Ralph O. Breecher
Ralph O. Breecher Jr., 71, died in his home Friday, July 4, 2008. Funeral services will be 9:45 a.m. Saturday, July 19, in Trinity Lutheran Church, La Crosse. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the Dickinson Family Funeral Home, La Crosse, on Friday, July 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. Saturday until the time of services at the church. A complete obituary will follow in Tuesday’s La Crosse Tribune.
Edna A. Casberg
Edna Augusta Casberg, 98, of La Crosse died Saturday, July 5, 2008, at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse.
Darrell W. Frost
Darrell Frost, 62, died Friday July 4, 2008, at Veterans Administration Medical Center in Tomah, Wis. He was born July 23, 1945, in Mather, Wis., to Carson and Chrystia (Alexander) Frost. Darrell was a Navy combat veteran who served in Vietnam. He was an avid fisherman and NASCAR fan. He enjoyed working with leather and wood.
He is survived by his life partner, Ruth Puent; a son, Christopher Frost of Green Bay, Wis.; two stepdaughters, Robin (Steve Boardman) Blackdeer and Toni Blackdeer; a sister, Carol (Laird) Schalla of Milwaukee; two brothers, Duane (Jackie) Frost of the state of Washington and Dennis (Linda) Frost of Easly, S.C.; step-grandchildren, Mackenzie Blackdeer, Justin Blackdeer and Joshua Headswift; nephew, Stacey Blackdeer and a niece, Patricia Delao and their families, along with numerous other nieces and nephews; and his very best friend, Sunny Sprain.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Charolette Cooper.
Funeral services will be held on at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 8, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 809 Gillette Street, La Crosse. Family and friends may call at the funeral home from 9 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services. Following the services at the funeral home, in accordance with Darrell’s wishes, his body will be cremated. The Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
Pauline Belle Marsh Hammond
TRUMAN, Minn. — Pauline Belle Marsh Hammond, 88, of Truman died Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at Jones Harrison Residence, Minneapolis.
She was born Sept. 1, 1919, in Aberdeen, S.D.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Willis Hammond.
She is survived by six children and their families: Willis Jr. (Bill) and Penny Hammond of Chatham, N.J., Mary and Tom Heller of Minneapolis, George and Sherry Hammond of La Crosse, Paul Hammond of Saudi Arabia, Margaret and Dan Green of Rockford, Minn., and Nancy and Brad Swanson of Minneapolis; 13 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Pauline earned a bachelor of arts degree in English and sociology at Chapman College, Orange, Calif. An active member of Truman Church of Christ, she was organist and choir leader. She was a member of Farm Bureau and 4-H.
A private burial service for the family was Friday, June 27. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12, at Truman Church of Christ. Lunch will follow. Memorial gifts are suggested to Truman Church of Christ, 401 Ciro St., Truman, MN 56088.
Gerald ‘Jerry’ J. Kendhammer
WEST SALEM, Wis. — Gerald “Jerry” J. Kendhammer, 74, of West Salem, passed away peacefully Friday, July 4, 2008, at his home.
He was born Oct. 22, 1933, in La Crosse to Otto and Leona (LaFleur) Kendhammer. Jerry served in the United States Marine Corps from 1953 until 1956 and was a Korean War veteran. He was a member of Berg-Hemker-Olson American Legion Post 51 of West Salem and the Marine Corps League. On July 27, 1955, Jerry married Mary C. Degenhardt and together they have shared 53 years of devotion, friendship, old-time music and a love for polka dancing. Jerry owned and operated Jerry Kendhammer Excavating for 28 years prior to retiring in 1996. Since his retirement, Jerry has enjoyed gardening and keeping things clean around his shop along with restoring John Deere antique tractors that he took pride in driving in local parades. He also has taken part in many tractor parades across Wisconsin as a member of the Tri-State Two Cylinder Club. In addition, Jerry and Mary have been spending their winters with friends in sunny Mesa, Ariz.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; his children, Tim of La Crosse and Bonnie (Gene) Berg of Center Point, Iowa/Ettrick, Wis.; one grandson, Benjamin Kendhammer of La Crescent, Minn.; one brother, Tom Kendhammer of La Crosse; one sister, Sandy (Gene) Landers of Wales, Wis.; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and friends.
