Robert ‘Bob’ J. Miller
Robert “Bob” J. Miller, 85, of La Crosse passed away on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, at his home. He was born in La Crosse on April 27, 1923, to William and Magdaline (Hamburger) Miller. He married Virginia Kolb in Columbia, S.C., on May 9, 1944. Bob had served his country with the United States Army during World War II in the European Theatre. He later worked as a firefighter for the city of La Crosse, retiring as captain after 32 years of service in 1984. He was a member of Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52, La Crosse, where he served on the firing detail, and Thomas Roony VFW Post 1530, La Crosse.
In addition to his wife, Virginia, he is survived by his three daughters, Patricia (Rick) Boero of La Crosse, Judy Ginther of La Crosse and Roxanne (Tom) Morgan of Hokah, Minn.; grandchildren, Robert (Karen) Ginther, Curt (Kelly) Ginther, Jake (Angie) Ginther, Corri (Greg) Moran, and Sandra Mellick; and great-grandchildren, Jeffrey, Courtney, Lauren, Kyle, Brooke, Gabe, Regan and Mikayla.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers; five sisters; one grandson, Jeffrey; and one son-in-law, Rodney.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The Rev. Lawrence B. Berger will officiate. Entombment with military rites by American Legion Post 52 will follow in Garden Of Peace Mausoleum at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call from
10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated in Bob’s name to Franciscan Skemp Hospice program. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements.
June Irene Pearson Krahn
June Irene Pearson Krahn, 85, passed away Oct. 12, 2008, in Port Charlotte, Fla.
She was born June 28, 1923, to Walter and Maude Pearson of Clinton, Wis.
June married Harvey Oscar Krahn on June 1, 1945. Harvey passed away March 30, 1980.
June is survived by her stepdaughter, Donna (Robert) Willis; daughters, Judy Krahn and Sherla Koebbeman; her companion, Carlton Bond; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and
also her extended family from the La Crosse area, who she loved as her own, Betty Bahr, Joseph Bahr, four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
In 1993, she married George Michael Christ, deceased in May 2007, of Winter Haven, Fla., and is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren.
June is also survived by a sister, Iolyn Beers of Belvideer, Ill.; and a brother, Victor Pearson of Clinton, Wis.; and many loved nieces and nephews.
June loved camping, hunting and fishing. She was a remarkably talented seamstress and enjoyed doing needlepoint and listening to classical music.
June and Harvey were involved in the inception of hospice in La Crosse in 1979, and later June was also instrumental in helping hospice get its start in Rockford, Ill.
The Celebration of Life for June will take place at 2 p.m. Nov. 8 at Jefferson Prairie Lutheran Church, 23184 Bergon Road, Poplar Grove, IL 61065. There will be a reception directly after in the Fellowship Room. There will be no graveside ceremony.
Memorial donations will go to Riverfront Inc. (services for people with disabilities), c/o Sherla Koebbeman, 13880 Long Lake Lane, Port Charlotte, FL 33953.
James Owen Smith
James Owen Smith, 81, of La Crosse died peacefully Saturday Oct. 25, 2008, at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. There will be a visitation from 10:30 a.m. Wednesday until the time of services at the church. Friends are also invited to join with the family after the services for a luncheon at the parish hall.
A complete obituary will follow in Monday’s Tribune. Blaschke and Schneider Funeral Homes are assisting with arrangements.
Francis Edward Moreland
Francis E. Moreland, 96, of Marquette, Iowa, died Friday Oct. 24, 2008, at Great River Care Center (McGregor, Iowa) after a short illness. Funeral services will be noon Monday at Thornburg-Hanson Funeral Home in McGregor, with burial in Monona City Cemetery, Monona, Iowa. Military honors will be accorded. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to services Monday at the funeral home.
Sharon M. Lunde
Sharon M. Lunde, 64, of La Crosse died at her home Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008. A complete obituary will follow from Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse.
