Advertisement Inez L. Behrens
ONALASKA — Inez L. Behrens, 83, of Onalaska passed away Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
She was born Feb. 10, 1925, to Fred and Amelia (Von Haden) Woodliff in township of Wellington, Monroe County, Wis. She was baptized on March 1, 1925, by Pastor George Kolbs and confirmed on April 10, 1938, by Pastor L. A. Witte at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kendall, Wis.
Inez was united in marriage to Frederick “Junior” Behrens, Nov. 20, 1946, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tomah. They lived in Tomah until 1991 and then moved to Onalaska.
She is survived by her daughter, Rhonda Behrens of Onalaska; two nephews and one niece; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, and her parents.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tomah. Pastor Donald Buch will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Jens C. Petersen Jr.
HOLMEN — Jens C. Petersen Jr., 67, of Holmen passed away peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
He was born July 13, 1941, in Arlington, S.D., to Jens C. and Helen (Bach) Petersen Sr. Jens served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from 1959 until 1968. On Oct. 13,1962, he married Antoinette “Toni” BadWarrior at Alsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, S.D., and she preceded him in death Nov. 29, 2005.
Jens worked as a mechanic for Dairyland Power Coopera-tive for 35 years, retiring in 2003. He loved hunting, fishing and watching rodeos. Jens was a loving father and grandfather. He was a hard-working, loyal man with a great sense of humor.
Survivors include three daughters, Laurel (James) Gundlach of West Salem, Shannon BadWarrior Petersen of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and Leann Petersen (Joey Nesseth) of Onalaska; five grandchildren, Jessica (Shawn) Sweeney, Danielle and Ava Petersen, Elijah LoneTree and Jaron Skifton; two great-grandchildren, Kaiden and Cameron Sweeney; two sisters, Diane (Jerry) Littleford of Porter, Texas, and Marilyn (Dick) Boardman of Holmen; one brother, Dennis Petersen of Watertown, S.D.; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Shelby Bashaw.
Funeral services will be Monday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. at Onalaska Church of Christ, 1415 Well St. The Rev. Gordon Clary will officiate. Burial will be in Green Mound Cemetery, with military honors by the Morris-Snuggerud American Legion Post 284 of Holmen and the U.S. Military Funeral Honors Program. Friends may call at Onalaska Church of Christ on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m., and on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem, is in charge of arrangements.
Martha Elizabeth Peek
ONALASKA — Martha Elizabeth Peek, 88, of Onalaska died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center hospice of bladder cancer.
She was born at home on Oct. 5, 1919, to William and Elizabeth (Passon) Andre. She was the fifth child of nine children and grew up in Independence. After high school, she went to college at the State Normal School of La Crosse, where she received a teaching degree. She was a teacher at Decorah Prairie, where she taught all eight grades to nine students. Later in life she was a substitute teacher and a cook at St. Patrick’s Catholic Grade School.
She was united in marriage to Joseph Peek on June 28, 1941, at SS. Peter and
Paul Catholic Church in Independence. After their family was started, Martha quit teaching and was a stay-at-home wife and mom. Joe and Martha lived at Pettibone Island after WWII and then moved to Colfax, Iowa, for a few years before moving to Onalaska in 1953. They were married for 44 years until Joe’s death in January 1986.
The mother of six children, she had the pleasure of seeing them grow and mature as individuals and citizens. She taught her children to believe in God, to respect others, appreciate what we have and share a smile with others. Martha had the best and most noble life. While she was here, she brought love, joy and comfort to all she touched.
Survivors include sons, Paul (Dixie) of Onalaska, Jim (Gerry) of Melbourne, Fla., and Tom (Carol) of Onalaska; and daughters, Mary Turner (Greg) of Red Wing, Minn., and Kathy McInerney (John) of Onalaska; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and sisters, Delphine Thompson of Waukesha, Wis., and Carol Bundy of Apache Junction, Ariz.
Martha was proceeded in death by her husband, Joe; her oldest son, John; her brother, William; and sisters, Mary, Lucy and Tracy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska. The Rev. Patrick Umberger will officiate. Burial will be in Onalaska City Cemetery. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m., where a rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m.
May she rest in peace...
Alice ‘Elaine’ Justin
LA CROSSE -- Alice “Elaine” Justin, 72, of La Crosse passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with breast cancer.
