Lloyd E. Leum
WESTBY — Lloyd E. Leum, 91, of Westby died peacefully Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby where he resided the past two years.
He was born on April 11, 1917, in rural Westby to Elmer and Lenora (Tomtengen) Leum. Lloyd attended Leum County Grade School for eight years. On June 12, 1943, he married Inez Rude. They were blessed with seven children, Lou Ann, Gary, Peter, Sharon, Marla and Thomas, and John, who died in infancy in 1947. Inez passed away on Sept. 14, 1994.
Lloyd and Inez farmed and raised tobacco for 62 years. Lloyd was clerk of Unseth School, worked at A.S.C.S. offices and was a 4-H leader. He was a member of the Vernon County Jersey Breeders, Westby Senior Citizens, Sons of Norway Lodge 457, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Men’s Bible Club, caretaker of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, tobacco buyer for Viroqua Leaf and served on the board of directors of the Westby Cooperative Creamery. He enjoyed raising flowers, playing cards, writing in his diary, dancing and traveling with his family to Disney World.
He is survived by his children, Gary (Marilyn), Peter, Sharon (Thomas) Pederson, Marla (Mike) Fencl, Thomas (Donna), and son-in-law, Peter Bekkum; grandchildren, Carrie Jo Leum, Jacob Leum, Paul Bekkum, Bradley Bekkum, Kala Cina, Jared Pederson, Amber Bethke, Jay Pederson, Heather Pederson, Ronald Leum, Katie Leum, Jessi Leum, Josh Fencl, Matt Fencl and Ben Fencl; great-grandchildren, Karena Bekkum, Elaina Bekkum, Paulina Bekkum, Jeremiah Bekkum, Evelyn Bekkum, Claire Bekkum, Bradley Bekkum, Hudson Bethke, Hannah Pederson, Braden Pederson, Edward Cina, Maddux Fencl; his brother, Gilbert (Anna); his sisters, Eunice Sorenson, Olga Gossett and Eleanor Ekern; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Vivian Leum, Lillian Leum and Esther Leum, Norman Oftedahl, Irma (Roland) Engh and Harlan (Gloria) Rude; a very special friend, Marian Dahl; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Inez; daughter, Lou Ann Bekkum; brothers, Martin, Milton, Ralph and Otis; sister, Mary Ann Oftedahl; and a son, John in infancy.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Westby. Pastor Gary Daines will officiate. Burial will be in Our Savior’s Cemetery, rural Westby. Friends may call today from 3 to 5 p.m. at Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St. (Hwy. 14 S.) in Westby. Friends may also call on Monday after 10 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials may be directed to Our Savior’s Bible Fund or the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com.
Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.
Richard L. Braly Sr.
ONALASKA — Richard L. Braly Sr., 87, passed away Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, at Lakeview Healthcare Center in West Salem.
He was born in Amarillo, Texas, on July 1, 1921, to Raymond and Emma (Call) Braly. He grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. On Sept. 10, 1943, he was united in marriage to Marjorie Miller of Onalaska. On July 1, 1983, Richard retired from Century Telephone Co. after 38 years of service.
Richard served with the 15th Field Artillery of the Second Division as a liaison sergeant and observer in the European Theater in World War II. Sgt. Braly was awarded the bronze star with two Oak Leaf Clusters for gallantry in action. He landed in Normandy on D-Day plus one, June 7. He was wounded in battle in Normandy and was awarded the purple heart. In addition, he wore the ETO campaign ribbon with three bronze stars for three major battles of France, Belgium and Germany, the American defense ribbon, and the good conduct badge. He pushed through Normandy, fought in the battle of Brest, marched through Belgium and pushed the enemy 18 miles back into Germany.
