Miscellaneous La Crosse County, Wisconsin Obituaries

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Kendon G. Huppert
Kendon G. Huppert, 29, died of AIDS on Thanksgiving Day at his Riverplace home. His family was by his side.
Kendon was born on Jan. 23, 1969, in Moscow, ID, to George Huppert and Lorraine Lester. He attended UW-L from 1989-1993, majoring in psychology/sociology. As an AIDS educator, he spoke to many groups across the Coulee region and was a leader of the La Crosse HIV-support group. He was also a regular contributor to the La Crosse Tribune's ``Your Views'' column.
Ken is survived by Jack Wallace, his partner of 6-1/2 years; his father, George Huppert, and stepmother, Betty Wheeler, of La Crosse; his mother, Lorraine Lester, of Albuquerque, NM; one brother, Steve Huppert, of New York, NY; and one sister, Susanna Lester, of Albuquerque.
The public is invited to attend combined funeral/memorial services on Saturday, Dec. 5th, at 1 p.m. at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at noon. Friends may also visit from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4th.
Kendon asked to be remembered with flowers, and with donations to a memorial fund of the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, 1707 Main St. #420, La Crosse, WI 54601.

Leslie Lynn Wilkins
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - Leslie Lynn Wilkins, 29, formerly from De Soto, Wis., entered into eternal life on Nov. 10, 1998, in Newport Beach, Calif. after a five-year long battle with brain cancer.
Leslie was born March 3, 1969, in Prairie du Chien, Wis. to Dwight and Margaret (Pintz). After high school graduation, Leslie worked in Chicago, Ill., before moving to California where she met her best friend, Babek Mobesseri.
Leslie is survived by her father, Dwight (Dawn) Wilkins of rural Viroqua; her mother Margaret (Lester) Beitelspacher of Watertown, S.D.; her brother, Scott of Port Angeles, Wash.; grandparents, Ken and Delores Wilkins of Retreat, Wis.; four stepsisters; five aunts and five uncles; several cousins; and her dearest friend, Babek Mobesseri of Huntington Beach, Calif.
Leslie was proceeded in death by her paternal grandmother, Grace Wilkins; and her maternal grandparents, Frank and Margaret Pintz; an aunt, Marylou Murphy; and an uncle in infancy, Dean Wilkins.
A private memorial service was held on Friday, Nov. 13, 1998, in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Robert V. Almos
Robert V. Almos, 84, died at the Hillview Health Care Center on Thursday, Nov. 26, 1998. He was born Sept. 20, 1914, in La Crosse, to Ingvald and Ida (Magin) Almos.
He was a member of La Crosse Moose Lodge #1920.
He is survived by three daughters, Janis (Robert) Eick of Seymour, Wis., Harriet (Gerald) Eick of Green Bay, Susan (Gerald) Patz of Coleman, Wis.; a son, Jerry (Judie) Almos of Cascade, Mont.; twelve grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; a sister, Florence Boe of Onalaska; a sister-in-law, Betty Almos of La Crosse.
He was preceded in death by a grandchild and three brothers.
Graveside services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Woodlawn Cemetery. Fran Browning, F.S.P.A., pastoral care director of the Dickinson Family Funeral Homes will officiate.
Memorials may be given to the Hillview Health Care Center.

Esther Cowden
VIROQUA, Wis. - Esther Cowden, 80, of R.3 Viroqua, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998, at the Vernon Manor in Viroqua. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Viroqua Church of Christ. Burial in the Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call at the Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Friends may also call at the church on Tuesday after 10 a.m.

Helen Kerska
COON VALLEY, Wis. - Helen Kerska, 81, of Coon Valley, died Friday, Nov. 27, 1998, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse. She was born in rural Hillsboro on Feb. 18, 1917, to Jerry and Mary (Langer) Pesik. She married Emil Kerska in Hillsboro on May 18, 1937. The couple farmed in Bohemian Valley until 1972 when they retired and moved to the village of Coon Valley.
Survivors include a daughter, Shirley Kerska of West Allis; one sister, Mary Pesik of West Salem; two sisters-in-law, Anna Kerska of Coon Valley and Albina Sedevie of La Crosse and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Emil on Aug. 25, 1984; one brother, Emil Pesik; two brothers-in-law, Edward Kerska and Joseph Sedevie; and a sister-in-law, Mary Rediske.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998, at 11 a.m. at First Portland Evangelical Lutheran Church, on County Hwy. X, rural Cashton. Rev. Dennis Kempf will officiate with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call at the Seland Funeral Chapel in Coon Valley Monday evening, Nov. 30, 1998, from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Immediately following the burial, friends and family are invited to a lunch fellowship at the Coon Valley Village Hall.