She was born on Sept. 7, 1936, at her Grandma and Grandpa Ross’ farm in Romance, Wis., to Martin Virgil and Vera (Ross) DeGarmo. She lived in Genoa, Alma and Stoddard and graduated from De Soto High School in 1954.
She married Donald Justin on Feb. 12, 1955, in St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stoddard. After raising her family, Elaine worked at the Social Security Administration, retiring in 1992. Elaine enjoyed music, gardening, flowers, traveling, camping, polka dancing, knitting and playing cards. She was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Red Hat Society.
She is survived by her husband, Donald of 53 years; four children, David (Kim) of Connecticut, Dennis (Linda) of La Crosse, Tom (Karen) of Onalaska and Teresa (Todd) Nedegaard of Onalaska; seven grandchildren, Adam, Laura, Leah, Jamey and Zachary Justin, and Nathan and Kendra Nedegaard; two stepgrandchildren, Tom and Chuck; a sister, Ardis Lamprech of Onalaska; two brothers, Ronald (Betty) DeGarmo of Viroqua and Marlin DeGarmo and his special friend, Cindy, of Holmen; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Phyllis Starks; and two sisters-in-law, Vernis Haugland and Jean Kammel.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor Jonathan Rimmert will officiate. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. and at the church Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.
James John McDonnell
LA CROSSE -- James “Jim” McDonnell, 95, of La Crosse passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Facility, La Crosse.
He was born on May 11, 1913, to William and Louise (Gilles) McDonnell. Jim married his “bride” Jean Larson on April 12, 1947, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
Jim was very proud to have been employed at Northern Engraving for 56 years as vice president of sales and retiring as vice president of design. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps as a photogramatrist. He enjoyed the Packers, Milwaukee Braves, bowling, drawing and sketching, and golfing as a member of the La Crosse Country Club for over 50 years. Jim graduated from Central High School in 1931. He was a proud and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Jim is survived by his daughters, Kathy Spelker of Onalaska and Jane (Mike) Galstad of Stoddard; sons, Jim (Mary) of Madison, Bill (Joan) of La Crosse, and Bob (Dee) of La Crosse; grandchildren, Rudy, Frank and Steve Spelker, Erin Colsch, Megan (Troy) Harcey, Marlie and Courtney McDonnell, Corey (Jason) Reinhardt, Matt (Annie) McDonnell, Melanie Daggett, Jeremiah Daggett and Dustin McDonnell; 18 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his bride, Jean; parents; brother, Robert (Peggy); and son-in-law, Dave Spelker.
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph the Workman Catheral, 530 Main St., La Crosse. The Rev. Michael Gorman will be the celebrant, with interment at Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. A visitation will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home is assisting the family.
The family would like to thank the care providers at Meadow Wood Assisted Living Center and Franciscan Skemp. Memorial are preferred to the activity program at Meadow Wood or Aquinas High School.
Sarah 'Sally’ (Hyde) Pearse
LA CROSSE -- Sarah “Sally” (Hyde) Pearse, 83, died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
She was born Nov. 26, 1924, to Nan and Sam Hyde II. Sally graduated from La Crosse Aquinas High School in 1942 and St. Catherine’s College, St. Paul, Minn., in 1947. She taught elementary school in Rushford Minn. On July 3, 1948, she married Richard Pearse Jr. Sally enjoyed entertaining and sharing her love with others. Christmas was her favorite time of year. She took great joy in finding that perfect gift and watching as it was opened. Her life was one of heartfelt giving.
Sally is survived by her eight children, Sally (Tom) Weingarten of Stevens Point, Wis.; Richard (Candace) Pearse III of La Crosse, Susie (Ken) Keller of Oregon, Wis., Muffy (Tom) Snyder of Rockford, Ill., Michael Pearse (Shirley Westphal) of Shawano, Wis., Bill (Kathy) Pearse of Holmen, Ann (Jay) Linhart of La Crosse, and Joe Pearse (Kim Myers) of Davenport, Iowa; 13 grandchildren, Gretchen (Jesse) Koch, Rebecca Weingarten, Laura Weingarten, Angela (Rich) Puent, Chris (Gina) Pearse, Richard Pearse IV, Patrick (Holly) O’Sullivan, Ed (Lauren Hodges) O’Sullivan, Dan O’Sullivan, Billy Pearse, Bryan Pearse, David Linhart and Tony Linhart; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; her brothers, Sam and Dave Hyde; and her sister, Nancy Gerrard.
