Richard Wayne Bruring
ABBEVILLE, S.C. Richard Wayne Bruring, 80, a resident of 49 Hanover Court, Abbeville, husband of Carol Jean Bruring, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008.
Survivors are his beloved wife of 48 years, Carol Jean Smith Bruring of the home; one son, Daniel (Dan) Mark Bruring and wife, Linda, of Wichita, Kan.; two daughters, Victoria (Vicki) Kathleen Popp and husband, Greg, of Deltona, Fla., and Tamara (Tami) Jean Spate and husband, Kenneth, of Greenwood, S.C.; eight grandsons; three granddaughters, and 10 great-granddaughters. He is also survived by his dear sister, Betty Gilbertson and husband, Lester, of Coon Valley, Wis.; many nieces and nephews; and seven brothers- and sisters-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his father, Theodore T. Bruring, and mother, Louise Kapanke Bruring; a wife, Elizabeth Netwal; and two brothers, Thomas and Donald Bruring.
Born and raised in La Crosse, he was the son of the late Theodore T. and Louise Bruring. He was a retired and successful self-employed heating and air conditioning contractor in northern Wisconsin. He had many other achievements which included his involvement in starting “Pioneer Boys” at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Illinois; president of the congregation at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wisconsin; president and active member of both Lions Club and Rotary Club, Minocqua, Wis.; volunteer fireman and business owner in Hazelhurst, Wis.; and real estate agent and business owner in Lake Placid, Fla. He was a pilot and owned his own plane. His interests included woodworking, home construction, scuba diving, jewelry making, volunteering, reading, sitting by the fire, current events and serving his family. He gave joy and touched the lives of everyone he met with his great gift of humor.
He attended Greenwood Presbyterian Church and was a former member of First Presbyterian Church in Lake Placid, Fla.
Richard and Carol traveled extensively in their motorhome for 15 years. Throughout his life, Richard built six homes prior to settling and building their home in Abbeville in 1999 to be near his children and grandchildren.
He will be kept in fond memory as a loving, caring, robust and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and devoted friend to many. Richard went home to be with the Lord while surrounded by his family who loved him beyond measure.
Memorials may be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
A memorial service for friends and family was held Monday, Aug. 4, at Greenwood Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, S.C.
Donald G. Erickson
MADISON/HILLSBORO, Wis. Donald G. Erickson, 63, of Madison and formerly of Hillsboro, passed away Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, at his home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Burial, with military rites, will be in Greenwood Lutheran Ceme-tery near Hillsboro. Friends may call today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. For online information, go to www.pichafuneralhomes. com.
Frank Henry Koelbl
Frank H. Koelbl, 92, of La Crosse passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, in St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center, La Crosse.
He was born in La Crosse on Dec. 9, 1915, to Frank and Irene (Kocimski) Koelbl. Frank married Fern Miller on Oct. 28, 1939, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
Frank served in the U.S. Navy and worked for Northern Engraving until retirement in 1980. He love to fish and do crossword puzzles.
Frank is survived by his wife, Fern; daughters, Donna (Bill) Netwal and Linda (Roger) Hauser; grandchildren, Tod (Jaqueline) Hauser, Kelly (Bob) Wild, Kerri (Jeff) Gemar, William Netwal and Heather (Jeff) Wood; great-grandchildren, Zachary and Bailey Wild; sisters, Jeanette Limpert and Irene Pintz; brother, Richard Koelbl; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Florence Schmidt and Helen Bentzen; and brothers, Robert, Donald and Glenn.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1333 S. 13th St., La Crosse. The Rev. Lawrence Berger will officiate with inurnment at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. A gathering of family and friends will be held one-half hour before Mass at the church. Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Homes of La Crosse are assisting the family.
Kenneth H. Skip’ Kubiak
Kenneth H. “Skip” Kubiak, 76, of La Crosse died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center, La Crosse.
He was born Sept. 9, 1931, in La Crosse to Harry and Johanna (Kleinowski) Kubiak. Skip graduated from Aquinas High School in 1950. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his military service he attended UW-Madison for a year studying horticulture. He returned to La Crosse and along with Jerry Drendel opened the 400 Club, now called Chapter II.
Skip’s passion was golf, and he was well-known as an accomplished golfer. He was a state champion while at Aquinas and after taking over the duties from his father, was the head greens keeper at the La Crosse Country Club from 1958-1967. He also helped build several golf courses in the area, including Hillview Golf Course, Walsh’s Golf Course, the back nine at Drugans, and a driving range in La Crescent, Minn. Skip also helped in the building of the Gate of Heaven Cemetery on County Hwy. B; and enjoyed being the cook for many hunting trips with family and friends.
