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Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Obituaries for Tuesday, July 29, 2008

By Tribune staff

Genevieve L. Allen

MATHER, Wis. — Genevieve L. Allen, 89, of Mather died Sunday, July 27, 2008, at Tomah Healthcare Center, Tomah, Wis. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Assembly of God Church, Mather. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Mather. Relatives and friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the church. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Claire W. Kunes

MELROSE, Wis. — Claire W. Kunes, 84, of Melrose died Sunday, July 27, 2008, at Black River Memorial Hospital, Black River Falls, Wis. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Melrose United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Melrose Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the church, Zwickey Funeral Homes-Melrose Chapel is assisting the family.

Carol P. Arenz

ONALASKA, Wis. — Carol P. Arenz, 79, of Onalaska died Sunday, July 27, 2008, at her home. Memorial services will be held at a later date (tentatively late August) and will be announced closer to the service date in a complete obituary by Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse.

Bruce R. Carlson

RUSHFORD, Minn. — Bruce R. Carlson, 59, of Houston died Saturday, July 26, 2008, at his home. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday at Rushford Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Rushford Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Hoff Funeral Homes- Rushford Chapel, and 1 p.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the church. www.hofffuneral.com.

Ruell M. DeGarmo

CHASEBURG, Wis. — Ruell M. DeGarmo, 90, of rural Chaseburg died Monday July 28, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Stoddard, Wis. A visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Seland Funeral Home, Coon Valley, Wis., and 10 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the church. A complete obituary will follow.

Albert P. Gantert

Al Gantert, 91, of La Crosse passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center on Sunday, July 27, 2008, surrounded by his family.

Albert Patrick Gantert was born in La Crosse on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1917, to Frank Albert and Belle (Kuehl) Gantert. Al attended St. Joseph’s Grade School and later was a member of the first four-year graduating class at Aquinas High School where he met the love of his life, Rosemary McNamara. After graduating from Aquinas, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Chicago School of Art and Design. In May 1941, Al married Rosemary at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

In 1942, their life together was interrupted by WWII when Al was called into active duty. From 1942-1945, Al served as a master sergeant in the Army Signal Corps in North Africa, Italy and Southern France. While in North Africa, he once proudly stood in front of more than 100 captured German vehicles, a photo of which appeared on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. This photo was the only confirmation of his whereabouts during his three-year tour. In spite of the priorities and demands of the war, Al always found time to write a daily letter to Rosemary.

Upon his return from the war, Al followed his father into the family furniture business, pursuing his passion for interior design. He successfully ran the family business for 35 years, retiring in 1980. He later came out of retirement to continue a part-time career in furniture, finally retiring in 2004. Throughout his career, it was always the people he encountered that gave him the greatest satisfaction.

Al and Rosemary started their family after the war, raising three children, Susan (Jerry) Ebner of St. Charles, Mo., Patrick (Debby) Gantert of Onalaska, Wis., and Stephan (Diane) Gantert of Wausau, Wis. In addition to his children, Al is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Kim (Brad) Sparks, Jeremiah (Jennifer) Ebner, Alyssa (Travis) Flett, Stefan (Sarah) Gantert, Erica Gantert (fiancé Jeremy Osley), Patrick J. Gantert, Schuyler Gantert and Lydia Gantert; 12 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Warren Semsch of Wood Ranch, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Al’s family always came first. He would never let the long hours and demands of a retail business get in the way of spending time with them. Throughout his life, he was always a source of encouragement and support to all he knew.

He was active in Boy Scouts, and was inducted into The Order of the Arrow. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion-Roy L. Vingers Post 52 and VFW- Thomas Rooney Post 1530. In addition, Al volunteered to help counsel cancer patients.

Al was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and sisters, Katherine (John) Flynn, Louise (Ford) Stickler and Dorothy (George) Pouzar. Following Rosemary’s passing, Al remained ever devoted to her memory.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 31, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 130 Losey Blvd. S., La Crosse. The Rev. Robert Cook will officiate with interment at Catholic Cemetery with the American Legion Roy L. Vingers Post 52 providing military honors. Visitations will be held Wednesday, July 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave S., La Crosse, and one hour prior to Mass at the church.