Debra A. (Peshak) Schlegel
Debra A. (Peshak) Schlegel, 48, of La Crosse passed away at her home Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. She was born in La Crosse on Nov. 29, 1959, to Robert J. and Ruth A. (Lee) Peshak. Debra married Randy Schlegel at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in La Crosse on June 19, 1981, and they later divorced. She graduated cum laude from Viterbo University with a double major in psychiatry and nursing. After graduation, she worked for a few years as a nurse at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.
In addition to her parents of La Crosse, she is survived by one sister Susan (Douglas) Miller of Waterloo, Wis., one brother Daniel Peshak of Lewisville, Texas, her nieces Kristin Miller of Plover, Wis., and Laura Miller of Minneapolis, Minn., and nephew Curtis (Stephanie) Miller of Monroe, Wis. She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in La Crosse. The Rev. David Olson will officiate. Burial will follow in Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. Monday until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Viterbo nursing program. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.schumacher-kish.com.
Barbara Ann Pfennig
Barbara Ann Pfennig, 70, of La Crosse passed away peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
Barbara was born in La Crosse on Feb. 3, 1938, to Vincent and Marcella (Hammersberg) Voigt. She married James Paul Pfennig on July 20, 1957, at First Congregational Church in La Crosse.
Barb enjoyed knitting and following Wisconsin football. Barb retired from The Trane Co. after 45 years of service.
Barbara is survived by her husband; sisters, Carolyn (Charles) Vaughn of South Carolina and Jeanne (Michael) Cunningham of Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at Oak Grove Cemetery Chapel, 1407 La Crosse St., La Crosse. The Rev. J. Taylor Haley will officiate with a private interment.
A gathering of family and friends will be held one-half hour before the service at Oak Grove Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation or American Cancer Society. Blaschke and Schneider Funeral Home, La Crosse, is assisting the
family.
Mary Ann (Smith) Rice
Former La Crosse resident Mary Ann (Smith) Rice, 70, died at home in Anchorage, Alaska, on Oct. 13, 2008, after a courageous eight-year battle with breast cancer.
Mary was born Feb. 19, 1938, in La Crosse. She grew up on the family farm with two brothers and seven sisters. After graduating from West Salem High in 1956, she moved to Anchorage, where she raised two children with her husband, Ron Rice.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Theadora Smith; brother, Donald Smith; and sister, Phyllis Powell.
She is survived by her husband, Ron, two children, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, all of Anchorage; siblings, Ray “Corky” Smith, Jean Davis, Gladys Pettis, Beverly Koltermann, Gloria Nuttleman, Darlene Campbell and Diane Martine of Wisconsin; and many extended family and friends across the U.S.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s name to either Wish Upon the North Star, 2320 Maplewood Street, Anchorage, AK 99508; or the American Cancer Society, Attn: Mary Rice Memorial Donation, 3851 Piper Street U240, Anchorage, AK 99508.
Sidney Keith Syvertson
FALLBROOK, Calif. — Sidney Keith Syvertson, a prominent figure in the California real estate industry, died of cancer Oct. 9, 2008, at his home in Fallbrook. He was 77. His memory continues to live on through his wife of 30 years, Diana Syvertson; his two daughters, Jeannie Maines and Jody Palmer from his first marriage to Ardyce LaPorte; and five granddaughters, Jennifer Maines, Kelly Levine, Tiffany Maines, Stefanie Eygendaal and Jamie Palmer. His youngest daughter, Krissie Syvertson, passed away in August.
Born Oct. 16, 1930, in La Crosse to parents Rex and Birdine Syvertson, Sid was the youngest of three sons. He showed signs early on as a natural leader and entrepreneur like his maternal grandfather, E.V. Buckley, a town sheriff and lumber mill owner and gold mine partner. He was also an 11th generation descendant of Mayflower passenger Stephen Hopkins.
After four years of service in the Navy and a successful real estate career in Minneapolis, Sid and his dreams headed west in an old four-axle truck and arrived in Inglewood, Calif., in 1956, followed by his wife and three young girls. “He loved everything about California,” Ardyce said. “It suited his independent and pioneer spirit and ‘sky’s-the-limit’ philosophy. Sid continued to excel in real estate sales and property ownership, a dual track he always believed in.”
