Evaline L. Bender
Evaline L. Bender, 76, of La Crosse died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
She was born Sept. 15, 1932, in Spring Valley, Wis., to Alfred and Almeda (Eid) Blegen. Evaline and Roger enjoyed spending time on the river, both boating and fishing. She loved her children and grandchildren, and also loved animals, especially her cats and dogs.
She is survived by her husband, Roger; two daughters, Karen L. Pedersen of West Salem and Kristen (Todd) Reichert of Melrose; two sons, Thomas (Carol) Bernett of Onalaska and Bob Bernett of Mindoro; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four stepsons, Brian Bender of La Crosse, Brad (Theresa) Bender of Galesville, Bruce Bender of Houston, Texas, and Barry (Tammy) Bender of Navista, Calif.; seven stepgrandchildren; four sisters; and one brother.
She was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Ric Pedersen; three brothers; and one sister.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at SchumachernKish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse. The Rev. Roger Sachs will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of services
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Coulee Region Humane Society.
Jeffrey Gerard Curti
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. Jeffrey Gerard Curti, 52, of 7640 Deer Lane, Wisconsin Rapids, died peacefully at home on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008.
Jeff was born in La Crosse on Sept. 9, 1956, to Francis and Marion (Saphner) Curti. He grew up the eldest of five children on the family dairy farm in Genoa. He graduated from De Soto High School in 1974, from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1978 and from the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton, Wis., with a master’s degree in 1980. While at Stevens Point, he met Patricia Dunlap, and they were married on Sept. 8, 1979.
Jeff started his career working at Consolidated Papers in June 1980, and at the time of death was technical manager at the Wisconsin Rapids mill. He enjoyed traveling, ballroom dancing, gardening, politics, playing basketball and volleyball, bicycling and cheering his sports teams.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Patricia Curti; three brothers, Jon (Joan) of Plover, Wis., Jerry (Amy) of Carthage, Mo., and Frank (Gabrielle) of Indianola, Iowa; and one sister, Annette (Scott) Bergum of Hartford, Wis. He was predeceased by his parents, Francis and Marion Curti.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Nekoosa United Church of Christ. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Higgins Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids and from 1 p.m. to services Friday at the church.
Memorials may be designated to the University of Wisconsin Cancer Center-Riverview in Wisconsin Rapids.
Harland P. Gunderson
HOLMEN Harland P. Gunderson, 86, of Holmen died Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. Funeral services are tentatively set for Friday atSchumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska. A complete obituary will follow.
Zachery A. Hagen
ONALASKA/MELROSE Zachery A. Hagen, 18, of Onalaska and formerly of Melrose died Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse of complications resulting from ongoing illnesses and disabilities.
He was born Dec. 3, 1989, in La Crosse to Jeff and Pat (Bono) Hagen. Zachery was presently attending Holmen High School, and at only 18 years of age had fought his entire life with more strength and courage than anyone could only hope to possess. He will be deeply missed, but his family is secure in the knowledge that he will never have to fight like that again.
Survivors include his parents, Jeff and Pat of Melrose; two sisters, Jessica (Jared) Hauser of West Salem and Triauna (John) Krett of Arcadia; one brother, Quinton Hagen of Melrose; paternal grandmother, Adriane Hagen of Melrose; maternal great-grandmother, Sarah Bono of Shelbina, Mo.; many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family, including his housemates and caregivers at Birka House in Onalaska.
He was preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Jim Bono; maternal grandmother, Barbara Bono-Echelberger; and his paternal grandfather, Harold Hagen.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 359 N. Leonard St., West Salem. The Rev. J. David Bersagel will officiate. Friends may call at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church on Wednesday from 1 p.m. until time of services.
Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home of West Salem is in charge of arrangements.
Duane M. Halverson
EAU CLAIRE/WHITEHALL, Wis. Duane M. Halverson, 79, of Eau Claire and formerly of Whitehall died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, at Crystal Lake Nursing Home in Strum, Wis. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Whitehall. Burial with military rites will be in Lincoln Cemetery, Whitehall, at a later date. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Edison Funeral Home in Independence and 10 a.m. to services Saturday at the church.
Betty Jane Liethen
ONALASKA Betty Jane Liethen, 71, of Onalaska passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008.
She was born in Maple Creek, Wis., on Dec. 27, 1936, to Harvey and Eldora Baerwald. Betty was an avid bird watcher, master gardener and a gifted artist. Betty touched many lives, both young and old. To the ones who knew her best, she was a women who lived her life to the fullest.
She is survived by her brother, Niel (Pat) Baerwald; six loving children, Jeff (Julia) Liethen, Brian (Linda) Liethen, Paul (Heather) Liethen, Christine (John) Clark, Patrick Liethen and Jennifer (Bradford) Fry; and nine grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father, Harvey, and mother and stepfather, Dr. John and Eldora Hoag, and a brother, Dennis Baerwald.
Funeral services will be at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., Onalaska. The Rev. Scott Skogan will officiate. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednes-day from 4 to 7 p.m.