He was a member of the Onalaska American Legion Post 336, a 61-year member of the Masonic Fraternity and a member of Onalaska Masonic Lodge No. 214, a member of La Crosse Commandery No. 9 K.T., Smith Chapter No. 13 R.A.M., Smith Council No. 10 R&S.M., and a member of the Onalaska United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marjorie Braly of Onalaska; one son, Richard (Ann) Braly Jr. of Parker, Colo.; two daughters, Juanita (William) Burk of Chardon, Ohio, and Betty Braly Molinaro of Wausau, Wis.; and nine grandchildren, Travis Braly and Cortney (Joshua Gerving) Braly, Stephanie Burk, Jeanine (Sean) Sutton, Justin (Brooke Engelhardt) Happel, Jeremy (Heidi) Happel, Anna Molinaro, Kyle Collins and Courtney (Cory Ballantini) Collins; and two great-grandchildren, Michael and Lauren Sutton. In addition, he is survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Marjorie Ingram and Juanita Olsen.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 11:30 a.m. at Onalaska United Methodist Church, 212 4th Ave. N., Onalaska. The Revs. Wesley Schirmer and Jenny Arneson will officiate. Friends may call the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the nurses and staff at Lakeview Healthcare Center for their wonderful care and compassion they gave to Richard and his family.
Carol Fluekiger
Carol Fluekiger, 80, of La Crosse died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center, La Crosse. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Temple Baptist Church, 1326 N. Salem Road, La Crosse. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 809 Gillette St., La Crosse, and from noon until the time of services Thursday at the church. A full obituary will follow.
Glen E. Beneker
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN/ BRIDGEPORT, Wis. — A prominent area resident, Glen E. Beneker, 89, of Prairie du Chien and formerly of Bridge-port passed away Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
He was born June 14, 1919, in Prairie du Chien, son of Louis and Hulda (Messerli) Beneker. He married Irene Benish on Jan. 2, 1946, at St. John’s Church in Prairie du Chien.
In his younger years, Glen was very busy with his family dairy farm and active in farm industry associations. He also served as president of the Purebred Holstein Association, was an active member of the Pork Producers, was a delegate of the A.S.C.S., and was a member of Wisconsin Farm Bureau and Tri-State Breeders Board. As a lifetime farmer, he was devoted to conservation, and good land-use practices were always a priority.
He was a devoted public servant to our region, having served for many years on various township, county and state committees and boards. He served his community with pride and integrity. Glen served as chairman and a member of Bridgeport Town Board. As chairman, he had a leadership in developing the Rural Bridgeport and Prairie du Chien Fire Department in 1977. In addition, he worked on township projects such as developing zoning ordinances, attracting commercial business development, and developing a sanitary district.
Glen served on the Crawford County Board of Supervisors for 26 years (from 1970-1996). While on the county board, he served on 14 separate county committees and on nine state committees. He was a member of the executive committee of the Crawford County Board, the Human Services Board, Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission,
and Crawford County Developmental Disability Board. He was chairman of the Agriculture and Extension Fair Committee and the Crawford County Fair Committee. Glen had continuously worked to improve the Crawford County Fair and 4-H programs throughout the county. He also chaired the land conservation, planning and zoning committee, as well as the long-term support advisory committee for the Human Services Department. He also served as a member of the Crawford County W-2 Community Steering Committee, the DNR Citizens Advisory Committee, and the Western Wisconsin Private Industry Council. Glen was appointed by former Gov. Thompson to participate on the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board from 1989 to 2005.
Glen was a member of the Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital Board of Directors for 27 years, serving as president for 26 of those years. He was awarded a director emeritus membership in recognition of his years of service. Glen was instrumental in developing the hospital into a community health care center. Under his leadership, the hospital established the first rural hospice and Medicare certified hospice in Wisconsin and the nation. As a county board member he was responsible for helping to implement the 911 system in Crawford County.