A visitation will be held at Blessed Sacrament Parish Center, 130 Losey Blvd. S., La Crosse, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. today, with a rosary at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. Msgr. Bernard McGarty, a longtime friend, will officiate with interment to be in Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to La Crosse Aquinas Schools Foundation or Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
Blaschke and Schneider Funeral Homes is assisting the family.
Jens C. Petersen Jr.
HOLMEN — Jens C. Petersen Jr., 67, of Holmen died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. Funeral services will be announced by Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem.
Rita Bucklin Hagen
Nov. 23, 1931 - June 29, 2008
Lovely Rita died peacefully at 7:30 p.m. at her home while holding the hand of her daughter after a swift and courageous battle with Sarcoma.
Rita was a devoted mother, grandmother and friend who spread light, love and the spirit of adventure to all of those who were lucky enough to meet her. Born in Clovis, Fresno County, California, Rita was raised in Onalaska with her only sibling, older brother Keith Bucklin, now deceased.
Rita graduated valedictorian of the class of 1949 of Onalaska High School to complete her bachelor’s in Journalism at the University of Wisconsin, Madison before pursuing a successful career in the advertising world in New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Rita married David Warner Hagen and began a family in Reno, Nevada. In 1972, Rita returned to the Bay Area with her two children and started a flourishing travel business.
Her many friends and clients will remember her expertise as she scheduled them off to far-flung places whilst secretly planning her own adventures. Whether on Safari in Africa, riding horseback through untouched Zululand, climbing along the Great Wall of China, seeking the ruins of the Machu Pichu and Coba, sneaking into Cuba, discovering the wonders of Turkey, Indonesia, Australia, South America or white water rafting the Rouge River, Rita had immense adventure and wonder in her heart.
An avid horsewoman, her friends will also remember her love of tennis, hiking, camping at Pine Crest, skiing in the Sierras, New Year’s at Sierra City, long walks on Mount Tamalpais and it’s surrounding beaches with her succession of dogs, and especially her quick wit at parties and extraordinary warmth as a host.
The community of Marin will miss her volunteer tutoring with children, her hard work at Wildcare, her teacher’s aide position at Old Mill School and her service on the 2007-2008 Marin County Civil Grand Jury.
Rita leaves behind her daughter, Suzanne Leigh Hagen and grandson Keith Everet Lawton, her son David Hagen Cameron, his wife Claire and grandson Ben Cameron, as well as her two nephews Gary Harold Bucklin and Keith Martin Bucklin. Also, her dog Freedom, her cat, a coyote, a family of raccoons, deer… and a random bobcat.
A celebration of Rita’s life was held at the Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club, Mill Valley, CA on July 18, 2008. Donations may be made in her name to any of the following: Rita’s Celebration Fund, c/o Penelope Holland Foster, 135 Harvard Ave., Mill Valley #415-383-0966. Freedom’s ACL Fund (Rita’s dog needs an operation) c/o Suzanne Leigh Hagen, #415-388-8586, suzanalei@gmail.com. Wildcare www.wildcarebayarea.org. Best Friends Animal Society www.bestfriends.org.
Aymaar A. Nelson
HARLINGEN, Texas/SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Aymaar A. Nelson, 75, formerly of Sun Prairie and Arcadia, lost his battle with cancer Friday, Sept. 19, 2008.
Aymaar was born Jan. 12, 1933, in Arcadia to Veronica (Schneider) and Aymaar Nelson. He married Agnes Rebhahn on Nov. 28, 1953, in Arcadia. She passed away in 1989. He married Nilah Arnold-Bahr on Dec. 18, 1990, in Sun Prairie.
Aymaar retired in 1979 after 27 years of service from the United States Air Force, with the rank of chief master sergeant, and then retired in 1992 from the United States Post Office after 11 years.
