Elaine A. Hunter
LA CROSSE -- Elaine A. Hunter, 92, of La Crosse died on Saturday, May 31, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
Elaine, who was a lifelong resident of La Crosse, was born Feb. 6, 1916, to John A. and Irene G. (Turner) Neumann. She was a 1934 graduate of Logan High School and later married Kenneth W. Hunter on Feb. 19, 1938. Ken preceded her in death Dec. 24, 1994.
During World War II, Elaine served as a block warden and received her Red Cross training. She also received her membership certificates for the U.S. Citizens Service Corps of Wisconsin and U.S. Citizens Defense Corps of Wisconsin. Earlier in her life, Elaine also served as a den mother while her son, Ken Jr., was involved in scouts.
Elaine was a member of RSVP and volunteered with Meals on Wheels and at the Tomah (Wis.) VA Hospital. She was a member of the Harry J. Olson Senior Center, where she served as membership chairwoman, was named the Harvest Queen at one time, and was also part of the Harry J. Olson Senior Center Kitchen Band, which traveled around the area entertaining people. She was a member of the Grandmothers’ Club, where she served as president and was also a past honoree of the Grandmother of the Year Award. Elaine also was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and SOOB, serving as president and mistress of wardrobe of SOOB. She was a member of VFW Post 1530 Auxiliary, where she served as chaplain, and also the Eagles Auxiliary and REACT. Elaine was also a long-time, active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in La Crosse.
She is survived by a son, Kenneth W. (Sandy) Hunter Jr. of Bakersfield, Calif.; three daughters, Linda L. Schneeberger of Fond du Lac, Wis., Catherine E. (Brian) Smith of La Crosse, and Judy A. (Bruce) Stumlin of Holmen, Wis.; 12 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Elaine is further survived by a brother, Richard (Jan) Neumann of Richland Center, Wis.; two sisters-in-law, Lucerne Neumann of Colfax, Wis., and Kathleen Neumann of Saukville, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Gordon Neumann, and one sister, Loraine Fought.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 4, at noon at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, La Crosse. The Rev. Bruce R. Iverson will officiate. Burial will follow in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Friends may call at the church Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials, may be directed to Gundersen Medical Foundation for cancer research. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family with arrangements.
Jesse Harvey Oliver Olson
HOLMEN — Jesse H.O. Olson, 90, of Holmen died in Tri-County Hospital in Whitehall, Wis., on Wednesday, May 28, 2008.
He was born Feb. 4, 1918, in Ontario, Wis., to Ole and Anna (Austrang) Olson. Nine weeks after his birth, the family moved to the farm, where Jesse would spend a major portion of his life. Jesse served with the U.S. Army in World War II and was discharged as a first lieutenant. He married Marie (Ofstedahl) in 1941, and she preceded him in death in 1963. In 1965, he married Esther Hanson, and she preceded him in death in 2002.
Jesse loved farming and watching things grow, and watching the birds, particularly Hummingbirds. He excelled at woodworking and mechanics, and he accumulated a large collection of tractors. He enjoyed working with chains, twine, clamps and his cats. In the course of his lifetime, Jesse was a farmer, teacher, basketball coach and corporate engineer. He worked at the Trane Co. for 10 years. In 1975, Jesse retired to being a full-time farmer. Esther and Jesse made several trips to Norway and enjoyed researching the ancestry of the family.
He is survived by his daughter, Thelma “T.J.” Barth of Holmen; a son, Steven (Dorothy) Olson of Shelbyville, Tenn.; a grandson, Jeremy (fiancee Angela Wittenwyler) Barth of Minneapolis; and two sisters-in-law, Gladys Olson of Eau Claire, Wis., and Ruth Hanson of Onalaska, Wis.
In addition to two wives, he was preceded in death by his parents, eight siblings, a granddaughter, Brandi in 1997, and a son-in-law, James Barth in 1991.
Funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. in Holmen Lutheran Church, 228 Morris St., in Holmen. The Rev. Steven Meyer of the Bridge of Life Lutheran Church will officiate, and burial, with full military honors will be in Greenmound Cemetery, rural Holmen. Friends may call at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 515 McHugh Road in Holmen on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Jesse Olson Memorial Fund.
Elizabeth Jane Secord
ONALASKA — Our loving mother went to be with the Lord and reunited with the love of her life, her husband, Donald, surrounded by her family.
