Newman L. Twite
CALEDONIA, Minn. - Newman L. Twite, 65, of Caledonia died Saturday, February 7, 1998, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
He was born December 30, 1932, in rural Caledonia, to Oscar and Pernella (Hagen) Twite. On June 17, 1953, Newman married Julia ``Joan'' Skadson at the Immanuel Lutheran Parsonage in Caledonia. Newman served his country in the United States Army from 1952 until 1954. After his service in the military, Newman worked for Nelson Construction in Caledonia and held the position of Construction Superintendent when he resigned in 1976. He then became self-employed as a farmer and a logger, both of which he enjoyed very much.
Newman was a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and a member of the Loveless-Eikens American Legion Post 191, both of Caledonia.
Survivors include his wife, Julia ``Joan'' and his mother Pernella, both of Caledonia; a daughter, Suzanne (Darrell) Schroeder of Caledonia; four sons, Daniel (Jeanette) of Caledonia, David of Farmington, Minn., Terry of Waterloo, Iowa and Thomas of Caledonia; five grandchildren, Connie (Joseph) Hoscheit, Timothy Schroeder, Kimberly Schroeder, Theresa Twite and Rebecca Twite, all of Caledonia; a great-grandchild, Carley August Hoscheit of Caledonia; and three brothers, Oswald Twite of Minneapolis, Odin Twite and Robert Twite, both of Caledonia. Newman was preceded in death by his father.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 11, at 11 a.m. from Immanuel Lutheran Church, Caledonia. Rev. Rolf T. Storlie will officiate. Burial with military rites will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Caledonia. Friends may call at the Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia, on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
``God saw that he was getting tired and a cure was not meant to be. So He put His arms around him and Whispered `Come with me.' With tearful eyes we watched him suffer and saw him fade away. Although we loved him dearly, we could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating. Hardworking hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.''

Clarence F. `Klondike' Breidel
Clarence F. ``Klondike'' Breidel, 62, of La Crosse died of cancer on Saturday, February 7, 1998, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. His body will be cremated. A public visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 1998, at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. There will be no service. A complete obituary will follow.

Roger E. Fenney
LAKE DENTON, Wis. - Roger E. Fenney, 69, of Lake Delton and rural Taylor, died on Saturday, February 7, 1998, at St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 1998, at Upper Beaver Creek Lutheran Church, with burial in the church cemetery, both in rural Taylor. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 1 p.m. until the time of services. The Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Theron Nicks
RICHLAND CENTER, Wis. - Theron Nicks, 93, of Richland Center, formerly of Readstown, passed away on Saturday, February 7, at the Richland Hospital.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 1 p.m., at the Sime Funeral Home in Readstown. Burial will be in the Sylvan Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Friends may also call on Wednesday from noon until time of services.

Milford M. Solem
MABEL, Minnesota - Milford M. Solem, age 82, of Mabel, Minnesota died Sunday, February 8, 1998, at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 11, 1998, at the Highland Lutheran Church in rural Spring Grove, Minnesota. Burial will be in the Iowa River Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel and one hour prior to services at the church.

LaVerne C. Brueggeman
NORWALK, Wis. - LaVerne C. Brueggeman, 66, of Norwalk died Saturday, February 7, 1998, at Rolling Hills Nursing Home, Sparta.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 12, 1998, 11 a.m., at the Community Baptist Church at Ontario. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery at Wilton. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Wilton on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of the services.

Emmett E. Palmer
MONONA, Wis. - Emmett E. Palmer, 90, of rural Monona, died Saturday, February 7, 1998, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Rossville Presbyterian Church in Rossville, Iowa. Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Arnold J. (Ole) Harelson
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - Arnold J. (Ole) Harelson, age 76, of Eau Claire, Wis. and formerly of Black River Falls, died on Saturday, February 7, 1998, at the home of his daughter in Eau Claire.
Memorial funeral services will be at Torgerson's Funeral Chapel in Black River Falls on Wednesday, February 11, at 1 p.m. Burial with military honors will be in the Squaw Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery. Friends may call at Torgerson's Funeral Chapel on Wednesday from noon until the time of services.