Charles Horatio Greene
OWATONNA, Minn. - Charles Horatio Greene, 80, of Owatonna, Minn., died on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1998, at Bloomfield Manor in Dodgeville, Wis., two days after being transferred from the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Minneapolis. Charles had been an Owatonna, Minn., resident since 1986, most recently at Westside Board and Care, (3003 West, Hwy. 14, Owatonna, Minn. 55060).
Charles was born on May 17, 1918, in Woodstock, Ill. He graduated from Marshfield (Wis.) High School in 1938. After high school, he worked on his father's farm and other farms. He was also a Janitor at Todd School for Boys in Woodstock. When drafted into World War II, he served in a construction battalion of the Navy Seabees. After the war, he earned his pilot's license. He returned to Marshfield and worked at a cheese and poultry plant, at a whey-drying firm, and for the city's power plant. During the Korean Conflict, he served in the U.S. Air Force for one year.
He was employed for over thirty years at the Trane Company in La Crosse, Wis. from 1951, until his retirement in 1982. He underwent triple bypass surgery in April of 1984. Charles was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Owatonna, the La Crosse chapters of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was a life member of the National Rifle Association.
In August of 1986, he enrolled at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College. Ten years later, on May 19, 1996, he graduated at age 78 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Bible and minoring in Church Ministries and Greek. He holds the distinction of being the oldest students ever to graduate from Pillsbury.
Charles never married. He was the oldest of nine children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Elma (Hakes) Greene; two sisters, Helen Lengas and Mary Thompson; a brother, Gerald Greene and a nephew, Steven Welter. He is survived by three sisters, Elaine Welter of De Kalb, Ill., Jean (Paul) McVay of Manhattan Beach, Calif. and Gladys Greene of Los Angeles; two brothers, Wayne Greene of Waupace and James (Alice) Greene of Dodgeville; a brother-in-law, Harry Lengas of Cape Cod, Mass.; a sister-in-law, Marlene Greene of Nekoosa; as well as ten nephews and eleven nieces.
Memorial services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998, at Grace Baptist Church, 265 NE 26th St., Owatonna, Minn. The Rev. Randy Miller will officiate. Burial will be in Chili, Wis. on Charles parents' gravesite. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Pillsbury Baptist Bible College Library or the Veterans of Foreign Wars would be appreciated. The Lulloff-Peterson-Houck Funeral Home, Dodgeville is serving the family.

Gladys E. Hanson
LANESBORO, Minn. - Gladys E. Hanson, 96, of Lanesboro, Minn., died Friday, Nov. 27, 1998, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford. She was born Sept. 22, 1902, in La Crosse, Wis. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro. Visitation at the church one hour prior to services Tuesday. Johnson-Riley, Lanesboro, is in charge of arrangements.

