Dorothy Brownell
Dorothy Brownell, 100, of La Crosse passed away Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Rehab Center, La Crosse.
Dorothy was born Aug. 29, 1908, in Eau Claire, Wis., to Henry and Nell (Walsh) Hansen. Her early childhood years were spent in Eau Claire. In 1918, the family moved to Fairchild, Wis., where Dorothy attended high school. In 1926, Dorothy graduated from Central High School in La Crosse, where her family moved the previous year. Dorothy graduated from nurses training at St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse in 1930.
She worked for two years at Milwaukee County Hospital and three years in Hayward, Wis. In October 1936, Dorothy and a nursing friend left for Alaska, where she was employed by the Territorial Department of Health. She attended the University of Washington in Seattle from 1937-38, obtaining her certificate in public health nursing. Dorothy then returned to Alaska as an Army nurse, where she was stationed in Cordova. She came to La Crosse in May 1940 to attend the ordination of her brother, Bob (Father Robert Hansen). That summer, Dorothy attended school at the University of Minnesota and then returned to Sitka, Alaska, where she worked until 1942. During that year in Sitka, she married Renchford Brownell, a marine. He was transferred to several posts during his career, ending up at Twentynine Palms, Calif., in 1953. While there, Dorothy worked as community nurse for San Bernadino County, retiring in 1973. In 1977, she moved to San Diego, where she volunteered as a nurse in the Naval Hospital and the Red Cross until she was 80 years old. Dorothy came back to La Crosse in 1993 to be near her brother, Father Bob Hansen. She lovingly gave him support and attention during his declining health.
Dorothy was a good seamstress and enjoyed traveling with friends. Music and singing were always a big part of Dorothy’s family life. She began playing the piano at an early age and was often the accompanist at school and church functions. Dorothy was the first resident at MeadowWood Assisted Living in La Crosse, and she enjoyed the 10 years she lived there. She recently celebrated her 100th birthday there with family and friends.
Survivors include 11 nieces and nephews; nine great-nieces and great-nephews; and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Father Bob Hansen and Richard Hansen; and one sister, Eleanor “Elly” Coyne.
A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be today at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Community Chapel at
St. Joseph’s Rehab Center, 2902 East Ave. S., La Crosse. The Rev. Father Thomas Smith will officiate. Burial of Dorothy’s cremated remains will be in Catholic Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Clare Health Mission or Place of Grace. Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Maynie Marie Cunningham
VIOLA — Maynie Marie Cunningham, 88, of rural Viola died at her home Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home, Viroqua. Burial will be in Bear Creek Cemetery, La Farge. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of service Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Henry L. and Maynie M. Cunningham Scholarship Fund established for Kickapoo Area Schools. Online condolences may be made at www.thorson-reetz.net.
Leon J. Demorest Jr.
LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Leon J. Demorest Jr., 66, of La Crescent died Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008, of injuries sustained in an accident.
He was born June 18, 1942, in La Crosse to Leon J. and Dolores (Thesing) Demorest Sr. He married Mary Ann Hickey on Feb. 9, 1963, at Church of the Crucifixion, La Crescent.
Leon had worked for Pepsi-Cola for 28 years. He was also a hunter safety instructor in La Crescent. Leon was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a longtime member of Crucifixion Parish in La Crescent, the La Crescent Knights of Columbus and Team Bass of La Crosse. Leon was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, and his life revolved around his grandkids.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; a daughter, Teresa Ann (Christopher) Heidel of La Crescent; three grandchildren, Michael, Alyssa and Rebekah Heidel, all of La Crescent; and six brothers and sisters, Lloyd Demorest of La Crescent, Mary Jean (Ronald) Beach of La Crescent, Renee (Tom) Donaldson of Dresbach, Minn., Cindy (John) Dougherty of Onalaska, Jeff (Joanne) Demorest of Dresbach and Scott Demorest of La Crescent. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, John L. Demorest; and a sister, Joyce Maier.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. at Church of the Crucifixion, La Crescent. The Rev. Gregory Havel will officiate. Burial will be in Crucifixion Cemetery. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crescent on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. and at the church Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Doris Irene Eitsert
GAYS MILLS — Doris I. Eitsert, 68, of Gays Mills died Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, at Vernon Memorial Hospital, Viroqua. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Gays Mills. Burial will be in Gays Mills Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of services Sunday at the church. Dommersnaes-Bertram Family Funeral Home, Gays Mills, is assisting the
family.