The family would like to thank the staff at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center for their guidance and care as well as the staff and residents at MeadowWood Assisted Living for friendship and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Aquinas Schools Foundation or the Gundersen Lutheran Foundation.

Marie Jane (McAreavy) Mahan

RISING SUN, Wis. — Marie Jane (McAreavy) Mahan died peacefully in her home just south of Rising Sun on Sunday, July 27, 2008.

Marie was born on Dec. 29, 1916, in Ryan, Iowa, the first of five children born to Thomas & Margaret (Kennedy) McAreavy. Due to the untimely death of her mother, the family was separated and Marie, her sister Marguerite and her father relocated to the Prairie du Chien, Wis., area. Her brothers remained in Iowa to be raised by Marie’s aunt, Ann Kennedy. On Dec. 31, 1935, at the age of 19 she married William J. Mahan at St. James Catholic Church and together they farmed and raised a family of 17 children. Surviving Marie are her 17 children: William (Mary) Mahan Jr., Norma (Ross) Yarbrough, Pat Mahan, Peggy Mahan, Mike (Shirley) Mahan, Larry (Ingrid) Mahan, Rosie (Russ) Posey, Gary Mahan, Carol (Roger) Eick, Bob Mahan, Raymond (Debby) Mahan, Joe (Sharon) Mahan, Cathy (Lonnie) Messling, Monica (John) Annen, Linda (Rusty) Long, Debbie (Brad) Smrcina and Mary (Jay) Synsteby. Also surviving Marie are 48 grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; and numerous great and great-great grandchildren and stepgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William; one infant daughter (Kathleen); one grandson (Keith Posey); her parents; brothers, William, Donald and Joseph; and sister, Marguerite.

Marie will always be remembered for her warm and gracious smile, her wonderful sense of humor, her firm handshake, her willingness to work and her devotion to her family and Catholic faith. She will be missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, July 31, at at 11:30 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, Rising Sun. The Rev. Eugene Klink will celebrate the Mass with burial at the church cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker (Hwy. 56) in Viroqua, Wis. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com.

Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.

Leatrice C. Marten

WEST SALEM, Wis. — Leatrice C. Marten, 80, of West Salem died Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Onalaska (Wis.) Care Center.

She was born Jan. 19, 1928, in La Crosse to Elmer and Helen (Schroer) Denson. Leatrice and her husband, Harry, owned and operated the Marten Roller Rinks for several years. Leatrice later owned the Marten House Boutique in West Salem for 30 years. She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in West Salem, where she had been an active member for many years. She was also a member of the West Salem Garden Club, a member and past-president of the West Salem Business Association, and an active member of the American Business Women Association and was named its “Woman of the Year” in 1989.

Survivors include two daughters, Sharyn (Jack) Jordan and Cindy (Mark) Wege, both of West Salem; three grandchildren, Tronda (Mark) Slaback of Holmen, Wis., Shon (Renee) Jordan of La Crosse, and Tait Wege of Arizona; three great-grandchildren, Trevor Valiquette of Holmen, and Lauren Jordan and Shona Jordan, both of La Crosse; three stepgreat-grandchildren, Mallory Slaback of Holmen, Kyle Slaback of Rochester, Minn., and Travis Slaback of La Crosse; one sister, Dorothy Coelin of West Salem; one brother, Eugene “Gene” (Marge) Denson of Texas; one sister-in-law, Virginia Denson of California; four nieces, Pam Walgren, Debi Howardson, Kathy Nontelle and Barbi Denson Lloyd; and seven nephews, Bill Denson, Larry Coelin, Tom Denson, Kim Coelin, David Coelin, Rick Coelin and Randy Coelin.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, LaVerne Walgren; second husband, Harry Marten; one brother, LaVerne Denson; and a nephew, Dennis Walgren.

Memorial services will be Friday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 359 N. Leonard St., West Salem. The Rev. Martha J. Hampton will officiate. Burial will be in Neshonoc Cemetery, West Salem. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be given to the Franciscan Skemp Hospice Program. Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem, is in charge of arrangements.

Herman C. Miller

Herman C. Miller, 99, of La Crosse died on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Hillview Health Care Center, La Crosse.