William E. Schmidt
STODDARD, Wis. - William E. Schmidt, 57, of Stoddard, Wis., died on Friday, Nov. 27, 1998. He was born in La Crosse on June 17, 1941, to Erwin and Laurayne (Gavin) Schmidt. Bill was a 1959 graduate of Aquinas High School. He married Susan Swancutt on Sept. 5, 1970, in the Basilica of St. Mary's in Minneapolis, Minn. Bill was a 32 year veteran of the La Crosse Police. He joined the force on May 25, 1966, and was promoted to detective in 1973. He was promoted to sergeant in 1975, and became captain in 1988. He was appointed interim chief of police in 1992, and then assistant chief of police in 1994. Bill also taught police science courses at WWTC.
He is survived by his wife, Susie; two sisters, Sandra (Thomas) Besl of Melrose, Wis. and Sharon (John) Honeck of La Crosse; three brothers, Michael of La Crosse, Charles (Sandra) of La Crosse and Laurence (Janet) of St. Louis, Mo.; his nieces and nephews, Kim, Kelly, Kari, Kristi, Tom, Matt, Amy, Derek, Jonathan, Steven, Lisa, John, Beth, Debbie, Tony, Derek, Kam-Lin, Mark, Diana and Laura. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998, at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman with Rev. Anthony J. Wolf officiating. Entombment will be in the St. Joseph Mausoleum, Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 12 noon and then at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman from 1 p.m. until the time of services.
Bill will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Hans Haugrud
LA FARGE, Wis. - Hans Haugrud, 97, of LaFarge, died Friday, November 27, 1998, in Viroqua. He was born on May 6, 1901, in Oslo, Norway to Thorvold and Anna (Gulbrandson) Haugrud. He came with his family to America in 1904. He served in the Ski Patrol of the U.S. Army during WWII and was stationed in Colorado. Following the war, he returned to Wisconsin where he remained on the family farm in Haugrud Hollow, near LaFarge, until his death.
He is survived by one sister, Ragnhild ``Peggy'' Church of Beloit; one sister-in-law, Laura Haugrud of Westby; one brother-in-law, Theron Green of Tomah; a cousin, Henry Haugurd of Westby; nieces and nephews: LaVon (Mary) Haugrud and Dale (Elaine) Haugrud, both of Viroqua, Sharon (Jim) McKegneys of New Lisbon, Paul (Kathy) Church of Columbus, Ohio, Nancy (Jim) Mowers of Beloit and Roger Church of Beloit.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Edith Haugrud and Martha Green; and two brothers, Thorlief Haugrud and Claus Haugrud.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 1998 at 1:00 p.m. at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. Pastor Steven Meyer will officiate with burial in the Coon Prairie Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday after 12:00 noon at the church. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mary P. Dickinson
SPARTA, Wis. - Mary P. Dickinson, 77, of Sparta, died Friday evening, Nov. 27, 1998, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, La Crosse.
She is survived by her husband, Gerald; two sons, James (Caroline) Wright, Amarillo, Tex.; Russell (Bobbi) Wright, Cleveland, Ohio; seven stepgrandchildren; two stepdaughters, Sandra Fernandez, Chicago, Ill.; Patti (Allan) Gudmundson, Sparta; one stepson, Gary (Barb) Dickinson, Cashton, Wis.; one sister, Peggy Boscia, St. Augustine, Fla.; one brother, William (Ethel) Pierce, Highpoint, N.C.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, at the Page-Smith Funeral Home, Sparta, with Rev. Paul Woods and Rev. Richard A. Krocka officiating. Burial will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Sparta.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 6-8 p.m. and on Tuesday from 8 a.m. until the service.

Charles J. ``Chut'' Satek
Charles J. ``Chut'' Satek, 80, of La Crosse, died on Friday, Nov. 27, 1998, in his home. He was born on Feb. 6, 1918, in La Crosse, to Charles and Catherine (Heinkle) Satek. He married Phyllis E. Wuensch on Jan. 14, 1945, in Norfolk, Va. She died on Jan. 20, 1990. Chut was a Navy Veteran of World War II and a member of the United States L.S.T. Association. He had worked for many years at Allis Chalmers of La Crosse and later worked for Hitchcock Industries of Minneapolis, Minn. He retired in 1983. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Chut is survived by his daughter, Kathleen (Larry) Trammell of West Salem, Wis.; his son, Larry (Pam) Satek of St. Charles, Ill.; three grandchildren, Jason Satek, Laura (Soren) Lundsgard and Mark (Katie) Hartfield and a sister, Charlotte (Harold) Sipley of Onalaska, Wis.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998, at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. The Rev. Lawrence B. Berger will officiate. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 2 p.m. until the time of service.

