Arnold Dietzman
TOMAH — Arnold Dietzman, 83, of Tomah died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at Tomah Heath Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Tomah. Burial will follow at a later date in Oak Grove Cemetery in Tomah. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. Wednesday until the time of services at the church. Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah will be assisting the family with arrangements.
Honora Agnes Hawk
BLACK RIVER FALLS/MELROSE — Honora Agnes Hawk, age 72, of Black River Falls and formerly of Melrose and Galesville, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008, at Black River Memorial Hospital with her family at her side.
Honora was born July 3, 1936, to Anna and Paul Schultz. She was raised in Chicago. She married John T. Hawk Jr. on Oct. 20, 1956, and they moved to Wisconsin to raise their family. He preceded her in death.
Honora was a selfless and devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed cooking, gardening and making the holidays a special celebration for her family. She was a longtime Elvis fan.
She is survived by her beloved children, Richard (Mayanna) Hawk of San Antonio, Texas, Russ (Cynthia) Hawk of La Crosse, Ray Hawk of Eau Claire, Wis., Susan (Randy) Hollister of Richfield, Wis., and Sandy (Keith) Erickson of Houston, Minn. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Cory Hawk, Ryan Hawk, Alex Hawk, Jordan Hawk, Isaac Hawk, Emma Hawk, Ava Hawk, Sierra Hollister, Eric Hollister, Nicholas Erickson and Jarrett Erickson. She is further survived by her brothers, Ray Schultz of Dewey, Ariz., and Paul (Delores) Schultz of Chicago; her sister, Bernice Tomasek of Phoenix; and many nieces and nephews, including her special niece, Terry Famas of Paulden, Ariz., and her caring nephew, Wayne Arntsen of Chicago.
Honora was preceded in death by her parents; her adoring sister, Lorraine Arntsen; her brother-in-law, Bob Arntsen; her sister-in-law, Josie Schultz; and her infant daughter, Sharon Lynn Hawk.
Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls. Private family interment services will be held on Wednesday at Stone Church Cemetery, Houston, Minn.
Family and friends are invited for visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be given to Jackson County Humane Society, 403 Pine View Road, Black River Falls, WI 54615 or Jackson County Food Pantry, P.O. Box 188, Taylor, WI 54659.
Special thanks are extended to the staff of Pine View Care Center who befriended and cared for Honora for the past several years.
Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.net.
Leslie J. Jordahl
WHITEHALL — Leslie J. Jordahl, 70, of Whitehall died Oct. 12, 2008, in Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. Arrangements are pending with Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall.
Casey G. Knutson
COLUMBUS, Ohio/ POYNETTE, Wis. — Casey G. Knutson, age 29, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008, at his home in Ohio. He was born on Oct. 1, 1979, in Madison, the son of Duane Knutson and Jeanette Knutson Enright. Casey graduated with honors from Poynette High School in 1998. A lover of baseball from early childhood, he excelled in it through high school, receiving all-conference honors in his senior year. His fast-pitch softball prowess started at age 12 and culminated at age 18 as a member of the National Fast Pitch Championship team. Casey earned his bachelor’s degree in 2003 from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, with an interim stop to study in Sweden for one semester, graduating with honors. Casey worked for the International Forgiveness Institute Inc. for several years, serving schools in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Madison and Milwaukee. Casey was a proud author of several publications centered on forgiveness education programs for peace. He later went on to earn his master’s degree from Ohio State University, graduating this past spring in sociology. He was currently working on his Ph.D. there. At Ohio State, Casey focused on studying work and social inequality. His master’s thesis received high praise from his advisors. As a teaching associate for the Introduction to Sociology and Sociology Research Methods courses, his professors saw Casey as energetic, talented, and sought-after by faculty and students alike. He was awarded the Center for Survey Research Fellowship during the summer of 2008. As a research assistant for professor Cynthia Colen, they co-authored a paper recently accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Population Association of America.
Casey not only continued his baseball career after high school through the Poynette Home Talent League but also was a dearly loved Little League coach in Madison. He enjoyed playing on an Ultimate Frisbee league in Columbus, loved the outdoors and delighted in the many hunting trips with his dad, brother and family. He traveled extensively in Europe with his family, backpacking with his brother.
His greatest attribute was the love that poured from his heart for family and friends — many, many friends. He was a devoted and treasured son and brother. He loved to learn, had a deep passion for life and had a servant’s heart.
Casey will be deeply missed by his parents, Duane Knutson (Diane DeSalvo) of Madison and Jeanette Knutson Enright (Robert Enright) of Poynette; brother, Travis (Alyssa) Knutson of Pewaukee, Wis.; stepbrothers, Shawn Enright of Hutchinson, Minn., and Kevin Enright of St. Paul, Minn.; paternal grandparents, Blanche Knutson and LeRoy Reuter; maternal grandparents, Wilfred and Florence Garbers; aunts and uncles, Dale (Tootie) Knutson, Doug (Valerie) Knutson, Russell (Mary) Knutson, Donald Garbers (Carol Froehlich), Randy (Audrey) Garbers and Betty (Werner) Rhyner; many cousins; other relatives; and numerous dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert Knutson; and uncle, Dr. David Garbers.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave., with Pastor Bill White officiating. Visitations will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, and again at 10 a.m. Thursday until the time of services at the church. Memorials may be given to the family for a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater scholarship fund in Casey’s name.