In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by one brother, Robert; and one sister, Virginia.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 8, at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 210 W. Hamlin St., West Salem. Father Bob Hegenbarth will officiate. Entombment will be in St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum at Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse, with military honors by the Berg-Hemker-Olson American Legion Post 51 of West Salem and the U.S. Military Funeral Honors Program. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, with a rosary to be recited at 8 p.m. Friends may also call at the church from 9:30 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to St. Leo The Great Catholic Church, West Salem.
Clara L. Kessler
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN/ AVOCA, Wis. — Clara L. Kessler (Moyer-Angelouplas), 91, of Prairie du Chien and formerly of Avoca, died Friday, July 4, 2008, at Prairie Maison Care Center. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Garrity Funeral Home Chapel, Prairie du Chien. Interment will be at a later date in Avoca Cemetery, Avoca. Friends may call at the funeral home 10 a.m. Saturday until the time of services at the funeral home.
Martha Lisowski
ARCADIA, Wis. — Martha Lisowski, 92, of Arcadia died Friday, July 4, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Medical Center, Arcadia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Family Catholic Church in Stanislaus Cemetery, Arcadia. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church, where there will also be a 10:15 a.m. rosary. Wozney-Killian Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Thelma E. Mattie
LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Thelma E. Mattie, 91, of La Crescent died Friday, July 4, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.
She was born in Mabel, Minn., on Nov. 13, 1916, to Elmer and Haldis (Garston) Olson. She attended Mabel schools and later graduated from La Crosse Central High School. On Sept. 4, 1936, she married Joseph Mattie in La Crosse. He preceded her in death on Nov. 11, 1989.
Earlier in her life, Thelma worked at La Crosse Garment Co. and Moen Photo in La Crosse. She also worked for Bauer’s Apple Orchard and owned and operated the Mobil Gas Station in La Crescent for many years with her husband, Joe. Thelma was a charter member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent. She was very active in the parish, serving as an organist, as a choir member, and also as a member of the women’s organizations. She was also the first woman to serve on the church council.
Thelma is survived by one daughter, Lois (LeRoy) Welter of St. Michael, Minn.; two granddaughters, Rhonda (Rich) Bills of Janesville, Wis., and Linda (Jim) Mackin of Plymouth, Minn.; one great-granddaughter, Savannah Bortner of Plymouth; one brother, Norman (Helen) Olson of West Salem, Wis.; nieces and nephews, Tom, Jim, Dorothy, Holl and Bill and their families; and her beloved cat, Molly. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one sister, Naomi Olson.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent. The Rev. Jim Arends will officiate. Burial will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. on Wednesday until the time of services. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crescent is assisting the family with arrangements.
Shannon Michael Nealis
NEW GLARUS, Wis. — Shannon Michael Nealis, 41, died Sunday, June 29, 2008, as a result of a motorcycle accident in La Crosse.
He was born on Oct. 2, 1966, in Marshfield, Wis., the son of Perry and Karen Holseth Nealis. Shannon was a 1984 graduate of Markesan (Wis.) High School and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1989, with a B.S. in rehab psychology. He married Sally Peterson on July 10, 1993, at their home in Argyle, Wis.
Shannon worked most recently as a health benefits specialist for Klein Insurance. He previously worked for human services in Green and Lafayette counties. He was a member of the New Glarus Fire Department, Wilhelm Tell Guild, and the Wisconsin Association of Health Underwriters, where he was vice chair of the legislative committee.
One of his passions was “running” his hunting club, Star Valley Birds and Bucks, which he enjoyed with his family and friends. Shannon enjoyed being a kids’ basketball and soccer coach, golfing, hunting and fishing. Shannon was a member of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.
Shannon is survived by his wife, Sally Nealis of New Glarus; children, Taylor and Alexandra; his mother, Karen Holseth-Broekema and stepfather, Victor Broekema of Neshkoro, Wis.; stepmother, Kathy Nealis of Madison; brothers, Sam Broekema of New York City and Dave Broekema of Tokyo, Japan; sister, Wendy Broekema-Coombs and family of Verona, Wis.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dorothy and Raphael Peterson of Blanchardville, Wis.; and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Perry Nealis, in 2002; maternal grandparents; and paternal grandparents.
A memorial fund in memory of Shannon has been established. If you would like to contribute to this fund, the address is Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, 29 6th Ave., New Glarus, WI 53574.
Bess Eglinton Lee Niedfeldt
LA CRESCENT, Minn. — Bess Eglinton Lee Niedfeldt, 90, of La Crescent passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in Green Valley, Ariz.