Betty’s last wishes were quite characteristically very clear, “after I pass away, in lieu of flowers that only wilt and die, please make donations in my memory to the Audubon Society.”
Grace H. McKendry
BOSCOBEL, Wis. Grace H. McKendry, 80, of Boscobel died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, at Boscobel Area Health Care in Boscobel. A memorial gathering will be from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Pilgrim Hall in the lower level of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Boscobel, with a memorial service to follow at 2:30 p.m. Burial will be in Boscobel Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Boscobel Animal Rescue Klub (BARK). Kendall Funeral Service in Boscobel is assisting the family.
Betty J. Neas
BLACK RIVER FALLS Betty J. Neas, 76, of Black River Falls died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, in her home under the care of Black River Hospice. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Buswell Funeral Home in Black River Falls. Burial will be at Little Norway Lutheran Church Ceme-tery in rural Black River Falls. Family and friends may call from 9 a.m. to services Wednesday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be offered at www.buswellfuneralhome.
com.
Wilma Pfiffner
LANSING, Iowa Wilma Pfiffner, 84, of Lansing died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, at Thornton Manor in Lansing. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with burial in Gethsemane Cemetery, both in Lansing. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Thornburg Hanson Funeral Home in Lansing with a 7 p.m. parish scripture service.
John A. Poellinger
LA CRESCENT, Minn./LA CROSSE Former La Crescent resident and La Crosse businessman John A. Poellinger, 83, passed away Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse.
The oldest of four children of John T. and Marie (Oestreicher) Poellinger, John was born April 1, 1925, in Sheboygan, Wis. When John was a young child, the family moved to La Crosse, where he attended Holy Trinity Elementary School and graduated, at age 16, from Aquinas High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Fleet during World War II. He attended University of Wisconsin-Stout, graduating with his master’s degree in 1951 and then taught vocational/apprentice relations at what is now Western Technical College.
John married Rosemary Vyvyan in 1954. They settled in La Crescent, where they began building their family and their business.
He started his own business, Poellinger Plastering, in 1957. He was very proud to have been one of few local contractors to help build St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in 1962. He and his skilled employees built and remodeled many schools, hospitals, office buildings and homes throughout the region and beyond. He was always committed to doing the best possible job “whether the project is a patch or a palace,” as he used to say.
John was active in the construction industry. A lifetime member of the Association of Wall & Ceilings Industries International, John enjoyed traveling throughout the country and beyond, learning and sharing with other contractors and doing what he could to strengthen the industry. He was a leader, locally and nationally, in several apprenticeship training and oversight programs.
John was active in the communities where he lived and worked. He served on the La Crescent School Board, was a member of the La Crescent Rotary Club, past president of the downtown
La Crosse Rotary Club, a member of the La Crescent Chamber of Commerce and past President of Greater
La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce. Other memberships included LADCO, Southside Businessmen’s Association and Down-town Mainstreet. He volunteered for the Girl Scouts, Salvation Army, Children’s Museum of La Crosse and many other organizations and projects. John’s volunteerism, combined with his love of gardening and his construction expertise, led him to become actively involved with many park development projects throughout the area, including Man-Lay Garden, Kid’s Coulee and Kistler Park.
John loved to learn and was supportive of many educational initiatives. He was quietly generous, humble to a fault and immensely proud of his family, his employees and his community. He was also deeply committed to his faith.
In retirement, he enjoyed gardening and woodworking, delighted to create gifts for friends and family. The holiday season always brought a special twinkle to John’s eyes, so he chose to celebrate year-round by creating elaborate displays of his always-growing collection of miniature Christmas houses and Santas. Sharing his beautiful Christmas rooms with his children, grandchildren and visitors was pure pleasure to John.
John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rosemary; his children and grandchildren, Ann (Cameron) Harris and their daughters, Stephanie (Joshua) Burgess and Elizabeth, John E. Poellinger and his children, Alison, John Elliot (Sami Jo) and Mitchell, Paul Poellinger and his son, Laudon, Mike (Leanne) Poellinger and their sons, Ethan, Evan and Mason, and Jean (Giulio) Cesarone and their daughters, Olivia and Amanda. John and Rosemary’s first great-grandchild, Marek Burgess, was born on Nov. 23. John is also survived by his brother, Richard (Marge) Poellinger, and sister, Patricia (Poellinger) Peterson.
John was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Poellinger.
John’s family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff at Hillview Health Care Center and to Terry Hafner for the excellent care provided to John.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in La Crosse. Entombment will be in Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends and family may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse, or on Saturday at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral from 9:30 a.m. until time of services.
In honor of John’s generosity and community involvement, the family requests donations to the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.
Donald W. Rice
SHOREWOOD, Wis. Donald W. Rice of Shorewood died Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at his home after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Angela; daughters, Sarah (Mike) Johnson of Grand Junction, Colo., and Stephanie Rice of Los Angeles; a granddaughter, Annika Johnson; a sister, Judy (Bob) Johnson of Onalaska; and nephews, Karl (Aprille), David (Kadie) and Matthew (Regina) Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Berdie.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be sent to Faith Indeed, P.O. Box 481, Sullivan, WI 53178.