He was born on Nov. 28, 1908, in town of Stoddard, Wis., to Rudolf and Minnie (Kroll) Miller. He married Alice E. Schmidt on May 20, 1928, in La Crosse. She preceded him in death on Jan. 8, 2001. Herman had worked at Trane Company for 38 years. He was a member of the Trane Company 25-Year Club and a longtime member of Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Herman is survived by a son, Vilas W. (Sally) Miller of Stoddard; four grandchildren, Larry W. Miller of Eagan, Minn., Sherry A. (Robert) Olson of Crystal, Minn., Carrie S. (Joseph) Schultz of La Crosse and Barry L. (Penni) Miller of La Crosse; and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife Alice, he was preceded in death by a son, Lynn; one brother; and four sisters.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Aug. 1, at 11:30 a.m. at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. Pastor Robert Wassermann will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends may call at funeral home on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

Gynther Muhle

HOUSTON, Minn. — Gynther Muhle, 94, died Friday, July 25, 2008, at Valley View Nursing Home in Houston. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Houston. Burial will in Oak Ridge Lutheran Cemetery, rural Houston. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hoff Funeral Homes-Houston Chapel and 10 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the church. Online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.

Arlan E. ‘Chub’ Newburg

MADISON/BANGOR, Wis. — Arlan E. “Chub” Newburg, 76, of Madison and formerly of Bangor and La Crosse died Sunday, July 27, 2008, at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison.

He was born June 29, 1932, in Bangor to Elmer and Agnes (Kneifl) Newburg. Arlan was a U.S. Navy veteran having served during the Korean War. On April 21, 1956, he married Delores Schroeder at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in La Crosse. Arlan was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bangor, the Anderson-Good American Legion Post 40 of Bangor, the Bangor Rod & Gun Club, and the Bangor VFW Post 8278, where he was past-commander. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards and attending his grandchildren’s sports and school activities.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Delores; four children, Mark (Wendy) Newburg of Madison, Dr. Julie (Pat Bralick) Newburg of Pueblo, Colo., Michael (Sue) Newburg of Maple Grove, Minn., and Kent (Stephanie) Newburg of Farmington, Minn.; seven grandchildren, Cory, Alex, Alyssa, Mitchell, Nicholas, Kyra and Danica; one sister, Joyce Michaels of Kenosha, Wis.; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Gerhard.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 31, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 303 16th Ave. S., Bangor. The Rev. Bob Hegenbarth will officiate. Following the service, military honors will be performed by the Bangor American Legion Post 40 and the U.S. Military Funeral Honors Program. Burial will be held at a later date in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. The family will be making donations in Arlan’s memory to various sports organizations. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, please designate your memorial to any of the following sports choices: football, baseball, basketball, hockey, lacrosse or soccer. Jandt Funeral Home, Bangor, is in charge of arrangements.

David Reseland

David Reseland, 51, of La Crosse and formerly of Soldiers Grove, Wis., passed away on Friday, July 25, 2008, at his home.

He was born on July 23, 1957, in Crawford County, Wis., to Gullard and Ethel (Hermanson) Reseland. As a young man, David grew up living on the flats in Soldiers Grove and attended North Crawford (Wis.) School. He then moved to La Crosse and worked many jobs. Most recently working at the university, for the second time, and Ardie’s Restaurant, where he has worked for 15 years. There he was loved and treated as family. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and attending Living Word Christian Church.

David is survived by his uncle, Carstien Reseland of Minneapolis; and first cousins, Carolyn Strapoli of Illinois, Elling Jones of Gays Mills, Wis., Jerry Jones of Seneca, Wis., and Ronald Jones of Platteville, Wis.; a special friend, Cameron Ross; and many other relatives and friends.

David was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Gullard Reseland; a special aunt, Ada Walenga; a special cousin, Pearl Salmon; a friend, Elder Glick; and several other aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be on Friday, Aug. 1, at 2 p.m. at Living Word Christian Church, 2015 Ward Ave., La Crosse. Burial of David’s cremains will be on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m. at South Kickapoo Cemetery in Utica Township, Crawford County, Wis. Sime Funeral Home of Readstown, Wis., is serving the family.

Condolences may be offered at simefuneralforum.com.

Bonnie J. Richmond

GREENFIELD, Ind. — Bonnie J. Richmond, 80, of Greenfield passed away Friday, July 25, 2008, in Indianapolis.

