Harold L. ‘Duffy’ Brockway Jr.
SENECA, Wis. — Harold Lloyd “Duffy” Brockway Jr., 67, passed away Saturday, May 3, 2008, at his home in Seneca.
He was born Nov. 7, 1940, in Mount Sterling, Wis., the son of Harold and Anna (Olson) Brockway Sr. He graduated from Seneca High School in 1958. He married Norma Marie Sandy on June 30, 1962, in Mount Sterling Lutheran Church. After high school, he worked at American Motors in Kenosha, Wis., for 10 years; and then worked at Trane Co. in La Crosse for more than 30 years, retiring in 2002. During many of his working years, he also raised tobacco in the Mount Sterling area. He loved to pitch horseshoes, traveling throughout the state for tournaments and was a member of the WHPA. Other activities were playing softball, fishing, squirrel and rabbit hunting; but most important was the time he spent with his kids; “Dad, after all the years of you taking care of us; now, God is taking care of you.”
He is survived by his wife, Norma of Seneca; their sons, Ron (Kimberly) of La Crosse, Richard of Holmen, Wis., Bob (Vicki) of Prairie du Chien, Wis., and Russ (Diane) of Seneca; seven grandchildren, Josey and Wade, Brianna and Danielle, Andrew, Rachel and Ronnie Jr.; by his sisters, Eloda (Edwin) Everson of Madison, Phyllis (Jim) Argennia of Leicester, N.Y., Patti (Joe) Micholski of Beloit, Wis., Betty (Elling) Knutson of Janesville, Wis., Diane (George) Caya of Brooklyn, Wis., Sharon (Buster) Varo of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Bonnie (Joe) York of Washing-ton, D.C.; and brothers, Roland (Donna) Brockway of Janesville and John Brockway of Seneca.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two nephews, Brett Varo and James Argennia III; and a niece, Cheryl Mikkelson.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, at Mount Sterling Lutheran Church. Pastor Steve Fossum will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. today at Dommersnaes-Bertram Family Funeral Home, Gays Mills, Wis., (608) 735-4524, and from 10 a.m. until time of services Wednesday at the church.
Edna D. Pelz
TOMAH, Wis. — Edna D. Pelz, 90, of Tomah died Sunday May 4, 2008, at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta.
She was born Nov. 26, 1917, to Henry and Minnie (Schoot) Schmeckel in the town of Oakdale.
She was united in marriage to Carl Pelz on Dec. 29, 1939, in Iowa. He preceded her in death Nov. 25, 1975. Edna owned and operated the Lakeview Beauty Shop for 51 years until her retirement in 1993. She was a faithful member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church. Edna was a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister.
She is survived by two daughters, Dorothy (Lee) Strozinsky of Onalaska, Wis., and Margaret “Peg” (Gerald) Jerdee of Andover, Minn.; six grandchildren, Christine Jerdee of Crystal, Minn., Steven Jerdee of Andover, Renae (Jay) Holthaus of Woodbury, Minn., Laura (Chris) Lee of Onalaska, Lynn (Terry) Stalsburg of La Crosse and Scott Strozinsky of La Crosse; 10 great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; three sisters, Margaret “Sally” Liepelt, Luella Schamens and Florence Gnewikow.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave, Tomah. Pastor Donald R. Buch will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church Wednesday from 12:30 a.m. until time of services.
Memorials in memory of Edna Pelz may be given to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Easter Seal Society.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Hazel B. Christensen
ONALASKA/BANGOR, Wis. — Hazel B. Christensen, 87, of Onalaska and formerly of Bangor died Monday, May 5, 2008, at Ona-laska Care Center.
She was born March 20, 1920, in Mindoro, Wis., to Simon and Inga (Almos) Christianson. She married Theodore Christensen on July 28, 1938, in Decorah, Iowa. He preceded her in death in March 1991.
Hazel had been employed by Paramount Studios in West Salem, Wis., until her retirement. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and doing crossword puzzles.