Carolyn Geneva Berg
WAUKESHA/BANGOR, Wis. - Carolyn Geneva Berg, 53, of Waukesha, formerly of Bangor, died peacefully in her sleep Saturday, February 7, 1998 in the Hillview Health Care Center, La Crosse, following a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born on June 9, 1944, in Tampa, Florida to Oscar G. and Della (Feak) Berg, both of Bangor. She married Homer Armagost on March 28, 1965 and they were later divorced.
Carolyn attended St. Paul's Lutheran Grade School in Bangor, Bangor High School and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
She taught music at Lincoln Junior High in La Crosse and Gale Ettrick High School.
She had a long history of involvement in the Wisconsin State Teacher's Union. She was the former president of the La Crosse Education Association. She was employed as a Government Relations Specialist in the Northeast Service area for the Wisconsin Education Association Council for 22 years.
She was a member of the state Democratic party, serving on the Administration Committee. She was elected to serve as a delegate to numerous state Democratic party conventions. She was also an elected delegate to several National Democratic Party conventions and was elected to serve on the National Democratic Committee.
She is survived by her mother, Della Berg of Bangor; a sister, Cristine (Jim) Prucha of La Crosse; a grandmother, Darlene Feak of La Crosse; and aunts and uncles, Cynthia (John) Gaylord of Santa Monica, Calif., and Robert E. Feak of Ventura, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her father, Oscar G. Berg, an infant brother, David, and a sister, Syda J. Berg.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 1998 at the Fossum Funeral Home, Bangor. The Rev. Roy Hefti will officiate. Burial will be in the Burns Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home in Bangor on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Soceity or a charity of the donor's choice.

James E. Kroll
James E. Kroll, 60, of La Crosse died on Friday, February 6, 1998, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. He was born on August 17, 1937, in La Crosse to Edwin and Irene (Seidel) Kroll. He married Linda J. Ragner on January 29, 1962, in Waukon, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 until 1958. Jim worked at Machine Products Co. of La Crosse for 36 years.
In addition to his wife, Linda, he is survived by two daughters, Kimberly and her fiance, Mark Vangen of La Crosse and Patricia of La Crosse; a son, John (Rebecca) of Holmen, Wis.; two granddaughters, Jamie and Kelsey of Holmen; and his mother and step-father, Irene and Donald Leith of La Crosse. His father, Edwin, preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 1998, at Mt. Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Rev. Mark F. Bartling will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

Lawrence A. `Larry' Sage
ONALASKA, Wis. - Lawrence A. ``Larry'' Sage, 80, of Onalaska, died on Saturday, February 7, 1998 at the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Medical Center, La Crosse.
He was born November 1, 1917 in Glasgow, Montana to Edwin and Frances (Russell) Sage. He married Helen Pierce in St. James Catholic Church, La Crosse, on November 18, 1939. Larry retired from the plumbing trade in 1982. He had worked for many local plumbing contractors and was a member of the plumbers and steamfitters union Local #31. In his youth he graduated from Logan High School where he participated in sports and lettered in track. He served in the Navy during WWII. For many years he participated in various softball leagues. He was also an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Larry and his wife were charter members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Onalaska.
In addition to his wife, Helen, Larry is survived by three daughters, Patricia (Jon) Fort, Deb (Mike) Talle, all of Onalaska, Lori (Jerry) Bollard of Pocahontas, Iowa; three sons, Leland (Kathleen) of Onalaska, Richard (Mary) and Michael, all of La Crosse; 11 grandchildren, Jeffery and Barbara Moss, Julie Reynolds, Kristine Daley, Steven, Thomas and David Sage, Jennifer Sage-Altmann, Jonathan Talle, Brock and Phillip Bollard; five great-grandchildren, Melissa and Rebecca Moss, Lindsay and Garrett Reynolds, and Alicia Sage-Altmann. In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by two brothers, Russell and Donald.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 10, at 11 a.m. from St. Patrick's Catholic Church. The Rev. William J. Matzek will officiate. Entombment will be in the St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska on Monday, from 6 until 8 p.m., where a rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m., and again on Tuesday at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services. The family requests that memorials be directed to St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Jim Edward Caya, Sr.
LYNXVILLE, Wis. - Jim E. Caya, Sr., 53, of Lynxville, Wis. died Saturday, February 7, 1998, at Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse.
Memorial services will be 8 p.m. Thursday, February 12, 1998, at the Thornburg-Hanson Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien, Wis. Friends may call on Thursday beginning at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Private family burial services will be held at a later date.
Jim is survived by two daughters, Vicky (Donald) Martin of Eastman, Wis. and Debora (Scott) Bussell of Randolph, Wis.; one son, Jim (Michelle) Caya, Jr. of Lynxville, Wis.; nine grandchildren; his parents, Lyle and Marjorie Caya of Lynxville, Wis.; two brothers, Lawrence (Candee) Caya of Lynxville, Wis. and Fredrick (Mary) Caya of Kenosha, Wis.; one sister, Connie (Thurman) Anderson of Ferryville, Wis. and a mother-in-law, Isabell Martin of Prairie du Chien, Wis. He was preceded in death by his wife; one brother, Terry; and father-in-law, Kenneth Martin.
Jim was born March 20, 1944, in Prairie du Chien, Wis. to parents Lyle and Marjorie Monroe Caya. He attended school in Lynxville and high school in Seneca. He married Barbara Martin on June 16, 1962, in Lynxville, Wis. He worked as a millwright; carpenter and owner/operator of The Bar in Eastman, Wis. His wife, Barbara, died September 5, 1996.

