Frederick Wayne Bakkum
LA CRESCENT, Minn. Frederick Wayne Bakkum, 76, of La Crescent died Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, at Golden Living Center in La Crescent.
He was born in La Crosse on Aug. 1, 1932, to Palmer and Vera (Reichgelt) Bakkum. Fred was a 1950 graduate of Central High school in La Crosse. Following graduation he worked briefly at Trane Co. and then entered the U.S. Navy. Following his naval service, Fred returned to Trane as a welder until his retirement.
Early in his career, Fred started La Crescent Burner Service, where he helped many people with their maintenance needs. He had served as justice of the peace in La Crescent, had volunteered with the La Crescent Fire Department, was a member of the Gittens Leidel American Legion Post 595, La Crescent, and was a dedicated Red Cross blood donor, having received his 33-gallon pin. He was an avid deer and duck hunter and also enjoyed fishing.
Fred is survived by four daughters, Debra Brandt of Michigan, Linda Bakkum of Ohio, Diane (Keith) Remaly of Pennsylvania and Tracey (Jorge) Guilloty of Washington; their mother, Charlene (Waters) Bakkum of Pennsylvania; his significant other, Edie Hastings of La Crescent; and five grandchildren, Rachel, Mathew, Zachary, Noah and Jacob. He is further survived by a niece, Dawn Buroker.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Jean (Bakkum) Buroker.
A memorial gathering honoring Fred’s memory will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. this Saturday at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crescent. A brief service provided by the American Legion will take place at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be used in Fred’s name.
Joseph C. Blinston
CATARACT/SPARTA Joseph C. Blinston, 82, of Cataract died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008, at Black River Memorial Hospital, Black River Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, with burial in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, both in Sparta. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta.
Richard F. Fanta
HILLSBORO Richard F. Fanta, 88, of Hillsboro passed away Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in Hillsboro.
He was born Nov. 24, 1920, to Joseph and Agnes (Stanek) Fanta in the town of Union, Vernon County, Wis. He grew to adulthood helping on the family farm and attended Maple Grove School. Richard was united in marriage to Helen Fronk on Sept. 6, 1944, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Hillsboro. They farmed in the town of Greenwood for many years, where they raised their family of seven children.
In addition to being a lifelong farmer, Richard served on the school board, as a Greenwood town supervisor and assessor, on the St. Patrick’s Cemetery Board and board of Greenwood School, was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, and was an original member of the Cesky Den Singers. Richard was also Wisconsin State Plowing Champion in 1955 and went on to compete in nationals in 1956, where he met President Eisenhower.
Survivors include his loving wife, Helen of Hillsboro; children, Donald (Janice) Fanta of Hillsboro, David (Susan) Fanta of Viroqua, Carol (James) Jefferies of Hillsboro, Gerry (Terri) Fanta of Hillsboro, Joan (Terry) Hennessy of Lansing, Iowa, Barb (Randy) Muenzenberger of Coon Valley, and Lori (Chris) Sebranek of Sun Prairie, Wis.; 20 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Josephine Subera of Hillsboro and Ellen (Robert) Hynek of Hillsboro.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Martha Sebranek; and four brothers, Emil, Edward, Rudolph and Raymond Fanta.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Hillsboro, with the Rev. Joseph Nakwah officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, rural Hillsboro. Friends may call at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., where there will be a Bible vigil at 7:30 p.m. and a KC rosary following. For online information, go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com.
Betty Ann McDonald Hansen
LA CROSSE/VIROQUA Betty Ann McDonald Hansen, 75, a resident at Bethany Riverside Nursing Home, La Crosse, died Wednesday evening, Nov. 26, 2008, at the home after a long battle with multiple sclerosis.
Betty was born on Dec. 28, 1932, in De Soto to Clarence Kenneth and Lucille (Gordon) McDonald. She graduated from Viroqua High School with the class of 1950. In November 1952 she married Kenneth Skoug. They spent many years in different parts of the world with the Air Force. In June 1978, Betty married Robert Hansen, and they lived in Minneapolis until moving to Arizona. Robert passed away in September 2000. Betty enjoyed water skiing, golfing and visiting with people.
Betty is survived by four daughters, Kim (Phil Johnson) Hansen of Bayfield, Wis., Vicki (Gerry) Chryst of Bloomington, Minn., Robin (Tony) Rusk of Fort Meyers, Fla., and Debbie (David) Daniels of Minneapolis; six grandchildren, Kelsey Hansen, Lindsey and Michael Wurst, Michael and Christina Rusk and Julia Daniels; a brother, John McDonald of Viola; three sisters, Ruth Oliver of Janesville, Wis., Mary (Bill) Bates of Lewisburg, Tenn., and Alma Van Leuven of Mesa, Ariz.; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Hansen; sister, Norma Smith; brother, Tommy in infancy; brother-in-law, Ted Oliver; and sister-in-law, Audrey McDonald.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008, at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home, Viroqua. Officiating at the service will be Pastor Bill Busch. Burial will be in Glen Haven Memorial Garden, Crystal, Minn., on Monday, Dec. 1, with the time yet to be determined. The family will greet relatives and friends Sunday, Nov. 30, at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of services at 2 p.m.
