative assistant at Hauser Glass Co., both in Winona. During her retirement, she worked as a bailiff for the La Crosse County Court and as a receptionist at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital.
She was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star, past member of Sweet Adelines Chorus, Winona Community Hospital Pink Lady Volunteers, Women of the Moose Lodge and Partners of Gundersen Lutheran and a member of The Republican Women and North Presbyterian Church.
Marian enjoyed traveling, reading, playing dominoes and cards (especially bridge), entertaining friends and family, winters in Texas and was an avid Packers and Brewers fan.
She was a generous and caring person who will be dearly missed.
Marian is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Darrell; her children, Paul (Joanne) Becker, Hillsborough, N.J., Sheryl (Wayne) Henderson, Galesville, Wis,, Sharyn (John) Elstad, Lakeville, Minn., Victor (Julie) Becker, Apple Valley, Minn., and daughter-in-law, Shelley (Gary) Becker, Minot, N.D.; grandchildren, Kara and Sean Becker, Kelly (Andy) Jacobs, Blake (Dawn) Henderson, Johnny, Casey and Brian Elstad and Bryce Becker; great-grandchildren, Alexis and Shauna Jacobs; stepchildren, Bryan (Mary) Gust and Pamela Theall; step-grandchildren, Bradley (Jamie) Gust, Michelle (Chad) French, Kristin (Michael) Tremain and Heather (Phillip) Parker; step-great-grandchildren, Kaden Gust, Noah, Jacob and Anna Chapel and Alexander Brookes Tremain; a sister, Betty Howenstine of Superior, Wis.; long-time friend, Elaine Mahaffey; many nieces and nephews; and special dominoes and card-playing friends.
In addition to her husbands, Alton and Ray, Marian was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Gary Becker, and his son, Jason Becker; brothers, Ken, Harlowe and Bill Junghans; and a sister, Elma Frank.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at North Presbyterian Church, 1327 N. Salem Road, La Crosse. The Rev. Scott Skogen will officiate. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Winona. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 1425 Jackson St. An Order of the Eastern Star service will be at 6:30 p.m. Friends may also call at the church from 10 a.m. Monday until the time of services.
Memorials are preferred and may be directed to North Presbyterian Church.
Just think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched ... for nothing loved is ever lost and she loved everyone so much.
William Bell “Bermi” Kelley
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. William Bell Kelley, 69, devoted husband, father, family man and friend, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 17, 2008, surrounded by family and friends at Joanne’s House of Hope Hospice in Bonita Springs after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born Feb. 28, 1939, in Downer’s Grove, Ill., to George Daniel Kelley and Alice Bell Kelley, both products of Depression-era Wisconsin dairy farmers, who met at the University of Wisconsin while studying to become teachers. The first of four children, he began his love affair with golf, basketball and other sports after the family relocated to Indianapolis, where he caddied at Meridian Hills Country Club for future luminary Pete (and Alice) Dye and played sandlot basketball against the legendary Oscar Robertson.
Following graduation from Shortridge High School, he attended Purdue University and then DePauw University, graduating in 1961, with a degree in economics. After obtaining a master’s degree from Indiana University in accounting, he married the love of his life, Sandra Lee Deater, of Manhasset, N.Y., and moved to Milwaukee, taking a position with Ernst and Ernst as a public accountant in 1963. After rediscovering the Coulee Region that his great-grandparents farmed and the family farm that his cousin James Bell still maintains, he took an accounting position with G. Heileman Brewing Co. in La Crosse in 1965 and spent the next 16 years working toward the post of chief accountant and controller as the brewery rose from 13th to third largest in the country.
In 1981, he became controller of the Dahl Automotive Group and in 1986, after his sons’ high school graduation, relocated to West Palm Beach, Fla., working as controller at Braman Motorcars and other automotive dealerships for the next 10 years. He ultimately carved a niche with a consultative accounting practice for nonprofits, serving as bookkeeper to the Presbytery of Tropical Florida and other individual churches over the last 10 years of his life.
While in La Crosse, he immersed himself in community service, acting as president and treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the Congregational Church, president of La Crosse Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, vice president of La Crosse Jaycees and president of La Crosse Central High School Booster Club.
But it was sports that most captured his spirit, as he managed the G. Heileman Brewing Co. softball and basketball teams and where he found his most cherished calling, coaching his two boys. Initially with the Shelby Little League program and its Norplex-sponsored baseball teams, he continued coaching his boys through state high school tournaments in baseball, football and wrestling, and saw each into college baseball programs at the University of Wisconsin and DePauw University. While in southwest Florida, he developed an intense devotion to the University of Miami sports program, especially baseball, attending games regularly and following them to Omaha to the College World Series.
Along the way he fostered a great love of music by joining his piano-teacher/choir director wife in the church choir and attending countless rock concerts with his boys and their friends all over the Midwest. His overwhelmingly positive attitude made him a surrogate father to many, a trusted advisor to more and a shining example of love’s triumph and the power of forgiveness to all.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Sandra Deater Kelley; sons, Matthew (Alicia) Deater Kelley and Scott (Lisa) William Kelley; grandchildren, Kristina Lynn and Brittany Renee Michels, Mikayla Lynn Kelley, Alexandra Deater Kelley, Arthur Barrett Kelley and Willem Samuel Kelley; and brothers, George Daniel Kelley II and John Kelley. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and a sister, Georgette Kelley.
Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, 4601 S. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33405. A celebration of his life will follow at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, at 110 Curlew Ave., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Shelby Youth Ball, c/o Shelby Town Hall, 2800 Ward Ave., La Crosse WI 54601. Remembrances can be sent to brownerkelley@mac.com. “Take Er Easy.”
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