Anna Magdalene Sikorski
Anna Magdalene Sikorski, 90, of La Crosse, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 1998, at the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Nursing Home where she has resided for the past 13 months.
She was born on July 27, 1907, in La Crosse to Charles and Mary (Bicha) Selonke. Anna lived her entire life in La Crosse. She attended the La Crosse Vocational School for one year and later attended the Keefe Business College in La Crosse, graduating in June of 1925. She worked for the Star Knitting Company, La Crosse, as a secretary for three years and at R.G. Dunn of La Crosse as a bookkeeper for three years. Anna married Emil Sikorski on June 25, 1927, after 46 years of marriage, he died on April 18, 1973. Anna was a beautiful seamstress and enjoyed knitting and crocheting.
She is survived by a daughter, Arlene Sikorski of La Crosse; a sister, Dorothy Dresen of La Crosse; and 11 nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Dresen and two brothers, Joseph and Theodore Selonke.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 1998 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The Rev. Lawrence B. Berger will officiate. Burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. The Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements.

Elsie A. Kraus
Elsie A. Kraus, 89, a resident of the Hillview Health Care Center, died on Saturday, February 7, 1998, at the care center.
She was born on August 23, 1908, in Thorn, Germany to Gustav and Augusta (Papendick) Kohnert. She married Anton Kraus on November 10, 1927 in Washington, D.C. He died on June 22, 1963. Over the years, Elsie had worked at Salzer's Seed Co., Kienah's Greenhouse and at the La Crosse Floral Co., all of La Crosse.
She is survived by three sons, Milton (Shirley), Del and Robert, all of La Crosse; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Curt (Corrine) Kohnert of La Crosse; a daughter-in-law, Sylvia Kraus of Iowa City, Iowa; a special friend, Alice Miller of La Crosse; and the loving staff of the 700 Dementia Unit at the Hillview Health Care Center. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Carol Kraus.
Elsie's body will be cremated. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 1998 at Asbury United Methodist Church. The Rev. Larry A. Moody will officiate. Her cremated remains will be buried in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be directed to the 700 Dementia Unit at Hillview Health Care Center. The Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements.

