Robert ‘Chub’ D. Kendhammer
Robert “Chub” D. Kendhammer, 60, of La Crosse died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, at his home.
Chub was born Jan. 7, 1948, in La Crosse to Edward Sr. and Erma (Strittmater) Kendhammer. He was a 1966 graduate of La Crosse Central High School. Chub was a veteran of the U. S. Navy during the Vietnam Era serving in Spain and France. On Aug. 3, 1968, he married Patricia Cahalan in La Crosse. Chub was employed at La Crosse Rubber Mills from 1968 until 1984. He then worked as a printer/pressman for the Winona Daily News for the next five years. In 1989, he began working for the town of Shelby with the road crew until he retired due to his declining health. Chub enjoyed spending time on his hobby farm where he raised cattle. He loved deer hunting, both with a bow and gun, coon hunting, trapping, fishing and gardening. Chub also raced cars on the dirt track. He was a Green Bay Packers fan and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Chub was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Chub is survived by his wife, Patty of La Crosse; two sons, John (Julie) Kendhammer and Todd (Barb) Kendhammer, both of West Salem, Wis.; five grandchildren, Tyler, Brandon, Nicole, Jessica and Jordan; one sister, Mary Ann (Harlan) Hicks of West Salem; two brothers, Edward Jr. (Marie) Kendhammer and James (Marie) Kendhammer, both of La Crosse; many nieces and nephews; and a special great-niece, Lyndsey Rose. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Shirley Clarkin; and a nephew, Ricky Hicks.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 359 N. Leonard St., West Salem. The Rev. J. David Bersagel and the Rev. Martha J. Hampton will officiate. Burial will be in Onalaska Cemetery with military honors by Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52 of La Crosse and U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Guard. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, and also from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the time of services at the church.
Ruth E. MacDonald
Ruth E. MacDonald, 86, of La Crosse died peacefully at home Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008, surrounded by one of her special friends, Jennifer Nordeen and faithful caregivers, Maureen Hanifl, Desiree Larson, Ramiro Melendez, Amanda Rumbough and Kym Pazurek.
Ruth was born June 14, 1922, in Milwaukee. She was adopted in infancy by Dr. Bert (DDS) and Edith Snashall and grew up in Delavan, Wis. Ruth graduated from Whitewater State Teachers College in 1945 and attended the University of Wisconsin- Madison for post graduate studies. She taught English and history in Byron, Ill., from 1945 to 1946 and taught in Port Washington, Wis., from 1946 to 1951. On Dec. 24, 1951, she married Norman MacDonald. Her beloved Norman died in March 1988. Ruth was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, La Crosse, and the Alice MacDonald/Ruth Circle, and also the Shrine Auxiliary. She was very interested in history, which included the preservation of artifacts from the Cargill House to the Cargill family in Minneapolis. Ruth hosted many foreign exchange students studying at the UW-La Crosse.
Ruth is remembered as being a true friend; she was very eloquent in all her ways. She loved to entertain and was known for her famous chocolate mint brownies and enjoyed sewing and going for rides to look at the eagles along the Mississippi River. Her longtime friend, Janet Swartz, commented, “Ruth was a very good listener and truly cared about your deepest thoughts and concerns and shared in your joys.”
Ruth is survived by cousins, Robert MacDonald of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Pat Niddaugh of Houston, Texas, and Jay (Linda) Wuerker of Racine, Wis. She is also survived by special friends, Bob and Barb Fisher of La Crosse, Arnold and Janet Swartz of La Crosse and their family; Eleanor Troutfetter of Minnetonka, Minn., and her family; Ruth Williams of La Crosse and her family; and also her Wednesday card group, Jean Cooper and Minnette Dummer, both of La Crosse.
Interment will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse (main entrance). After the burial, a visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to an 11 a.m. memorial service celebrating Ruth’s life at First Presbyterian Church, 233 West Ave. S., La Crosse. The Rev. J. Taylor Haley will officiate. Memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church, La Crosse, and Gundersen Lutheran Hospice.