Hazel is survived by a son, Willard (Eunice) Christensen of Onalaska; a granddaughter, Heidi (Spencer) Prieur; a great-grand-daughter, Rhiannon; a brother, Manley (Dorothy) Christianson of Mindoro, Wis.; three sisters, Anna Gilbertson of Onalaska, Nina Miller of Rushford, Minn., and Evelyn Gilbertson of West Salem, Wis.; and a sister-in-law, Vivian Christianson of West Salem.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Lawrence; three brothers, Lester, Martin and Stanley Christianson; and one sister, Margaret Hanson.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday May 8, from Fossum Funeral Home in Onalaska. The Rev. Gordon Clary will officiate. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery at Bangor, Wis. Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of services.
Earl Ralph Ghelf
DE SOTO, Wis. — Earl Ralph Ghelf, 83, of E888 Ghelf Road, De Soto died Sunday May 4, 2008, surrounded by his family.
Earl was born Sept. 16, 1924, in Iowa to John B and Jenny (Curti) Ghelf. Earl was a World War II veteran, serving in Europe. Earl was united in marriage to Doris Hertzfeldt on Oct. 25, 1947; they owned and operated Mississippi Sports and Recreation (formerly Earl’s Sport Shop). Over the years, Earl worked at De Soto Bank, ran an excavating business and prepared income taxes. He also worked at Metropolitan Insurance, Cabela’s and served on the De Soto School Board.
Earl enjoyed playing baseball. He played while in the service and in the minor leagues. He also played softball and pumpkin ball until age 62. He was an excellent bowler and was on many leagues over the years, earning many honors.
Earl is survived by his two sons, Ralph “Butch” (Linda) Ghelf and their children Jennifer, Heather, Amber, Nicole (Kevin Hanson), Adam (fianceé Megan Bergen) and Ben, and Tom Ghelf and his children, Brittany and Connie, his new wife, Tricia, and their son Lane; three daughters, Maureen (Curt) Sommerfeld, Kathleen (Charles) Sanborn and their children, Stacie, Scott (Heather Brown) and his son Gaven, and Dianne (Terry) Fruth and their children, Jon (Jenny) Fruth children Matthew and Emily and Bambi (Jason) Crager and their children, Adrian, Peyton and Kyrie. Earl is also survived by one sister, Mabel Laylan of La Crosse; and one sister-in-law, Beverly Antoniak of Jeannette, Pa.; many other friends and relatives; and Ron the dog.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and two sisters, Gertie and Delia.
A celebration of life will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at Mississippi Sports & Recreation (Earl’s Sport Shop) Hwy. 35, De Soto, followed by a luncheon after the service. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com. Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of De Soto is serving the famil.y
Lonny Margit Sophia Rosendahl
Lonny Rosendahl, 102, of La Crosse died Monday, May 5, 2008, at Bethany Riverside Care Center. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Bethany River-side Chapel. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Family and friends may call from 1 p.m. to services Friday. Memorials may be given to Bethany Riverside Care Center. Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family.
William ‘Bill’ ‘Hop’ Hopkins Grandpa Bill
Bill of La Crosse passed away Sunday, May 4, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse with his wife at his side.
He was born Oct. 26, 1930, to Maurice and Virginia (Arens) Hopkins Sr. at St. Andrew’s Hospital in Minneapolis. He was baptized at the Basilac of St. Mary’s, also in Minneapolis, and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salem, Ore.
Bill married Marilyn Boston on June 22, 1957, at Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul. They later had their marriage blessed at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in La Crosse. Besides being a great husband, he was also Marilyn’s best friend. They were able to travel a lot during their almost 51-years together.
He worked for Pitney-Bowes for 40 years before retiring. During his retirement, he spent 14 years volunteering for Mrs. Shedivy’s kindergarten classes. He so enjoyed the love that all those kids gave him.
Since he moved to La Crosse in 1959, he has been president of the following organizations: Re-Lax-Campers, Downtown Lions Club, Oktoberfest and Tourist Actives. He was a member of the La Crosse Park Board for 25 years, United Ostomy Club, Korean War Vets Association, VFW Post 1530 and American Legion Post 52. In 1982, Hop was made director emeritus of Oktoberfest.
Bill served with the 68th AAA Gun Battalion, Company A, in Korea from 1952 to 1954. He enjoyed going to his army reunions every year that he could. The 68th members were like family. He enjoyed reading about the Civil War and had been to all the major battle fields. In his younger days, he liked to hunt, fish and camp.
