James William Martin
HOLMEN — James “Peck” William Martin, 81, of Holmen passed away in his home Tuesday, May 20, 2008, due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
He was born May 14, 1927, in Republic, Pa., to Clayton and Inzie (Black) Martin and grew up in the coal mining region of western Pennsylvania. He served our country as a member of the U.S. Navy during World War II. He attended the Technical Training School in Uniontown, Pa., and graduated as a television construction and repair technician.
James married Martha Donavich from Vanderbilt, Pa., on Sept. 23, 1952. They shared 55 happy years together. They built their first home in Upper Middletown, Pa., then moved to Kansas City, Mo., where James attended Railroad Communication School. They relocated to the Chicago area, where he began his career with Burlington Northern Railroad. He retired from the railroad in 1989. James and Martha built their retirement home, of 19 years, in Holmen.
He is survived by his wife, Martha; his two loving children, Deborah (Mitch) Cholewa and James (Dianna) Martin. He is further survived by four grandchildren, Vincent Cholewa, and Tyler, Andrew and Rachel Martin; one sister, Betty; one brother, Jerry; and several nieces and nephews.
His final resting place will be in the Halfway Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery. A celebration of James’ life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska is assisting the family.
Caroline Louise Hafford
LA CROSSE -- There is a new saint that entered the Gates of Glory. Caroline Louise Hafford was born May 4, 1937, and left this earth from complications of Alzheimer’s disease Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
She was born in Madison to Rudolph and Ethel (Judd) Klein and was raised in Stoughton, Wis., and in other various areas. Caroline graduated from Rock Valley College with a nursing degree and later went on to earn her bachelor of science degree in nursing. She was employed as a nursing home administrator, a floor nurse in hospitals and nursing homes, and later worked in hospice care. Caroline later received a diploma in pastoral care at St. Francis Medical Center in La Crosse. She showed everyone grace and compassion and had a servant’s heart in every situation. Caroline believed that when she served others, she was serving Jesus himself. She exhibited a sweetness to people that touched many lives. Her grandson will always remember her teaching him the lesson of “to forgive and forget” and for her generosity of never saying no. Caroline was a member of West Salem Baptist Church. She loved birds and raised canaries. She also enjoyed singing with relatives and children.
Caroline leaves behind her husband, Edward of La Crosse; a daughter, Joella Alexander, and grandson, Dakota Alexander of Onalaska, Wis.; a son, Larry (Stephanie) Hafford of Onalaska; a sister, Jeanne (Ken) Hawes of Iowa City, Iowa; a brother, Bill Klein of La Crosse; special cousins in the Stoughton/Madison areas; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her special aunt, Catherine Judd.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 24, at noon at West Salem (Wis.) Baptist Church, 341 S. Mill St. Pastor Rick Sella will officiate. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, on Friday from 3 to 6 p.m and at the church Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to establish an education fund for Caroline’s only grandchild.
Thank you to the staff of Mulder Health Care Facility who cared for her during the last year of her life.
Leland ‘Lee’ R. Germanson
LA CROSSE -- Leland “Lee” R. Germanson, 85, of La Crosse died Monday, May 19, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
He was born July 3, 1922, in Plymouth, Wis., to Melvin and Dora (Kilmer) Germanson Sr., and graduated from La Crosse Logan High School.
Lee was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, having served his country during World War II from January 1942 until his discharge in December 1945. He was the recipient of the Victory Medal; American Theater Ribbon; Europe, African, Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon; four overseas bars; Good Conduct Medal and the Cpl. Stripe.
On Jan. 28, 1947, he married Elaine Justin in Fountain City, Wis., and together they had six children before divorcing, Gary (Patricia) Germanson of French Island, Wis., Larry Germanson of Arizona, Ricky (Margaret) Germanson of La Crosse, John (Karmen) Germanson of Florida, Debbie (Rick) Blankenship of Montana and Leland (Joann) Germanson of Onalaska, Wis. He then married Alice Iverson Boisen on Dec. 9, 1967, in La Crescent, Minn., and she preceded him in death Oct. 26, 2000; Alice had five children, Jean Zahn of La Crosse, James (Margie) Boisen of French Island, Julie (John) Parsneau of Onalaska, Patricia (Bill) Torgerud of Forest Lake, Minn., and Alan Boisen (deceased). He is further survived by 30 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Ann Frey of French Island; a brother, Melvin (Lori) Germanson Jr. of River Falls, Wis.; and 10 nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Alice, he was preceded in death by two sisters; Meladore Jensen and Marion Spreuer; along with three grandchildren; Joshua Germanson, Lesa Michelle Boisen and Linda Jean Torgerud.
Lee had worked as an over-the-road truck driver for Jacobson North American Van Lines in La Crosse for several years before an injury forced him to retire in 1965. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and woodworking.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 23, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse with the Rev. Lawrence B. Berger officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends and family may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and again Friday from 9 a.m. until time of services. Memorials are preferred to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, La Crosse.
Werner G. Wassmandorf
ONALASKA — Werner G. Wassmandorf, 91, of Onalaska died Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. A complete obituary will follow. Fossum Funeral Home of Onalaska is assisting with arrangements.
Mary Jane Skaff
ONALASKA — Mary Jane Skaff, 91, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2008, at Onalaska Care Center.
