Christine A. Nelsestuen
Christine A. Nelsestuen, 92, of La Crosse died on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
Christine was born to Odell and Clara (Olson) Oakland on Feb. 20, 1916, on the family farm in Jackson County, Wis. She graduated from Gale College and La Crosse Teachers College, later earning a master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Christine began teaching elementary school at the age of 19. She taught at several rural schools and at Jefferson and Hamilton Elementary schools in La Crosse.
Christine married Joseph Nelsestuen on June 8, 1938. After retirement, they enjoyed several winters together living in Clearwater, Fla. Joe died in 1991.
Christine was a longtime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in La Crosse and was active in her circle, as well as WELCA.
Christine is survived by three daughters, Karen (Bill) Larson of Racine, Wis., Lorrie (Gene) Schmitz of La Crosse, and Susan (Philip) Curti of La Crosse. In addition, she is survived by nine grandchildren, Christopher (Joy) Larson, Andrew Larson and Daniel (Cheryl) Larson, Xavier (Tonia) Schmitz, Jonathan (Angela) Schmitz, James Schmitz, Aaron (Kari) Curti and Nathan and Joe Curti. Great-grandchildren include Karissa and Michelle Larson, Hillary and Jacob Larson, and Holden Larson. Christine is also survived by her sister, Alice (Matt) Baker of rural Ettrick, Wis.; two sisters-in-law, Anna Casey and Evelyn Swenson, both of Blair; as well as nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her sister, Lucinda Morken; and sister-in-law, Lillian Hamilton.
Christine’s family wishes to thank all those who helped care for her in the last months and days of her life. Christine was well-loved by family and friends. We have all been enriched by Christine’s life by her strength, her warmth, her acceptance of others and, unforgettably, her humorous quips.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 420 West Ave. S., La Crosse. The Rev. Dennis C. Johnson will officiate. Friends may call at the church Sunday from noon until the time of services. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mary A. French
Mary A. French, 74, of La Crosse died in Lakeview Health Care Facility, West Salem, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2008.
She was born April 23, 1934, in La Crosse, to Albert and Elnora (Pederson) Temp. Mary graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1951 and attended WWTC for two years. She worked as a bookkeeper for Art Mar for many years and also sold Avon products for a number of years.
In November 1960, Mary was united in marriage to Kenneth French.
Mary is survived by her husband, Ken; a daughter, Ellen (Kenneth) Becraft of Woodhull, Ill.; a grandson, Nathan Becraft; and a sister, Shirley (Henry) Wittenberg of Onalaska.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda French; her parents; two sisters, Dorothy and Carol; and a brother, John.
Funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. in Dick-inson Family Funeral Home, 1425 Jackson St., La Crosse. The Rev. Scott Skogen will officiate, and burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be given to the La Crosse Public Education Foundation.
Peter S. Vepley III
Sparta Peter S. Vepley III, 48, of Sparta died Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, in his home. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta.
Richard D. Cody
LA CROSSE/MADISON Richard D. Cody, 66, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
He was born Sept. 15, 1942, in Madison, the son of Edwin and Mary (Connor) Cody. Richard was a 1960 graduate of Madison East High School. He was an entrepreneur who owned several businesses. Richard assisted in the development of an improved mausoleum that simplified and reduced construction costs and funeral expenses; it was patented in 1991. He was an avid reader of history, religion, politics and sports who will always be remembered for his unique Irish wit and humor.
Richard is survived by his wife, Daneen, whom he married in Quincy, Ill., on July 21, 2001; his children, Mary (Jim) Gehling, David, Douglas, Richard “Rick” (Lisa), Kris (Kirby) Johnson, Kari (John) Deglow, and Matthew; a step-daughter, Burgandy; a step-son, Brandon; 11 grandchildren; sisters, Marlene (Duane) Sippola and Karen (Ken) Wilke; and several nieces, nephews and friends, among them Bob Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother and sister; a daughter-in-law; a nephew; and two nieces.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4141 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse. The Rev. Roger Hjelle will officiate. Entomb-ment will be in Good Shepherd Columbarium Prayer Garden. Friends may call from 1 p.m. Monday at the church until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse, is in charge of arrangements.
Dennis Joseph Smolek
SHARPSBURG, Ga. Dennis Joseph Smolek, 67, died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, at his home in Sharpsburg.