The last several years Glen enjoyed working with the Kiwanis Club, attending hospital board meetings, serving on the Human Services Board, and attending morning coffee with friends. Over the years, Glen enjoyed traveling to many states and countries and attending area dances with his wife.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Irene Beneker of Prairie du Chien; two daughters, Linda (Chuck) Kramer of Prairie du Chien and Krista (Roger) Cole of Waunakee, Wis.; a son, Gale (Cheryl) Beneker of Prairie du Chien; nine grandchildren, Kim (Don) Dudenbostel of Steuben, Dana Beneker of Davenport, Iowa, Darrell (Sarah) Beneker of Oconomowoc, Wis., Kurt (Jessica) Beneker of Milwaukee, Bridgett Kramer of Sparta, Breinn Kramer of Onalaska, Brett Kramer of Prairie du Chien, and Alex and Jared Cole, both of Waunakee; and nine great-grandchildren, Amanda, Ian, Evan, Olivia, and Damian Dudenbostel, Allison, Emma and Jackson Beneker, and Lauryn Matousek.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Darrel; and a brother, Robert.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, Prairie du Chien, with the Revs. Jerome Naduvathaniyil and Edmund Thome concelebrating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Prairie du Chien. Friends may call on Monday, Dec. 8, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Garrity Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien, where there will be a wake Scripture at 7:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospice Program or St. John’s Choir Fund.www.garrityfuneralhome.com.
Coy A. Kohn
RICHLAND CENTER — Coy A. Kohn, 67, of Richland Center passed away on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008, at Richland Hospital.
He was born on Aug. 9, 1941, in La Crosse, the son of Albert and Alice (Krause) Kohn and grew up in Stoddard. He was married on Sept. 24, 1966, to Linda Parish. Coy was a math teacher at Richland Center High School and University of Wisconsin-Richland for many years.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Kohn of Richland Center; and three daughters, Corri Sue Kohn of Madison, Kelly Jo Kohn of Richland Center and Kristi Kohn of St. Paul, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Alice Kohn and a daughter, Lori Kay Kohn.
A memorial service was held on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Richland Center. The Rev. Ken Halstead officiated. Visitation was held on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Stafford Funeral Home in Richland Center from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Online condolences are available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com.
Stafford Funeral Home, 1235 Hwy. 14 West, Richland Center, assisted the family.
Fred ‘Fritz’ B. Hicke
Fred “Fritz” B. Hicke, 78, of La Crosse died at home surrounded by his family on Friday, Dec. 5, 2008.
He was born in La Crosse on May 10, 1930, to Frederick and Della (Hall) Hicke. He married Viola Olson in La Crosse and they had celebrated 60 years of marriage together. Fritz had served with the Onalaska National Guard for 26 years, completing his service with the rank of sergeant first class.
In addition to his wife, Viola, he is survived by his children, Don (Lori) Hicke of La Crosse, Sharon Schultz of La Crosse, Toni (Doug) West of La Crosse, Teri (Steven) Powell of Onalaska, Darcy (Jeff) Eckland of Bangor, Willa (Randy) Juel of Rice Lake, Wis., Brenda (Tom) Wurzel of La Crescent, Minn., and Stephie (Steve) Gilles of Brown Deer, Wis.; grandchildren, Jason, Ryan, Cory, Sara, Dane, Chad, Maria, Michelle, Jen, Jessie, DJ, Scott, Brian, Eric, Kate, Nina, Craig, Kevin, Carli, Greg, Geoff and Gerry; great-grandchildren, Sage, Hans, Tessa, Madison, Cole, Sydney, Holden, Logan, Tanner, Cameron, Harrison, Shawna, Cassidy, Steven, Gracie, Lukas, Lexi, Marissa, Harlie and Alexandra; a special niece, Lynda Coelho of California; and a special cousin, Ron Hicke of Minnesota.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Jerry, Caroll, Aaron and Wayne Hicke; his sisters, Beatrice Wolfe and Ardis Pohlman; a granddaughter, Christine Powell; and a son-in-law, Jerry Schultz.
Memorial services will be held at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at English Lutheran Church in La Crosse. A private burial for the family will take place at a later date. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until the time of services. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family.
A special thank you is extended to his physicians, Dr. Zlabek and Dr. Klemond in palliative care, Marsha Kendall in palliative care, and all others who assisted Fred and our family during this difficult time.
Elmer M. McCallson
Elmer M. McCallson, 98, of La Crosse died on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008, at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center.
