Alta Lorraine Thorson
WHITEHALL, Wis. — Alta Lorraine Thorson, 75, of Whitehall died on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, in Tri-County Memorial Hospital, Whitehall.
Alta was born Aug. 24, 1932, in Trempealeau County, Wis., to Helmer and Amanda “Gladys” (Hagen) Hermanson. She married Thor O. Thorson on May 6, 1952. Thor preceded Alta in death on Aug. 4, 2008.
Alta and Thor farmed in Daggett Coulee for many years. Alta also did home care and was employed in the housekeeping and laundry department at Tri-County Memorial Hospital for several years.
Alta enjoyed reading, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, gardening and “cooking for Mark.”
Alta is survived by her four children, Terry Thorson of Whitehall, Julie (Jeff) Trainor of Menomonie, Wis., Mark Thorson of Whitehall and Joan (David) Beltz of Osseo, Wis.; six grandchildren, Dana (Travis) Arneson of Virginia Beach, Va., Josh (Courtney) Trainor of Bloomer, Wis., Jeffrey Chandler of Osseo, Jordan Chandler of Hixton, Wis., and Jamie and Jessie Beltz, both of Osseo; and three sisters, Harriet (Larry) Hessler of West Salem, Wis., Lila Solberg of Whitehall and Jeanne Hermanson of Kenosha, Wis.
In addition to her parents and husband, Alta was preceded in death by a brother, Orland Hermanson.
Funeral services for Alta and her husband, Thor, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m. in Pigeon Creek Evangelical Lutheran Church with burial in the church cemetery, both in Pigeon Falls, Wis. Pastor Dale Moe will officiate.
Friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall is assisting the family with arrangements.
David R. Orozco Sr.
BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. — David R. Orozco Sr., 61, of Black River Falls and formerly of Tyler, Texas, died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, in the town of Brockway, Jackson County, Wis. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Black River Baptist Church, Black River Falls. Burial will be in Decorah Cemetery, rural Black River Falls. Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, and from noon until the time of church services Monday. Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.net.
Anna Mae Waters
CALEDONIA, Minn. — Anna Mae Waters, 83, of Caledonia died on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, at Caledonia Care and Rehab, Caledonia.
She was born Oct. 30, 1924, in Hanover Township, Allamakee County, Iowa, to David and Mary (Moller) Burroughs. She attended grade school in Dorchester, Iowa, and graduated from high school in Waukon, Iowa. Anna Mae got her teaching certificate in Dubuque, Iowa, and she taught for seven years in various country schools in Allamakee County. On Nov. 8, 1948, she married James Waters in Hanover, Iowa. He preceded her in death Sept. 30, 1998.
Anna Mae and Jim farmed until 1968, and then they moved to Caledonia and purchased Jim’s Bar and operated it for three years. They purchased Waters Restaurant, Hotel, Bar and Bowling Alley in 1971 and operated the business until their retirement in 1968. They moved to Houston, Minn., and Anna Mae worked at the Village Inn there. She returned to Caledonia after Jim’s death.
She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and she enjoyed going to the Caledonia Senior Citizens Group, bingo, playing cards, sewing, cooking, crocheting, reading and gardening. She also enjoyed time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her five children, John (Shelby) Waters of Viroqua, Wis., Marilyn (Darrell) Rose and Lorna (Paul) Augedahl, both of Caledonia, Mary (Tim) Serres of Brownsville, Minn., and Barb (Collin) Johnson of St. Charles, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Della (Jerry) Just of Clarksfield, Minn.; a brother, Roland (Vera) Burroughs of Waukon; and a sister-in-law, Alice Burroughs of Champaign, Ill.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by five brothers, Richard, Jerome, Alfred, Garland and Delbert Burroughs; and two sisters, Mary Helgeson and Florence Radloff.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia. The Rev. Gregory Leif will officiate; burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Houston. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at St. Mary’s School Auditorium, 308 E. South St., Caledonia, where a Catholic Daughters rosary will be said at 4 p.m. and there will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church Tuesday. McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mary L. Dawson
TOMAH, Wis. — Mary L. Dawson, 80, of Tomah died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta, Wis. According to her wishes, services will not be held. Burial will be in Jefferson Cemetery, Jefferson, Iowa. Torkelson Funeral Home, Tomah, is assisting the family. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Mary J. DeGier
Mary J. DeGier, 50, of La Crosse, died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. Funeral services are tentatively arranged for Monday and will be announced by Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, La Crosse.
Dennis F. Todd
HOUSTON, Minn. — Dennis F. Todd, 56, of Houston died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, in Brownsville, Minn.