He was born March 19, 1941, in La Crosse to Franklin David Smolek and Juanita Holmes Smolek. He was a member of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Newnan, Ga., and United Auto Workers Local No. 882. Mr. Smolek retired from Ford Motor Co. after 30 years of service.
A funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. It will be concelebrated by the Revs. Dan Fleming and Austin Fogarty, with Deacon Dan Sandlin assisting. The family is receiving friends between 4 and 6 p.m. Sunday at McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson St., Newnan, GA 30263, with a rosary following at 6 p.m. in McKoon Funeral Home Chapel. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.mckoon.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to the St. Vincent de Paul Society,
St. Mary Magdalene Church, 3 Village Road, Newnan, GA 30265.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Erickson Smolek of Sharpsburg; mother, Juanita Holmes Smolek; children, Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Morris of Valparaiso, Ind., Dennis M. Smolek of Newnan, Kimberly Heindl of Fort Myers, Fla., and Jill Clark of Fort Myers; siblings, Carolyn Smolek of Cedar Lake, Ind., and Michael Smolek of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.
McKoon Funeral Home, (770) 253-4580, is assisting the family.
David T. Lively
David T. Lively, 60, of La Crosse died Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, La Crosse. There will be no funeral services. A private burial is planned. A complete obituary will follow.
Rose B. Gibbons
PINE CREEK, Wis. Rose B. Gibbons, 94, of Arcadia and formerly of Pine Creek died Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Nursing Home, Arcadia. Wozney-Killian Funeral Home, Arcadia, is assisting the family.
Donald Ray Rollie’ McBride
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, Ark./GALESVILLE Donald Ray “Rollie” McBride, 75, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008.
He was born on Oct. 8, 1933, to Raymond “Cappy” and Alice McBride, was raised in Galesville and graduated from Galesville High School in 1951. He was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve and was called to active duty in 1952-54 during the Korean War.
Rollie attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated in 1957. He owned and operated his own business. Rollie enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing. He was retired and made his home in Hot Springs Village.
Rollie is survived by his wife, Judy; his sons, Jeff McBride of Stevens Point, Wis., John McBride of Madeira, Ohio, and Glen McBride of Fond du Lac, Wis.; two stepdaughters, Lisa (Steve) Koepp of West Bend, Wis., and Krysta (Al) Schel-linger of Mayville, Wis.; three grandchildren, Ben, Sarah and Kelly McBride of Madeira; seven stepgrandchildren, Hannah, Madelyn and Zoe Koepp of West Bend, and Brett, Makenzie, Matthew and Ben-nett Schellinger of Mayville; two brothers, Darryl (Shelba) McBride of Ettrick and Daniel (Sonya) McBride of St. Paul; and a sister, Maureen Fortner of Trempealeau.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Joyce; his brother, Robert McBride; and his sister, Barbara Knepper.
Tina A. Tangen
Tina A. Tangen, 90, of La Crosse passed away Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at Hillview Healthcare Center, La Crosse.
She was born in Carson, N.D., on July 3, 1918, to Martin and Martina (Smestad) Twite. She married Waldo Tangen on Feb. 25, 1941, in La Crosse, and together they celebrated 68 years of marriage. Tina was a very kind and gracious person who cared for everyone. Her family and faith were the most important things to her. She absolutely loved her friends and activities at English Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her husband, Waldo; a son, Myron of La Crosse; her granddaughter, Julie (Josh) Miller of Altoona, Wis.; and great-grandson, Jacob.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Joan; 12 brothers and sisters; and a granddaughter, Amy.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10. at English Lutheran Church, 1509 King St., La Crosse. The Revs. Duane Baardseth and Mark Solyst will officiate, and a private family burial will be
at Portland (Wis.) Lutheran Church Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the church. Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Roy C. Welker
SPARTA Roy C. Welker, 58, of Sparta died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, in his home. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Sparta First Church of the Nazarene. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta. Online condolences may be offered at www.
lanham-miller.com. A complete obituary will follow.
Jerry E. Rutter
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN Jerry E. Rutter, 58, of Prairie du Chien died Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at St. John’s Catholic Church, with burial in Evergreen Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call after 4 p.m. Sunday at Garrity Funeral Home, Prairie du Chien, where there will be a rosary at 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. www.garrityfuneralhome.com.
CORRECTION
Mary C. Crowley
Omitted from the Friday obituary for Mary C. Crowley, 88, of La Crosse was the following: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Blessed Sacrament Church, Aquinas High School or New Horizons Women’s Shelter.
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