Esther E. Ekern
GALESVIILLE, Wis. — Esther E. Ekern, 89, of Galesville died Monday, July 21, 2008, at Marinuka Manor in Galesville.
She was born March 14, 1919, to Fredrich and Josephine (Walter) Raichle on the home farm in rural Galesville. She attended area schools. On March 29, 1947, Esther married Henry L. Ekern in Blair, Wis.
She was a member of the Ettrick Legion Auixiliary and Living Hope Lutheran Church in Ettrick, Wis.
Esther is survived by two sons, LaVern (Barbara) Foss of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and Allen (Alice) Foss of Ettrick; and two daughters, Eileen (Alton) Ziegler and Karen Ekern, both of Galesville. Esther was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two sons, Gene and John.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Living Hope Lutheran Church in Ettrick. The Rev. Kristin Wendland will officiate. Burial will follow in Pine Cliff Cemetery in Galesville. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Zwickey Funeral Homes Galesville chapel, and from noon to 1 p.m at the church on Saturday.
Zwickey Funeral Homes Galesville chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Alice M. Underwood
LANSING, Iowa —Alice M. Underwood, 95, of Lansing died Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at United Methodist Church, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, both in Lansing. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. until the time of services Sunday at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Kee High Scholarship Fund or Thornton Manor. Thornburg Hanson Funeral Home, Lansing, is assisting the family.
Robert E. Hanson
BELOIT, Wis. — Robert E. Hanson, 84, of Beloit and formerly of La Crosse died in Beloit on Monday, July 21, 2008. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, La Crosse. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 1425 Jackson St, La Crosse. A complete obituary will follow.
Helma Gedella Knutson
HOUSTON, Minn. — Helma Gedella Knutson, 100, of Sheldon, Minn., died Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at Valley View Nursing Home in Houston.
She was born Sept. 15, 1907, on the family farm at Esmond, N.D., to Knute and Clara (Askim) Veum. The family later moved to Riceford, Minn., and she attended high school in Mabel, Minn. After graduation, Helma attended Normal Training in Spring Grove, Minn., to become a teacher. She taught in rural schools in Houston County for eight years. On June 10, 1933, she married Anton Knutson. They were married for 65 years before his passing on March 31, 1999.
Survivors include three sons, Lawrence (Loretta) and Stanley (Ruth), both of Caledonia, Minn., and Trygve (Janet) of Houston; nine grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Orvel Treangen of Spring Grove; many friends; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Anton; two brothers, Lennie and Lester; sister, Valborg Treangen; two granddaughters-in-law, Teresa Knutson and Molly Knutson; and her parents.
The funeral service for Helma will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 26, at Bethany Evangelical Free Church in Houston, with the Rev. Steven Meyer officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Caledonia at 2 p.m. Saturday. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 25, at Hoff Funeral Home-Houston Chapel and also one hour prior to the service at the church.
Feel free to share a memory of Helma with her family, sign the online guest book, and view her video tribute at www.hofffuneral.com.
Karen L. Silvers
Karen L. Silvers, 64, of La Crosse died Tuesday, July 22, 2008. Funeral services tentatively are planned for Monday and will be announced by Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, La Crosse.
Nick A. Dewhirst
ONALASKA, Wis. — First Lt. Nick A. Dewhirst, 25, of Onalaska died on Sunday July 20, 2008, of injuries received when his Army convoy came under small arms and RPG fire in the Khost Province of Afghanistan. Nick was deployed to Afghanistan in March 2008 with the 101st Airborne Division of Fort Campbell, Ky.
An Eagle Scout, Nick was a 2001 graduate of Onalaska High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and student council. After a year at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., Nick received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 2006 with a degree in mechanical engineering. His military awards included the National Defense Service Medal, The Army Achievement Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Nick, born Aug. 25, 1982, had a passion for adventure and leadership, which led him to join the military. While attending West Point, he joined the West Point parachute team where he was the cadet in charge during his first year. Nick also completed Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School in Key West, Fla. After graduation from the academy, Nick completed the elite Army Ranger Course at Fort Benning, Ga., the Airborne, Air Assault and Officer Leadership courses. In addition, he enjoyed recreational rock climbing, scuba diving and BASE parachute jumping. Nick will be remembered for his love of life and strong dedication/discipline for the task at hand.