His brilliant leadership, innovation and heartfelt dedication to serving others inspired him to open Spring Realty Co. in 1962 in the Los Angeles suburb of Palos Verdes Estates. In 1969, Steve Haselton joined him and together they created one of the 10 largest privately owned real estate companies in the nation, with 30 offices and 1,000 sales associates.
In 1982, they converted Spring Realty to RE/MAX of California in the largest franchise transaction in RE/MAX history. Sid loved the concept of franchising because owners were in business for themselves but not by themselves. By 2007, the company had grown in California and Hawaii to 450 offices and 11,000 agents. He and Haselton retired later that year, selling their operation back to RE/MAX International. Steve said of their partnership, “We had a wonderful ride together. The battles we fought, the tears we cried and the ‘highs’ we received from accomplishing the seemingly impossible. We were, and will always remain, a great team. His opening statement to me when we first met was: ‘Two people with a common goal in complete harmony can achieve any dream.’ I feel we truly fulfilled that dream.”
Syvertson defined success as the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. His ideal from the beginning was, “to be a significant factor in organized real estate in the state of California.” A franchise owner, Glenn Porter, said of him, “Sid was a great man with a huge plan that was orchestrated like a symphony. He brought the best people in the business together and the result was just awesome.” Sid stated often, “I’m not really in the real estate business. I’m in the people business — the business of relating to and helping people.” A friend, Jack Rafferty, asked him once about his early days in real estate sales, and he said, “When I worked with a client, I knew I had their lives in my hands,” and as he spoke, he cupped his hands and the look on his face said it all. “I saw the love and compassion he had for clients.” Jack stated. His wife Diana adds, “He shared that same respect and responsibility for everyone under his care and that included just about everyone he knew!”
Family, friends and colleagues agree that Sid was well known for his mentoring skills and genuine ability to encourage and support others in achieving their goals and realizing their dreams. When David Kayo met Sid, he was 19 years old. At 24, he says now, “I found someone who immediately recognized and understood me. He was my friend, mentor and father figure all at once. I can quote his ‘cannon fodder’ theory of entrepreneurship verbatim and thank him every day for giving me the courage to start my own business.” He adds, “Sid was my compass and when I’d begin to veer off course, he’d bring me back to my own true north. I will miss him, but his guiding light will continue to live on in me.”
Longtime friend Sam Summey wrote, “In business, he was a genius. He held bragging rights on so many of the wonderful things throughout his life yet never once in our 40 odd years of hanging out together did I ever hear him say, ‘I did that; that was my idea.’ He was a humble man, sometimes shy, but yet so incredibly personable and loveable. Sid is and was the most generous, compassionate, giving man I have ever known, not just of his worldly goods but also of himself.”
Diana agrees, “He enriched everyone’s life he touched … including mine. He opened me up to the world of unlimited possibilities, big dreams and fulfilling adventures. He always encouraged me to see myself through the eyes of love and said to me almost every day, ‘Have I told you today that I love you?’ Yes, you did, Sid … and I adored you too. Your deep and abiding love will live on in me forever.”
His daughters too, loved and adored him their whole lives. “He taught us how to be spontaneous, have fun, be daring and think for ourselves,” Jeannie and Jody said. “He was our hero and best friend and spoiled us with his love. And he passed that on to his grandchildren as well. What a legacy he left us!”
For the last several years, Sid became a well-loved member of Hilltop Center for Spiritual Living in Fallbrook. Candy Kienitz from the community as well as good friend, Terri McTeigue, offered the following quote on his behalf: “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body but rather to skid in, sideways, totally worn out and shouting, ‘Holy *!#* … what a ride!’” As a licensed pilot, motorcyclist, boat captain and world traveler, Sid truly lived this quote.
Diana said, “He often told me this past year, ‘I’ve lived a full life, accomplished everything I set out to do and I have no regrets. What could be better than that!’” Bravo Sid! You did it all!
At his request, no funeral will be held. However, a Web site was created for him at www.caringbridge/visit/sidsyvertson, if you’d like to visit and post a comment or check for updates from his family.
