Bernice Ann Blanchard
ONALASKA — Bernice Ann Blanchard, 82, of Onalaska died Monday, Oct. 6, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse.
She was born July 26, 1926, in La Crosse to John and Martha (Feyen) Bezpaletz and graduated from Onalaska High School in 1944. In 1948 she married Louis Blanchard in La Crosse, and he preceded her in death in 1994.
Bernice worked at the Electric Auto Lite until the plant’s closing and then owned and operated Blanchard Clothing Store in downtown Onalaska until 1965.
Survivors include her son, Gary Blanchard of Onalaska; a daughter-in-law, Mary Ellen Volden Blanchard of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; a granddaughter, Krista (Brian) Timmermans of Wisconsin Rapids; three sisters, Mary (Bob) Weiske of
La Crosse, Arlene (Francis) Walter of La Crescent, Minn., and Ruth Myer of La Crosse; a sister-in-law, Benita (Bob) Olsen of La Crosse; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Glen Blanchard, in 2001; and a sister, Rita Walter, in 2003.
Private family services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 907 Sand Lake Road, Onalaska, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Robert ‘Bob’ E. Tollefson Sr.
Robert “Bob” E. Tollefson Sr., 88, of La Crosse died Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
He was born Sept. 9, 1920, in Rushford, Minn., to Elmer and Bernice (Engh) Tollefson. Bob was a 1938 graduate of Central High School in La Crosse. He was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corps, stationed in England during WWII. After his honorable discharge, Bob returned to La Crosse and owned and operated the Ritz Cocktail Lounge on Fourth Street with Brady Harding.
On June 26, 1948, he married Shirley Gardiner in La Crosse, and they were later divorced. Bob moved to Las Vegas in 1975 and worked for Del Webb Hotels. On July 15, 1975, he married Jane L. Grindler in
Las Vegas, and she preceded him in death on April 18, 2000. Bob returned to La Crosse after the death of his wife.
Bob is survived by his daughter, Nancy (Robert) Scott of Apex, N.C.; two sons, Robert “Bob” Tollefson Jr. of Onalaska and Richard (Julie) Tollefson of Madison; three grandchildren, Megan Kelley-Tollefson, Jake Scott and Alexa Scott; one
sister, Millicent Weber of La Crescent, Minn.; and nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Jane, he was preceded in death by his parents.
In accordance with Bob’s wishes, his body will be cremated, and a private family memorial service will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery. Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse, is assisting the family.
Theo Marie Marshall
Theo Marie Marshall, 80, of La Crosse died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, at Bethany-Riverside Nursing Home, La Crosse.
She was born in Sparta on April 1, 1928, to Louis Melvin and Laura (Kelly) Wilcox. On Nov. 12, 1946, she was united in marriage to Lyle A. Marshall, who preceded her in death on Sept. 2, 2008.
Theo worked at La Crosse Garment Factory for many years until her retirement. She loved spending time with family and friends, playing cards, camping, fishing and traveling.
Theo is survived by her three children, Michael (Dorothy) of Chaseburg, Charles (Joyce) of La Crosse and Donna Troyanek of Cheyenne, Wyo.; eight grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. She is further survived by two brothers, Ted (Bergene) Wilcox of Sparta and Phillip (Sue) Wilcox of Belvedere, Ill.; two sisters, Sharon Chandler of Cataract and Juanita Wingfield of Janesville, Wis.; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Ray and Joanne Seufert of Onalaska.
In addition to her husband, Lyle, she was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Wanda Cairns and Koral Wilcox; a granddaughter, Jeannie Rud; and two infant grandsons.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. Chaplain Allan Vrieze will officiate. Burial will follow in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.
Theo’s family would like to thank the staff of Bethany-Riverside for their wonderful care and to the Gundersen Lutheran hospice team for all they do. Also, special thanks, once again, to Chaplain Allan Vrieze.
Howard R. ‘Hubby’ Steenberg
WESTBY — Howard R. “Hubby” Steenberg, 80, of Westby died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. Burial, with military rites, will be in Coon Prairie Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to
6 p.m. Friday at Vosseteig Funeral Home, Westby, and from noon until the time of services Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Online condolences may be offered at www. vosseteigfuneralhomes.com.
Lawrence R. Knutson
BLAIR — Lawrence R. Knutson, 78, of Blair died Monday, Oct. 6, 2008, in Grand View Care Center, Blair. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at First Baptist Church, Whitehall. Burial will be in Trempealeau Valley Cemetery, rural Taylor. Friends may call from noon until the time of services at the church. Jack Funeral Home, Blair, is assisting the family.
Clifford John Ziel
Clifford John Ziel, 88, of La Crosse died on Wednesday, Oct. 08, 2008, at Bethany
St. Joseph Care Center, La Crosse.
He was born Sept. 13, 1920, in La Crosse to Fred and Ruth (Wing) Ziel. He married Athlyn Schesler before WWII, and they had four children. They later divorced after 20 years. He then married his second wife, Irene, in the 1960s.
Clifford served in WWII in the Army European Theater of Operations and was awarded two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, Combat Badge and many other awards. He was a life member of the VFW, the Disabled American Veterans, the Order of the Purple Heart, and the National Rifle Association.
Clifford is survived by two daughters, Judy Stearns and Linda (Stanley) Jones, both of Denver; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, also living in Colorado; and special friends, Larry and Karen Powers.
He was preceded in death by his former wife, Lynn; his second wife, Irene; a son, Gary; a daughter, Sharon; his twin sister; and several other brothers and sisters.
Private family services will be held in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Veteran’s Field of Honor. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements.
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