William `Bill' Thompson
VIROQUA, Wis. - William ``Bill'' Thompson, age 71, of 416 Sherry Lane, died on Saturday evening, February 7, 1998, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. He was born on November 14, 1926, in Viroqua to Edwin and Minnie (Wise) Thompson. He graduated from Viroqua High School in 1944. On May 14, 1953, he married Betty Pacl in Viroqua. He worked for thirteen years at Felix's Clothing Store in Viroqua and then became manage of the Viroqua Federal Savings and Loan. He retired in June, 1990 after thirty-four years of service.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; two daughters, Nancy (Ken) Moser of Richland Center and Wendy (John) McClelland of Viroqua; one son, Bradley Thompson of Viroqua; ten grandchildren; one great-grandson; a son-in-law, Steven (Marianne) Bolen of Bonduel; and two nephews, John and Steven Thompson, both of Viroqua. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Karmen Bolen on December 26, 1986; his brother, Richard ``T'' Thompson and his wife, Wanda.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 1998, in the Thorson Funeral Home in Viroqua with Pastor Roger Hjelle officiating. Burial will be in the Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home, where there will be a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Friends may also call at the funeral home after 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Kathleen Adele O'Malley
LANSING, Iowa - Kathleen Adele O'Malley, 71, died on Saturday, February 7, 1998, after a long illness. She was born December 6, 1926, in Oelwein, Iowa, to Raymond and Della (Severson) Spinner.
She married Dennis O'Malley on October 31, 1949, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon, Iowa. She was a long time Lansing resident and assisted her husband in the insurance business in the 1980's. They retired from the business in 1988.
She is survived by eight children; three sons, Tim and Mark (Becky Conway), both of Lansing and Jon of Denver, Colorado; five daughters, Ann (John Maass) of La Crescent, Minnesota, Joan (Bob) Karis and Kim (Alan) Carlson, both of Madison, Wisconsin, Peggy ``Meg'' of Coppell, Texas and Erin (Ron) Gaines of Lansing; ten grandchildren; three brothers, Ray ``Rusty'' Spinner of Postville, Iowa, Don (Myrt) Spinner of Davenport, Iowa and Mike (Katie) Spinner of Marshalltown, Iowa; three sisters, Sister Magdelle Spinner of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Mary Lou (Gordon) Halverson of Urbandale, Iowa and Janet (Ralph) Gunderson of Fairbank, Iowa; and a brother-in-law, Tom Benson of Tripoli, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1995; a daughter, Beth in 1980; a sister, Patricia Benson; a sister-in-law, Alice Spinner; and a granddaughter, Liberty Maass.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 10, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church with burial at Gethsemane Cemetery, Lansing. Visitation will be Monday, February 9, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Burke-Thornburg Funeral Home in Lansing.
Pallbearers were Mike Spinner, Jr., Ray Benson, Matt O'Malley, Mike Zoll, Mike P. O'Malley and Dan Halverson.
Honorary pallbearers were Betty Ferring, Marg Hogan, Evelyn Burke, Lynn (Spinner) O'Hara, Lisa (Halverson) Welsh and Mary (Anderson) Palmborg.

Helen M. Sliva
SPARTA, Wis. - Helen M. Sliva, 71, of Sparta, died early Tuesday morning, February 10, 1998 at the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Facility, Sparta.
She was born in Berwyn, Ill., on September 27, 1926, the daughter of Charles and Anna (Bartos) Skach. She was united in marriage to Louis Sliva on August 19, 1944 in Berwyn, Ill., at the St. Odilo's Catholic Church. They lived in Berwyn for five years, and then moved to La Crescent, Minn., where she worked for the Electrolite Co. in La Crosse. They later moved to Chicago, Ill., where they lived for 14 years. They also lived in Puerto Rico for five years and Vermont for 1 1/2 years before moving to Sparta in 1967. Helen worked at Northern Engraving for five years.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one infant daughter, Katherine Anne Sliva.
She is survived by her husband, Louis; two daughters, Karen Kast of Sparta and Rebecca (Frank) Colamonico of Chicago, Ill.; one son, Kenneth (Victoria) Sliva of Sparta; five grandchildren, Steven Schmieder, Brent Sliva, Maryann Sliva, Ashley Kast and Nicole Colamonico; and one brother, Rev. Charles Skach of Mount Prospect, Ill.
There are not any local funeral arrangements. The Page-Smith Funeral Home, Sparta, is in charge of arrangements.

Michael James Waldow
PLYMOUTH, Minn. - Michael James Waldow, of Plymouth, died Monday, Feb. 9, 1998, at age 14. He will be deeply missed by his parents, George and Diane; sister, Kelly; grandparents, Betty and Myron Waldow and Esther and Ray Hahn; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be 7:30 p.m. Friday at St. Phillip the Deacon Lutheran Church in Plymouth (1/4 mile east of Hwy. 101 on Cty. Rd. 6). Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday in the church. Interment will be private. Memorials are preferred to Birchview Elementary School, 425 Ranchview Lane No., Plymouth, Minn. 55447, in Michael's name. The David Lee Funeral Home, Wayzata, Minn. (612-473-5577), is assisting the family.