Esther E. Leis
TOMAH, Wis. - Esther E. Leis, 82, of Tomah and formerly of Wilton died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse. She was born on Sept. 8, 1916, to Joseph and Mary (Dunwald) Suhr, near Melvina in the town of Jefferson. She was united in marriage to Norbert A. Leis on April 15, 1941, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Pine Hollow. They farmed in the town of Wilton until retiring in 1982. Esther was a loving mother and grandmother.
She is survived by two daughters, Imelda Biermeier of Hillsboro and Mary Ann (William) Parr of Fond du Lac; two sons, Norbert (Celesta) Leis Jr., David (Karen) Leis, all of Wilton; 14 grandchildren, Carl (Cheryl) Leis of Wilton, Christine (Richard) Westerman of Wilton, Laura (Matthew) Rueckheim of Ontario, Leonard (Amanda) Leis of Elroy, Larry Leis, Amanda Leis, both of Wilton, Matthew (Trina) Biermeier, Michael Biermeier, Chadwick Biermeier, all of Hillsboro, Marcia Parr and Melissa Parr of Fond du Lac, Laura, James and Heidi Handorf of Wilton; 11 great grandchildren; two sisters, Laura and Irene Huhr of Melvina; a brother, Vernon Suhr of West Salem. Esther is further survived by other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Norbert.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998, 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wilton. The Very Reverend James P. McNamee will officiate. Burial will be in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Wilton, Wis.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Wilton, on Monday, Nov. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Tuesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

Grace K. Smith
GAYS MILLS, Wis. - Grace K. Smith, 80, of Gays Mills, died Saturday, November 28, 1998 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the Dommersnaes-Bertram Family Funeral Home in Gays Mills with burial in the Gays Mills Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday after 11:00 a.m. at the Dommersnaes-Bertram Family Funeral Home in Gays Mills.

Marilyn Joan McGee
ARCADIA, Wis. - Marilyn J. McGee, 69, of Arcadia, Wis., died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998, at the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis.
She was born Dec. 31, 1928, in La Crosse, Wis., to John and Lillian (Grosskopf) Schoen. On April 23, 1949, Marilyn married Lyle McGee in La Crosse. They farmed near Modena, Wis., until they moved to Gilmanton, Wis., in 1967. In 1994, they moved to Arcadia, Wis.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Lyle McGee, Lakeview Health Care Center, West Salem, Wis.; one daughter, Suzanne (James) Wiskow, Arcadia, Wis.; one granddaughter, Julie Wiskow, Arcadia, Wis.; seven brothers, Hilary (Faye) Schoen, La Crosse, Wis., Francis (Catherine) Schoen, La Crosse, Wis., Richard (Jeanette) Schoen, La Crosse, Wis., Gerald (Diane) Schoen, Mount Prospect, Ill., Russell (Jean) Schoen, Wheaton, Ill., Walter (Sharon) Schoen, La Crosse, Wis., Gregory (Bonnie) Schoen, Arcadia, Wis.; four sisters, Dorothy Wick, La Crosse, Wis., Catherine (Odin) McCarty, La Crosse, Wis., Barbara (Alan) Barum, Onalaska, Wis., Elizabeth (Edward) McFarland, Kansas City, Mo.; one sister-in-law, Colleen (Glen) Michaels, Alma, Wis.; and over 50 nieces and nephews.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother and sister.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12 noon on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Arcadia, with Rev. Raymond Pedretti officiating. Burial will be in the Buffalo City Public Cemetery, Buffalo City, Wis.
Friends may call from 4-9 p.m. Monday with a rosary recited at 7:30 p.m. and from 8-11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Wozney Funeral Home in Arcadia.
Wozney Funeral Home, Arcadia, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Carol J. Lampert
FREEBURG, Minn. - Carol J. Lampert, 63, of Freeburg, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, Wis.
She was born Nov. 17, 1935, in St. Paul, Minn., to Gerhart and Inez (Wifall) Virock. She married Lloyd Lampert Jan. 22, 1955, in St. Paul.
Carol belonged to the Crooked Creek Homemakers. She was a loving mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband, Lloyd of Freeburg; her mother, Inez Virock of St. Paul; two sons, Jeffrey (Karen) of Brownsville and Michael (Dona) of Caledonia; a daughter, Debra (James) Hoscheit of Caledonia; eight grandchildren, Shannon, Lindsey, Kelsey, Haley, April, Lucas, Joshua, and Colton Lampert; and three brothers, Richard (Marie) Virock of St. Paul, Bruce (Susie) Virock of Houston and David (LeAnn) Virock of Houston. She was preceded in death by her father.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Zion Evangelical Church, Brownsville. Rev. Phil Williams will officiate and burial will be in Peace United Church of Christ Cemetery, Crooked Creek. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. at the church Monday, and one hour prior to the services Tuesday. Memorials are preferred to Peace United Church of Christ Cemetery Fund.