Dennis was born March 7, 1952, in La Crosse to Robert and Louella (Schiebstad) Todd. He was raised in Houston and graduated from Houston High School in 1970. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves. On June 16, 1973, Dennis married Karen Loken at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston. He worked for Midland Co-op, where he operated the gas station in Houston. Dennis also worked for Valley Ford in Houston as a mechanic, Dunn Blacktop in Winona, Minn., and for the last 19 years for Ace Communications in Houston as a cable splicer.
He was a member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Houston Fire Department and the Arnet-Sheldon American Legion Post 423 in Houston. Dennis was an avid hunter. He enjoyed golfing, woodworking, going to Menards, spending time at his boathouse, looking for deer and hunting for morel mushrooms. He was a strong family man. Dennis loved his wife and sons, and was a friend to everyone. He had a great love for his dog, Katie.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Karen; mother, Louella Todd of Houston; two sons, David (Jody) Todd of Farmington, Minn., and Dean (Andrea) Todd of Shakopee, Minn.; five grandchildren, Jackson, Nyah, Connor, Julia and Griffin; special goddaughter, Stacy (Richard) Botcher of Houston and their children: Abbey, Richelle and Emily; four brothers, Jim Todd of Houston, Richard (Doris) Todd of Houston, Dan (Kathy) Todd of Houston, and Mike Todd of New Hampton, Iowa; four sisters, Janice (Dale) Nelson of Fredricksberg, Iowa, Pat Palmquist of Rochester, Minn., Alta (Stan) Mueller of Chippewa Falls, Wis., and Linda Hansen of Waverly, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Todd, and his nephew, Randy Todd.
There will be a memorial service for Dennis at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, with the Revs. Lane Zaffke and Louise Stromberg officiating. Burial will be in Stone Church Cemetery, Houston. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Hoff Funeral Homes-Houston Chapel.
Feel free to leave a memory of Dennis, sign his online guestbook and view his tribute video at www.hofffuneral.com.
Thomas J. Monroe
WATERVILLE, Iowa — Thomas J. Monroe, 91, of Waterville died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, Iowa. Funeral services will be Saturday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Pius at Cherry Mound Catholic Church in rural Harpers Ferry, Iowa, with the Rev. Louis Trzil officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon where there will be a 4 p.m. Scripture service and a 7:30 p.m. rosary.
Survivors include his children, JoAnn Spear of Minburn, Iowa, Karen Koza of Wakefield, R.I., Carole Cole of Altadena, Calif., Glenn Monroe of Viroqua, Wis., Lowell Monroe of Genoa, Wis., and Maureen Monroe of St. Louis Park, Minn.; and a sister, Esther Hill of Hemet, Calif.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
Edmund C. Strahl
Edmund C. Strahl, 92, of La Crosse went to his eternal home Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008.
He was born July 12, 1916, in North Clayton, Wis., to Dewitt and Agnes (Kissack) Strahl. Ed married Bernadine Abbs on Sept. 4, 1951. They resided in Baraboo, Wis., where he worked at Badger Ordnance Works for several years. They then moved to La Crosse. He worked for Skelgas until he retired. At that time, they moved to West Salem, Wis. Ed and Bernadine enjoyed traveling together. He was a 40-year member of the Eagles Club and a 50-year member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.
He is survived by a sister-in-law, Lois (Robert C.) Olson. Ed became a grandpa in his heart to Tracy Olson, Todd Molzahn and Steve Olson. He also will always be a grandpa to Jacob, Luke and Zack Molzahn. He is further survived by a special niece, Beverly Felton Swiggum and her children.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bernadine in March 2001; and a sister and a brother-in-law, Bernice and Archie Infield.
Funeral services will be at noon Saturday, Aug. 9, at SchumachernKish Funeral Home of La Crosse. The Rev. Doris Simpson will officiate. Entombment will be in Garden of Peace Mausoleum, Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Friends may call at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of service Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to American Cancer Society or St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.
Joan Mary Pust
Joan M. Pust, 73, of La Crosse passed away peacefully at Hillview Health Care Center on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008.
Dear Friends:
“Each morning when I awaken, I get up and go about the life I have enjoyed. This morning I did not awaken, but found myself on the way to my eternal reward in Heaven with my God. My life has always been a joy to me = my parents and my very special friends have given me much love and happiness. I will miss you all, but will always be close to you. Love each other and be happy, Rozie = I will never stop loving you = I would not know how.” — Joan
Joan went to be with her God in Heaven. She was born April 16, 1935, to Walter and Mary (Bagniewski) Pust. She pursued a career as a registered medical secretary and worked at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.; Community Memorial Hospital in Winona, Minn.; and Gundersen Clinic in La Crosse. She also spent many years as a volunteer at St. Joseph’s Home.
Joan is survived by many cousins, their families and many special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.
It was Joan’s wish that she be cremated and that no services be held. Memorials can be sent to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church of La Crosse. Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Homes are assisting with arrangements.