Albon George Fortun
VIROQUA/FERRYVILLE, Wis. - Albon George Fortun, age 81, died on Tuesday morning, February 10, 1998 at the Bethel Home in Viroqua, where he and his wife had been residents since January 23, 1996. He was born in the town of Sterling, Vernon County, on April 22, 1916 to Joseph and Elsie (Hopp) Fortun. He was baptized and confirmed at the North West Prairie Lutheran Church, where he was a lifetime member.
On January 25, 1941, he married Myrtle Fjelstad at Waukon, Iowa. They farmed in Vernon and Crawford counties. Prior to retirement he had served as a patrolman for the town of Freeman in Crawford County for 27 years. He was known as a hard worker. In April, 1993, he and his wife moved from their farm at rural Ferryville to the Bethel Birchwood Community in Viroqua. They resided there until becoming residents of the Bethel Home.
He is survived by his wife, Myrtle of the Bethel Home; one sister-in-law, Mildred Fortun of La Crosse; several nieces and nephews; and many friends. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Elsie Peterson, Mae Pennel and Nora Zitzner; and five brothers, Alvin (his twin), Earl, Wilbert, Arnold and Kenneth Fortun.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 1998 at the North West Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Viroqua. Pastor Helen Johnson will officiate and burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Thorson Funeral Home in Viroqua, where there will be a prayer service at 4:30 p.m. Friends may also call at the church after 10 a.m. on Saturday. The family requests memorials to either the North West Prairie Lutheran Church or the Bethel Home.

Edwin A. Blomberg
CAMP DOUGLAS, Wis. - Edwin A. Blomberg, 81, of Camp Douglas, died Monday, Feb. 9, 1998 in Tomah Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Thursday in St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Shennington. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of services Thursday at the church. The White Funeral Home, Tomah, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Algie E. Stoker
BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. - Algie E. Stoker, 92, of Black River Falls, died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 1998 in Pine View Nursing Home. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday from Upper Beaver Creek Lutheran Church, rural Taylor. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls; and from 12:30 p.m. until services Sunday in the church. Memorials may be given to Upper Beaver Creek Lutheran Church.

Edythe A. Brandt
HILLSBORO, Wis. - Edythe A. Brandt, 79, of Hillsboro, died Monday, Feb. 9, 1998 in Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Elroy, Wis. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in First Congregational Church, and burial will be in Mount Vernon Cemetery, both in Hillsboro. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Picha Funeral Home, Hillsboro.

Kathleen J. (Knudson) Davis
CASHTON/COON VALLEY, Wis. - Kathleen J. (Knudson) Davis, 47, of Cashton and formerly of Coon Valley, died Monday, February 9, 1998. She was born June 27, 1950 to Burton and Jane (Knutson) Knudson in La Crosse. She was baptized and confirmed at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. On Oct. 1, 1966 she was married to Larry Homstad at Coon Valley Lutheran Church. She later married Gerald Davis. Kathy worked as a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines for several years, and then worked in charter boat service in the Caribbean. She returned to the Coon Valley area in 1991. Kathy greatly enjoyed poetry, music and people. She was a very giving and generous person.
Survivors include one son, Gregg Homstad of St. Paul, Minn.; her mother, Jane of La Crosse; two sisters, Ainsley (Larry) Lichtie of Coon Valley and Corrine (Peter) Appleman of Cashton; five nieces, Sara, Laura, Mattie, Molly and Mary; and her fiance, John Guist.
She was preceded in death by her father, Burton in 1991.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 12, 1998 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Jack Mithelman will officiate, with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the Seland Funeral Chapel in Coon Valley this evening from 6 to 8 p.m.; and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers.

Alta Mae Knudtson
Alta Mae Knudtson, 62, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully at the Bethany-Riverside Nursing Facility on Tuesday, February 10, 1998.
She was born in Winona, Minnesota, on November 19, 1935 to Henry and Ida (Meinert) Schlink. She married Calvin Knudtson on March 10, 1956 in La Crosse. He preceded her in death on January 17, 1975.
Alta is survived by one daughter, Janice (Brian) Strupp of Onalaska; one son, Richard Knudtson of La Crosse; two grandchildren, Stuart and Megan Strupp of Onalaska; and her mother and stepfather, Ida and Sylvester Mueller of La Crosse. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her father.
A private family funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 12, 1998 at 11 a.m. from the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. Rev. Roger Sachs will officiate. Burial will take place in Bush Cemetery near Ridgeway, Minnesota.

