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Published - Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Obituaries for June 10, 2008

Dorothy Gerkin

ONALASKA — Dorothy Gerken, 63, of Onalaska passed away peacefully Sunday, June 8, 2008, in her home.

She was born on Feb. 10, 1945, in Rock Springs, Wyo., to Walter and Dorothy “Dotti” (Jones) Andrews. She married Vaughn L. Gerken Sr. of La Crosse, on Dec. 21, 1962, at Cannon Air Force Base (AFB) in Clovis, N.M.

She worked for Northern Engraving and retired due to medical problems.

She is survived by her husband, Vaughn L. Gerken Sr. of Onalaska; sons, Vaughn L., (Tracy) Gerken Jr. of Holmen, Wis., Guy L. Gerken of Waupun, Wis., Troy L. (Kay) Gerken of Katy, Texas, and Michael L. (Diane) Gerken of Red Wing, Minn.; one daughter, Tammy K. (George Gurley) Gerken of Montgomery, Ill.; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by two sisters, Darlene Waddle of Portland, Ore., and Sarah Micco of Palmdale, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Walter Andrews.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home-Nelson Chapel, 1007 Caledonia St., La Crosse. The Rev. David Balducas will officiate with burial to be held in Onalaska Cemetery, Onalaska, Wis. Family and friends may call from 9 a.m. until time of services in the funeral home on Wednesday.

Ruth E. Dennison

ONALASKA — Ruth E. Dennison, 86, of Onalaska, formerly of La Crosse, was called home to her Lord on Friday, June 6, 2008, from Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, La Crosse.

Ruth was born April 17, 1922, in La Crosse to Andrew and Bertha (Boma) Hirt. On Aug. 6, 1948, she married Gary Hantke in La Crosse, and he preceded her in death May 12, 1990. She then married Lloyd Dennison on April 16, 1992, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in La Crosse. Ruth owned the Candy House in La Crosse for six years. After her retirement in 1982, she volunteered at Franciscan Skemp Clinic in La Crosse for 17 years. Ruth was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, the Harry J. Olson Senior Center in La Crosse, and the Women of the Moose Lodge No. 1920 of La Crosse. She was also a member of the Winona Dance Club and enjoyed dancing, especially with her husband, even if it was a twirl around the kitchen when a Lawrence Welk song came on the radio. Ruth was an excellent piano player and often entertained area nursing homes playing music on the organ. She was a master gardener and an avid seamstress. Ruth was taken unexpectedly from her family, and they will sadly miss her.

Survivors include her husband of 16 years, Lloyd; two daughters, Nanci (Don) Shervey of Waukesha, Wis., and Carole (Bob) Mullen of Webster Groves, Mo.; a granddaughter, JackieShervey of Waukesha; two sisters-in-law, Eleanor and Evelyn Dennison, both of La Crosse; three stepchildren, Cathy (Dave) Christy of Valparaiso, Ind., Rod (Setz) Dennison of Medical Lake, Wash., and Becky (Mike) Zupancic of Seminole, Fla.; and nieces, nephews, stepgrandchildren and friends. In addition to her first husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Irene Witt, Rose Hass and Virginia Ketner.

A private family memorial service will be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ, with the Rev. Joan E. Sulser officiating. Entomb-ment will be in Garden Mausoleum at Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be given to First Congregational United Church of Christ or the Harry J. Olson Senior Center. Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse, is in charge of arrangements.

Gloria Jean Elkins

LA CROSSE -- Gloria Jean Elkins, 76, of La Crosse died Saturday, June 7, 2008, at St. Joseph Rehabilitation Center in La Crosse, surrounded by her children and sisters.

Gloria was born April 24, 1932, to Ethan and Lenora (Dettinger) Sacia and grew up in the Galesville, Wis., area. She graduated from Galesville High School in 1950 and married David Elkins the same year. Gloria was a very compassionate and loving mother, wife and sister. She raised four children, including the eldest child with lifelong special needs and is eternally grateful to have Barb Mader become part of her life. Taking care of others was a very important part of Gloria’s life.