She was born Oct. 12, 1927, In La Crosse to Albert G. and Barbara F. (Cooper) Coudrey. Bonnie married Raymond E. Richmond on May 1, 1946, and spent her life dedicated to her family. She was a member of Saint Michaels Catholic Church in Greenfield.

Bonnie is survived by her sister; five children; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by many nieces and nephews in the La Crosse area. Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 31, at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Greenfield. Friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Stillinger Family Funeral Home-Pasco Chapel, 1780 W. Main St., Greenfield. Memorial contributions may be made to: Community Hospital East Health Foundation, 5 North Neuro Tower, 1500 North Ritter Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46219.

Online condolences and signing of an electronic book are available at www.stillingerfamily funeral home.com.

Clarence ‘Buster’ Sweat

MAQUOKETA/LANSING, Iowa — Clarence “Buster” Sweat, 87, of Maquoketa and formerly of Lansing died Monday, July 28, 2008, at Crestridge Nursing Home, Maquoketa. Services are pending with the Thornburg Hanson Funeral Home in Lansing Iowa.

Carroll Sacia

GALESV ILLE, Wis. — Carroll Sacia, 85, of Galesville died Monday, July 28, 2008, at Marinuka Manor, Galesville. Funeral arrangements are pending with Zwickey Funeral Homes-Galesville chapel.

Ruell M. DeGarmo

CHASEBURG, Wis. — Ruell M. DeGarmo, 90, of rural Chaseburg died Monday, July 28, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center,

La Crosse. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Stoddard, Wis. A visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Seland Funeral Home, Coon Valley, Wis., and 10 a.m. until the time of services Thursday at the church. A complete obituary will follow.

Ellen Lubinsky Terpstra

ONALASKA, Wis. — Ellen L. Terpstra, at the age of 95, came to the end of her long and full life on Wednesday July 2, 2008.

She was born on Aug. 5, 1912, to Michael and Clara (Voss) Forss. Ellen was married to Richard G. Lubinsky on Dec. 17, 1937, in La Crosse. He preceded her in death at the young age of 51 on Oct. 21, 1965. Ellen was marred to Donald R. Terpstra on June 21, 1969, and he also preceded her in death.

Ellen was a member of North Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed flying with her husband, Rich, to have breakfast in Madison and all the other flying trips that they traveled on. Ellen made a trip to Europe on the Queen Mary with her husband, Donald, and loved it all. She enjoyed her winters in Florida and other travels.

She is survived by her sons, Richard (Betty) Lubinsky and Thomas (June) Lubinsky; daughter-in-law, Colleen Lubinsky; stepdaughter, Rae Daffinson; stepson, Gordon Terpstra; seven grandchildren, Cheryl (Brad) Hults, Richard (Connie) Lubinsky, Susan (Marty) Kosobucki, David (Colleen) Lubinsky, Jeff (Susan) Lubinsky, Thomas (Meri) Lubinsky and Lori (Andrew) Erlandson; and 16 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sisters-in-law, Viola Zerell and Sharon Lubinsky; and a brother-in-law, Walter Lubinsky.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Richard G. Lubinsky and Donald R. Terpstra, a son, Gary W. Lubinsky; brothers, Donald and Leslie Forss; sister, Arlene Rinartz; sisters-in-law, Esther Lubinsky and Inice Forss; and brothers-in-law, August Zerell, Frank “Pug” Lubinsky and William Rinartz.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Aug. 1, 2008 at 11 a.m. at North Presbyterian Church, 1327 N Salem Road, La Crosse. The Rev. Scott Skogen will officiate. Family and friends may call the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of services. Memorials may be given to North Presbyterian Church or to the charity of your choice. Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family would like to thank the staff at Laurel Manor and Onalaska Care Center for the excellent care and concern given to Ellen.

Ellen was a loving mother and grandmother who brought love and laughter to her family and friends.

Madonna M. Tracy

Madonna M. Tracy, 92, of La Crosse died Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Center, La Crosse. Due to family travel complications, funeral services have been changed from Wednesday to Friday at 10:30 a.m. Mary Mother of the Church at St. Thomas More Parish, La Crosse. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Friday at the church A complete obituary will be published Wednesday. Dickinson Family Funeral Homes of La Crosse is assisting the family.