She was born in Moorhead, Minn., on July 20, 1916, to Hiram and Grace (Herkins) Hegge. She married the love of her life, George Skaff, and he preceded her in death Nov. 16, 1994.
Mary was known as the “Hat Lady” and modeled hats during the 1940s and 1950s for Doerflingers and the Barrons Department Store, which is now Herbergers. Before she married George she worked at Northern Engraving as a purchasing agent.
In 1955, Mary and George, moved to Onalaska and shortly after opened Peter Pan Dry Cleaning in 1956. As their business ventures grew, they opened the Onalaska Liquor Store located at the same location. She was active in the Onalaska Historical Society. Mary Jane was a very independent and self-supporting woman before it was fashionable to be so.
She is survived by her cousin, Jeanne Gregory of Grand Forks, N.D., a sister-in-law, Marion Skaff of Clearwater, Fla.
She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 22, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., Onalaska. The Rev. Scott Skogen will officiate and burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of services.
Richard A. Williams
KENOSHA, Wis. — Richard A. Williams, 64, of Kenosha passed away unexpectedly Friday, May 16, 2008, at his residence.
Born Jan. 1, 1944, in La Crosse, he was the son of the late James L. and Evelyn (Hodge) Williams. He was educated in the schools of La Crosse and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1962. He moved from Reedsburg, Wis., to Kenosha in 1974, and has resided here since.
He was enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967.
On Sept. 19, 1970, he married Susan Thompson in Reedsburg.
Richard was employed at AMC/Chrysler for 32 years, retiring as a tool & cutter grind operator in May 2007.
He was a member of Local UAW 72 Retirees. Richard was very involved with the Boy Scouts of America and was a mentor for Wilson Elementary. He was an outdoorsman, loved hunting, camping, traveling with his family, maintaining his yard, playing and watching sports and enjoyed working with young people. Richard was a total family man and was very unselfish.
Richard is survived by his wife of 37 years, Susan Williams of Kenosha; two sons, Thomas Williams of Kenosha and David Williams of Oshkosh, Wis.; four brothers, Paul Williams of Washington state, Al (Lois) Locy of Lodi, Calif., Charles (Barb) Callan of La Crosse, and John (Kim) Williams of Onalaska, Wis.; and two sisters, Patricia (Galen) Romskog of La Crosse and Bernita (Howard) Sheehan of French Island, Wis.
He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Marie Polodna Williams; and two brothers, Harry “Butch” and James “Bill” Williams.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 22, at Proko Funeral Home in Kenosha from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home at 2 p.m. Interment will be private.
Robert Liles Jr.
ONALASKA/WEST SALEM — Robert Liles Jr., affectionately referred to by his wife as “Yogi,” died Saturday, May 17, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, at the age of 79.
He was born Dec. 27, 1928, in Sturgis, Ky., to Robert and Ruby (Morris) Liles Sr. On March 3, 1952, he married Gloria Severson at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in West Salem. Bob was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a member of Berg-Hemker-Olson American Legion Post 51 of West Salem. He was employed as a welder at Trane Co. in La Crosse for 38 years until his retirement. Bob was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in West Salem. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing and especially spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Gloria; two daughters, Linda (Mike) Harper and Angie (Mike) Horge, both of Onalaska; two sons, Larry (Jan) of West Salem and Steve (Melanie) of Viroqua, Wis.; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Grace (Gordon) Certain of Sturgis, Ky.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 359 N. Leonard St., West Salem. The Revs. J. David Bersagel and Martha J. Hampton will officiate. Following the service, military honors will be performed by West Salem American Legion Post 51 and the U.S. Military Funeral Honors Program. In accordance with Bob’s wishes, his body will be cremated and there will be no burial. Friends may call at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, today from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of services.
Margaret ‘Martie’ E. Russell
ONALASKA — Margaret “Martie” E. Russell, 89, of Onalaska died Saturday, May 17, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
She was born March 22, 1919, in La Crosse to Arthur and Augusta (Sistad) Hults. She was a 1937 Logan High School graduate and went on to graduate from La Crosse Vocational School. Margaret received the Civilian Service Award from the U.S. Army for her work at Camp Lee, Va., during World War II.
She married Clair Russell in 1944. They were partners in a number of businesses in Onalaska and one business in Richfield, Minn. They later divorced.
Margaret also worked at Trane Co. and retired from Trane in April 1984.
She was a longtime member of Onalaska United Methodist Church and a 50-year-plus member of the Onalaska American Legion Auxiliary.
Margaret enjoyed bowling, golfing, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Her parents; three brothers; two sisters; a daughter, Joan; and three grandchildren preceded her in death.
Surviving are her daughter, Kay (John) Ward of Onalaska; grandsons, Christopher (Miranda) Ward of La Crosse and Greg Ward of Egan, Minn.; and two great-grandchildren, Manning and Cadence Ward.
The family would like to express their thanks to the staff at Laurel Manor, where Margaret resided for the past four years, and to Gundersen Lutheran Hospice.
Margaret’s caring and loving spirit will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday May 21, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., Onalaska. The Rev. Wesley Schirmer will officiate, and burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday from 9 a.m. until time of services.
Memorials are preferred to Gundersen Lutheran Hospice or National Stroke Association.
