Advertisement John E. Fleis
ONALASKA — John E. Fleis, 85, died Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at Onalaska Care Center. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday at North Presbyterian Church, La Crosse. A full obituary will be provided by Dickinson Family Funeral Home.
Bernadette ‘Bea’ A. Thurston
ONALASKA — Bernadette A. “Bea” Thurston, 88, died Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at Onalaska Care Center.
She was born in La Crosse on June 1, 1921, to Michael and Mathilda (Marcou) La Fleur. She married Arthur Thurston on June 1, 1943, at St. James the Less Catholic Church, La Crosse.
Bea was a lifelong member of St. James Parish and was also an active member of the Women of the Moose, Eagles Auxiliary, REACT and the Catholic Knights. Bea enjoyed her family, rummage sales, auctions, campfires, being with friends and knitting for her grandchildren. In 2005, she realized her lifelong dream of traveling to Lourdes, France.
She is survived by two sons, Carl (Peg) Thurston of Onalaska and David (Catherine) Thurston of La Crosse; six grandchildren, Ted Thurston, Andrea (Steve) Johnson, Matthew Thurston, Melissa (Chad) Casey, Christy (Travis) Husby and Amanda Thurston; two great-grandchildren, Abigail and Logan Casey; a special niece, Patricia Luhman; her special friends, Charlene Hansen and Verna Burrows; and her good friends at the Ona Terrace Apartments.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; three sisters; and five brothers.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, July 13, at St. James the Less Catholic Church. The Rev. Roger Scheckel will officiate. Committal services will take place at a later date in Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at the church Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Memorial may be given to St. James the Less Catholic Church. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements.
Bea’s family would like to thank Dr. Ujda, the nurses and caretakers at Onalaska Care Center for their wonderful care.
Robert ‘Bob’ A. Hanson
MINDORO — Robert “Bob” A. Hanson, 88, of Mindoro died Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at Mulder Health Care Facility, West Salem.
He was born Aug. 26, 1920, in Holmen to Arthur and Bessie (Severson) Hanson. Bob was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II. On Feb. 8, 1947, he married Lorraine Roberts at Mindoro Presbyterian Church, and she preceded him in death Nov. 3, 2003. Bob farmed in the Holmen and Mindoro areas all his life. He was a member of Mindoro Presbyterian Church, where he served in various capacities. Bob was also a member of Gunderson-Gilbertson American Legion Post 507 of Mindoro, a past member of Morris-Snuggerud American Legion Post 284 of Holmen and a member and former president of the La Crosse County NFO. He enjoyed spending time with his family and looked forward to the special visits from his grandchildren.
Survivors include four children, Rita (Galen) Granum of Holmen, Paul (Carol) of Mindoro, David (Ruth) of Holmen and Ronald (Debra) of Mindoro; seven grandchildren, Julie (Jeff) Meyer, Carl Hanson, Chad (Rachel) Hanson, Laura (Tony) Swanson, Michael Hanson, Brian Hanson, and Zachary Hanson; seven great-grandchildren, Levi, David and Rylee Swanson, Troy and Trent Hanson, and Julius and Jetta Meyer; and nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Dorothy (Carl) Paul and Beverly (Eddie) Bauer.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at Mindoro Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Cindy Arndt will officiate. Burial will be in Farmington Cemetery, with military honors by Mindoro American Legion Post 507 and the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard. Friends may call at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the church Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be given to Mindoro Presbyterian Church or the town of Farmington First Responders.
Sydney ‘Sid’ V. Lundstad
ONALASKA — Sydney “Sid” V. Lundstad, 88, of Onalaska died Monday July 6, 2009, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. He was born on May 27, 1921, in the township of Pigeon, in Trempealeau County, to John and Clara (Weaverstad) Lundstad. Sid served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries he received. He returned home and married Hilma Ericksmoen; she preceded him in death in 1974. Several years later he married Marge Rastall, and she also preceded him in death in 1999.
