Sean T. Brown
ONALASKA/APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. — Sean T. Brown, 31, formerly of Onalaska, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, in his home in Apache Junction.
Sean was born Nov. 6, 1977, in La Crosse to Thomas and Beth (Temte) Brown. As a youth, Sean enjoyed swimming and competed on the YMCA swim team. He played football in middle school and participated in karate, youth bowling and pool leagues as a teen. Sean inherited from his mother a beautiful singing voice and was a member of the high school choir. He graduated from Onalaska High School in 1996, and went on to travel and hold a variety of jobs. Sean installed carpeting and flooring in the La Crosse area for several years but his vocational passion was in cooking. Most recently, he was the head chef/restaurant manager at The Mirage Sports Grill in Apache Junction. He was well-liked and respected by his staff, and customers raved about his menu and cuisine.
Sean loved outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, camping, scuba diving, skateboarding and taking his dogs, G.G. and Rocky, for walks and romps. Sean was close to all of the members of his extended family and he had many friends. He was known for his easygoing and fun-loving nature, sense of humor and sweet soul. Sean had a place in his heart for everyone but reserved his most special love and pride for his son, Avery.
Sean is survived by his father, Thomas (Kathleen Olson) Brown of Hokah, Minn.; his mother, Beth (Jeff) Temte-Woodruff of Gold Canyon, Ariz.; his son, Avery Schams and his mother, Mary Schams, both of La Crosse; three sisters, Sarah Mae Brown of Hokah, Kaia Nichols (Eric Buchholtz) of Apache Junction, and Ashley (Jason) Johnson of La Crosse; one brother, Alex Nichols of La Crosse. He is further survived by his grandparents, Ira Brown of Onalaska, and William and Louise Temte of Onalaska; his step-grandparents, Willard Olson and Sally Olson, both of Onalaska and Eleanor Collins of La Crosse; his aunts, Catherine Fuchs and Jacqueline Brown, both of La Crosse, and Rachel (Geoff) Patterson of St. Mary’s, Ga.; his uncles, Andrew (Linda) Temte of Onalaska and Mark Nichols of La Crosse; and many cousins, nephews, great-aunts, great-uncles and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Gladys Brown.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, 4239 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service. Pastor Bruce Iverson will officiate. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Dresbach, Minn., at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Avery Schams College Fund at any River Bank location.
Esther Einstoss
Esther Einstoss, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, after a short, courageous battle with cancer.
Esther Theresa Hundt was born in La Crosse on Jan. 24, 1931, to Arthur J. and Anna D. (Wuensch) Hundt and was raised on the family farm in the town of Washington, La Crosse County. Esther, the youngest of nine children, enjoyed being the baby of the family. Her mother’s early death left Esther, just 13, to learn to “brace up,” as her father said, and make her way in the world.
Esther was united in marriage to the love of her life, Sy Einstoss, in Annapolis, Md., on Nov. 28, 1955. While from very different backgrounds, they made a beautiful life together, along with their children, moving and traveling around the world. They lived in Italy, Maryland and Florida before settling in their home of 43 years, Ventura, Calif.
At the age of 40 Esther continued her education by earning her nursing degree at Ventura College. Later she returned to school and obtained her bachelor’s in nursing from Cal State LA and then completed her master’s degree at UCLA. Esther worked at several hospitals before making a full circle back to Ventura College to her favorite job, teaching clinical nursing.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Sy; her children, Theresa (Kevin) Hartigan, Rebecca (Stan) Caron, Thomas Einstoss and Melissa (Eric) Kirkegaard; her six grandchildren; her brothers, Art and Ed (Germaine) Hundt; sisters-in-law, Rosie Kammel, Eileen, Irene and Kate Hundt; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Leo, Albert, Wilfred and Howard Hundt; two sisters, Edith Everson and Annabelle Hughes; two brothers-in-law. Harry Everson and Earl Hughes; and one sister-in-law Cecelia Hundt.
Cards may be sent to Sy Einstoss, 6398 Clemens Ave., Ventura, CA 93003 or messages left at guestbook http://www.legacy.com/venturacountystar/Obituaries.asp.
Hulda D. Hemker
WEST SALEM — Hulda D. Hemker, 95, of West Salem died Friday, Nov. 14, 2008, at Mulder Health Care Facility, West Salem. She was born Dec. 15, 1912, in the Town of Barre, Wis., to William and Mary (Meyer) Brocade. On Nov. 27, 1940, she married Elmer Hemker in West Salem, and he preceded her in death on Feb. 9, 1986. Hulda and her husband farmed in the Town of Burns, Wis., for many years.
Survivors include two brothers, Fritz Seeger and Elmer (Evelyn) Seeger, both of West Salem; a sister-in-law, Lois Seeger of La Crosse; a special niece, Lois (Eugene “Bub”) Pierce of Tomah; along with many other nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Erna Skroch; and two brothers, Harry Brocade and Edwin Seeger.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 500 Park St., West Salem. Dr. Steven Staude will officiate. Burial will be in Burns Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Christ Evagelical Lutheran Church, West Salem. Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem, is in charge of arrangements.
Lester J. Kaiser
MINDORO — Lester J. Kaiser, 80, of Mindoro died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, at Mulder Health Care Facility, West Salem. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem.
Phyllis Kern
INDEPENDENCE — Phyllis Kern, 86, of Independence died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, peacefully in her sleep at her son’s home in Madison. Arrangements are pending with Edison Funeral Home, Independence.
