Mary Ellen (Sebion) Boortz
Mary Ellen (Sebion) Boortz, loved and admired by many, died suddenly on Sunday,
Oct. 19, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in
La Crosse.
She was born April 11, 1947, to Claude and Marsene (Jacobson) Sebion in Viroqua. Mary was baptized and confirmed at Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church. She graduated from Westby High School in 1965, followed by Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse. She then worked for SOO Line Railroad in Minneapolis. Illness later brought her back to La Crosse. She married Bernard Boortz in 1970, and to this union a daughter, Christi Ann, was born. They were later divorced.
Mary enjoyed a variety of activities, including cooking, shopping, reading magazines, watching movies, bike riding, listening to music, karaoke and art. She had recently learned to e-mail, and that was a new source of pleasure as it kept her in constant contact with her daughter. She was a lover of animals, especially her beloved pets, Cinnamon and Thumper, and always had time for a chat.
Survivors include her daughter, Christi (Jim Crocker) of St. Augustine, Fla; her parents, Claude and Marsene Sebion of rural Viroqua; a sister, Janet (Scott) Stafslien of rural Viroqua; three brothers, Richard (Cindy) and David (Kelly), all of Lake in the Hills, Ill., and Bob (Betty) of Holmen; an aunt, Donna Sebion; an uncle, Blaine Conaway; and many nieces and nephews.
A social butterfly, she will also be missed by many friends and acquaintances, including residents and staff of Maple-wood in West Salem, her last residence.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church in rural Chaseburg. Pastor Dan Wollman will officiate, with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers. memorials may be given to Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church.
Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family.
Dr. John ‘Jack’ T. English
Doctor John “Jack” T. English of La Crosse died suddenly on Monday, Oct. 20, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.
He was born Feb. 6, 1938, in Irvington, N.J., to John T. and Helen (Kemter) English. His early schooling was at Pingry Academy in New Jersey. He was a graduate of Williams College and Cornell Medical School. Dr. English was a radiologist at the Swedish American Hospital from 1971 until 1987. He came to La Crosse in 1987 and was a radiologist with Franciscan Skemp Medical Center until his retirement. In 1979 he was united in marriage to Julie (Brostuen). He enjoyed the outdoors, especially downhill skiing and golfing. His greatest pleasure came from his four children and three grandchildren. He was also extremely proud of his Chicago Bears and his 40 years of being a season ticket holder.
He is survived by his wife, Julie; a daughter, Beth (Robert) Baxter of Roscoe, Ill.; three sons, James English of Los Angeles, Michael (Lisa) English of Orlando, Fla., and John (Megan) English of
La Crosse; and three grandchildren, Chloe and Brenna Baxter and Emily English.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at First Congre-gational Church UCC, 2503 Main St., La Crosse. The Rev. Calvin Helming will officiate. Dr. English will be cremated after the service. Friends may call at the church Friday from noon until the services.
Dickinson Family Funeral Homes and Crematory are assisting the family.
Rodney W. Ellefson
ONALASKA — Rodney W. Ellefson, 74, of Onalaska died in his home
on Monday, Oct. 20, 2008.
He was born May 26, 1934, in Proctor, Minn., to John and Mary (Lee) Ellefson. He married Marilyn (Hendrick-son); and they later divorced. In 1984, Rod was united in marriage to Judy (Keefe). Rod began working in the banking profession with the Batavian National Bank. After his banking career, he enjoyed his work with the title company. He loved fishing, particularly with his buddies and on their trips to Canada. Outgoing and friendly, he was never without an Ole and Lena joke. Rod enjoyed woodworking and was a unique fan of both the Packers and the Vikings. He was involved at Norskadalen and was a member of the Sons of Norway and past president of the Optimist Club.
He is survived by his wife, Judy; two sons, John (Heidi) Ellefson of Bangor and Ross Perry (Sandra) of Elko, Nev.; a grandson, Race; two brothers, Omar (Ruby) Ellefson of Duluth, Minn., and Eugene “Jeep” (Madge) Ellefson of Omaha, Neb.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Elwood “Woody” Ellefson.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at North Presbyterian Church, 1327 North Salem Road, La Crosse. The Rev. Scott Skogen will officiate, and burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse. Friends may call at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., Onalaska, on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. and at the church Friday from 10 a.m. until services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to North Presbyterian Church or the American Lung Association.
Mary Evelyn Shepherd
WHITEHALL — Mary Evelyn Shepherd, 85, of Whitehall died Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008, at Tri-County Memorial Hospital in Whitehall.
Mary was born May 9, 1923, in Water-loo, Iowa, to Herman and Hazel (Fisher) Hippen.
As a young girl, Mary sang and danced and was billed as “Little Mary Evelyn” on local radio programs. As a young teen, Mary applied for the only job opening at F.W. Woolworth and Co. It required a knowledge of knitting and crocheting, so Mary taught herself those skills and got the job.
Mary married Gordon John Shepherd on Oct. 12, 1942, in Lancaster, Mo. During the early years of World War II, Mary worked as a receptionist at John Deere and Co. in Moline, Ill., with her father. In 1953, Gordon and Mary established the Whitehall Bake Shop. Mary continued her baking career at Clipper’s IGA prior to her retirement in 2005.