He was born Jan. 23, 1910, in Henry, Minn., to Albert and Clara (Erickson) McCallson. On April 14, 1934, he married Alice A. Davidson in Highland, Minn., and she preceded him in death on Sept. 27, 2008. They would have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary this coming spring.
The family farmed in Amherst, Minn., prior to moving to La Crosse in 1942. Elmer had worked for a few years as an apprentice for a tool and die company in La Crosse until he went to work as an inventory clerk with Allis Chalmers for 28-plus years until the plant’s closing. He then worked as a painter for several years until retiring.
Elmer was a longtime member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in La Crosse and enjoyed golfing and fishing.
Survivors include two sons, Allen (Ingrid) McCallson of Onalaska and Dean (Darcy) McCallson of La Crosse; three grandchildren, Mark (Karen) McCallson, Matt McCallson and Lakiah McCallson; one great-grandson, Ryan McCallson; and a sister, Louise Newhouse of La Crescent, Minn. In addition to his wife Alice, he was preceded in death by three infant daughters, two sisters and four brothers.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse, with the Rev. Mark Jolivette officiating. Friends and family may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Wednesday from 1 p.m. until departing for the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.
Marion Jones Whiteway
Memorial services for Marion Jones Whiteway, 95, who died Sept. 8, 2008, at Hillview Health Care Center, La Crosse, will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at First Congregational United Church UCC in La Crosse.
Gavin Raese Lola
ONALASKA — Gavin Raese Lola, 1-year-old son of John Edward and Andrea (Erickson) Lola, died unexpectedly at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
He was born in La Crosse on Aug. 4, 2007. Gavin was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by anyone he came in contact with. In addition to his parents of Onalaska, he is survived by his maternal grandparents, Don and Emily Erickson of New Berlin, Wis., his paternal grandparents, Diane and Joe Montella of St. Joseph, Mich., his paternal great-grandmother, Marjorie Fassbender of Utica, Mich., his paternal great-grandmother, Julia Lola of Detroit, and paternal great-grandparents, Joe and Joan Montella of Pentwater, Mich. Gavin is further survived by his godmother, Debra Golden of Menasha, Wis., and his godfather, Jason Erickson of Deerfield, Wis. He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Elnora Erickson.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska. Pastor Don Stein will officiate. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Friends may call on the family at the funeral home on Wednesday from noon until the time of services.
Judith A. Markgraf
TOMAH — Judith A. Markgraf, 66, of Tomah and formerly of Madison died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tomah. Burial will be in Mount Vernon Cemetery, town of Tomah. Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be given to Tomah Hospice Touch at Tomah Memorial Hospital, 321 Butts Ave, Tomah, WI 54660, or St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave., Tomah, WI 54660.
Elizabeth Hammer Gundersen
Elizabeth Hammer Gundersen, 77, of La Crosse died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, at her home. A complete obituary will follow.
Karen A. Korpal
TREMPEALEAU — Karen A. Korpal, 62, of Tremp-ealeau died Thursday morning, Dec. 4, 2008, in her home after a two-year battle with breast cancer.
Karen was born April 2, 1946, to Edward and Ursula (Eichman) Kramer. She married Robert J. Stellpflug on Oct. 2, 1998. She worked at WWTC for 14 years and retired in November 2007. She enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking and traveling.
Karen is survived by her husband, Robert J. Stellpflug of Trempealeau; her two children, son Leonard J. (Kimberly) Korpal of St. Charles, Minn., and granddaughters, Ashley and Nicole and grandson, Kenny, and daughter, Lucinda M. (Jason) Krause of Chaseburg and granddaughter, Ella, and grandson, Jake; two stepchildren, Robert J. (Jennifer) Stellpflug of Kingsburg, Calif., and grandson, Nathan, and granddaughter Samantha, and Michael L. (Paula) Stellpflug of LeMoore, Calif., and granddaughter, Madelyn; and two brothers, David (Kathy) Kramer of Trempealeau and Joe (Anne) Kramer of Cochrane-Fountain City, Wis.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Ursula Kramer.