Hazel A. Kleinschrodt
ONTARIO — Hazel A. Kleinschrodt, 87, of Ontario died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Community Baptist Church, burial will follow in Hilltop Rest Cemetery, both in Ontario. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Torkelson Funeral Home, Ontario, and from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the time of services at the church. Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario is assisting the family with arrangements.
Canio ‘Carl’ N. Saluzzi
Canio “Carl” N. Saluzzi, 91, of La Crosse died in Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008. Funeral services are tentative for Thursday in Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 809 Gillette St., La Crosse. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends tentatively may call Wednesday at the funeral home. A complete obituary will be provided for Tuesday’s La Crosse Tribune.
Ivan ‘Skip’ W. Smith
Ivan “Skip” W. Smith, 75, of La Crosse died in his home on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008. He was born May 12, 1933, in La Crosse to Herbert and Pauline (Backeberg) Smith. He married Mary Anne Gust on June 21, 1952. While always being a “northsider,” he built their home in a cornfield in what was then rural Onalaska, where he and Mary Anne lived until his death.
Skip was active in the original Civil Defense Program and also worked as a special deputy for La Crosse County. He worked at Trane Co. as a welder/expediter, retired after 42 years, and was a member of the 25 Year Club. Skip instilled a love of the outdoors in his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Skip enjoyed spending time with family and friends at their cabin and lake lot in Hatfield, Wis. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, attending auctions, doing ceramics and painting. Skip was an avid storyteller, especially ghost stories, so much so that many of us expect to see him soon.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Anne; a daughter, Lori (Mike) Peterson of Onalaska; four sons, Tim (Julie) Smith of Holmen, Thomas (Sue) Smith of Onalaska, Mark (Jean) Smith of La Crosse, and Matthew (Denise) Smith of Madison; six grandchildren, Erick (Darcey), Philip (Jessica), Pamela, Lisa, Bobbie and Jesse; two great-grandchildren, Devon and Zera; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, JaneLynn; his parents; a sister, Leda Peterson; and a brother, Melvin Smith.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., Onalaska. The Rev. Scott Skogen will officiate, and burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Friends may call from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and 9:30 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services at the funeral home.
Louella ‘Lou’ A. Todd
HOUSTON, Minn. - Louella “Lou” A. Todd, 89, of Houston died Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
Lou was born Aug. 3, 1919, in Caledonia, Minn., to Edward and Ida (Halvorson) Schiebstad. She was raised at Houge Ridge in rural Caledonia, where she attended Houge Country School. On Feb. 23, 1941, she married Robert Todd. Lou did domestic work for La Crosse-area clients until she retired at age 80. She catered meals for many local events over the years. She was a member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston. Lou belonged to the local garden club and loved her flower garden. She enjoyed country western music and dancing.
She is survived by four sons, Jim Todd of Houston, Richard (Doris) Todd of Houston, Dan (Kathy) Todd of Houston, and Mike Todd of Rudd, Iowa; four daughters, Janice (Dale) Nelson of Fredricksberg, Iowa, Pat Palmquist of Rochester, Minn., Alta (Stan) Mueller of Chippewa Falls, Wis., and Linda Hansen of Waverly, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Karen Todd of Houston; 18 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Hjalmer (Lucille) Schiebstad of Houston; and by several nieces and nephews.
Lou was preceded in death by her husband; one son, Dennis; one grandson, Randy; one brother, Earl; and by one sister, Charlotte.
Memorial services for Lou will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston, with the Rev. Lane Zaffke officiating. Burial will be in Money Creek Cemetery in Money Creek, Minn. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Hoff Funeral Homes-Houston Chapel.
Please leave a memory of Lou and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.
Sandra E. Vance
SUMMERFIELD, Fla. — Sandra E. Vance of Summerfield died Nov. 6, 2008.
Sandra was born in Mystic/Groton, Conn., to Kenneth W. Payne and Roberta P. (McWilliams) Payne on Sept. 13, 1934. Sandra graduated from Robert E. Fitch High School in 1952. She graduated from the Joseph Lawrence School of Nursing in New London, Conn., in 1955 as a registered nurse.
Sandy married Richard L. Vance of La Crosse on Aug. 13, 1955, at Union Baptist Church in Mystic/Groton. They relocated to La Crosse in 1955.
Besides her husband, Sandy is survived by a son, Eric J. Vance (Mary Lee) of Superior, Wis.; a daughter, Karen A. Ross of Colchester, Conn.; and two grandchildren, Lucas Higgins and Haley Higgins, also of Colchester. She is also survived by two sisters and two brothers, Judith Strickland of Montville, Conn., Brenda Brooks of Ormond Beach, Fla., Raymond Payne of Chula Vista, Calif., and David Payne Sr. of West Greenwich, R.I.
Sandy worked as a nurse in the surgery unit at Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse for 35 years. When Sandy and Dick retired, they located to Ocala, Fla., and settled in Stonecrest in Marion County, Fla.
As a talented seamstress, Sandy made many of her own clothes. She enjoyed knitting and made many gifts for her family, especially her grandchildren. She also knitted baby blankets and baby caps for charity. Sandy and Dick belonged to the Stonecrest Golf Club, where they enjoyed golfing with members and friends. Sandy loved to read — especially mysteries, historical novels and biographies. She was active in the Stonecrest sewing club, quilt club and genealogy club.
Funeral arrangements are private. Please send any memorials to your local hospice organization.
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