Story originally printed in the Holmen Courier or online at www.holmencourier.com

Published - Friday, June 20, 2008

Obituaries for June 20, 2008

Evelyn D. (Erickson) Johnson | Oscar J. ‘Slim’ Jacobson | Arlene Marie Peloski | Mabel B. Larsen | Judith Ann Lewis

Evelyn D. (Erickson) Johnson

ONALASKA — Evelyn D. (Erickson) Johnson, 97, passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at Onalaska Care Center.

She was born in Elroy, Wis., on Nov. 17, 1910, to Francis P. and Nora (Evans) Parker. Evelyn served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She married Theodore C. Erickson, and he preceded her in death. She then married Kenneth G. Johnson, and he also preceded her in death.

Evelyn was a member of the Pithean Sisters, the American Legion Auxiliary Post 52 and the VFW.

Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Bette (Kerry) Thompson of Viroqua, Wis.; a son, Ted (Darlene) Johnson of Onalaska; five grandchildren, Dawn (Jerry Steinhorst) Lemke, Daniele M. Lemke, Bridget D. (Jermey) Kendall, Amy (Pat) Pedretti and Jeff (Jill) Johnson; eight great-grandchildren, Austin Bette Lemke, Dalton Treanor, Jeron Kendall, Matteo Johnson, Griffin Treanor, Justin Kendall, Landon Johnson and Claire Cathrine Pedretti; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Arlene Clark and Paulene Hollenbech.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 21, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 809 Gillette St., La Crosse. The Rev. Judd Larson will officiate, and burial will be in Greenmound Cemetery, rural Holmen. Friends may call at the funeral home Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Oscar J. ‘Slim’ Jacobson

ONALASKA — Oscar J. “Slim” Jacobson, 83, of Onalaska died Thursday, June 19, 2008, at Onalaska Care Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem, Wis.

Arlene Marie Peloski

LA CROSSE — Arlene Marie Peloski, 76, of La Crosse died peacefully Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at her home surrounded by family.

Arlene was born Aug. 14, 1931, to Jeffrey and Marie (Schaller) Hanson of La Crosse. Arlene was a 1949 graduate of Aquinas High School, later attended Western Wisconsin Technical Institute and retired after 20 faithful years of service at La Crosse Lutheran Hospital as an OB/GYN secretary.

Arlene was such a joy to be around and brought a smile to the faces of everyone that she came in contact with. She always had a “can do” attitude, possessed a lot of character, was stubborn in her own right, was mentally strong up to her final day, and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. She was very proud of her eight children, which included two sets of twins.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Vivian (Paul) Mezera; brother, Robert (Patricia) Hanson; ex-husband, John Peloski; son, David Peloski; and grandson, Steven Peloski. She is survived by her sister, Jean A. Hanson of La Crosse; daughters, Linda (John) Henry of Melbourne, Fla., Diane Peloski of La Crosse and Cynthia Peloski of Waukesha, Wis.; sons, Jeffrey of La Crosse, Gary (Janet) of Onalaska, Wis., Kevin (Marsha) of La Crosse, and Kenneth (Sharon) of Woodbury, Minn.; and six grandchildren, Matthew Peloski of Woodbury, Michael Peloski of La Crosse, Christopher Henry of Lothian, Md., Melissa Peloski of Wood-bury, Kristen Peloski of Onalaska, and Mark Peloski of Woodbury. She is also survived by nephew, Robert Hanson Jr. of Zion, Ill., and nieces, Teresa (Robert) Walters of La Crescent, Minn., and Susan Limberg of Racine, Wis.

Arlene wanted to acknowledge all of the wonderful home health care providers who aided her in being able to enjoy day-to-day living in her home while dealing with many medical problems over the past years, especially Sandy Elliott and Carla Potter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held today at 10 a.m. at Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman’s Marian Chapel. The Rev. Michael Gorman will officiate. Burial will be in Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the church today from 9 a.m. until the time of services. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements.

Mabel B. Larsen

HOLMEN — Mabel B. Larsen, 87, of Holmen passed away Monday, June 16, 2008, in her home.

She was born Thursday, April 28, 1921, to Oscar and Nora (Larson) Gubrud. She was baptized and confirmed in Bethel Lutheran Church in New Auburn, Wis. In 1946, Mabel married Victor E. Larsen in the same church in New Auburn. Her husband, Victor, preceded her in death in March 2005.

Mabel attended schools in Chippewa Falls, Wis., New Auburn and Eau Claire, Wis., and graduated from New Auburn High School in 1939. She taught Sunday school in Eau Claire and Racine, Wis., and also taught Bible school in Eau Claire. She was an assistant Girl Scout leader in Eau Claire. She was a current member of Holmen Lutheran Church.

Her family and friends were her greatest joys. She loved her home, beautiful flowers, nature and birds. She could see art in all the beauty of nature. Mabel was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved traveling with her husband in his retirement.

Mabel was the beloved mother of Karen (Fred) Brinkman of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and Terry (Barb) Larsen of Holmen; grandmother of Matthew Brinkman (friends Bobbie and Hannah) of Wisconsin Rapids, Kerri (Brad) Martinson of Port Edwards, Wis., and Bethany and Katelyn Larsen of Holmen; great-grandmother of Austin Martinson of Port Edwards; sister of Alvina (Martin) Carlson of Chippewa Falls and Ona Bailkey of Chetek, Wis.; and sister-in-law of Angie Gubrud of St. Paul, Minn., Betty Gubrud of Chetek, and Duane and Olivia Larsen of McFar-land, Wis. She also is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor; brothers, Arnold and Edward Gubrud; brother-in-law, Glenn Bailkey; and brother-in-law/sister-in-law, Laverne and Millie Larsen.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 20, at Oak Grove Cemetery chapel, 1407 La Crosse St. in La Crosse, with Pastor Glenn Borreson officiating.

Dickinson Funeral Home, 1425 Jackson St., La Crosse, is assisting the family.

Judith Ann Lewis

ONALASKA — Judith Ann Lewis, 72, of Onalaska passed away Monday, June 16, 2008, at her home.

She was born in Milwaukee on June 10, 1936, to Earl and Alice (Hassman) Vance. She graduated from Wauwatosa (Wis.) High School in 1954 and attended UW-Madison and graduated in 1959 with a degree in occupational therapy. On May 9, 1959, Judy and Carl Lewis were married in Elm Grove, Wis.

Judy was a loving wife and mother. She loved people and was very generous and kind to everyone she met. Judy enjoyed gardening and baking. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Judy is survived by her loving husband, Carl; a daughter, Laurie (Craig) Rinehardt of Madison; two sons, Robert (Kristina Sutjuanto) Lewis of West Milwaukee and David Lewis of Wauwatosa; three grandchildren, Caitlin, Carly and Julie; two sisters, Karen James and Janet Myers; a brother, Roger Vance; and many dear friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., Onalaska. Burial will be in Onalaska Cemetery. Family and friends may visit at the funeral home Saturday from 9 a.m. until the services.