Cathy Jo Theige, 62, of La Crosse and formerly of Westby, was called to her heavenly home Friday March 27, 2015 at Gundersen Health System with family and friends by her side.  She was born August 23, 1952 to Art and Rena (Williams) Theige.  Cathy was baptized, confirmed and a lifelong member of Vang Lutheran Church, rural Westby.  She graduated from Westby High School and attended WWTC in La Crosse.  Cathy worked at St. Francis Nursing Home in La Crosse for many years.

Joyce C. Rundhaugen, 79, of Coon Valley passed away peacefully Saturday March 21, 2015 at Lakeview Health Center in West Salem with her daughter by her side.  She was born August 16, 1935 to Clarence and Esther (Brown) Anderson in Portland Township, Monroe County.  She was baptized and confirmed at Portland Lutheran Church, rural Cashton.  Joyce married Alton Rundhaugen on October 24, 1953 at Skogdalen Lutheran Church, rural Westby.

Joyce loved being a mom, grandma and great grandma and spent many years babysitting children in the area and becoming a second mom to many of them. She was a member of the Skogdalen Lutheran Church where she was active in WELCA, the Ruth Circle and quilting.  Joyce also enjoyed flower gardening and was an excellent cook.

Hilda H. Carson, 101, formerly of Stoddard, died Saturday March 21, 2015 at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse.  She was born July 13, 1913 to Otto and Helena (Seidel) Lenser in Vernon County.  On January 26, 1936 she married John L. Carson. Hilda spent over 60 years on the farm near Stoddard until moving to the care center in December 2014.  She enjoyed gardening, raising chickens, listening to old time music and playing cards.  In later years, she looked forward to visits from her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughter, Ruby Schultz of Stoddard; former son-in-law, Rodney (Dona) Schultz of Chaseburg; 3 grandchildren, Rhonda (Trent) Hanson of Chaseburg, Renee (Dale) Heintz of Onalaska and Robby (Toni) Schultz of Florence, KY;  great grandchildren, Tyler (Rachel) Hanson, Zachery Hanson, Tanner Hanson, Angel Heintz,; step great grandchildren, Jenna Heintz and Amber Heintz, great great grandson Tucker Hanson; step great great granddaughter Rayah Heintz; a niece, nephews, cousins and friends.

Marjorie M. Hanson, 80, of rural Coon Valley died Wednesday March 4, 2015 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.  She was born April 29, 1934 in rural Viroqua to Arthur and Marie (Bushman) Peterson.  She attended the Gilbertson School near Westby.  Marjorie married Bud Hanson on November 2, 1968 in La Crosse.  The couple farmed their married life in Bohemian Valley, La Crosse County.  She enjoyed flower gardening, doing lawn work and was an excellent cook and baker.

Karen Jean Tischer, 57, of La Crosse died peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Sunday March 1, 2015 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.  She was born October 5, 1957 in Viroqua to Ralph and Evelyn (Gronvold) Dahlen.  Karen was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Cashton and confirmed at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church.  She graduated from Westby High School in 1975.  Karen graduated from Western Technical College in 1977 with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Viterbo University in 2008, an accomplishment she was extremely proud of.  On April 30, 1982, Karen married Thomas Tischer at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church.  Karen was a natural born caregiver and carried this trait with her throughout her personal and professional life.  She began her professional career at Gundersen Health System in 1977, where she worked up until 1999 as a Registered Nurse.  From 1999 until 2002, she served as the Director of Nursing at Bethany Riverside Nursing Home in La Crosse.  In 2002, she returned to Gundersen Health System as the Clinical Manager of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, a job that inspired and motivated her because of the wonderful co-workers, staff, and patients that kept her going every day.

Audrey G. Herold, 88, of rural Stoddard, went home to be with her Lord Sunday March 1, 2015 at Bethany Riverside in La Crosse. She was born February 20, 1927 in La Crosse to Oscar and Mabel (Anderson) Bakken.  She married Ralph Herold on August 23, 1944 at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stoddard.  The couple farmed for many years on the Herold home farm at rural Stoddard.  Audrey worked at Hillview Nursing Home in La Crosse for many years. She was an active member of Bethany Evangelical Free Church in La Crosse.  Audrey enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, reading her bible and gardening.

Thelmer (TJ) Odin Johnson, 92, of Coon Valley died Friday, February 27, 2015 at Bethany St. Joseph Nursing Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

He was born March 15, 1922, to Joseph and Clara (Strangstalien) Johnson in rural Westby, Wis. He was baptized and confirmed at Vang Lutheran Church.

Thelmer worked on the family farm until being drafted into the army at the end of WWII. He served in the Pacific Theater on the island of Saipan for his entire tour of duty.

After returning from military service he returned to farming in rural Cashton. In 1960 he moved to Coon Valley and worked as a carpenter for Gilbertson Bros. Construction until he retired. He was an accomplished woodworker and maintained a lifetime interest in that hobby. Gardening was another lifelong interest. He continued planting his vegetable gardens until 2014, giving loving attention to his favorite tomatoes.

Robert D. Mueller, 71 of Stoddard, died Friday February 27, 2015 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.  He was born November 19, 1943 in Alma to Andrew and Thelma (McCabe) Mueller.  Robert served in the U.S. Marine Corps from June 1961 to June 1965. He worked as construction mason in the area for many years.  Robert enjoyed celebrating the Marine Corp birthday, spending time with friends, hunting and listening to music.

Steven G. Nofsinger, 65, of rural Coon Valley died Monday February 23, 2015 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse surrounded by his family.  He was born October 16, 1949 in Vernon County to Otto and Myrtle (Boldon) Nofsinger. Steve graduated from Brookwood High School in 1969.  On June 6, 1970 he married Nancy Holte at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church.  Steve operated and lived on the Engh beef farm, rural Chaseburg, for 20 years and also worked at the Coon Valley Creamery, then the Midport Creamery, and most recently at Organic Valley in Chaseburg until retiring in 2006 due to his health.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, puzzles and coin collecting.  Steve loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.

Elmera G. Gjefle, 81, of rural Westby, died Wednesday February 11, 2015 at her home.  She was born October 12, 1933 to Orvin and Edna (Hass) Madson in La Crosse.  She married George Gjefle on September 29, 1956 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in La Crosse. The couple moved to rural Coon Valley in 1957 where they farmed for many years.  Later, Elmera managed Hidden Treasures Thrift Shop in Viroqua.  Most recently she worked as a housekeeper with her good friend Lorraine Stendahl at Norskedalen and the Coon Town Hall.  She was a member of the Coon Valley Lutheran Church, WELCA and South Ridge Circle. She was active on the serving committee and a leader in the quilting group.  Elmera enjoyed going out for breakfast or coffee and dessert with friends and family.  She liked gardening and jigsaw puzzles and loved spending time with her grandchildren.  Elmera was sweet and loving - we will miss her dearly.