Friends are invited to come and join Bess’ family at a garden party picnic and celebration of life on Saturday, July 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Mort LaFleur, 9396 County Hwy. 25, Houston, Minn. (Mound Prairie).
For more information or for directions, please call (507) 896-3526.
Dorothy Overson
Dorothy Overson, 92, of La Crosse and formerly of rural Chaseburg died Saturday, July 5, 2008, at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Lower Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at Seland Funeral Home, Coon Valley and at the church from 10 a.m. Tuesday to services. A complete obituary will follow in Monday’s Tribune.
Ruth A. ‘Deedee’ Raitzer
Ruth A. “Deedee” Raitzer, 88, of La Crosse and formerly of Coon Valley, Wis., died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at Bethany Riverside Nursing Facility, La Crosse.
A celebration of life gathering will be Saturday, July 12, 2008, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Masonic Center, 118 S. Eighth St., La Crosse.
A potluck lunch will be served. Bring a side dish or dessert if you wish. Also bring photos or other memories to share. Memorials are preferred to Westby Norse Fund c/o Curt Brye at Fortress Bank, 100 N. Main St., Westby, WI 54667, or Franciscan Skemp Foundation, Inc. c/o Teri Wildt, 700 West Ave. S., La Crosse, WI 54601. Memorials may also be given at the celebration gathering.
Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse, is assisting the family.
Willis ‘Willie’ H. Rhyme
BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Willis “Willie” H. Rhyme, age 86, of Black River Falls died Saturday, July 5, 2008, in Pine View Care Center, Black River Falls.
Willie was born in the town of Farmington in La Crosse County on Sept. 22, 1921, to Edwin and Florence (Stark) Rhyme.
He was raised in the Burr Oak area.
He married Doris Fink on June 28, 1941, in Burr Oak Church Parsonage. The couple celebrated 67 years of married life together.
Following their marriage, they lived in Burr Oak and the Sand Creek Area of La Crosse County. They moved to Black River Falls in 1944.
Willie worked on various farms, at the former Charter Oak Mill, south of Black River Falls, and at the former Thomas Bros. Dairy in Black River Falls. He also worked for the Jackson County Highway Department. Following a brief period of retirement, he drove school bus for the Black River Falls School District.
He loved to garden. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing cards.
He was a member of the Little Norway Lutheran Church.
Surviving are his wife, Doris, his daughter and son-in-law Ruth (Robert) Sandbergen, Clearwater, Fla., and Hixton, Wis.; his two grandchildren, Steve Sandbergen, Dunedin, Fla., and Anne (Glenn) Goodman, Clearwater, Fla.; four great-grandchildren, Bethany, Netanya and Shayna Goodman and Matthew Sandbergen; three sisters-in-law, Beatrice Rhyme, West Salem, Wis., Marcella Rhyme, Mindoro, Wis., and Carol Stenulson, Black River Falls.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Donald and Harold.
Funeral services for Willis “Willie” H. Rhyme will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Little Norway Lutheran Church, State Hwy 54, South of Black River Falls. Pastor Calvin Thoreson will officiate, and burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls. Relatives and friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Torgerson’s Funeral Home (715-284-4321) 408 N. Water St.; Black River Falls and from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the time of services at the church.
The family prefers memorials be given to the Little Norway Lutheran Church.
Thomas J. Sobotta
ARCADIA, Wis. — Thomas J. Sobotta, 54, of Arcadia died Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at his residence in Arcadia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Arcadia. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church. The Wozney-Killian Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Leo William Uher
Leo William Uher, 92, of La Crosse died Thursday, July 3, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.
He was born in Prairie du Chien, Wis., on June 19, 1916, to Anthony and Florence (Harrington) Uher. On March 27, 1942, he married Maxine Tollefson in Prairie du Chien.
Leo served with the U.S. Army during World War II and was a life member of Thomas Rooney VFW Post 1530 of La Crosse. He was retired from Machine Products of La Crosse.
Leo is survived by his wife, Maxine; two daughters, Sandra (Merlin) Meyer of West Salem, Wis., and Barbara Shulka (Wayne Ellefson) of La Crosse; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Sharon Uher; and two brothers, Lawrence Uher and Lloyd Uher, who died in infancy.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, La Crosse. The Rev. Mark Jolivette will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will take place in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services.
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