Wayne D. Peck
VIOLA, Wis. — Wayne D. Peck, 80, of Viola passed away late Wed-nesday evening, Aug. 6, 2008, at his home after a battle with cancer.
Wayne was born April 11, 1928, to Orval and Rena (Buchanan) Peck. He attended grade school at Tunnelville, Wis., and graduated from Viola High School. During high school, he was very active in sports. He especially enjoyed cross country and track. In July 1948, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Campbell. They had three daughters, Terry Lyn, Ann Marie and Julie Beth. Throughout the years, Wayne worked at the Viola Nuzum Yards, Sylvan Cheese Factory, Viola Standard Station, Wheeler Brothers Feed Mill and S&S Cycle. He retired from S&S in 1993. After his retirement, he did odd jobs around the neighborhood. He was always on call when needed. He liked helping people and keeping busy. Wayne also enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and dancing to a good polka. He was a member of the Viola Volunteer Fire Department for many years.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Betty; his daughters, Terry (Mike) Miller of Phoenix, Ann Jacobson and special friend Dennis Gotzman of Burnsville, Minn., and Julie (James) Korb of Richland Center, Wis.; four grandchildren, Livia Miller of Lincoln, Neb., David Miller of Tucson, Ariz., and Anna and Addie Korb of Richland Center; one sister, Arlene (Dwight) Fruit of Richland Center; one brother, Lyle (Nona) Peck of Beloit, Wis.; and two aunts, Dorothy (Richard) Jones of Madison and Margaret Earnes of Moose Lake, Minn.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jack Peck; and a son-in-law, Peter Jacobson.
Wayne was a loving husband, great father, caring grandfather and helpful friend. Wayne will be dearly missed.
Funeral services will be Monday, Aug. 11, at 11 a.m. at Viola United Methodist Church. Pastor Laverne Larson will officiate, with burial in the Viola Cemetery. Friends may call at the church Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com.
Gary L. Smikrude
GALESVILLE, Wis. — Gary L. Smikrude, 65, of Galesville died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008. A complete obituary will be provided by Dickinson Family Funeral Home, Holmen, Wis.
Earl R. ‘Roger’ Genz
Earl R. “Roger” Genz, 79, of La Crosse passed away while surrounded by his loved ones Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
He was born Sept. 2, 1928, in La Crosse to Earl and Olga (Julson) Genz. He attended Logan High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On Oct. 20, 1956, he married Helen Kolb in La Crosse. Roger retired from the La Crosse Fire Department with the rank of captain in 1985. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his early years, playing euchre with his family, gardening, old movies, history, spending time with his grandchildren and sharing stories with his many friends. He also will be remembered as a really good cook and an avid Green Bay Packers fan.
Roger is survived by his wife, Helen; four children, James Genz of La Crosse, Linda Wing of La Crosse, Karen (Daniel) Balduzzi of Onalaska, Wis., and David Genz of La Crosse; five grandchildren, Jessica and Adam Wing, Annie and Allison Balduzzi, and Gavin Genz; one sister, Lorraine (Gerald) Heath of Onalaska; sisters-in-law, Tomee and Avanelle Genz; and cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Duane and Gerald Genz.
Funeral services will be at noon Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, at Bethel Lutheran Church in La Crosse. Pastor Judd Larson will officiate. Entombment will follow in Oak Grove Garden Mausoleum, La Crosse. Friends may call on the family at the church Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Bethel Lutheran Church, 1931 Loomis St., La Crosse, WI 54603. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be given at Schumacher-Kish.com.
Oleta Taylor Bonds
Oleta Taylor Bonds, 89, of La Crosse and formerly of Corinth, Miss., died Monday, Aug. 4, 2008, at BethanynSt. Joseph Care Center, La Crosse. She is survived by a daughter, Carolyn (Bruce) Johnson of La Crosse. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today at McPeters Funeral Home Chapel in Corinth. The Rev. Dennis Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Forrest Memorial Park, Corinth. Friends may call at the funeral home today from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Leslie J. Wing
ONALASKA/CHETEK, Wis. —Leslie J. Wing, 57, formerly of Onalaska died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008, in Chetek.
He is survived by his wife, JayNe; daughter, Tilli (Rob) Culpitt and his first grandchild due in October; son, Samuel (aka Bud) Wing (friend Amber Radde); sisters, Karen (Frank) Stinnett, Cindy (Robert) Heller and Angela Wing; brother, Ronnie (Vicki) Wing; many nieces and nephews; and all his friends in Onalaska and Chetek.
He was preceded in death by a child lost to miscarriage; his parents, Verl and Eloda Wing; and a niece, Michelle Wing.
Les was a man with a quick smile, a great laugh and a slighty warped sense of humor. We wish him all the best fishing and whatever else the afterlife has to offer.
And yes, Les, it is a big deal!
A private celebration of his life will be held for his family and friends.
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