He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and past grand knight. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and a golfer. He enjoyed woodworking. He was captain of his high school football team, which during his senior year was undefeated and not scored upon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Agnes; his brother, Gaylord; his grandson, Christopher; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Aymaar is survived by his wife, Nilah Nelson; children, Joseph (Denise) Nelson of Paducah, Ky., Kathleen (Brian) Burr of Onalaska, Eric Nelson of Madison and Carla (Gary) Happel of Madison; stepchildren, Rose Mulqueen (Tom Welch) of Eagle, Wis., Robert (Dawn) Devlin of Milwaukee, Rita Krueger of Oak Creek, Wis., Ruth Fischer (Mike Sellars) of Franklin, Wis., and Ramona (Pedro) Aponte of Spring, Texas; 18 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his sister, Mrs. Shirleigh Onsrud of Minneapolis and Harlingen; his brother, Pat (Florence) Nelson of Arcadia; sisters-in-law, Mrs. Amanda Nelson of Brookfield, Wis., and Mrs. Therese Smith of Onalaska; and brothers-in-law, Gerald Arnold of Wauwautosa, Wis., Harvey (Marge) Arnold of Brookfield, and Ross (Gloria) Arnold of West Allis, Wis.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, at Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home, 302 Columbus St., Sun Prairie, with Monsignor Terrence Connors presiding. A private burial will be held.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1509 New Combes Hwy., Harlingen, TX 78550, or Sunshine Haven, P.O. Box 4478, Brownsville, TX 78523. A memorial Mass was held in Harlingen on Sept. 23, 2008.
Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home, Sun Prairie, (608) 837-5400.
James ‘Art’ A. Manske
MINDORO — James “Art” A. Manske, 52, of Mindoro died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, at his home.
He was born June 26, 1956, in La Crosse to Irvin and Jessie “Kay” (Olson) Manske. Art was a 1975 graduate of Melrose-Mindoro High School before attending Western Wisconsin Technical Institute in La Crosse, receiving his education for diesel and heavy equipment mechanics. Art was a lance corporal with the U.S. Marines Third Battalion Platoon 3097, having served from 1975 until 1979, and honorably discharged. In 1988, he married Elizabeth Clark; together they had two sons and then later divorced. Art had a passion for working as a mechanic. He was employed at Lester C. Greene & Sons in Holmen, Hilton Excavating in Galesville and was currently employed at River States Truck & Trailer of La Crosse. Taking on extra mechanic side jobs was always a joy to him.
Survivors include four children, Arthur James “A.J.” of Phoenix, Jacob John “Jake” of La Crosse, Mayann Bauer of Webster, Wis., and Jassica “Jass” Bauer of Melrose; two grandchildren, Tucker and Kaylee Haag, both of Melrose; his mother, Kay (Rich) King of Inverness, Fla.; seven sisters and brothers, Beth (Jeff) Kline of Lincoln Park, Mich., William of La Crosse, Bob (Kelly) and Katie Manske-Hansen, both of Melrose, Randy “Moose” (Judy) of West Salem, Peggy Stewart of Hot Springs, S.D., and Greg of North Bend, Wis.; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Irvin, and other relatives.
Memorial services will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Mindoro Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Cindy Arndt will officiate. Burial will follow in Farmington Cemetery, with military honors by Gunderson-Gilbertson American Legion Post 507 of Mindoro and the U.S. Military Funeral Honors Program. A gathering of friends and family will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cindy’s Hall in Mindoro.
Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem, is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Alice A. McCallson
LA CROSSE -- Alice A. McCallson, 91, of La Crosse passed away Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.
She was born July 30, 1917, in High-land, Minn., to Adolf and Josie (Flatum) Davidson. On April 14, 1934, she married Elmer McCallson in Highland, Minn., and they would have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary this spring. The family farmed in Amherst, Minn., before moving to La Crosse in 1942.
Alice was a long-time member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in La Crosse and was very active in the Dorcas Society as well as other church circles. She was involved in bake sales, quilting, funeral lunches — serving for many hours a week at the church.
In addition to her husband, Elmer, she is survived by two sons, Allen (Ingrid) McCallson of Onalaska and Dean (Darcy) McCallson of La Crosse; three grandchildren, Mark (Karen) McCallson, Matt McCallson and Lakiah McCallson; one great-grandson, Ryan McCall-son; two sisters, Joyce (Ellsford) Dahl of Waukesha, Wis., and Millie Carson of Preston, Minn.
She was preceded in death by three infant daughters, three brothers and two sisters.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in La Crosse, with the Rev. Mark Jolivette officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends and family may call at the church Thurs-day from 10 a.m. until time of services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.
Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family.