A special thank you to Gundersen Lutheran Hospice and Home Instead Senior Care for their loving care provided to Ruth. Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse, is assisting with arrangements.
Let go, let God.
Mildred ‘Millie’ Peaslee
Mildred “Millie” Peaslee, 84, of La Crosse died peacefully in her home Aug. 28, 2008, and went into the arms of her Lord and Savior. She was born Nov. 24, 1923, in La Crosse to Charles and Mae Cordes, both formerly of La Crosse.
Mildred Peaslee was a great mother and grandmother. Everyone knew her as grandma only.
Mildred was married to Fred Hagen and divorced. She then met her loving husband, Lloyd “Bud” Peaslee. They married April 16, 1949. They spent most of their married life on a farm in Holmen, Wis. She loved to garden, hunt, fish and turtle trap, which was taught to her by her father, Charles (Bubba) Cordes. She was a bright light in the world that will shine in our heart forever. She was quick to set you right, as well as others if you started to screw up and just as quick to pick you up to help you the instant you stumbled. She was always there for everyone as we all grew up. She would hold family dinners on the farm and made us all feel like we were her children instead of grandchildren. She raised a couple of dogs that acted like one of her kids — only better behaved.
She worked at La Crosse Northern Engraving and Outers for years. She and her husband, Lloyd, moved into the city of La Crosse, where she then worked for Nurse One.
Her love, courage and strong will was anchored by her Lord and Savior.
Mildred is survived by two daughters, Gloria (Vernon) Tucker and Mary Freitag; 12 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mae Cordes; stepmom, Rhode Cordes; “Dot” Doris Hammell; Irene Oyer; Olive Bramley; ex-husband, Fred Hagen; her loving and caring husband, Lloyd Peaslee; her two daughters, Judith Lynn Hagen and Betty Jane (Poff) Olson; and great-grandson, Jack Jr.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home-Nelson Chapel and Cremation Service. Burial will follow in the Onalaska Cemetery, with the Rev. Andrew Buhrow officiating. There will a luncheon at the church following the burial. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to services Friday at the church.
Margaret Ann Neyers
VIROQUA, Wis./WINONA, Minn. — Margaret Anne Neyers, 88, of Viroqua died on Thursday morning, Aug. 28, 2008, at Vernon Manor Nursing Home in Viroqua, where she had been a resident since July 2007. She was born April 22, 1920, in Cedar Valley, Minn., on a beautiful farm. She is the second of three daughters to Nicholas and Clara (Lorbiecki) Glowacki. On Nov. 18, 1950, in St. Stan’s Church in Winona. She married Arnold Neyers of Rollingston, Minn. They moved to Chicago and lived there for more than 40 years, where they raised three daughters. Margaret became known for her expert seamstress skills, her beautiful flower/vegetable gardens and excellence in baking pies and cakes but most of all for her devotion to God’s work. After retiring from her extensive retail/seamstress career, she volunteered many hours at St. Fabian Parish in Bridgeview, Ill., including serving as president and treasurer of the Women’s Club, and was selected as Woman of the Year in 1997 for her service. She also spent much time ministering communion at Chicago area nursing homes before moving to Viroqua in 2005. Margaret was currently a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Viroqua.
Margaret is survived by her three daughters, Paula (Mickey) Daley of Chicago, Julie (Chuck) Peterson of Viroqua, and Nancy (John) McGowan of St. Louis, Mo.; 10 grandchildren, Michael, Jonahan, Diana and Victoria Daley, Elizabeth Fagen and Hannah Peterson, Grace, Jack, Luke and Esther McGowan; two sisters, Monnie (Joe) Jereczek and Dorothy (Bill) Chuchna, and niece, Mary Beth Swant, all of Winona; her special cousin, Sister Mary Damian Peplinski of Arcadia, Wis.; and other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Arnold Neyers, on April 15, 2007.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Viroqua, with Father Robert J. Cook officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Winona, with the Rev. Msgr. Roy Literski providing the graveside service. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home in Viroqua. Friends may also call after 9 a.m. Tuesday at the church.