Skip is survived by five sisters, Rose Mary “Katie” Cook of Winona, Minn., Jeanette Pearse of La Crosse, Patricia (Blaine) McDowell of La Crosse, Shirley (Gerald) Weis of La Crosse and Sandy (Lyle) Quillin of La Crosse; 32 nieces and nephews; numerous great nieces, nephews and cousins; and his best golfing buddy, Edna Schilling.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Harry Kubiak Jr.; three sisters, Isabelle Surges, Mary Ann Pierce and La Verne Maglio; a sister-in-law, Mildred Kubiak; and five brothers-in-law, LeRoy Surges, Bud Cook, Jim Pearse, Joe Maglio and Pete Pierce.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center Chapel. The Rev. Lawrence B. Berger will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at the Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center Chapel from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be directed to the Aquinas Foundation. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family with arrangements.
Delores Mae Lorenz
Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Delores Mae Lorenz of La Crosse went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008.
She was born in Arcadia, Wis., on Oct. 27, 1929, to Alphonse and Lillian (Roessl) Schmitt. She went on to marry Beldon Lorenz on May 12, 1947. They lived together 61 years.
Delores worked many years at the La Crosse Garment Factory, Outers and the La Crosse Tribune, which she really loved. She was a happy-go-lucky person who was always smiling.
Delores is survived by Beldon, her lifelong partner, friend and husband. Out of that marriage came nine children, one of whom preceded her in death. Also surviving her is her daughter, Belva White, and her children, James Burks Sr., James Burks Jr., Jamie Burks, John Burks and Ron White; son, Donald “Viner” (Mary) Lorenz, and children, Ryan, Mike, Wade, and Tyler Lorenz and Sara (Martes) Sheard; her son, Belwood “Butch” Lorenz (Kathy) and children, Katrina, Bobby, Kimmy, Billy and Annie Lorenz; her son, Belmont “Tiny” Lorenz (Virginia) and children, Tina, Johnny and Kayla Lorenz, and Michelle Sivanich; her daughter, Belinda Lorenz, and her daughter, Jasmine; her daughter, Belaine (Tom) Roberts and children, Thad and Tonya Van Riper; her daughter, Belrey Lorenz (Fonz), and children, Danielle Shores and Shanielle Lenoir; and her daughter, Belissa (David) Calloway, and their children, Savanna, Leanna, Deanna and David Jr. She is also survived by many, many great-grandchildren; a brother, Russell (Jean) Schmitt of Mondovi, Wis.; two sisters, Louetta Ellis of Marita Beach, Mich., and Sharon Googins of Minnesota City, Minn.; several nieces and nephews, and sisters and brothers-in-laws; and many special friends.
Delores was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Brenda Lorenz; two great-grandchildren, Madeline Sivanich and Samuel Allen Krueger; and a sister, Mary (Don) Pape.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 10:30 a.m. at Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman. The Rev. Michael Gorman will officiate. Burial will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery of Glencoe, rural Arcadia, on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m., where a prayer service will be held at 5 p.m., and at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.
Raymond Ray’ Ambrose Luehne
Raymond “Ray” A. Luehne, 85, of La Crosse passed away peacefully at Tomah VA Hospital, Tomah, Wis., on Friday, Aug. 8, 2008.
Ray was born in La Crosse on July 26, 1923, to Matthew and Charlotte (Dobrunz) Luehne. He married Elizabeth “Betty” Anderson on Oct. 19, 1946, at St. John’s Catholic Church in La Crosse.
Ray was a proud U.S. Navy veteran, a member of the American Legion-Roy L. Vingers Post 52, and looked forward to attending his ship reunions. Ray loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and softball. He was a mechanic at G. Heilman Brewery from 1942 until his retirement in 1985.
Ray is survived by his wife; daughter, Leslie Ann (David) Mroch; son-in-law, James Wenzel; grandchildren, Jennifer Kneeland and Anna, David Jr., and Molly Mroch; great-grandchildren, Hunter and Brett Kneeland and Will Mroch; brother, Thomas (Barbara) Luehne; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Wenzel; parents; sister, Marion; brothers, William, Leonard, Roland and James; and two infant brothers.
A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 10:30 a.m. at Mary Mother of the Church at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2006 Weston St., La Crosse. The Rev. Douglas Robertson will officiate, with burial at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Roy L. Vingers Post 52. A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to Mass at the church. Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Homes of La Crosse are assisting the family.
John C. Neberman Sr.
NEW LISBON, Wis. John C. Neberman Sr., 64, of New Lisbon and formerly of La Crosse, died Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, at his residence.