Alan B. Roth
LA CRESCENT, Minn. Alan B. Roth, 81 of La Crescent died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, at Francis-can Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse. Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. Family and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. to services Friday at the funeral home. A complete obituary will follow.
Martha Mynda’ Ann Schubbe
ARCADIA Martha “Mynda” Ann Schubbe, 91, of Arcadia died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Nursing Home in Arcadia after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born July 25, 1917, in Arcadia, daughter of the late Frank and Mary (Wilczek) Waldera. For 51 years, Martha was the devoted wife of the late Clarence “Mike” Schubbe. They were married in Decorah, Iowa, on Sept. 9, 1937.
Martha was a dedicated, doting aunt and occasional second mother to dozens of nieces and nephews, many of whom enjoyed summers at her farm while growing up, including Herman Wiersgalla and Laurie Jaszewski. Martha was an extraordinary cook and hostess, always gentle, kind, generous, refined and elegant. She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, St. Anne’s Rosary Society and American Legion Auxi-liary. She had been employed for over 30 years at the Corner Store in Arcadia.
Martha is survived by her dear sister, Grace Galuska; and special nephew and guardian, Howard Wiersgalla. She is further survived by three sisters-in-law, Susan Waldera, Marian Waldera and Esther Werlein; brother-in-law, Robert Frey; many nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
Preceding Martha in death were her husband; seven sisters, Proxeda and Celia Waldera, Dorothy Creeley, Theresa Wiersgalla, Bernice Sacia, Angeline Frey and Marian Jaszewski; and six brothers, Clarence, Ben, Gerald, Ralph, Ernest and Marcel Waldera.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in North Creek (rural Arcadia), with Father Michael Klos officiating. Burial will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery, with a luncheon and fellowship immediately following at the church. Friends may call from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Special thanks to niece, Louise Jaszewski, and the staff of the Franciscan Skemp Nursing Home for their loving and excellent care.
Martha’s deep faith, dedication to family, unconditional love and giving spirit touched multitudes. She will forever be loved, missed and treasured.
Wozney-Killian Funeral Home of Arcadia is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be offered at wozneykillianfh@aol.com.
Alverda R. Stafslien
COON VALLEY Alverda R. Stafslien, 98, formerly of Coon Valley, died Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, at Bethel Home in Viroqua. Funeral services will be announced by Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley.
James A. Stoklasa
CHICAGO/BLACK RIVER FALLS James A. Stoklasa, 85, of Chicago and formerly of Black River Falls died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, at Resurrection Hospital in Chicago. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, with burial in Riverside Cemetery, both in Black River Falls. Relatives and friends may call at from 10 a.m. to services Saturday at the church. Torgerson’s Funeral Service of Black River Falls is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mee Vang Vue
ONALASKA Mee Vang Vue, 79, of Onalaska died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, at Lakeview Health Center in West Salem. There will be continuous visitation at the Hmong Cultural & Community Center, 1815 Ward Ave., La Crosse, from 8 a.m. Friday until departure for burial Monday at Money Creek Cemetery in rural Houston, Minn. Wood-ruff-Jandt Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family and Hmong Community with arrangements.
Robert Bob’ George Weiske
Robert “Bob” George Weiske, 81, of La Crosse passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008.
He was born in Montello, Wis., on Dec. 31, 1926, to Albert and Ruth (Durfy) Weiske. He married Martha Felgen in 1949 in Baraboo, Wis. Martha passed away in April 1984. He later married Mary Melde on Feb. 8, 1986, at Blessed Sacrament Church.
Bob attended St. Joseph Grade School, Baraboo High School and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he played varsity football for three years, with a degree in mechanical engineering. Bob was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and enjoyed cross-country skiing, ballroom dancing, traveling, bowling, golfing and gardening. He was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge, Knights of Columbus, the W Club at the University of Wisconsin, where he was also a season ticket holder for football, and was employed by Trane Co. for 32 years, most recently as a manager of drafting and drawing services.
Bob is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Teri Geier, Bruce (Marge) Weiske, James Weiske and Patricia Troyanek; five grandchildren; three great-granchildren; step-children, Virginia (David) Woy, Robert Melde, Richard Melde, Mary Beth (James) Vach and Nancy (Ray) Shows; nine step-granchildren; sisters, Marge Haas and Athleen Haas; brother, James Weiske; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, two brothers and one sister.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at Roncalli Newman Center Catholic Church, 1732 State St., La Crosse. The Rev. Mark Pierce will officiate, with interment at the Catholic Cemetery with military honors. A visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass at the Church.
Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family.
The family extends special thanks to Dr. Sheila Momont and Gundersen Lutheran Hospice staff. They also wish to thank the many friends who supported Bob during his journey.
Donald J. Moe
WAUKON, Iowa Donald J. Moe, 64, of Waukon died Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, with burial in Oakland Cemetery, both in Waukon. Friends may call from noon to services Friday at the church. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting with arrangements.
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