Hop is survived by his best friend and wife, Marilyn; a sister, Maureen (Tony) Bazoff of Nisswa, Minn.; brothers, Dennis (Margo) Hopkins of Mound, Minn., Douglas (Connie) Hopkins of Spring Lake, Minn., and M. Burton (Candy) Hopkins Jr. of New Castle, Del.; many, many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; sisters-in-law, Joann Hopkins of St. Cloud, Minn., and Dorothy Hopkins of Coon Rapids, Minn.; aunts and uncle, Marian (Stan) Larsen of Pine River, Minn., Bernice Campbell of Nisswa, and Francis Hopkins of Tomball, Texas; and many close and dear friends, including two very special people, Brit and Giff.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents; three brothers, David, Mike and Gene; a daughter; a son; and a good friend, Peg Hopkins.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 1425 Jackson St., La Crosse. Father Delbert Malin will officiate, and burial with full military honors will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in La Crosse. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and Saturday from 10 a.m. until services.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to be sent to his wife to be used at a later date for some charities that Bill would like.
Loren C. Helwig
ARCADIA, Wis. — Loren C. Helwig, 81, of Arcadia died Saturday, May 3, 2008, at St. Mary’s Hos-pital in Roch-ester, Minn.
He was born July 8, 1926, in the town of Montana, Buffalo County, Wis., to Charles and Hilda (Schultz) Helwig. On Sept. 17, 1955, Loren married Delores Klonecki at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Arcadia. Loren was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in Korea. He was a member of Tickfer-Erickson American Legion Post 17 and was very proud of his military service. Loren worked as a truck driver for the A-G Co-op in Arcadia.
He is survived by his wife, Delores of Arcadia; four children, Beverly (Robert) Kennebeck of Shokopee, Minn., Michael (Elva) Helwig of Arcadia, Jean (Robert) Spitzer of Winona, Minn., and Carol (David Weber) Killian of Holmen, Wis.; four grandchildren; two sisters, Marjorie (Lyle) Bloom of Gilmanton, Wis., and Shirley (Roger) Olson of Amery, Wis.; six brothers, Dale (Marlys) of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., Ronald (Edith) of Mondovi, Wis., Bob (Barbara) of Buffalo City, Wis., Kenneth (Mary) of Minneapolis, and Orville (Goldene) and Vilas (Rita), both of Waumandee, Wis.
Preceding Loren in death were his parents and one granddaughter.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, at Holy Family Parish, Arcadia, with Father Michael Klos officiating. Burial with military rites will be at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Arcadia.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Wozney-Killian Funeral Home, Arcadia, where there will be a 7 p.m. prayer service. They may also call from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Casket bearers will be Casey Killian, Thomas Spitzer, John Powell, Jim Powell, John Helwig and Rick Helwig.
Online condolences may be offered at wozneykillianfh@aol.com.
Ferdnand ‘Fred’ Pyka Sr.
ARCADIA, Wis. — Ferdnand “Fred” Pyka Sr., 69, of Arcadia died Sunday, May 4, 2008, at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Holy Family Parish in Arcadia. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Winona, Minn. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with a 7 p.m. prayer service, and 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Wozney-Killian Funeral Home in Arcadia.
Louise A. (Ritter) Burchell
Louise A. (Ritter) Burchell, 98, of La Crosse, died Sunday, May 4, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
She was born Jan. 6, 1910, in La Crosse to Jacob and Barb-ara (Rutz) Ritter. She married Charles A. Burchell on April 4, 1937, in Freeport, Ill. He preceded her in death Sept. 16, 1985.
Louise was a member of Cathedral Parish and a longtime member and volunteer with the Women of the Moose, Chapter 1526. Her family has many fond memories of her going fishing, going to garage sales, recuperating at her house after illness and of having her always be a part of their lives.
Louise is survived by a number of nieces and nephews along with many close friends. In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Christina Bahr; a brother, Wenzel Ritter; and a nephew, James Ritter.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 8, at Schuma-cher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. The Rev. Michael Gor-man will officiate. Entombment will follow in St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum at Catholic Ceme-tery in La Crosse. Friends may call the funeral home Thursday from 9 a.m. until time of services.