Linda H. Lasko
ONALASKA — Linda H. Lasko, 59, of Onalaska died at her home Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008. Funeral services will be announced by Fossum Funeral Home in Onalaska.
‘Jack’ John Joseph Schwem
LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Jack Schwem, 68, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, in his home of complications related to cancer. He was surrounded by his family and his subtle sense of humor at the time of his death. Jack was born to Joseph and Elizabeth Schwem on Feb. 6, 1940, in Detroit, Mich. He met his wife, Martha (Glomset), 50 years ago on a blind date at a University of Michigan freshman mixer, where he later graduated with a master’s degree in hospital administration. He and his family moved to La Crosse in 1971, where he became the CEO of Lutheran Hospital and Lutheran Health System until his retirement in 1995. Through his leadership, and supported by a trusted team, he guided the hospital from the one major hospital to a multi-hospital, multi-nursing home, multi-corporation health system.
An active volunteer, he gave his time over the years, advocating for community partnerships including Dubna/La Crosse Hospital Exchange and the potential consolidation of La Crosse medical institutions. He was a founding member of Rotary East, worked with the Coulee Council on Addictions, offered advice to small businesses through SCORE and provided tax help to seniors through AARP.
Hobbies included music, photography, reading, technology, travel with his wife and family, and motorcycling adventures.
He was a quiet and loyal cheerleader for his entire family and is survived by his wife, Martha; their three children, Becca Hutton-Horne (Andrew Horne) of Edinburgh, Scotland, Joseph Schwem (Tara Gallagher) of Bozeman, Mont., and Jennifer Schwem (John Ekeberg) of Denver, Colo.; grandchildren, Jack and Harry Schwem, Ismay Hutton and Nell Horne; sister, Elizabeth Gray (Jim); and brother, Marvin Schwem (Marianne).
A celebration of his life will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Forest Hills, 600 Losey Blvd. S., with a program at 3:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to St. Claire Health Mission, Coulee Council on Alcohol or other local charity in Jack’s name. Online condolences may be sent to www.schumacher-kish.com.
Beatrice ‘Bea’ Theresa Strittmater
LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Beatrice “Bea” Theresa Strittmater, 85, of La Crescent died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at Golden Living Center, La Crescent. She was born Oct. 12, 1922, in Mauston, Wis., to Walter and Mae (Welch) Volk. Bea attended Aquinas High School in La Crosse and married George Strittmater on July 5, 1945, in Waycross, Ga. He preceded her in death May 5, 2004. Bea and George moved to the La Crescent area in 1958, where they farmed for many years on South Ridge. Bea was a hardworking farmwife who enjoyed cooking and baking, canning, her garden, dancing at family celebrations and especially enjoyed time spent with family and friends. She was a member of Crucifixion CCW and American Legion Auxiliary. Bea will be remembered for her selfless love and devotion to her family, her sense of humor and her wonderful Sunday dinners.
She is survived by eight children, Judith (Dean) Mills of Magnolia, Del., Donald (Beatrice) Strittmater of Onalaska, William Strittmater of La Crescent, Betty (Bill) Warren of La Crosse, Jean (Jeff) Kathan of La Crescent, Carol Strittmater of La Crescent, Rita Soulia of La Crosse and Suzi Strittmater of La Crosse; nine grandchildren, Benn (Stephanie), Brian and Gabrielle Fay, Heidi (Dave) Olson, Joe and Jeff Strittmater, Holly Baillargeon and Quentin and Libby Kathan; three great-grandchildren, Camille Olson and Ethan and Owen Fay; six step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Val Schumacher and Patricia (Kit) Vail; a sister-in-law, Bee Volk; two brothers-in-law, Jack Theis and Ray Keller; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, George, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Strittmater; a son, Douglas Strittmater; two granddaughters, Camille and Brenda Strittmater; two sisters, Mary Keller and Marian Theis; and six brothers, Floyd, Mickey, John, Gerry, Ervin and Bobby Volk.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Church of the Crucifixion, La Crescent. The Rev. Gregory Havel will officiate. Entombment will be in the Garden of Peace Mausoleum, Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Friends may call from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crescent and from 9 a.m. Wednesday until the time of services at the church. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
“She will be with us always, forever in our hearts.”
Harriet L. Svoboda
Harriet L. Svoboda, 97 of La Crosse died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008, at St. Joseph Rehab Center, La Crosse. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Asbury United Methodist Church, La Crosse. A full obituary will be provided by Dickinson Family Funeral Homes.
Raymond ‘Ray’ Ernest Urbick
ARCADIA — Raymond Urbick, 95, of Arcadia died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at St. Michael’s Lutheran Home in Fountain City, Wis. Funeral services will be at noon Thursday at Wozney-Killian Funeral Home, Arcadia. Burial with military rites will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the funeral home.
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