Velma Mae (Knickerbocker) Walleser
DE SOTO/VIROQUA — Velma Mae (Knicker-bocker) Walleser, 87, passed away on Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Francis-can Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse. She was surrounded by children and family whose love and prayers ushered her into heaven where she joined the love of her life, Stanley.
Velma was born June 30, 1921, on a farm near Wexford, Iowa. The daughter of the late Clement and Matilda (Sickles) Knickerbocker, Velma’s experiences as a child of the Depression shaped her character as a practical hard-working individual. These traits served her well over her long career of rearing and building moral character in her 15 children.
On Oct. 5, 1937, Velma married Stanley Emil Walleser at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing, Iowa. They resided in Allamakee County, Iowa, until 1961, when they purchased the Dr. Christensen farm near West Prairie, Wis. They continued to expand both their family and farming operations until retiring near rural Retreat.
Velma was a faithful Catholic. She often said her hobby was work. She was a keen business woman with a talent for organization. Velma will be remembered for her hospitality and her familiar greeting, “Have you eaten yet?” She was an excellent bread-maker and her children have wonderful memories of the aroma of freshly baked tea biscuits waiting for them upon arriving home from school.
Velma was a talented seamstress, prolific cook, excellent gardener and longtime poultry producer. She was very proud to serve family and friends meals, which were almost completely produced from the garden and farm, with any necessary purchases having come from her egg money. Over the years, she was an active member of card, book and homemaker’s clubs as well as her church alter society.
Velma is survived by her 15 children, Clement (Judy Day) Walleser of Dubuque, Iowa, Betty Keenan of Viroqua, Bernadette (Richard) Halvorson of East Dubuque, Ill., Donna (Gordon) Johnson of Lansing, Iowa, Alice (Mansel) Koeller of De Soto, Henrietta “Daisy” Bauman of East Dubuque, Ill., John (Jean Marks) Walleser of Viroqua, Helenjean Walleser of West Des Moines, Iowa, Virginia (Orville) Hendrickson of De Soto, Susanna (Ronald L.) Brudos of Viroqua, Edward (Vivian Shields) Walleser of De Soto, Stanley “Buck” (Shirley Reed) Walleser of De Soto, Mary Jo (Armand) Bringe of Viroqua, Kevin (Anne Elwing) Walleser of De Soto, and Margaret (John) McDonah of Byron, Minn.; 64 grandchildren; 102 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Alberta Knickerbocker of Lansing; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley, on Aug. 13, 2005; her parents; infant son, Joseph; two sons-in-law, Ralph Bauman and Patrick Keenan; one grandson, Russell Halvorson; two great-granddaugthers, Danielle and Katelyn Keenan; two brothers, Arthur in infancy and Alfred Knickerbocker; and two sisters, Beulah Heuer and Viola Haas Mount.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where she was a member. Her grandson, Father Richard Halvorson, will officiate. Burial will be in Walnut Mound Cemetery at Retreat (rural De Soto). Friends may call on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home in Viroqua with a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. Friends may also call at the church after 10 a.m. on Friday.
Online condolences may be offered at www.thorson-reetz.net.
Lincoln V. Knutson
WESTBY — Lincoln V. Knutson, 89, of Westby died peacefully surrounded by family at St. Joesph’s Rehabilita-tion Center on Nov. 30, 2008.
Lincoln was born on Oct. 17, 1919 at the farm home of his maternal grandparents in Timber Coulee to Irvin and Minnie (Neprud) Knutson. He grew up in Coon Valley and graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1936. He attended business school at Western Wisconsin Technical Institute and later graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Lincoln served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, where he gained a passion for photography. Lincoln married Margaret (Fortney) on Dec. 29, 1943, at Franklin North Kickapoo Lutheran church. They enjoyed nearly 65 years of marriage.
Lincoln will be remembered by his family and friends as a very generous, kind man and passionate supporter of the community. He served as president and director of the Snowflake Ski Club, past president of the Westby Kiwanis Club, member of the Westby American Legion and former secretary of the Westby Rod and Gun Club. He was a strong advocate of the Boy Scouts and helped reactivate Westby Troop 76 in the 1950s. He enjoyed using his photography skills to serve the community in numerous ways at churches, schools, weddings and, especially, ski jumping tournaments. He was admired and respected for his 30-plus years at Westby-Coon Valley State Bank, where he served as president, and went above and beyond to help people with Social Security applications and income tax returns.
Lincoln is survived by his wife, Margaret; brother, Jim (Ruth) Knutson of La Crosse; son, Edwin (Vickie) Knutson of Onalaska; daughters, Lory (Fred) Denson of Austin, Texas, and Kala (Jerry) Thompson of Houston, Texas; grandsons, Kyle (Jolene) Knutson of Red Wing, Minn., Nicholas (Lenka) Knutson of Whitefish, Mont., Brett (Stephanie) Knutson of Westby, and Lincoln Thompson; granddaughter, Kiah Denson; great-grandson, Keegan Knutson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bud Knutson; and sister, Gen Weigel.