Finn Posaas

Finn Posaas, 74, of La Crosse, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. He was born Feb. 2, 1924, at Linna Finskogen, Solor, Norway. He married Betty Bickley at Exeter, Devon, England, on July 15, 1950. Finn and Betty immigrated to the United States on Jan. 4, 1952. They settled at Rapid City, S.D., and then in 1963, moved to La Crosse. Finn graduated from business college in Norway and then studied civil engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines. In La Crosse, Finn began building homes. He was a charter member of the La Crosse Home Builders' Association. He was a member and past president of Wergeland Lodge #5/28, Sons of Norway.
``In memory of our loved husband, father and grandfather, whose life touched us all in countless ways. Dad was a man of tremendous energy, vision, creativity and perseverance. We loved him and will miss him greatly. His departure leaves a void in all of our lives. We enjoyed his companionship, participated with him in numerous family adventures, canoeing, fishing, skiing, camping and golfing. Dad had a friendly manner and a loving concern. He was always there for his family and delighted in his grandchildren, Zachery and Sarah. Dad lived a full, courageous life. He was well-respected in the business community and built homes with craftmanship and integrity.''
In addition to his wife, Betty, he is survived by a daughter, Karen Ann (Charles) Miller of Burke, Va.; by two sons, David Finnson Posaas and Kevin Finnson Posaas, both of La Crosse; by three sisters, Ingrid Froyland, Unni (Oivind) Dahl and Randi (Finn) Rosendahl, all of Oslo, Norway; by a brother, Dr. Halvor (Karen) Vermund of Oslo; by two grandchildren, Zachery Finn Miller and Sarah Grace Miller; and by nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and by two brothers, Knute and Jarne.
The family wishes to express its deep gratitude to Dr. Erik Gundersen and his talented and caring support team, and to all of the wonderful nurses at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.
Memorial services will be Thursday, Dec. 3, 1998, at 11 a.m at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. The Reverend Duane Kamroth will officiate. Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the service. Memorials may be given to the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of La Crosse County, 4062 Terrace Drive, La Crosse, Wis. 54601; or to St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
The Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory, La Crosse, is assisting with the arrangements.