Delores M. Harnden
Delores M. Harnden of La Crosse passed away at Bethany River-side Nursing Facility, La Crosse,
on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, surrounded by loved ones five days after celebrating her 82nd birthday.
Born in Chicago on Sept. 4, 1926, to Marie and Arthur Helms, Del’s hobbies included photography, yard flowers in her Park Ridge, Ill., home, and baking. After being a stay-at-home mom until in her 40s, she began a career as unit receptionist at Resurrection Hospital in Chicago. She retired after
25 years.
After living in Park Ridge for 39 years, in 2003, Del relocated to La Crosse to be near her son and grandchildren. She enjoyed countless dinners at Schmidty’s Restaurant with her family, living at home with her cat, China, and watching court TV.
Del is survived by her son, La Crosse City Council President Bill Harnden; daughter-in-law, Sue; grandchildren, Tyler, Dustin and Hayley; cousin and lifelong best friend, Carol Natzke of Chicago; and her lifelong Melrose Street neighborhood friend, Lori Gilberts, who never missed a Foreman High School reunion with her.
Del was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Art; and ex-husband, but always in her life, Bill G. Harnden.
Del will be going home to Chicago with assistance from Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home of La Crosse. Visitation will be at M.J. Suerth Funeral Home, 6754 Northwest Hwy., Edison Park, Ill., on Thursday, Sept. 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. Services on Friday, Sept. 19, will be at 11 am. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Montrose Cemetery in Chicago.
Leigh V. Hilliker
TOMAH — Leigh V. Hilliker, 96, of Tomah died Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, at his home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Torkelson Funeral Home, Tomah. Burial will follow in Greenfield Cemetery, Tunnel City, Wis. Family and friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Tomah Hospice Touch. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Adeline B. Isensee
SPARTA — Adeline B. Isensee, 84, of Sparta died Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at United Methodist Church, Cataract. Burial will be in Cataract Cemetery, Cataract. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.lanham-miller.com.
Gary C. Loss
ONALASKA — Gary C. Loss, 65, of Onalaska died Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. A complete obituary will follow from Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, La Crosse.
Lucille B. Melby
ONTARIO — Lucille B. Melby, 85, of Ontario died Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, at Vernon Manor Nursing Home in Viroqua.
She was born Nov. 16, 1922, in Ontario to Sidney and Agnes (Olson) Stedman. She was a 1940 graduate of Ontario High School. She was united in marriage to Orville Melby at the EUB Church in Ontario in 1942.
After their marriage, Lucille followed Orville’s military service from city to city, working at various jobs in each location. In 1952 after Orville’s military service, they moved back to Ontario, where they rented a farm from her uncle until they purchased it in 1960. Lucille then worked at Tillman’s in Wilton for 10 years. In 1997, they sold the farm and built a home on part of the land.
Lucille was very active in the church and the community. She made quilts for all her kids and grandkids. She loved to cook and bake and was known for her Petal Rolls. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by her children, Anita (Donnie) Fanta of Janesville, Wis., Jill (Al) Graewin of La Crosse, Jack Melby of Madison and Brian (Silvia) Melby of Beecher, Ill.; grandchildren, Shad (Nina) Fanta of Waunakee, Wis., Kelly (Nick) Stroik of Janesville, Renee (Scott) Paisley of La Crosse, April Graewin of La Crosse, Jessica Melby of Chicago, Amanda Melby of La Crosse, John Melby of Milwaukee, Megan Melby of Beecher and Alexandra Corbett of Madison; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Veva (Gerald ) Farver; sisters-in-law, Betty (John Sr. ) Lucas and Louise Melby; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville; her parents, Sidney and Agnes Stedman, a brother, Emmett Stedman; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Sept. 15, at 11 a.m. at Community Baptist Church in Ontario. Pastor Bruce Milleman will officiate. Burial will follow in Hilltop Rest Cemetery, Ontario. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario.
Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.
com.
James Blake Michael
James Blake Michael, 65, of La Crosse died Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. In keeping with Jim’s wishes there will be no services. SchumachernKish Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family.
Elizabeth Sarah Olson
WARSAW, Ind. — Elizabeth Sarah Olson, 82, of 919 Country Club Drive S., Warsaw, died Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. at her residence.