Lincoln’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to the many nurses and staff at St. Joesph’s Rehabilitation Center and MeadowWood Assisted Living who selflessly and compassionately cared for Lincoln over the past few years.
A visitation will be held Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Hwy. 14, Westby. A family burial service will be held in the Spring.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Joseph Piano Fund, 2902 East Ave. S., La Crosse, WI 54601.
Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com.
Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.
Irene M. Dunlap
WEST SALEM — Irene M. Dunlap, 91, of West Salem died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008, at Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse.
She was born Sept. 27, 1917, in the town of Onalaska to George and Helen (Hoffman) Bruemmer. Irene grew up in La Crosse and worked at her parents grocery store and restaurant during her early school years. On Dec. 27, 1938, she married Rex Dunlap in West Salem, and he preceded her in death on Oct. 2, 1997. Irene and her husband raised nine children, and during that time, she worked at the West Salem Bakery (now Linda’s Bakery). She came up with the cake doughnut recipe that is still being used today. After their children were grown, Irene became very involved in crocheting and crafts and also had taught some crocheting classes. She was proud of her family, especially of her six sons who all served in the military. Irene also enjoyed reading and music. She was a member
of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Salem.
Survivors include nine children, Lloyd Bruemmer of St. Louis, Willard (Audrey) Dunlap of Albuquerque, N.M., Willis (Beverly) Dunlap and Marlin (Sharon) Dunlap, both of Billings, Mont., Sharon (Gary) Weaver of Kenosha, Wis., Betty Bahr of La Crosse, George (Sandra) Dunlap of La Grange-Highlands, Ill., Raymond Dunlap of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Jean (Thomas) Godfroy of Watertown, Wis.; 13 grandchildren, Wayne (Diane) Bruemmer, Kristine (Stephen) Wade, Marlo (Phil) Holbrook, Sherrie (Steven) Pryse, Michael (Julia) Seidel, Debra (Bruce) Wigand, Jeffery (Janet) Bahr, Jason (Kelley) Bahr, Johnathon (Amy) Bahr, Eric (Wendy) Dunlap and Todd (Julie) Dunlap; 22 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two grandsons, Timothy and Kenneth Dunlap; one brother, Harold (Ethel) Bruemmer; and one sister, Adeline Bruemmer.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 500 Park St., West Salem. Pastor Joel Stuebs will officiate. Burial will be in Neshonoc Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of services.
Memorials may be given to Christ Evangelical Lutheran School, West Salem.
Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home of West Salem is in charge of arrangements.
Ione Mary Kersten
CLOQUET, Minn. — Ione Mary Kersten, 86, of Cloquet died peacefully Nov. 30, 2008, surrounded by her family.
Born and raised in La Crosse, on June 29, 1922, to Lillian and Martin Grabinski, Ione graduated from Aquinas High School, Class of 1940. She married Howard John Kersten, and in 1968, they and their five children moved to Duluth, Minn., and began a successful 25-year run owning and operating the M&J and, later, Highland Super Valu grocery stores. Ione worked in the family business in addition to running a household.
As a Duluth resident for the past 40 years, Ione was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Lakeside, where she was an active member in the Ladies Circle and volunteered at the church’s Used-a-Bit shop. Later, she moved to Pike Lake and became a member of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church community.
Family always came first for Ione. She loved life as a mother and gave that love to her family unconditionally. Always a giving mom and grandma, her kindness, understanding and sense of humor will be missed deeply as well her wonderful baking and cooking skills.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; and brother, Virgil Grabinski of La Crosse.
Ione is survived by five children, Mike (Gloria) Kersten of Duluth, Paul (Wendy) Kersten of Woodbury, Minn., Mary (Mark) Stoltman of Shoreview, Minn., Ann (John) Curran of Afton, Minn., and Patty (Jim) Swanson of Duluth. She was also blessed with six grandsons, Peter and Alex Curran, Tom and Ryan Swanson and Bryan and Adam Kersten. She is also survived by siblings, Robert Grabinski and Barb Graf.
The Kersten family wishes to give their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Cloquet. Their care and compassion for mom was truly appreciated.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in Pike Lake, Minn., with visitation one hour prior to Mass. Internment will be at Calvary Cemetery.
The family requests that any memorials be directed to St. Vincent DePaul Society, care of St. Raphael’s Church, 5779 Seville Road, Duluth, MN 55811.
Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home of Duluth, (218) 727-3555.
Sister Mary Aquin Geisler, FSPA
Sister Mary Aquin Geisler, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 95, died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse.