Nick is survived by his parents, Randy and Susie Dewhirst of Onalaska; brothers Chad (wife Heather and son Evan) of Rochester, Wis., and Chase Dewhirst of Duluth, Minn.; and grandparents, Ray and Mary Dewhirst of Springfield, Ill., and Mary June Weiser of Taylorville Ill. He will be missed by his many uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 26, at 10 a.m. at First Evangelical Free Church in Onalaska. Friends and relatives may visit with the family at the church at 9 a.m. prior to the service. A military burial will be held at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Nick Dewhirst Memorial Fund, c/o Randy and Susie Dewhirst at N4680 Timbercrest Dr. E., Onalaska, WI 54650. Online condolences may be offered at rdewhirst@mybluelight.com.
Gladys L. Clements
Gladys L. Clements, 92, of La Crosse died on Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at Bethany Riverside Care Center, La Crosse.
She was born in Barre Mills, Wis., on Feb. 19, 1916, to Edwin and Ottelia (Lewis) Engebretson. She married Elmer Clements in La Crosse and he preceded her in death in 1989. Gladys had worked at the South Avenue Café for over 33 years and later volunteered at Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran School serving in the school lunch program. She and Elmer were also members of the Loyal Order Of Moose lodge 1920, La Crosse.
She is survived by her children, Duane (Joan) Clements of Elgin, Ill., Patricia Russotto of Lombard, Ill., Jean Clements of Spring Hill, Tenn., and Joan (Tom) Oliva of Cedarburg, Wis.; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, July 26, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. Pastor Donald Iliff will officiate. Entombment will follow in Garden of Peace mausoleum at the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated in her name. Online condolences may be given at Schumacher-Kish.com.
Leland Norval Melby
VIROQUA, Wis. — Leland Norval Melby, 91, formerly of Westby and Norwalk, Wis., passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at Vernon Manor Nursing Home in Viroqua.
Leland was born Feb. 14, 1917, to Ludwig and Hilma (Masrud) Melby on the family farm in the town of Webster near Westby. He attended Sugar Grove School outside of Westby. After school, he spent a few years building silos and later took over the home farm where he raised dairy cows and tobacco. Leland was united in marriage to Glida Downing, from Jan. 9, 1940, until her death in 1987.
Leland was an avid sports fan all of his life. As a young man, he pitched for the Bloomingdale Baseball team. Leland was a loyal Chicago Cubs fan. He loved bowling and occasionally came close to a perfect game. Leland was always ready to pick up a deck of cards and start a wild game of cribbage, 500 or pinnacle. He was a faithful member of the Faith United Methodist Church and the Eagles Club. But, what he cherished most was spending time with his family, visiting or traveling. He was a kind and gentle man who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Leland is survived by two daughters, Janet Williams of La Farge, Wis., and Margelyn (Gary) Hewitt of Ettrick, Wis.; and a very special sister-in-law, Louise Melby of Norwalk; sisters-in-law, Lucille Melby and Dorothy (Lurl) Mossholder; brothers-in-law, Roy Downing and John (Joyce) Downing; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; his only cousin, Vera Cox; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Leland was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Glida; his brothers, Claude, Leo, Maurice and Orville; one sister, Vioret Bryant; great grandson, Cody Hewitt; nephew, Roger Melby; and brothers-in-law, Clyde, Raymond, Herbert, Max, George and Kenneth Downing.
Funeral services will be Saturday, July 26, at 11 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, Salem Ridge, Wis. Pastor George Shick will officiate. Burial will be in Hilltop Rest Cemetery, Ontario, Wis. Family and friends are invited to the church on Friday, July 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. They are also invited for visitation on Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton, Wis., is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Edith W. Dettloff
ARCADIA, Wis. — Edith W. Dettloff, 92, of Arcadia died Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at Lakeview Health Center, West Salem, Wis. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Wozney-Killian Funeral Home, Arcadia. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Racine, Wis. Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to wozneykillianfh@aol.com.
Advertisement