Rae Ruth Malin
LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Rae Ruth Malin, 95, of La Crescent died Sunday, May 4, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
She was born in Chicago on March 26, 1913, to John and Rae (Doten) Harley. Ruth had worked for more than 40 years as a legal secretary for various law firms in La Crosse. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in La Crosse for more than 60 years. She also was a member of The Social Order of the Beauceant, La Crosse Chapter 22/23 Order of the Eastern Star, The Golden Rule Shrine Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem and a member of the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children Auxiliary. Ruth will be greatly missed by many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ray, in 1998. She is survived by a sister, Edith (Bill) Page of Florida; many nieces and nephews in California and Washington; and her special friend of more than 50 years, Janice (Ron) Carlson of Milwaukee.
At Ruth’s request, there will be no services, and she will be buried with her husband at Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse.
Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crescent is assisting.
Andrew J. Neitzel
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. — Andrew J. Neitzel, 18, 2441 Second Ave. S., Wisconsin Rapids, died Saturday evening, May 3, 2008, in an automobile accident.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids. The Rev. George Nelson Graham will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Andrew was born in Wisconsin Rapids on March 11, 1990, to James and Peggy (Gaul) Neitzel. He was a student at Lincoln High School, where he was a four-year member of the band and was active in the jazz band. He also had his own band, Etiquette.
Survivors include his father, James of Wisconsin Rapids; his mother, Peggy Ann Norris of Wisconsin Rapids; one brother, Adam of Wisconsin Rapids; one half brother, Lincoln Norris of Wisconsin Rapids; his paternal grandparents, Gilbert and Marie Neitzel of Onalaska, Wis.; his maternal grandparents, Ambrose and Donna Gaul of town of Rome, Wis.; and his great-grandmother, Carole Fox of La Crosse.
Friends may call at Taylor, Vollert and Jennings Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and at the church Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of services. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made in Andrew’s name to St. Lawrence Catholic Church or the Lincoln High School Band Scholarship Fund.
La Verne Margaret Ziemba
NECEDAH, Wis. — La Verne Margaret Ziemba, 86, of Necedah died Sunday, May 4, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, Wis. Memorial services will be at 1:30 p.m. May 18 at Torkelson Necedah Family Funeral Home in Necedah. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Foundation of St. Joseph’s Hos-pital for the Palliative Care Unit, 611 St. Joseph Ave., Marshfield, WI 54449. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Donna Benson
HOLMEN, Wis. — Donna Benson, 61, of Holmen died Monday, May 5, 2008, at her home. Funeral services are tentatively scheduled for Thursday and complete arrangements will be provided by Dickinson Family Funeral Home.
Donald H. Grams
Donald H. Grams, 84, of La Crosse died Sunday, May 4, 2008, in his home.
He was born in Hutchinson, Minn., on Aug. 27, 1923, to Albert and Ida (Trojan) Grams. He married Cora Kalenberg on Nov. 26, 1949, in St. Boniface Catholic Church in Stewart, Minn.
Donald went into the armed forces after he had a job hauling mail. He drove a truck hauling petroleum and was a dispatcher for a trucking firm. Don was a salesman for many farmers selling supplies directly to farmers for welding, fasteners and other supplies. After retirement, he went on to drive a tour bus and volunteered at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center for 13 years. He also spent time volunteering at the Red Cross. Don was a people person and loved telling jokes. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. He was a good father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and he was loved by all.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Cora of La Crosse; two daughters, Maxine (Tom) Weinmann of New Hampshire and Patti (Bob) Navrestad of Galesville, Wis.; three sons, Robert (Linda) Grams of South Bend, Ind., Kenneth (Marty) Grams of Mindoro, Wis., and Tom Grams of La Crosse; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He is further survived by one brother, Harold (Wilma) Grams of Hutchinson, Minn.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, two brothers, his father- and mothernin-law, one sister-in-law and one brother-in-law.
A Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 9, at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish in St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2006 Weston St., La Crosse. The Rev. David Kunz will officiate with entombment, with military rites by Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52 in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery, rural La Crosse. Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave. S., La Crosse, (please use Redfield Street entrance due to road construction) with a Scripture Service to be held at 6:30 p.m. Family and friends may also call from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass in the church on Friday.
Memorials are preferred and can be made to the Red Cross.
The family would like to thank Hospice for their wonderful care and assistance and all the many friends for their caring and comforting words.
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