He was the son of Carl F. and Anna M. (Sweeney) Neberman and was born Dec. 15, 1943, in Beloit, Wis. John was a graduate of Central High School in La Crosse. He served four years in the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Fulton. He was proud of his time in the military.
After his military service John worked as a machinist in La Crosse and later in Racine, Wis. He had lived in New Lisbon since 2000. He liked to hunt and was a member of the North American Hunting Club. He enjoyed playing cribbage, watching the Green Bay Packers, the Brewers and the Badgers. John also loved dogs.
He is survived by his children, John C. (Sue Schaller) Neberman Jr., Robert (Lena) Neberman and Rebecca Neberman, all of La Crosse; a brother, Thomas (Paula) Neberman of La Crosse; a sister, Patricia (Jerry) Tollackson of Rockland, Wis.; a special friend, Mollie Christensen of New Lisbon; his former wife, Phyllis Neberman; and four grandchildren, Alexandra, Caleb, Colin and Justin.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James Neberman.
Graveside services with military honors will be held in the New Lisbon City Cemetery on Monday Aug. 11, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Wendy Ruetten presiding.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Disabled Veterans of America would be appreciated. Online condolences and information available at www.harefuneralhome.com.
Amedeo C. Ruffetti
HILLSBORO, Wis. Amedeo C. Ruffetti, 90, of rural Hillsboro died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, at his home. Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Monday at Picha Funeral Home, Hillsboro. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hillside, Ill., at a later date. For online information, go to www. pichafuneralhomes.com.
Gary Lee Smikrud
OACOMA, S.D./ GALESVILLE, Wis. Gary Lee Smikrud, 65, of Oacoma and Galesville died unexpectedly Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008.
He was born Feb. 21, 1943, in the town of Gale, Galesville, to Arnold and Beverly Smikrud. He was baptized and confirmed at Hardies Creek Lutheran Church, rural Ettrick, Wis. He graduated in 1961 from Gale-Ettrick High School. He farmed on the family farm along with his parents.
During this time, Gary was a member of the FFA and 4-H, he took great pride in showing and judging livestock at the Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin state fairs. He also showed hogs at the National Barrow Shows.
He was united in marriage to Elsie Severson on Sept. 23, 1967, in Sparta, Wis. He and Elsie farmed for over 40 years in Skunk Coulee, Galesville. Gary also had a trucking business that he operated for over 20 years. Gary had the help of his son, Bob, who together had been running the farm and trucking business together for years. Gary particularly enjoyed trucking, which gave him the opportunity to meet farmers and to travel the west. Gary had a very strong work ethic that family and friends will always remember.
Over the years, Gary was actively involved in Galesville Lions Club, Trempealeau County Pork Producers, Trempealeau County Farm Bureau, former president of Trempealeau County Ag Society, and served as church council member at Zion Lutheran Church. He was very involved in his children’s 4-H activities.
His true passion in life was fishing. He loved to fish in North Dakota, South Dakota, and during his yearly trip to Alaska. He was a professional fisherman on the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour and the Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) tournaments for over six years and participated in numerous fishing tournaments all over the Midwest. He was a walleye fishing guide in Oacoma/Chamberlain, S.D., which he planned to continue in his upcoming retirement. He loved to take people fishing in his boat to catch walleye. Gary was a person if you had a chance to meet him you would always remember. Gary will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.
Survivors are his wife, Elsie Smikrud of Galesville; his three children, Debbie (Brian) Stolz of Hudson, Wis., Kathy Smikrud (Jeff Nichols) of Juneau, Alaska, and Robert (Gina) Smikrud of Galesville; three grandchildren, Gavin Smikrud, Gabriel Stolz and Jacob Stolz; a sister, Diane (Harvey) Wood of Black River Falls, Wis.; a nephew, Jason Wood; and nieces, Kristin and Amanda Wood of Black River Falls.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Beverly Smikrud; and his grandparents, Carl and Ella Smikrud.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, at Zion Lutheran Church, Galesville. Pastor John Ashland will officiate.
Family and friends may call at Dickinson Funeral Homes, Holmen Chapel, on Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m., and from 10 a.m. until service time at the church Wednesday.
Bonnie L. (Olloff) Tofte
MAUSTON, Wis. Bonnie L. (Olloff) Tofte, 59, of Mauston passed away Friday, Aug. 1, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. Memorial funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Picha Funeral Home, Hillsboro, Wis., with the Rev. Donald Ehler officiating. Interment will be later at Bloom City (Wis.) Cemetery. For online information, go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com.
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