Elizabeth J. Secord, 77, died in the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Medical Center on Monday, May 26, 2008. She was born Oct. 20, 1930, in Lansing, Iowa, to Peter and Marguerite (Olloff) Gaulthier. She married Donald Secord in 1946, and he preceded her in death on Sept. 9, 1986. Mom worked at Gateway Products for 32 years where she made many friendships that lasted her entire life. She enjoyed her Saturday nights with Donald dancing at the Concordia Ballroom, and going for rides on Sunday afternoons. She enjoyed spending any time with her family, whether baking, making lunch, supper or just visiting, she enjoyed every minute of it. She liked to play Yahoo with her kids, grandkids and anybody who wanted to play. She looked forward to her favorite shows, “The Price Is Right,” “The Wheel of Fortune,” and “The Young and the Restless.” She enjoyed going home to Lansing where she grew up. She had many wonderful memories and we made many more. She enjoyed the simple things in life and loved her family very much. When her grandchildren counted their blessings, we counted grandma twice.
Elizabeth is survived by four daughters, Debra (Michael) Collins and Jill Secord, both of Onalaska; Teresa (Richard) Secord-Hurst of La Crosse and Ranee “Georgie” (Philip) Neuverth of Barre Mills, Wis.; seven grandchildren, Mark (Stephanie) Wemette, Rachael, Laura Collins, Dylan Spranger, Austin Hurst, Nicole and Matthew Neuverth; a special cousin, Judy Hanley; and a very close friend, Porky.
Funeral services will be Friday at 10 a.m. in First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 400 West Ave. S., in La Crosse. The Rev. Richard Pamperin will officiate, and burial will be in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Friends may call at the Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., in Onalaska on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 9 a.m. until the services.
Gustav L. Caravelli
ONALASKA — Gustav L. Caravelli, 63, of Onalaska passed away at his home on Monday, May 26, 2008.
He was born in Chicago on Jan. 20, 1945, to Louis and Madeline (Serpico) Caravelli. Gustav honorably served in the U.S. Army from 1977 to 1979. He was a dedicated Trane Co. employee of eight years.
Gustav was an amazing husband and father. He had a strong work ethic and always thought of others. He loved model trains, hunting and especially cooking, but most of all he loved his family and friends.
Gustav is survived by his loving wife, Michelle; daughter, Gina Michelle Caravelli of Onalaska; son, Louie Gary Caravelli of Onalaska; daughter, Madeline Rose Caravelli of Onalaska; son, Paul Caravelli of Chicago; and a step-daughter, Brittany Victoria of Onalaska.
He was preceded in death by his parents; maternal grandparents, Vincent and Michelina “Ma” Cerino; and paternal grandparents, Gustavo and Prudence Caravelli.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to dear friends, Heath and Debbie DeBernardi, Stephanie Page, Teresa and Gil Standridge, Rhonda Olson, Lee and Lesley Thompson, and Joann Wickizer; and all friends who kept us in their hearts, Jean and Nancy of Gundersen Lutheran Hospice Care, Dr. Oettel and staff and all the chemotherapy nurses for their wonderful care.
A visitation will be held from 10 a.m to 1 p.m with a service to follow on Saturday, May 31, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., Onalaska. The Rev. Patrick Umberger will officiate. The burial will be held at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hillside, Ill., on Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Shari Lee Peterson
ONALASKA — Shari Lee Peterson, 64, of Onalaska died at her home on Tuesday, May 27, 2008.
She was born in Onalaska on Aug. 11, 1943, to Sidney and Lillian (Worthman) Severson. Shari married Gary L. Peterson in La Crosse on June 22, 1968. She was proud to be a lifelong resident of Onalaska and enjoyed being an office assistant for Kwik Trip for many years.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Tammy (Robert) Stolzman of Anchorage, Alaska, and Kari (Michael) Wiedemann of West Salem, Wis.; four grandchildren, Siera Wiedemann, Taylor Wiedemann, Paige Wiedemann and Anya Stolzman; and a sister, Dona Severson of Sacramento, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother; and a sister, Doris Henderson.
Shari cherished time spent with her husband, daughters and their husbands, her grandchildren and her many friends. She enjoyed being outdoors by her rock garden, playing cards and shaking 6-5-4.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 30, at 1 p.m. at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., Onalaska. Chaplain Kathleen Charles will officiate and burial will be in Onalaska Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 11 a.m. until time of services.
Esther J. Amundson
PIGEON FALLS, Wis. — Esther J. Amundson, 95, of Pigeon Falls died Tuesday, May 27, 2008, in Pigeon Falls Health Care Center, Pigeon Falls.
Esther was born on March 15, 1913, in rural Sand Creek, Wis., to Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Thompson. She married Ralph G. Amundson on Jan. 13, 1932, in Dallas, Wis. Ralph preceded Esther in death on June 6, 1996.
Esther enjoyed baking, flowers and gardening.
Esther is survived by four children, Dean (Helen) Amundson of Blair, Wis., Wayne Amundson of Tomah, Wis., Yvonne Amundson of St. Paul, Minn., and David (Sharyn) Amundson of Onalaska, Wis.; and a granddaughter, Rachael Amundson of Denver.
