Advertisement George Skilbred
HOLMEN — George Skilbred, 79, of Holmen died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Torkelson Funeral Home, Tomah. Family and friends may call from 12:30 p.m. until the time of services today at the funeral home. Burial will be at noon Saturday at Glenwood Cemetery, Dallas, Wis.
Maynard F. Mades
MINDORO — Maynard F. Mades, 88, of Mindoro, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, La Crosse, after receiving head injuries due to a fall earlier that day.
He was born Jan. 9, 1921, in the town of Barre to John and Lydia (Becker) Mades. Maynard was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served from 1942 until 1946 in the European Theater of Operations.
After returning from the military, he was employed at Allis Chalmers in La Crosse until its closing. Maynard then went to Waterloo, Iowa, where he worked at the John Deere factory for many years until his retirement.
Several years earlier, he had purchased from his parents the family farm, which he was so proud of and always wanted to return to live after he retired. His mother remained on the farm with Maynard and he cared for her for many years, making it possible for her to stay there until her death.
He was a member of the Gunderson-Gilbertson American Legion Post 507 in Mindoro. Maynard enjoyed cooking, gardening, and canning the vegetables that he grew. He especially enjoyed receiving visits from his family and friends and looked forward to going to breakfasts at Cindy’s in Mindoro.
All of his loving nieces and nephews considered Maynard their favorite uncle and he was fortunate to have his nephews, Peter and John, always checking on his well-being.
Survivors include two sisters, Vernetta Fish of La Crosse and Lorraine (Buford) Hunter of Bangor; two brothers, Harold (Jackie) of Edgerton, Wis., and Waldemar (Audrey) of Mindoro; two sisters-in-law, Beverly Mades of Holmen and Arlene Mades of Onalaska; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Viola (Rudy) Garbers; two brothers, Dean and Marlin; and a brother-in-law, Ara Fish.
Funeral services will be Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem. The Rev. Janet Wollam will officiate. Burial will be in Christ Ev. Lutheran Cemetery, West Salem, with military honors by the Mindoro American Legion Post 507 and the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service.
Memorials may be given to the Farmington First Responders or the Mindoro Library Fund.
Jean M. Zeisler
ONALASKA - Jean M. Zeisler, 59, of Onalaska died Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center surrounded by her family.
She was born Jan. 29, 1950, in La Crosse to Harlan and Marjorie (Fox) Gutknecht. Jean married Rick Allen, and they later divorced. Together they had one son, Laudy. Later in life, she married her soul mate, Jim Zeisler, and he preceded her in death in 1998. Jean was a wonderful mother. She enjoyed cooking, easy listening music, and rummaging for special treasures. She will be missed.
She is survived by her son, Laudy (Natalie) Allen of Holmen; a granddaughter, Kayla Allen; her mother, Marjorie Gutknecht of Onalaska; two sisters, Sally (David) Knobloch of La Crosse and her twin sister, Jane (Gary) Allen of Onalaska; and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her father, Harley Gutknecht.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Dec. 19, at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Christ Episcopal Church, 831 Main St., La Crosse. The Rev. Patrick Augustine will officiate. Burial will follow in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements.
Norma L. Johnson
ONALASKA — Norma L. Johnson, 82, of Onalaska died Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
She was born in Adams County, Wis., on Dec. 10, 1927, to William and Mabel (Campfield) Thompson. On July 2, 1944, she married Roderick P. Johnson in Onalaska.
After raising her family, Norma went to work at K-Mart where she worked for over 20 years. She then went on to work in the cafeterias at both Onalaska Middle School and Onalaska High School for the past 18 years.
Norma was an active member of American Legion Post 336 Auxiliary for over 40 years. She was a wonderful homemaker and an excellent cook. She also enjoyed gardening and knitting and in her younger years she loved to golf and bowl.
Norma is survived by her husband, Rod; her four children, Donald (Bonnie) Johnson of La Crosse, Linda (Michael) Schuttenhelm of Green Bay, Susan (Michael) Renehan of Silverdale, Wash., and Rodney Johnson of Onalaska; nine grandchildren; 12 greatgrandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mabel; her stepfather, Fred Morrison; and one sister, Vivian Elsen.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 907 Sand Lake Road, Onalaska. The Rev. E. Marlene Pankonin will officiate. Burial will follow in Asbury Cemetery on Brice Prairie. Friends may call at the funeral home Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and again Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of services.