Sister Mary Aquin was born to Thomas and Magdalene (Angiolina Lepori) Gisler on July 20, 1913, in Belleville, Wis. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1931 and professed vows in 1934. Sister Mary Aquin taught in elementary school for two years before entering the health care field. After earning a degree from Marquette University, Milwaukee, in nursing education and a degree from Catholic University, Washington, D.C., in nursing education administration, she served as surgical nurse for eight years at St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse and then as assistant director of Nursing Education at St. Francis School of Nursing for 10 years. From 1964-89, Sister Mary Aquin ministered at St. Mary’s Hospital, Sparta, serving as a surgical nurse, emergency room nurse and 11 years as administrator. Before retiring at St. Rose Convent in 1993, Sister Mary Aquin was a part-time nurse in the health center there. She took up residence at the Villa in 1995.
Sister Mary Aquin is survived by her Franciscan community; a brother-in-law, Leo Henricksen of Redgranite, Wis.; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Ida and Agnes; and a brother, Joseph.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, when her body will be brought to St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Rev. Thomas O’Neill, Viterbo University chaplain, will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial in Mary of the Angels Chapel at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market St., La Crosse, WI 54601-4782.
Dickinson Family Funeral Homes is assisting with arrangements.
Mickelynn ‘Mickey’ J. Latham
WESTBY — Mickelynn “Mickey” J. Latham, 53, of Westby died Sunday evening, Nov. 30, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
She was born Dec. 24, 1954, to Robert and Dorothy (Martin) Latham. Mickey graduated from Westby High School and then married Ron Franks. The couple was later divorced. Mickey worked as a certified nurse assistant for a number of years and especially enjoyed working at Villa St. Joseph Nursing Home. She was currently working at Hansen’s IGA in Westby as a cashier. Mickey enjoyed the outdoors, watching the Packers and especially spending time with her granddaughters. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Mickey is survived by her son, Jason (Erin) Franks of Viroqua; three granddaughters, Justice, Abrianna and Addison Franks; two brothers, Steven (Mona) Latham of Pearl City, Ill., and Charles Cornwell of La Crosse; five sisters, Helen (Ralph) Fox of Smithland, Ky., Robin Latham of Huntington, Tenn., Rebecca (Tim) Hahn of Bennendorf, Iowa, Cindy (Tim) Johnson of Rockford, Ill., and DeAnna Cornwell of La Crosse; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father and stepmother, Robert and Katherine Latham; adoptive parents, Arliss and Betty Mickelson; brother, Donald Latham; and sister, Rhonda Latham.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home in Viroqua. Officiating at the service will be Pastor Bob Streeter, with burial to follow in Coon Prairie Cemetery, Westby. The family will greet relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of services at 11 a.m. at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home, Viroqua.
Online condolences may be offered at www.thorson-reetz.net.
Charlotte G. Vang
MABEL, Minn. — Charlotte G. Vang, 79, of Mabel died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hesper (Iowa) Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel and 1 p.m. to services Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hesper Lutheran Church; The Meadows of Mabel; the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, Minn.; or a charity of one’s choice.
Florence J. Stanislowski
ARCADIA — Florence J. Stanislowski, 91, of Arcadia died Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Medical Center in Arcadia. Wozney-Killian Funeral Home of Arcadia is assisting the family with arrangements.
Elizabeth ‘Liz’ M. Pischke
WEST SALEM — Elizabeth “Liz” M. Pischke, 87, of West Salem died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Presbyterian Church of West Salem. Burial will be in Neshonoc Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home in West Salem and 10 a.m. to services Saturday at the church. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association. A complete obituary will follow.
Ann Rizzo Prince
Ann Rizzo Prince, 86, of La Crosse, and formerly of Richmond, Va., died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, in a Chicago hospital. Respecting her wishes, arrangements are pending for her cremation and for her memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. A full obituary will follow.
June M. Berndt
TOMAH — June M. Berndt, 80, of Tomah died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery, both in Tomah. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah and 10 a.m. to services Friday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Arden F. Unnasch
HOUSTON, Minn. — Arden F. Unnasch, 86, of Houston died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Valley View Healthcare and Rehab Center in Houston. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston. Burial will be in Money Creek Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Hoff Funeral HomesnHouston Chapel and 10 a.m. to services Monday at the church.
Orel G. Jacobson
HOUSTON, Minn. — Orel G. Jacobson, 84, of Houston died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church with burial in Stone Church Cemetery, both in Houston. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Hoff Funeral HomesnHouston Chapel and 1 p.m. to services Friday at the church.
Gary Chesebro
HOLMEN — Gary Chesebro, 62, of Holmen died Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in La Crosse. Funeral services are pending and will be announced.
Edward ‘Dude’ D. Herrick
Edward “Dude” D. Herrick, 70, of La Crosse and formerly of Chicago died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. Arrangements will be announced by Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home of La Crosse.
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