Memorial services will be Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 515 N. Main St., Holmen. The Revs. Robert Schaller and Delbert Malin will officiate. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the service.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers or gifts, that you please make a donation to breast cancer in Karen’s name.
Dickinson Family Funeral Home of Holmen is assisting the family.
Margaret ‘Peg’ Oliver Fish
Margaret Oliver Fish, 89, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center. She was born Nov. 3, 1918, to George and Eva (Clements) Oliver.
A Wisconsin native who grew up on a farm on the Kickapoo River, Margaret was a teacher and strong proponent of education. Her late husband, Kenneth R. Fish, was on the faculty at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and together they established a scholarship fund for UW-L students in education.
Margaret is survived by her children, Reuel K. Fish and Ellen M. Fish, and two grandchildren, Sam and Andy Fish.
Family and friends of Margaret are invited to a commemorative gathering and light lunch on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Forest Hills, 600 Losey Blvd., La Crosse.
Memorials are preferred supporting the education of girls in rural India and may be sent to Friends of Tilonia, Inc., P.O. Box 74, La Crosse, WI 54602.
Gladys Rudser Roen
VIROQUA — Gladys Rudser Roen, 88, formerly of Viroqua died peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, at Island Lake Center in Longwood, Fla.
She was born in Vernon County on March 31, 1920, to Theodore and Lena (Ellefson) Rudser. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. She graduated from Viroqua High School in 1938. Gladys moved to Chicago where she worked for Alco Aluminum for several years and had also worked in the tobacco pool warehouse in Viroqua.
On Oct. 8, 1966, she married Glen O. Roen at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. They lived in the Boscobel, Wis., area until Glen passed away in 1980. Gladys then moved to Viroqua to be closer to her work and family where she lived until 2006 when she moved to Longwood, Fla., to live with her sister, Lilah. After a short stay at the hospital, Gladys entered the Island Lake Center where she was loved by all those who she met.
Gladys is survived by her sister, Lilah Boland of Longwood, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Edna Updike; and other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Glen; one brother, Ole Rudser; and two sisters, Ardys Rude and Thelma Bergh.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Viroqua, with Pastor Pete Beckstrand officiating. Burial will be in Boscobel Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home, Viroqua. Friends may also call at the church after 10 a.m. on Thursday.
Online condolences may be made at www.thorson-reetz.net.
Ivan E. Hutchison
ONTARIO — Ivan E. Hutchison, 80, of Ontario passed away on Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, at Norseland Nursing Home, Westby.
Ivan was born April 29, 1928, in rural Ontario to Everett and Wanda (Tonn) Hutchison. On June 5, 1951, Ivan was united in holy matrimony to Dorothy Manley at United Methodist Church in Norwalk. Together they farmed and raised their family in the purple house outside of Ontario. Ivan also worked 17 years at Boldon Sawmill in Ontario driving the loader.
He was a loving husband, dad and grandpa who will be missed by his children, Cheryl (Eirik) Eness of Ontario, Larry (Rita) Hutchison of Cashton, and Sharon (Steve) Gorshe of Sparta; 10 grandchildren, Paul and Alanna Eness, Jenni (Matt) Hardie, Ryan Hutchison, Candace, Eric and Leigh Hurtz, Danen Hemmersbach, and Ashlee and Emilee Gorshe; a sister, Fern Williams of Tomah; and many other relatives and friends.
Ivan was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy (in August 2008); a daughter, Shirley Hutchison; and a sister, Jeanette Ickles.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m. at Mount Pisgah Wesleyan Church in Ontario. Pastor Bob Streeter will officiate. Burial will be in Hilltop Rest Cemetery, Ontario. Family and friends are invited for visitation Monday, Dec. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home in Ontario. Visitation will also be Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at Mount Pisgah Church.
Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Evelyn L. Anderson
ETTRICK — Evelyn L. Anderson, 88, of rural Ettrick died at her home Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008. Arrangements are pending with Jack Funeral Home, Blair.
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