She is survived by her children, Jeanne Elkins of Onalaska, Wis., Joan (Mike) Koziara of Holmen, Wis., Jim (Tammy) Elkins of La Crosse and Jeff (Stephanie) Elkins of Dugway, Utah; five sisters, Rachel Wasson of Phoenix, Sally (Ken) Schumacher of Onalaska, Carol (A.J. Johnson) Corcoran of Galesville, Diane (Bill) Moran of Balsam Lake, Wis., and Peggy (Bob) Halmrast of Northfield, Minn.; one brother, Fred (Bev) Sacia of Trempealeau, Wis.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dave in 1998, and her second husband, Tom Irvine, in 2005.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 809 Gillette St., La Crosse. Burial will be in Trempealeau Public Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until the time of services.

Gerald E. McDonah

TREMPEALEAU, Wis. — Gerald E. McDonah, 78, passed away Friday, June 6, 2008, at his home in Trempealeau.

He was born Aug. 30, 1929, to Elba and Leila McDonah. He lived in the area all his life as a farmer and worked for General Telephone Co. for 25 years, retiring in 1991. Gerald married Ruth A. Williams on June 8, 1950.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife, Ruth; six children, Bonnie (Mike) Hein-ODonnell of Vashon Island, Wash., Barbara (Jim) Eisenmenger of Ames, Iowa, Beverly (Ron) Jacobs of Trempealeau, Jerry (Candy) McDonah of Holmen, Wis., John (Margaret) McDonah of Byron, Minn., and Jeff (Ellen) McDonah of Trempealeau; 13 grandchildren, Nicole Olsen, Natasha Johnson, Eric (Cynthia) Herman, Ryan (Kim) Herman, Sara Eisenmenger, and Shane, Travis, Dylan, Amelia, Alex, Katherine, Carly and Nellie McDonah; and five great-grandchildren, Brianna and Makayla Richards, Steven and Shyanne Herman, and Tucker McDonah.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother- and father-in-law and one grandson.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 9, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 24531 Sixth St., Trempealeau. The Rev. Dana Jackson will officiate, and burial will be in Trempealeau Public Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the church and again Monday from 10 a.m. until time of services.

Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Valentine ‘Val’ Suchla

INDEPENDENCE, Wis. — Valentine “Val” Suchla, 77, of Independence died Friday, June 6, 2008, at Tri-County Memorial Hospital in Whitehall, Wis.

He was born Jan. 21, 1931, in the town of Arcadia, Trempealeau County, Wis., to Vincent and Catherine (Kampa) Suchla. He married Eleanor Marsolek on Sept. 6, 1958, at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Independence.

Val served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. The couple farmed in the town of Arcadia until retirement and then moved to Independence. He was a member of Sura-Wiersgalla American Legion Post 186, SS. Peter & Paul Church and the Knights of Columbus. Val was a loving husband and father and will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Eleanor of Independence; eight children, Jim (Heidi) Suchla of Shoreview, Minn., Mary (Ron) Pronschinske of Arcadia, Karen (special friend Gary Jordan) Johnson of Oxford, Wis., Sally Rindal of Rothschild, Wis., Lori (Ben) Gaus of River Falls, Wis., Sherry Weber of Holmen, Wis., Ricky Suchla of Independence, and Jon (Sarah) Suchla of Galesville, Wis.; a brother, Edward (Shirley) Suchla of Arcadia, Wis.; 10 grandchildren, Heather, Vincent, Kelsey, Anna, Bethany, Lindsay, Megan, Amanda, Delaney and Cody; and a great-grandchild, Gracie.

Val was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ray Suchla; sister, Ruth Kulig; and nephew, Gary Suchla.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Independence, with the Rev. Douglas C. Robertson officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at Edison Funeral Home, Independence, where there will be a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Maude M. McGill

Maude M. McGill, 88, of La Crosse died Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center, La Crosse.