Christopher Edward Johnson
Christopher E. Johnson, 15, died at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, on Monday, Nov. 30, 1998. He was born March 8, 1983, in La Crosse, to Doreen Johnson and Dwayne Rhadans. Chris was a sophomore at Central High School.
He is survived by his mother; maternal grandparents, Edward and Sally Johnson of La Crosse; maternal great-grandmother, Pauline E. Johnson of La Crosse; aunts and uncles, David (Kelly) Johnson of Mentor, Ohio, Deb (Jack) Van Lin of La Crescent, Minn., Dale (Barb) Johnson of La Crosse, Dawn (Mark) Christensen of Rollingstone, Minn., and Doug (Robin) Johnson of Holmen; cousins, Angela, Dana, Leah, Patrick, Colleen, Caitlin, Samantha, Devin, Rachel, and a cousin-to-be; great-aunts and -uncles, Kay and Robert Weldy of La Crosse, Elaine Ortmeier of Sioux Falls, S.D., Pat and George Miles of La Crosse and Charles and Chi Turner of Aurora, Colo.; and special family friends, Jim and Lynn Ebert and family.
He was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandfathers and great-grandmother.
Memorial services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. The Reverend Rachel Mithelman will officiate. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the services. Memorials may be given to Our Savior's Lutheran Church.
The Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory, La Crosse, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Most Reverend Bishop Frederick W. Freking, D.D., J.C.D.
The Most Reverend Frederick William Freking, 85, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of La Crosse, died on Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, La Crosse, where he had been hospitalized for several days. Prior to that and since his resignation as Bishop of La Crosse, which was accepted on May 10, 1983, he resided at 3524 East Avenue South and at Holy Cross Diocesan Center. Since Feb. 11, 1998, he was a resident of St. Joseph Rehabilitation Center in La Crosse.
Born on Aug. 11, 1913, to August and Rosa (Oberbroeckling) Freking in Heron Lake, Minn., Bishop Freking was the eleventh in a family of 19 children. While growing up on the home farm, he attended Sacred Heart Grade School and Heron Lake Public High School. In 1934, he graduated from St. Mary's College in Winona, Minn. Having completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, he was ordained a priest on July 31, 1938, for the Diocese of Winona, by Archbishop Luca Pasetto, O.F.M. Cap., in the Church of St. Ignatius in Rome.
Bishop Freking's early priestly service was given in various parishes and offices of the Diocese of Winona, namely St. John's Church (1939) and Lourdes High School in Rochester (1940 to 1943), and St. John's Church in Winona (1943 to 1945). Other assignments included Holy Cross Church, Dakota; Precious Blood Church, La Moille; St. Mary's Church, Minneiska; and St. Paul's Church, Minnesota City. During these years he was a pastor, a high school superintendent and editor of the diocesan newspaper. In 1945, he was assigned to graduate studies at the Catholic University of America, where he received the degree of Doctor of Canon Law in 1948. Subsequently he returned to the Diocese of Winona, where he was named personal secretary to Bishop Leo Binz, then Coadjutor and Apostolic Administrator of that diocese. In 1950, he was named Vice-chancellor and in 1952 he was named Chancellor, a position he held until he received the appointment in 1953 to the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he was the spiritual director until 1957.
On Oct. 10, 1957, Monsignor Freking was named Bishop of the Diocese of Salina, Kansas. He was consecrated as a bishop at the North American College on Nov. 30 by Giuseppe Cardinal Pizzardo, Prefect of the Congregation of Seminarians and Universities. From 1957 to 1964, he was bishop of the Diocese of Salina, Kansas. On De. 30, 1964, he was transferred to the Diocese of La Crosse and installed there on Feb. 24, 1965, succeeding Bishop Treacy.
Bishop Freking attended all sessions of the Second Vatican Council (1962 to 1965) and served on the U.S. Bishops' Committee for Bishops and the governing of dioceses. In 1964, he was elected president of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. He was a member of the Priestly Formation Commission from 1966 to 1969, and was also the first Episcopal Moderator of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors. Other leadership roles encompassed the U.S. Bishops' Commission on the Missions, and the U.S. Catholic Missions Council (1971 to 1974), and the Bishops' Committee on the Laity (1972 to 1975). Bishop Freking was instrumental in ushering in a new era of shared responsibility among clergy, religious, and lay members of the church.
Preceding Bishop Freking in death were his mother, Rose, and his father, August; family members Monica (Mrs. Carl Bartosh), William, Clementine (Mrs. R.E. Berg), Joseph, Mary (Mrs. Wilbur Bauman), Alois, Lawrence, Leo, August Jr., and Alfred. Surviving him are Rose (Mrs. Leo Liepold), Clo, Josephine (Mrs. Harry Kreger), Margaret (Mrs. Rod Henkels), and Ann (Mrs. Clayton Mathias) all of Heron Lake, Minn., and George of Windom, Minn., Edward of Lake Crystal, Minn., Sister Marcan Freking, OSF, of Sturgis, Ky.; and many nieces and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman, 530 Main Street, La Crosse, on Monday, Dec. 7, 1998, at 11 a.m., with the Most Rev. Rembert Weakland, O.S.B., D.D., Metropolitan Archbishop of Milwaukee, as the principal celebrant. He will be joined by Bishop John Paul, Bishop Raymond Burke and other bishops of the United States.
Visitation will be at the Cathedral on Sunday, Dec. 6, 1998, from 2 to 8 p.m., with Evening Prayer at 7:30 p.m. Morning Prayer will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Dec. 7, with visitation continuing until the time of the funeral Mass at 11 a.m.
With regard to memorials, after consultation with Bishop Freking's family and in accord with his wishes, the following memorials in Bishop Freking's name have been designated: The Holy Cross Seminary Education Endowment Trust; the Pontifical North American College; and the National Catholic Rural Life Conference.
The Blaschke Funeral Home, La Crosse, is assisting the Diocese of La Crosse with funeral arrangements.