Online condolences may be made at www.thorson-reetz.net.
Diane B. King
Diane B. (Freng) King, 57, of Centennial, Colo., passed away Aug. 24, 2008.
She is survived by her husband, Allan; son, Jamie; daughter, Hayley; mother, Mildred Freng; sister, Bonnie (George) Joyce; sister-in-law, Sandra Werts; and niece, Kim Mendell. She is also survivied by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Diane, recently retired, loved to travel and spend time with family and friends. She was an avid scrapbooker and enjoyed putting her personal touch on her memories.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Horan and McConaty, 5303 E. County Line Road, Littleton, Colo. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Association are requested.
Jerold ‘Jerry’ D. Helgerson
CHASEBURG, Wis. — Jerold “Jerry” D. Helgerson, 74, of Chaseburg died Saturday Aug. 30, 2008, at Onalaska Care Center. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Seland Funeral Home, Coon Valley, and from 10 a.m. Wednesday to services at the church. A complete obituary will follow in Monday’s Tribune.
Harvey Carl Piske
BANGOR/ROCKLAND, Wis. — Harvey Carl Piske, 65, of Bangor/Rockland, passed away on Friday, Aug. 29, 2008, at his home after a courageous battle with pancreas cancer. He was born Nov. 1, 1942, to Harvey F. and Alice (Schomberg) Piske in La Crosse County. He grew up on the Piske farm in the Town of Burns. During his early childhood, he followed his grandfather Carl all over the farm. He still spoke very fondly of these good memories.
Harvey was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bangor. He attended Lower Big Creek and St. Paul’s Lutheran Grade Schools. Harvey attended Bangor High School and graduated in 1960 and was a very proud alumni.
On Oct. 12, 1963, he married Annie Hage at Upper Coon Valley Lutheran Church. To this union were born, Nancy, Carl and Michael. They resided in Bangor and Harvey worked for Webster Lumber, Seven-Up and Pepsi-Cola. He was truly a country person, so in 1969 the family moved back to the Piske farm. During those years, he belonged to the La Crosse County Farm Bureau, men’s club of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and was active in the PTO of St. Paul’s School. He also enjoyed his weekly bowling at Bangor, with the same group for more than 20 years.
Harvey truly enjoyed being a farmer, but had to discontinue dairying in 1998 because of ill health. But still enjoyed doing the fieldwork and seeing the crops grow. In 1986, he also started working part-time for Bangor School District and drove school bus until November 2006. Harvey enjoyed the children and taking them on trips and a route, even in all kinds of weather. He will be remembered by many of the former riders.
In the spring of 2004, he and his wife moved to a smaller home on Fish Creek Ridge. Harvey really enjoyed the nice country neighbors and joined the Fish Creek Ridge Lutheran Church. These last years were very enjoyable but too short.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and was very proud of being a grandfather. Harvey said that being a grandfather was the best job anyone could have. He enjoyed following or attending the school activities of his grandchildren. Also he enjoyed all sports, such as the Packers, Brewers and of course any sports of the grandchildren.
Harvey will be greatly missed and remembered as a caring and loving son, husband, father, grandfather and brother. He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife Annie of 44 years; a daughter, Nancy (fiance, Jim Gilbertson) of Onalaska, Wis.; a son, Carl and his daughters, Allison and Nicole, all of West Salem, Wis.; and a son, Michael (Shelly) and their children, Samantha, Jonathan, and Andrew, all of Bangor; his mother, Alice Piske of West Salem; a sister, Julaine (Fred) Creed of Chicago; a brother, Ira (Dorothy) Piske of Barre Mills, Wis.; a sister-in-law, Jean Hage; and aunts, uncle, cousins, nieces and nephews. Harvey was preceded in death by his father, Harvey F. in 2000; his grandparents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Melvin and Olga Hage; and a brother-in-law, Roger Hage.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Fish Creek Ridge Lutheran Church, rural Rockland. The Rev. John Stennes-Spidahl will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Jandt Funeral Home, Hwy. 162 and Hattan St., Bangor, and from 10 a.m. Thursday to services at the church. Memorials may be given to Franciscan Skemp Hospice, La Crosse, or Fish Creek Ridge Lutheran Church.