Sid had worked as manager of the Bly Rendering Plant until it closed. He retired from St. Rose Convent, where he worked as the boiler operator. He was an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan and enjoyed camping and spending time with his family.
Sid is survived by a son, Steven of Onalaska; two daughters, Linda (Rich Erickson) Halverson of Onalaska and Donna (John) Pataska of La Crosse; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two stepchildren, Ben Rastel and Becky Rastel; and three stepgrandchildren.
In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Agnes; and four brothers, Milton, Chester, Gordon and Ervin.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Fossum Funeral Home of Onalaska. The Rev. Duane Baardseth will officiate. Burial will follow in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Blair. Friends may call at the funeral home Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the services.
Evenelle ‘Evie’ Verna Lewison
VIROQUA — Evenelle “Evie” Verna Lewison, 90, of Viroqua died Wednesday morning, July 8, 2009, at Vernon Manor, where she had been a resident since April.
She was born July 31, 1918, in Westby to Victor and Emma (Hollie) Brendum. Evie married Tilman “Charlie” C. Lewison on Nov. 3, 1935, in Waukon, Iowa. The couple owned and operated C & L Food Market in Viroqua for many years. She also worked at the Tobacco Pool in Viroqua as a stemmer, the Hiawatha Creamery, East Decker Store, helped raise tobacco and, most importantly, raised nine children. Evie was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Viroqua. She will be sadly missed by all who loved and knew her.
Evie is survived by six children, Terrill “Terry” (Conrad) Sanwick of Westby, Robert “Bob” (Amelia) Lewison of Onalaska, Dianne McKibbin of Three Rivers, Calif., Raymond “Butch” Lewison of Viroqua, Rita Overboe of California and Tania (Mark) Jacobson of Viroqua; 16 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Duane Everson of Northfield, Minn.; a daughter-in-law, Mary Ellen Hoffland of Viroqua; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tilman “Charlie” Lewison on Sept. 27, 1990; a daughter, Barbara Everson; two sons, Charles and Dennis Lewison; a granddaughter, Tabitha Sanwick; and two sons-in-law, Wayne McKibbin and Lyder Overboe.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home, Viroqua. Officiating will be Pastor Stephanie Steiner, with burial to follow in Viroqua Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home, Viroqua.
Online condolences may be made at www.thorson-reetz.net.
Erna L. Luecke
LA CROSSE -- Erna L. Luecke, 83, of La Crosse died Monday, July 6, 2009, at Onalaska Care Center in Onalaska.
She was born Oct. 9, 1925, in Sheboygan, Wis., to Ewald and Clara (Zieger) Moths. She graduated from Waldo High School in Waldo, Wis., in 1943.
After graduation, she worked at Sheboygan Canning Co. She went to Sheboygan Business College and worked for Mayline in Sheboygan as an assistant bookkeeper.
Erna married Kenneth R. Luecke on June 18, 1947, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Sheboygan. They moved to La Crosse in 1963. Kenneth preceded her in death on May 20, 1977.
Erna worked for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for 25 years as custodian for Laux Hall. Erna and Kenneth were active members of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Sheboygan and Faith Lutheran Church in La Crosse, where she served as head of the altar committee for more than 35 years. Her hobbies included playing cards and golf.
She is survived by two sons, Gary (Debby) Luecke of Onalaska and Robert (Rita) Luecke of Young America, Minn.; five grandchildren, Dustin and Brittany Luecke of Onalaska, Daryl (Heather) Luecke of Young America, Darla (Jason) Wisch of Mayer, Minn., and Donna (Harold) Markus of Kenosha, Wis.; five great-grandchildren, Lauren, Conner, Micah, Noah and Madalyn; one sister, Dorothy (Adrian) Bain; and nieces, nephews and other relatives.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Sylvester and Rueben Moths.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 9, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1407 Main St., La Crosse. The Rev. Paul Mundinger will officiate and burial will be at 4 p.m. at Sunrise Memorial Gardens in Sheboygan. Family and friends may call at the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until time of services.
Memorials may be given to Faith Lutheran Church or Onalaska Care Center.
Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting the family.