In addition to her parents and husband, Esther was preceded in death by a son, Roger; three brothers, Harry, Palmer and Raymond Thompson; and a sister, Mabel Berg.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 31, at 11 a.m. in Evangelical Lutheran Church with burial in the church cemetery, both in Pigeon Falls. Pastor Dale Moe will officiate. Friends may call one hour prior to the service.
Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall, Wis., is assisting the family with arrangements.
Dennis R. Kunz
KENYON, Minn. — Dennis R. Kunz, 62, of Kenyon died Monday, May 26, 2008, at St. Marys Hospital, Rochester, Minn.
He was born Jan. 25, 1946, in Douglas, Minn., the son of Richard and Helen (Fuchs) Kunz.
Dennis graduated from Pine Island (Minn.) High School and entered the United States Marine Corps during Vietnam in 1965 and was later honorably discharged in 1971. He married Lynn Vasalis on Jan. 29, 1977, and the couple later divorced. Dennis was a general contractor in the Rochester area and then moved with his family to La Crosse where he worked for Frank Liquor. He moved to Kenyon about 10 years ago and worked for Foldcraft Co. Dennis loved his grandchildren and enjoyed watching them play hockey. He also enjoyed snowmobiling with his brother, deer hunting, and was an avid outdoorsman.
Dennis is survived by two daughters Nicole Kunz of Onalaska, Wis., and Kersten (Joe) Voves of Rhinelander, Wis.; and three grandchildren, Kiana, Gavin and Kailey. Dennis is also survived by his parents, Richard (Helen) Kunz of West Concord, Minn.; three sisters Diana (Dale) Schwanke of Peterson, Minn., Bonnie (Richard) Redding of Byron, Minn., and Pam (Greg) Reich of West Concord; and one brother, Larry (Judy) Kunz of Rockville, Minn.
One brother, Bruce, and his maternal and paternal grandparents preceded him in death.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, May 31, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Kenyon, with the Rev. Michelle Miller officiating. Visitation will be Friday, May 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. at West Concord Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with full military honors will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, rural Douglas, Minn. Michaelson Funeral Homes Inc., 319 Main St. West Concord (507) 451-7943, is assisting the family.
Francis E. ‘Gene’ Sawyer
Francis E. “Gene” Sawyer, 89, of La Crosse, died Monday, May 26, 2008, at Hillview Health Care Center, La Crosse.
He was born Dec. 3, 1918, in Badin, N.C., to Thomas and Katherine (Tucker) Sawyer. He graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1937. Francis was a leader in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) in California, where he fought several forest and brush fires. He joined the U.S. Army on Oct. 4, 1941, and served during World War II as an engineer gunner on a B-24 bomber. Francis parachuted out of his bomber at 22,000 feet just seconds before it was blown up by a Japanese fighter pilot, and was a Japanese prisoner of war for 1½ years in Yangon, Myanmar. He received numerous medals and decorations, including the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Palm, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon, the American Defense Medal, the A.F. Reserve Medal the Longevity Medal (22 years) and the Victory Medal. He retired from the Army in 1978 as a master sergeant.
Francis had served as the chaplain for the Thomas Rooney VFW for many years and gave prayers at many local cemeteries on Memorial Day. He was also the chaplain for the American ex-POWs, and was a member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 12, the Red Arrow 32nd Division, and the Military Order of Purple Heart Chapter 521. Francis served as the state commander for the American Ex-Prisoners of War, the chapter commander of the Disabled American Veterans and chapter commander of the Military Order of Purple Heart. Francis also was a Boy Scout, Eagle Scout and scoutmaster and enjoyed traveling, sharing stories with other veterans, dining out, and collecting rocks, mineral specimens and fossils.
He is survived by a daughter, Shirley A. (Douglas) Proksch of Onalaska, Wis.; a son, Thomas L. (Margaret) Sawyer of Rochester, Minn.; five grandchildren, Tammy (Mike) Alberts of Caledonia, Minn., Tania Proksch of Minneapolis, Jennifer Sawyer of San Francisco, Christopher (Patty) Sawyer of Minneapolis and Benjamin Sawyer of Rochester, Minn.; six great-grandchildren, Alyssa Albert, Arie Albert, Lynzie Lamkin, Morgan Sawyer, Gohan Sawyer and Maya Sawyer. He is also survived by his wife, Beverly, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Mildred (Molstad) Sawyer; a stepsister, Betty Joyce Entwistle; a stepbrother, Ralph Geiwitz; and his mother and stepfather, Katherine and Archie Geiwitz.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 29, at 11 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, La Crosse. Pastor Bruce Iverson will officiate. Burial, with military honors by the Thomas Rooney VFW Post 1530, will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse today from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Memorials are preferred to a military organization such as the Order of Purple Heart, VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans or of the donor’s choice.