Kenneth ‘Jiggs’ R. Stannard
SPARTA, Wis. — Kenneth “Jiggs” R. Stannard, 86, of Sparta died Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, in his home. Services will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta. Burial with military rites will be in St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Ceme-tery, Sparta. Friends may call from 2 p.m. to services Tuesday at the funeral home.
Daniel W. Hess
COON VALLEY, Wis. — Daniel W. Hess, 74, of Coon Valley died peacefully in his home surrounded by the love and support of his family on Friday, Aug. 29, 2008, after a brave battle with cancer. He was born on Oct. 13, 1933, to Martin and Irene (Schams) Hess. He married Geraldine Schroeder on May 11, 1954.
Dan was a lifelong farmer and a longtime employee of La Crosse Cooler Co. In 1972, he started Hess Excavating, which continues to be a family-run business.
Dan was a loving husband, father and grandfather, a loyal and trusted friend to many and a hard-working, honest businessman. He will always be remembered for his compassionate, gentle-natured spirit and his generous support of community causes, especially his support of the fight against cancer.
Dan loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and placed special value on the times that he spent with them.
Dan spent his summers in Wisconsin and his winters in Florida and traveled extensively, visiting 49 of the 50 states in his RV. His interests included hunting, snowmobiling, tractor pulling, golfing, boating, fishing and rooting for the Packers.
Dan is survived by his wife, his sons and daughters and their families: Terri (John) Pedace of Westby, Wis., and their children, Angela and Anna and great-grandson Jonathan, Jan (Dave) Belmore of Burnsville, Minn., and their children, Brianna and Natalie, Don Hess of Coon Valley and his children, Jordan (Alana) Hess, Dana (Fred) Heider and great-grandson Austin Heider, Mike (Kris) Hess of Coon Valley and their children Greg and Karina, Bob (Mary) Hess of Coon Valley and their children, Jenna, Dani, Hayden, Adam and Josi; three brothers, Paul (Dorothy) Hess, Ron (Mary Rose) Hess, Terry (Sandy) Hess and four sisters, Mary Ann (George) Rogers, Lucille (Herb) Schmidt, Lois Hess (Jean Mollendorf Jr.) and Beverly (Pat) Watson. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Julie; and his parents.
Friends may call from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, with the rosary recited at 7:30 p.m. Visitation also will occur one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial, which will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Joseph Ridge, Wis. Burial will immediately follow the Mass at the parish cemetery. Monsign-or Robert Hundt and Father Francis Abuah Quansah will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Franciscan Skemp Hospice program or Franciscan Skemp Cancer Research program.
Thomas William Little
Of La Crosse, formerly of Rio, Wis., Thomas W. Little, 62, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center.
He was born in Milwaukee on Jan. 23, 1946, to Charles and Rachael (Purves) Little. Tom married Cheryl Wagner on Aug. 28, 1998, in La Crosse.
Tom’s greatest joy was socializing.
Tom is survived by his wife, Cheryl; daughter, Dawn Little; son, Tracy (Jane) Little; five grandchildren; sister, Linda (Randy) Yaroch; brother, Charlie Little; four stepchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; two nephews; one niece; and many friends.
Tom is preceded in death by his father and two nephews.
It was Tom’s wish to not have a funeral service. Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting the family.