If you’d like to make a donation in his memory, the following are two suggestions:
1) Dr. Daniel Vicario, Sid’s oncologist and pioneer in compassionate and innovative care for cancer patients, has a non-profit wing of his San Diego Cancer Center called San Diego Cancer Research Institute.
Website: www.sdcri.org
Address: 910 Sycamore Ave., Suite 102, Vista, CA 92081
Telephone: (760) 598-1700
Sid said of Dr. Vicario, “He reminds me of a priest, a man of God. How fortunate I am to have him as my doctor. He’s an angel!”
2) Hospice of the North Coast
Website: www.hospicenorth
coast.org
Address: 5441 Avenida Encinas, Suite A, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Telephone: (760) 431-4133
Diana said, “This team of angels truly earned their wings — they were remarkable with Sid.”
Margaret ‘Megs’ L. Harter
Margaret “Megs” L. Harter, 59, of La Crosse died Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Rehab, La Crosse. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Wood-ruff-Jandt Funeral Home,
La Crosse.
Mary L. Strand
Mary L. Strand, 61, of La Crosse died Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, La Crosse. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Congregational Church of La Crosse. A complete obituary will follow from Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse.
Ingre Elizabeth Bressler
Ingre Bressler passed away peacefully Oct. 24, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. She was dearly loved by her family and will always be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed.
Ingre was born March 22, 1923, in Melberry, N.D., to Nettie and Alex Roth and was the second-oldest of seven children. In 1925, her family moved to La Crosse. She attended Jefferson and Immanuel Lutheran schools, graduating from Logan High School in 1941. She proudly served with honor and distinction for two years as a WAVE in the U.S. Navy. It was then she met and later married William Bressler in January 1945. William (Bill) completed 28 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a master sergeant. Ingre and Bill were married for 53 years, and she always said, “He was the love of my life.”
Of all the moves they made as a military family, Ingre often said the best transfer was from El Paso, Texas, to Fairbanks, Alaska. While there, she worked for many years as a sales cashier at Safeway and eventually became a manager. The challenges and adventures of living in the “Last Frontier” brought the family closer together, especially when dealing with the flood of 1967, the earthquake of 1970, and the winter challenges of surviving continuous darkness and 50-below-zero weather. Many wonderful family memories were made while camping, hunting and fishing in Alaska. Ingre’s baked salmon and moose steak meals were enjoyed after many of these trips. Ingre and her husband lived in Alaska for 21 years before returning to La Crosse.
While in La Crosse, Ingre was active at Harry J. Olson Senior Center and had pleasure being there with her friends. Since childhood, she has enjoyed attending Immanuel Lutheran School and Church and was a lifetime member. We know she is now rejoicing in the presence of the Lord whom she loved and trusted.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William; one son, Donovan; her parents, Alex and Nettie Roth; and her brothers, John Roth and Robert Roth of La Crosse.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and John Pfister; her son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Ina Bressler; her grandchildren, Daniel Pfister, Stephanie (Pfister) and Travis Welch, Solina Bressler and Jarin Bressler; her brothers, Alan Roth and Larry Roth; her sisters, Helen Kuehl and Mona Gasper; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Dickinson Funeral Home, 809 Gillette St., in La Crosse. Following the service, a burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery,
3636 Mormon Coulee Road, in La Crosse. A visitation will be held before the funeral service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Memorials in Ingre’s name may be sent to Immanuel Lutheran School and Church or any cancer research program/foundation.
Emma Jean Eitland
VIROQUA — Emma Jean Eitland, 88, a resident at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby and formerly of Viroqua died late Friday evening, Oct. 24, 2008, at the nursing home.
She was born March 8, 1920, in Elroy, Wis., to Maurice and Florence (Parr) Pierce. On June 21, 1936, Emma married Leon Eitland in Waukon, Iowa. She then attended Vernon County Teachers College and taught at North Springville, Nottingham and Davis country schools. During that time, Emma entered UW-La Crosse and graduated in 1968 with her teaching degree. She then taught third grade at Viroqua Elementary School. Her teaching career lasted from 1961 to 1976. Emma also helped run Eitlands Bike Shop in Viroqua with her husband, Leon, for 30-plus years. Christian fellowship and singing were a large part of Emma’s life, and she sang with a local group called the Faith Singers for several years. Emma and Leon were charter members of Viroqua Assembly of God Church. She always kept a positive attitude through life. She was also an excellent cook.