She was born April 11, 1920, in La Crosse to Herman and Mary (Marcou) Stokes. Maude lived in Dakota and Dresbach, Minn., for several years. On May 26, 1939, she married James F. McGill. Together they had six children. Maude worked as a housekeeper for St. James Catholic Church for many years, where she also was a member of the Ladies Altar Society. In 1963, they moved to Minneapolis, where she resided for 25 years. While there, she worked for Lutheran Social Services as a cook for an all-girls treatment facility. She was also a member of Rock Club in Minneapolis for many years. Minneapolis held a special place in Maude’s life. Maude most recently resided at Sauber Manor on La Crosse’s North Side for 10 years. She enjoyed traveling, gardening and her family.

She is survived by three daughters, Eleanor McGill of Los Angeles, Sue (Gary) Lassig of La Crosse and Debra (Doug) Kropelin of Holmen, Wis.; two sons Michael (Jill) McGill of Minneapolis and Alan (Grace) McGill of Plano, Texas; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; three great-great- grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Heather McGill of Kalamazoo, Mich.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James; a son Frank McGill; two grandsons, Paul Lassig and John Kropelin; six brothers; and three sisters.

A memorial gathering will be at SchumachernKish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse, on Monday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Marian B. Sacia

GALESVILLE/SPARTA, Wis. — Marian B. Sacia, 84, of Galesville and formerly of Sparta died Friday, June 6, 2008, at Marinuka Manor, Galesville.

She was born Feb. 6, 1924, in Galesville to William and Alice (Onsrud) Hardie. She grew up in the North Bend, Wis., area. She graduated from Galesville High School in 1941. She attended La Crosse Technical College.

She married Spencer Sacia in 1943. After marriage, they lived in North Bend and then moved to Sparta.

She worked at the Jackson County (Wis.) Extension Office, Bank of Melrose (Wis.), and then at First Bank of Sparta. She retired in 1978. She moved to Marinuka Manor in Galesville in September 2005.

She is survived by her children, Russell (Diane) Sacia of Holmen, Wis., Gerald (Vicky) Sacia of Melrose and Terry G. (Janet) Sacia of Winona, Minn.; one brother, Glen (Joyce) Hardie of Holmen; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Spencer, in 1977.

Funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. at North Bend Presbyterian Church in North Bend, with Pastor Allen Hanson officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, North Bend.

Family and friends are invited to call at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.lanham-miller.com.

Lawrence ‘Larry’ G. Kaufmann

LA CROSSE — Lawrence “Larry” G. Kaufmann, 86, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, June 5, 2008.

He was a lifelong resident of La Crosse, born in La Crosse on March 16, 1922, to Earl and Christine (Dutcher) Kaufmann. He graduated from Logan High School in 1939 where he played tennis and was a member of the La Crosse and Wisconsin Skating Associations, taking part in local, state and national speed-skating tournaments. He also played forward in CYO basketball before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in October 1942. Staff Sgt. Lawrence Kaufmann was in the Air Force until October 1945. His years in the service were filled with many adventures. He was lead bombardier on over 57 missions and served with the 5th, 8th and 12th Air Forces. His squadron’s special duties were knocking out important bridges and highways and leading the softening-up process so the 5th and 8th Armies could advance, first on Cassino, then Rome and Florence. Larry served as gunner on the 486th Squadron of the 340th Bomber Group during WWII. He went on 17 missions with Astronaut Deke Slayton in the same B-25 Bomber plane. Larry flew the most missions of any U.S. crew member in the U.S. Air Force by the time he left the service. He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism beyond the call of duty, shooting down three German planes while stationed in Corsica, the Soldier’s Medal for his participation in the French campaign, and the Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters for being the first to drop bombs on Cassino. When speaking of his years in the service, he said, “I have traveled over thousand of miles of air, sea and land, but there is no place more beautiful than La Crosse in good old Wisconsin.”