Mary is survived by her six children, David of Whitehall, Daniel (Margie) of Palmdale, Calif., Diane (Frank) Roesler of Phoenix, Donna of Apple Valley, Minn., Dyck (Jean) of Brownsville, Minn., and Dean (Susan) of Oconomowoc, Wis.; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, on June 15, 1999.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at United Methodist Church, with burial in Lincoln Cemetery, both in Whitehall. Pastor Tom Elliott will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall and also one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.
Memorials may be designated to the American Heart Association.
Ovida M. Lorenz
Ovida M. Lorenz, 92, of La Crosse passed away Monday, Oct. 20, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
She was born in Bloom-ingdale, Wis., on Sept. 1, 1916, to Otto and Julia (Wilson) Clark. She attended Dorset Ridge School near Kendall, Wis., and high school in Minneapolis.
She married Samuel Lorenz on June 15, 1935, at Salzer Methodist Church in La Crosse.
Ovida was employed as a clerk in the city of La Crosse treasurer’s office for 24 years, retiring in 1983. She was a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church in La Crosse. She was a life member and past worthy matron of La Crosse Chapter 22, now Ruth Chapter, Eastern Star. She also served as grand marshal and grand representative to Nova Scotia. Ovida was also a member and past worthy high priestess, Golden Rule Shrine 26, White Shrine of Jerusalem.
Ovida was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing and knitting. She also enjoyed numerous arts and crafts and traveling with her husband, Sam.
Ovida is survived by her two grandchildren, a grandson, Mark Hamre of La Crosse and a granddaughter, Lisa Williams of La Crosse. She is also survived by a great-grandson, Joshua Williams, and a brother, Leo Clark.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Sammy Lorenz; a daughter, Mary Hamre; two brothers, Clanus Clark and Hillard Alloway; and three sisters, Margaret Clark, Florence Morris and Madge Ebner.
A public Eastern Star service, followed by a memorial service, will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 721 King St., La Crosse. The Rev. Don Iliff will officiate. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of services Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Ruth Whipple Pretasky
Ruth Whipple Pretasky, 94, of La Crosse passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at Alice Haus Care Center in Rhinelander, Wis.
Ruth was born in La Crosse on Nov. 11, 1913, to Herman and Martha (Schimmelpfen-nig) Whipple. Ruth married Weldon Whipple, who passed away in 1958, in La Crosse. Ruth married her second husband, Harold Pretasky, in 1975 in La Crosse.
Ruth was active as a lifelong member in First Evangelical Lutheran Church and Meals on Wheels delivery, and she mostly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ruth’s greatest achievement was purchasing the Twin Shores Resort in Barnes, Wis., which she owned and operated for 15 years.
Ruth is survived by her son, Stephen (Sharon) Whipple of Lake Tomahawk, Wis.; five grandchildren, Thomas Whipple of Sterling, Va., Linda (Rob) Ugaste of Vernon Hills, Ill., Michelle (Kevin) Graham of Spring Grove, Ill., Andrea (Keith) DeJong of Antioch, Ill., and Melanie Whipple of Wilmington, N.C.; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Doris Ebner of La Crosse and Margaret Snyder of Amarillo, Texas; and several nieces, nephews, friends and wonderful neighbors.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, Jon Whipple; first husband, Weldon Whipple; son, Paul Whipple; grandson, Edward “Terry” J. George; son, David Whipple; second husband, Harold Pretasky; and daughter, F. Diane George.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 400 West Ave S., La Crosse. The Rev. Roger Sachs will officiate, with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in
La Crosse. A visitation will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. before the service at the church.
Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Erling P. Fadness
Erling P. Fadness, 81, of La Crosse passed away Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center.
He was born in Portage, Wis., on July 28, 1927, to Noel and Olga (Leist) Fadness. Erling served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Erling worked as an audio and visual technician at Western Wisconsin Technical College for 18 years and retired in 1989.
Erling is survived by his loving wife, Karen; a brother, Normand (Marlene) Fadness of Elk Grove, Calif.; three nieces; and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse. Chaplin Linda Kuehl will officiate.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Bethany St. Joseph for their care.
Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Joyce Kurz
CALEDONIA, Minn. — Joyce Kurz, formerly of Caledonia, died Monday, Oct. 20, 2008, at St. Joseph Rehab Center in
La Crosse. McCormick Funeral Home of Caledonia is assisting the family with arrangements.
Diahlia A. Olson
WHITEHALL — Diahlia A. Olson, 98, of Whitehall died Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008, at
Tri-County Memorial Nursing Home in Whitehall. Services will be held at a later date. Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall is assisting the family with arrangements.
Galen Mack
CLERMONT, Iowa — Galen Mack, 74, of Clermont died Monday, Oct. 25, 2008, at
St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn., after a brief illness. Funeral services will be at
11 a.m. Friday at West Clermont Lutheran Church in Clermont. Burial will be in Grand View Cemetery in Fayette, Iowa. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Schutte Funeral Home in Clermont and 10 a.m. to services Friday at the church.
Advertisement