David L. Friend
ONALASKA, Wis. - David L. Friend, 60, of Onalaska, died at his home on Monday, Nov. 30, 1998.
He was born in Galesburg, Ill., on June 19, 1938, to William and Sophia (Carlson) Friend. He married Sally Geissler on Dec. 26, 1966, in Galesburg, Ill.
Dave served with the United States Navy for 28 years. He then was employed by the Continuing Education Department at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for 10 years before retiring in 1995.
Dave was a well-liked man and a good friend to many. He was a faithful and devoted husband and father, who took an active interest in his children's youth football and little league activities when they were younger. He was also a very patriotic man who was very proud of his country and of his many years of service in the Navy.
Dave is survived by his wife, Sally, and their two children, Heather (Michael) Nixon of Naples, Fla., and Brian Friend of St. Paul, Minn.; his four children from a previous marriage, Deborah Tabb, David D. Friend, William Friend and Robert Friend, all of Abingdon, Ill.; two sisters, Drusilla Moran of Galesburg, Ill., and Sharon (Gary) Shipplett of Abingdon, Ill.; and one brother, Jerry (Rosie) Friend of Galesburg, Ill. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Phyllis Bowden.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska. Rev. Mark E. Hart will officiate. Burial, with military rites, will be in the Onalaska Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m., and again on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services. The family requests that memorials be given to the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation for the Dialysis Unit.

Berneice D. Geisler
Berneice D. Geisler, of Hearton House I, passed away quietly Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1998, in her sleep.
She was born Jan. 4, 1914, to Charles and Jenny Callaway, in La Crosse, Wis.
Berneice was employed for many years at WKBH radio station in La Crosse before moving to Madison, Wis.
Berneice married Paul L. Geisler on March 23, 1973, in Madison, Wis.
Berneice was very active in the First Congregational Church of both La Crosse and Madison, and will be missed by family, and the many lives she touched along the way.
Memorials may be designated to Bethany Riverside and Hearton House I of La Crosse, Wis.
The Zwickey Funeral Homes of Galesville assisted the family with arrangements.

Fred A. Meyers
HUMBIRD, Wis. - Fred A. Meyers, 83, of Humbird, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, in Fairchild Health Care Center. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton. Burial will be in Mentor Cemetery, rural Humbird. Friends may call one hour prior to services Wednesday at the funeral home.

William A. Viney
TOMAH, Wis. - William A. Viney, 64, of Reedsburg, Wis., and formerly of Tomah, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, in University Hospital, Madison. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday in the White Funeral Home, and burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, both in Tomah. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Thursday in the funeral home.

Corrine J. Schild
HOUSTON, Minn. - Corrine J. Schild, 79, of Houston, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, at her home in Houston. She was born on Aug. 1, 1919, in rural Mabel, Minn., to James and Clara (Storlie) Arneson. She married Ralph Schild on Sept. 12, 1948, in Caledonia.
She grew up in the Spring Grove and Caledonia areas and graduated from Caledonia High School in 1938. She farmed with her husband in the South Ridge and Crystal Valley areas until they retired in 1979. She then moved to her current residence in Mound Prairie. She was a member of South Ridge United Methodist Church. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, and baking.
She is survived by two sons, Steve (Margaret) Schild of Winona, Richard (Debbie Rank) Schild of Money Creek; two daughters, Sandra Priebe of Winona, Rita (David Spring) Schild of Roseville; nine grandchildren, Gabe, Zachary, Rhiannon, David, Jake, Sam, Chelsea, Caitlin, and Chloe; one great-granddaughter, Tia; one brother, Herman (Vivian) Arneson of Fountain City, Wis.; four sisters, Minerva Blegen of Spring Grove, Cora (Art) Wheaton of Houston, Esther (Ray) Hahn of La Crescent, and Gladys (Art) Johnson of La Crescent.
She was preceded in death by her husband; one brother, Orlin; and one granddaughter, Molly.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998, at South Ridge United Methodist Church in rural La Crescent, with Rev. Paul Kobi officiating. Burial will follow in Church Cemetery at La Crescent. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Hoff Funeral Homes-Houston Chapel, and one hour before the service on Wednesday at the church. Memorials preferred at donors discretion. Hoff Funeral Homes-Houston Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.


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