Larry was a hard worker, sometimes working more than three jobs. Besides being the building engineer for Lincoln Middle School for 34 years, where he was known by the students as “bow tie”, he was a butcher at numerous grocery stores which he did on weekends along with concrete work and home remodeling for many La Crosse residents. Proud of his country, Larry also was active in local veterans activities. He served as commander of the VFW Post 1530 from 1978-79, and as vice commander of the La Crosse American Legion Post 52 in 1980.

On April 23, 1984, he married Arlene (Hutzenbuehler) Robinson and enjoyed their life and home together. He was always busy with some new project in the garage or adding something new to one of the rooms in the house. He loved the Green Bay Packers and watching “M.A.S.H.” on TV.

Larry is survived by his wife, Arlene; one son, Larry (Michelle) Kaufmann of New Albin, Iowa; two stepsons, James Robinson of La Crosse and Dennis Robinson of Medford, Wis.; three daughters, Nancy (James) Wally of La Crescent, Minn., Jennifer (Richard) Langowski of Onalaska, Wis., and Carol (Mark) Trehey of Onalaska; a stepdaughter, Kathy Grady of Mesa, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; five great-grandchildren with one on the way; seven stepgreat-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Frank and Earl Kaufmann; four sisters, Vera (Marver), Ruth (Needham), Hazel (Lewis) and Mary Jane (Silha); and a stepson, Richard Robinson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 9, at 10:30 a.m. at Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman. The Rev. Michael Gorman will officiate. Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 10, at 1:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. A rosary will be recited Sunday at 6:45 p.m. Memorials may be given to Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman or the Gundersen Lutheran Hospice Program.

Larry’s family would like to give a special thank-you for all the wonderful and caring people that aided in the care of Larry, including Gundersen Lutheran Hospice, Dr. Witt, Dr. Carroll and Dr. Farnen.

Leonard W. Knower

KERRVILLE, Texas/HOLMEN — Leonard W. Knower, 76, of Kerrville died early Saturday morning, May 31, 2008, at the VA Hospital in Kerrville.

He was born in Mauston, Wis., to Lloyd W. and Caroline (Bymers) Knower on March 3, 1932. After graduating from Holmen High School, he joined the USAF and served in Texas. Following discharge from USAF, he worked as an airline mechanic at Los Angeles and Minneapolis, owned his own trucking business and worked at the Nevada Test Site.

In addition to his wife, Barbara, he is survived by a brother, Wilbur, and a sister Clara, both of Holmen; two sons, Lloyd (Brooks) of Colorado and James (Glenda) of Kentucky; three grandchildren; two stepsons, Timothy Lasenby (Linda) of Minnesota and Lonnie Lasenby of Las Vegas; three stepdaughters, Dee Fourzan (Rudy), Carol Raugust (Eugene) and Misty Lucina (Phillip), all of Las Vegas; 11 stepgrandchildren and four stepgreat-grandchildren; numerous nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister; his wife, Joyce Lasenby Knower; and one stepson.

Burial will be in Las Vegas; the date is pending.

Jon Steven Sheehy

ONALASKA — Jon, 51, of Onalaska went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 1, 2008. He died unexpectedly while playing tennis, which was something he loved.

Jon was born on July 23, 1956, in Manitowoc, Wis., to Al and Joanne Sheehy. He married Cheri Ebert in Neenah, Wis., on Oct. 14, 1977. Jon worked with Shopko Optical for 30 years, the majority of those being in management. He was a member of the Bethany Church Deacon’s Council and later became deacon chairman. He was also a member of the La Crosse Team Tennis Association. He was a humble servant who loved being with his family and friends.

Jon is survived by his wife, Cheri; son, Matthew of Onalaska; two daughters, Kristen (Patrick) Fay of Holmen, Wis., and Dana of Minneapolis; parents, Al and Joanne; sister, Deb (Don) Marsicek, and brother-in-law, Bob Denor, all of Reedsville, Wis.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Judy Denor.

A celebration of Jon’s life will be held at Bethany Church in La Crosse on Saturday, June 7. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with a service at 11 a.m. officiated by the Rev. Corey Sateren. Lunch will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be accepted in the name of the Sheehy family.

A private burial will be planned at a later date.