She was born March 15, 1926, in Eau Claire, Wis., to Arnie Anderson and Thora Elmyra (Anderson) Anderson She was married Aug. 19, 1950, in Osseo, Wis., to Walter Morris Olson, who survives.
She was an elementary school teacher, teaching in Wisconsin and Indiana for over 25 years. She was a resident of Kosciusko County in Indiana for the past 44 years.
Elizabeth was a member of Winona Lake Presbyterian Church, Winona Lake, Ind., and of Warsaw/Winona Lake Gideon Auxiliary Camp. She enjoyed knitting, gardening, crocheting and reading.
Survivors are her husband, Walter M. Olson of Warsaw; two sons, Dr. Timothy Olson of Alachua, Fla., and Thomas (Gerri) Olson of Sheboygan Falls, Wis.; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Allen (Doris) Anderson of Illinois and Lloyd (Lydia) Anderson of Wisconsin; and four sisters, Lois (Reynold) Eneboe of South Dakota, Dorothy (Floyd) Baye of Arkansas, Carol (Jim) Matson of Arkansas and Alice (Bill) Myers of Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her parents.
There will be two funeral services.
The first will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at Winona Lake Presbyterian Church, Winona Lake, Ind. Officiating will be Pastor Robert Harrison. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Ind.
The second will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Immanual Lutheran Church, rural Cashton, Wis. Burial will follow at Moen Cemetery, Cashton. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at Immanual Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be designated to Gideons International Memorial Bible Plan, P.O. Box 766, Winona Lake, IN 46590; or to InterCom, P.O. Box 617, Winona Lake, IN 46590.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s Web site at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
Roy D. Otto
HOLMEN — Roy D. Otto, 69, of Holmen died Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, at his home. A memorial visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 515 McHugh Road, Holmen. A full obituary will be published in the Tribune on Sunday.
John Martin ‘Jocko’ Price
John Martin “Jocko” Price, 68, of La Crosse died peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, surrounded by his loving family at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center of La Crosse after a long, courageous battle with various illnesses.
John was born in La Crosse on Feb. 23, 1940, to Martin and Victoria (Shuda) Price. He was a lifelong resident of La Crosse and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1958. He served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Unit and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.
John married the love of his life, Joan Christine Degenhardt, on Feb. 16, 1963. They have three children, Renee (Richard) Chrz, Dan (Sue) Price and Scott (Heather) Price. He had two grandchildren he adored and loved very much, Sean and Victoria Price. When his grandchildren were in the room, they lit up his entire world, especially during the time of his illness.
John was employed at Isola (Norplex/Allied Signal) for 38 years, where he spent the majority of his employment in the shipping department and later worked in the lab. He spoke often of the friends he made while working there.
John was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Family meant everything to him. He was a sports fanatic! He loved his Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and University of Wisconsin Badgers. In his younger years, he played semi-pro baseball. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish, and anytime he could be on the river, the lake or in the woods, he was in his element. He shared his love, enthusiasm and appreciation of the outdoors with his family and anyone willing to listen. He always had a story to share. John loved flowers and enjoyed filling the patio each summer with potted plants and growing his prized tomatoes. He loved to sit on the patio and watch the hummingbirds or take a ride down to Goose Island to check out the scenery.
John had a sense of humor like no other. He was the king of one liners and practical jokes. He made people laugh so hard their stomachs ached. He brought joy and fun wherever he went. He was a compassionate, caring, loving, intelligent soul who deeply loved the people in his life. He will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched.
John is survived by his wife, Joan; daughter, Renee (Richard) Chrz of La Crosse; sons, Dan (Susan) Price of La Crosse and Scott (Heather) Price of Onalaska; his two grandchildren, Sean and Victoria Price; a special aunt and uncle, Ortis and Hazel Price; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Richard and Judy Degenhardt, John and Pat Degenhardt, David and Linda Degenhardt, Mary Kendhammer, Ruth and Jim Roesler, Therese and Dan Bina, Sandy Degenhardt, and Tom and Lisa Degenhardt; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Helen Degenhardt; and brothers-in-law, Mike and Jim Degenhardt and Jerry Kendhammer.
John never liked formality or sadness, so a celebration of his life will be held Sunday, Sept. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the City Brewery Hospitality Center on Third Street. His wishes were for people to wear jeans, to be comfortable and have fun. Family and friends are welcome.
Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
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