Viola F. `Vi' (Proksch) Cooper
Viola F. ``Vi'' (Proksch) Cooper, 80, of La Crosse, died on Monday, February 9, 1998 at the Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center.
She was born in rural Vernon County on September 21, 1917 to Joseph and Minnie (Bendel) Heller. She married Wesley Proksch on September 21, 1937 in Stoddard, Wis. He preceded her in death in 1983. She then married Clyde Cooper on August 22, 1989 and he preceded her in death in 1994.
Vi was employed by Electric AutoLite in La Crosse until the plant's closing in 1959. She then operated her own restaurant in La Crosse for several years, and later worked as a cook at Cacciapaglio's until her retirement.
Vi was very active in her support of Luther High School through the Booster Club, the Ladies Auxiliary and Heidelburg.
Vi is survived by three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Scott (Kathryn) Proksch and their children, Chaille and Helen of Houston, Texas, Jon (Stephanie) Proksch of Coon Valley, and Cynthia (John) Helfrich and their children, Jaime and Tyler of La Crosse; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Proksch of La Crosse; a stepdaughter, Elaine (Tom) Wuest of La Crosse; a stepson, Larry Cooper of La Crosse; two stepgrandchildren, Tammi (John) Schultz and Mike Wuest, both of La Crosse; three stepgreat-grandchildren; special friends, Doris and Lawrence Oldenburg of Chaseburg; and nieces and nephews. In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by a son, Ernest Proksch in 1989; and two brothers, Rueben and Oscar Heller.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 13, 1998 at 1 p.m. from Mount Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church. Rev. Mark F. Bartling will officiate. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.; and at the church on Friday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to Luther High School or Mount Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church.

Bernice M. Heath
MERRILLAN, Wis./CHICAGO, Ill. - Bernice M. Heath, 86, of Merrillan and formerly of Chicago, died Monday, Feb. 9, 1998 in Bethel Nursing Home, Arpin, Wis. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday in Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Libertyville, Ill. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery, Arlington Heights, Ill. Friends may call one hour prior to services Friday at the church. Arrangements are with the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton.

Roger Eldon Benson
SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Roger Eldon Benson, 80, of Sioux City, died Sunday, February 8, 1998 in Sioux City.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 12, 1998 in the Dickinson Family Funeral Homes' Gillette Street Chapel, La Crosse, Wis. Elder Jerry Nelson of Christ is Lord Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Roger was born April 26, 1917, in Houston, Minn., to Frank and Elsie (Saphner) Benson. He married Sophie Schuirmann March 24, 1943 in Decorah, Iowa. She preceded him in death on November 14, 1986. He grew up in Houston, Minn., then moved to La Crosse, Wis., and in 1966, moved to Sioux City, Iowa.
He worked for Swift & Company in La Crosse, Wis., and transferred to Sioux City, Iowa in August of 1966. He continued to work for Swift & Company until retiring in 1979. He was a member of the AFL-CIO in La Crosse, Wis., and WWII Veterans' Assoc. ``Polar Bears.''
He is survived by three sons, Gary E. Benson of Sioux City, Roger and Elaine Benson of La Crosse, and Wayne and Mona Benson of Esjberg, Denmark; four daughters, Ruby Coady of La Crosse, Linda and Daniel Stremcha of La Crosse, Bonnie and Paul Umsted of Harlton, Texas, and Sandi and Phil Williams of Sioux City; two sisters, Mae Schuirmann of Chicago, Ill., and Bertha Wilder of La Crosse; a special friend, Virginia Lanoie of Sioux City; 24 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sophie Benson; his parents, Frank and Elsie Benson; a daughter, Ruth Ann Benson; two brothers; and two sisters.
Pallbearers will be Roger O. Benson, Troy Benson, Adam Stremcha, Dan Stremcha, Derek Williams and Doug Coady.

Hazel R. Wahlstrom
O'FALLON, Mo. - Hazel R. Wahlstrom, age 91, formerly of La Crosse, died Saturday, February 7, 1998 in Missouri. She was born November 26, 1906 in La Crosse to Charles and Johanna (Wohlert) Tranberg. She married Carl Wahlstrom on September 4, 1929 in Minneapolis, Minn. He preceded her in death on October 1, 1988. She was a member of English Lutheran Church. She also was a member of Chapter #22, Order of the Eastern Star.
She is survived by two daughters, Jean (Ron) Kelemen of O'Fallon, Mo., and Norma (John) Lionberger of Eau Claire, Wis.; two sons, David (Elizabeth) of Rhinelander, Wis., and Peter (Carol) of Minot, N.D.; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.
Funeral services will be Friday, February 13 at 11 a.m. at English Lutheran Church. The Revs. Bob Oleson and J.L. Mattes will officiate and burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at the Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 1425 Jackson Street, on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. An Eastern Star service will be held at the funeral home Thursday at 6:30 p.m.