The family requests that memorials be sent to Multiple Sclerosis Society or American Heart Association.
Online condolences may be made at www. thorson-reetz.net.
Luella Edna Simonds Jakusz
Luella Edna Simonds Jakusz left this world to be with her maker on Nov. 25, 2008. She died at her home with her family at her side.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, in Mary, Mother of the Church Parish in St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2006 Weston St., La Crosse. The Rev. Douglas Robertson will officiate, with private entombment to be held in Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Family and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass in the church Saturday.
Friends and family are also invited to Knights of Columbus Hall, N3020 State Road 16, La Crosse, for a luncheon directly following the Mass on Saturday.
Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.
James L. Lafky
James L. Lafky, 87, of La Crosse died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008, at Hillview Health Care Center, La Crosse. A memorial celebration will be announced by Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse.
John M. Lucente
INDEPENDENCE John M. Lucente, 91, of Independence died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Independence. Burial with military rites will be in Gilmanton (Wis.) Cemetery. Friends and family may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the church. Edison Funeral Home, Independence, is assisting the family.
Alice M. Nelson
CLERMONT, Iowa Alice M. Nelson, 93, of Clermont died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, at Palmer Lutheran Health center, West Union, Iowa. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in West Clermont Lutheran Church, with burial in Gods Acres, both in Clermont. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Schutte’s Clermont Funeral Chapel, Clermont, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the church.
Ardell C. Olson
COON VALLEY/WESTBY Ardell C. Olson, 77, of Westby and formerly of Coon Valley died Wednesday morning, Nov. 26, 2008.
He was born Aug. 8, 1931, in a log house on Lindevig Ridge to Alf and Alida (Lee) Olson. He attended Spring Coulee and Leum schools, and graduated from Westby High School in 1949. He was a corporal in the U.S. Army, where he served in the Korean War. During the war, he was injured and spent time in a hospital in Japan.
He married Elaine Stakston on June 11, 1955. In 1961, Ardell and Elaine purchased Olson’s Meat Processing in Coon Valley and operated it until the end of 1989 and at one time he had served as president of the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors.
He drove school bus for the Westby Area Schools. Ardell was previously a member of Coon Valley Lutheran Church and currently a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the Coon Valley American Legion, where he had been past commander; a member of the Coon Valley Lion’s Club and had received the Melvin Young Award for perfect attendance over the years. He was involved with the development of the Bekkum Homestead at Norskedalen and had received the Norskedalen Award in 1994.
His many hobbies included woodworking, antique collecting, refinishing furniture, hunting, fishing, grandkids, travel, genealogy, raising tobacco and trips to the cabin.
Ardell is survived by two children, Dawn (Michael) McKibben of New Richmond, Wis., and Donna (Dale) Pedretti of Westby; five grandchildren, Justin and Brianna Olson of Lakeville, Minn., Derek and Vincent Pedretti of Westby, and Kyle McKibben of New Richmond; daughter-in-law, Michele of Lakeville; siblings, Harlan (Joyce) Olson of Westby, Ivan (Gloria) Olson of Westby, Lou Ann (Marvin) Amundson of Janesville, Wis., and Orland (Maxine) of Durand, Wis.; sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Maynard Dunnum of Onalaska; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, David; and one grandson, Brett.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 1, at 11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Westby. Pastor Gary Daines will officiate. Burial, with military rites by Coon Valley American Legion, will be in Skogdalen Cemetery, rural Westby. Friends may call Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Main St., Hwy. 14 S. in Westby. Friends may also call at the church Monday after 10 a.m. until the time of services. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com.
Memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Norskedalen or Bethel Butikk.
Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.
Emil J. Path
SPARTA Emil J. Path, 89, of Sparta died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008, at Lakeview Health Center, West Salem. Funeral services will be at noon Saturday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Sparta. Family and friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, and from 11 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church.
Dorothy Thomack
Dorothy Thomack, 94, of La Crosse died in St. Joseph Rehabilitation Center on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008. Services are tentative for Monday and will be announced by Dickinson Family Funeral Homes-Jackson Street Chapel, La Crosse.
Jerome Jerry’ W. Wolf
MELROSE/BLACK RIVER FALLS Jerome “Jerry” W. Wolf, 76, of Black River Falls and formerly of Melrose, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008, in Family Heritage Care Center, Black River Falls. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Torgerson’s Funeral Home, Black River Falls. Burial will be in Melrose Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at 1:30 p.m. until the time of services Saturday at the funeral home.
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