Emma is survived by her three daughters, Diane Stenslien, Westby, Carol (Gordon) Clemment, Westby, and Judy (John) Mc Eachran, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.; a son, Marlin (Pat) Eitland, Maplewood, Minn.; 10 grandchildren, Greg, Jeff, Scott and James Stenslien, Rick and Steve Clemment, Brett Eitland, Kari Dearborn, andMatt and Tom Mc Eachran; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Gloria Suiter, Janesville, Wis., Virgie Egge, Portage, Wis., and Vera Campton; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leon; a grandson, Ryan Eitland; great-granddaughter, Sara Betzel; four brothers, Darwin, Vincent, Darold and Ramon; and two sisters, Beaulah and Ramona.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Thorson- Funeral Home, Viroqua. Officiating at the service will be Pastor John Mc Eachran with burial to follow in the Viroqua Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be offered at www.thorson-reetz.net.
Clarence J. Kowhal
ARCADIA — Clarence J. Kowhal, 85, of Arcadia died Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, Arcadia Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at
St. Stanislaus Church-Holy Family Parish, with burial in Calvary Cemetery, both in Arcadia. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Edison Funeral Home, Independence, where there will be a 7 p.m. prayer service followed by a rosary. Visitation also will be one hour prior to services Tuesday at the church.
Bernice M. Coher
SPRING GREEN, Wis./ SOLDIERS GROVE — With family by her side, Bernice M. Coher, 87, of Spring Green and formerly of Soldiers Grove and Phillips, Wis., passed away Wednes-day, Oct. 22, 2008, at Hospice-Care Center in Madison.
She was born Feb. 9, 1921, in North Clayton, Wis., the daughter of Lyall and Zella (Bailey) Adams. She graduated from Soldiers Grove High School in 1939. Bernice moved to Milwaukee and was very proud of the fact that she pursued several exciting jobs and later supported the war effort as a “Rosie the Riveter.” She returned to Soldiers Grove where she married Merlin Coher on Aug. 19, 1950, and raised two children. Together they built a business with Standard Oil, where she worked as a bookkeeper and with customers. Through this busy time she would find a few spare moments for “coffee time” with loved ones and always had time for her children and grandchildren. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Soldiers Grove Methodist Church.
Bernice and Merlin never missed a family birthday, wedding or graduation and always welcomed company with open arms, lots of food and pontoon rides around the lake. The memories of her wit, spunk and the twinkle in her eyes will always bring smiles when thinking of her. Her children and grandchildren always felt her love, whether it be through a phone call, an apple pie or a great big hug. Her love will sustain her family for the rest of their lives.
Bernice and her family appreciated the love and care she received from staff and friends at the Meadows. She spent her last few days at the Don & Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in Madison where she and her family were surrounded by love and kindness. She led a beautiful life and is finally home.
Survivors include a son, Arden Borshoff of Brookfield, Wis.; a daughter, Julie (Mick) Showen of Spring Green; four grandchildren, Alisa (Mike) Stephens of Thiensville, Wis., Carmen (Bruce) Jordan of Wauwatosa, Wis., Laurie Borshoff of La Crosse and Matia (Jake) Malek of Chicago; a great-granddaughter, Madeline Jordan; a daughter-in-law, Judy Borshoff; a sister, Lila Turk of Soldiers Grove; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and old friends; and her new friends at the Meadows.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lyall and Zella Adams; her husband, Merlin Coher; a sister, Margaret Peterson; and a brother, Arden Adams.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Soldiers Grove Methodist Church with the Rev. Mike Christianson. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Soldiers Grove. Visitation will be held Monday, Oct. 27, at Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green from 5 to 7 p.m. and on Tuesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Online condolences may be offered at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com.
Assisting the family is Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home, Hwy. 23 South, Spring Green, (608) 588-2181.
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