Dorothea L. Koenig
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. — Dorothea L. Koenig, 73, of Prairie du Chien died Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Garrity Funeral Home Chapel, with burial in Evergreen Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, and from 10 a.m. Monday to services at the funeral home.
Mary Ann Zitzman
SPARTA, Wis. — Mary Ann Zitzman, 72, of Sparta passed away Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, at Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta.
Mary Ann was born on Oct. 22, 2007, in Waseca, Minn., to William and Louise (Heckle) Grose. She was the youngest of 11 children. Mary Ann was the valedictorian of Bethlehem Academy High School in Fairbault, Minn. She completed her college at St. Teresa in Winona, Minn., and Mankato (Minn.) State universities. Mary Ann taught elementary school at St. Francis in Rochester, Minn., and also in Leon, Cashton, St. Joseph Ridge, Cataract and Sparta schools.
Mary Ann was a very special mom who will be missed dearly by two daughters, Mary Jo Jacowski of Janesville, Wis., and Sheila (Wendell) Lawrence of Black Creek, Wis.; three sons, Ronald (Jackie) Zitzman Jr., Grant (Helen) Zitzman of Viola, Wis., and Greg (Brenda) Zitzman of Cashton, Wis.; 20 grandchildren, Joey, Lisa, Danny, Tim, Joshua, Sam, Stephen, Isaac, Andrew, Desiree, Seth, Stevie, Phillip, Kim, Craig, Holden, Lauren, Ronnie III, Kassi and Kelly; and four great-grandchildren, Connor, Jaycob, Kalli and Kaden. She is also survived by the father of her children, Ronald (Jean) Zitzman Sr. of Tomah, Wis.; her siblings, Edward and Lawrence Grose Theresa (Ray) Jungwirth, Louise Christenson and Sister Angelo Grose; along with many other relatives and friends.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Leo and William Grose, two infant siblings; her sisters, Sister Luisa Grose, Sister Florita Grose and Sister Marie Theresa Grose.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home in Sparta. Pastor George Schick will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 9 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services at the funeral home. Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. The family of Mary Ann would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the caring staff at the Morrow Memorial Home, Franciscan Skemp Healthcare (St. Mary’s Hospital) and all of the wonderful people who helped their mom during her illness. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Earl A. Wookey
Earl A. Wookey, 90, of La Crosse died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, at Bethany Riverside Nursing Facility, La Crosse.
He was born Sept. 20, 1917, in Minneapolis to Harry and Amanda (Anderson) Wookey.
Earl graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1938, with a degree in chemical engineering. He went on to obtain his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the L’Universite de Lyon in France. After returning to Minneapolis, he was employed by the W.H. Barber Co. On April 14, 1945, he married Geneva Rindal in Minneapolis. In 1962, they moved to La Crosse, where Earl was vice president for the Pyroil Co. In 1971, he and his wife purchased the Guest House Motel and owned and operated it until they retired in 1982. They began to travel and enjoyed many Elderhostels.
Earl is survived by his wife of 63 years, Geneva of La Crosse; two children, Linda (Vern) Bottorff of Mason City, Iowa, and Brent (Kristi) Wookey of La Crosse; three granddaughters; and two great-granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers in infancy, George and Walter; and three sisters, Ella, Florence and Harriet.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, at First Congregational Church, Losey and Main streets, La Crosse. The Rev. Joan E. Sulser will officiate. There will be no visitation prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to First Congregational Church or to the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater La Crosse Area. Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse, is in charge of the arrangements.
Wilfred ‘Fritz’ M. Schroeder
SPARTA, Wis. — Wilfred “Fritz” M. Schroeder, 85, of Sparta died Friday, Aug. 29, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Mary’s Ridge. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, and from 10 a.m. to services Wednesday at the church. Lanham-Miller Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Viola M. Tanke
Viola M. Tanke, 89, of La Crosse died Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Rehab Center, La Crosse. Funeral services will be announced by Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse.
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