Obituaries

Oct 14, 2023

John Hoyt Callanan, age 87, left for heaven on Saturday, October 14, 2023 after managing congestive heart failure on his own terms. John was born in Albany, New York on July 28, 1936 to Keith Mynderse and Elizabeth Dowling Callanan. John grew up in South Bethlehem, New York on his family’s farm and went to a country school. He...

Oct 13, 2023

Sylvester M. King Jr., 89 of Coon Valley, passed away at Norseland Nursing Home Friday, October 13, 2023. He was born October 18, 1933 in Coon Valley to Mabel (Moen) and Sylvester M. King Sr. He was the third of four children. He enlisted in the Marines right after high school graduation. He served one tour of duty during...

Sep 22, 2023

Alma “Mick” Umberger, 78, of Stoddard succumbed to Lewy body dementia Friday September 22, 2023 at the Morrow home in Sparta. She was born July 22, 1945 to Herb and Mae Morrison in La Crosse.

Survivors include her husband, Jerome Umberger, sons, Stuart and Stacy Umberger, and by her sister Hattie Vickrey. She was preceded in death...

Sep 22, 2023

Frederick “Corny” Loren Favor, age 68 passed away unexpectedly in his home in Viroqua on Friday, September 22, 2023.

Corny was born in Viroqua, WI to Fred and Marlene Favor on July 24, 1955. Corny attended Viroqua High School and graduated in 1973. While in high school he was on the wrestling team, and worked at the...

Sep 9, 2023

LaVonne Ellen Bekkum, age 70, of Viroqua, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Vernon Manor Nursing Home in Viroqua from complications due to Alzheimer’s.

LaVonne was born on January 16, 1953, in Viroqua, Wisconsin, to Milnor and Elizabeth (Aalgaard) Bekkum. She has two siblings, a brother Eldon (Eli) and a sister Marion.

...

Sep 2, 2023

Charles “Chuck” Wm. Oldenburg of Chaseburg, passed away due to a medical emergency on Saturday, September 2, 2023.   He was born on November 18, 1955 to Lawrence and Doris (Proksch) Oldenburg.  On August 16, 1997, he was united in marriage to Julie Ann Hartwig at the family farm.

One might say he farmed most of his life,...

Aug 29, 2023

David Marvin “Bones” Bakkestuen, 63, died August 29, 2023 at his home in rural Viroqua near the family farm where he grew up. David was born October 12, 1959, in La Crosse to Marvin and Caroline Bakkestuen. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chaseburg. David graduated from Viroqua High School in 1977, and...

Aug 28, 2023

Donna M. Urbanek, 86, of Cashton, died Monday August 28, 2023 at Benedictine Manor in La Crosse. She was born August 10, 1937 to Eddie and Elsie (Lueck) Scharping. She graduated from Cashton High School in 1955. Donna married Clinton Dunnum on June 20 1956. The couple farmed together until he died February 22, 1985. She then married James...

Aug 8, 2023

Donald G. Dunnum, 79, of Coon Valley, died Tuesday August 8, 2023 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. A private graveside service was held at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Aug 7, 2023

Patricia (Patty) Stuempges, 64, of Coon Valley, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse after battling lung cancer and COPD for six months. She was born to Raymond and Angeline Becker on February 5th, 1959, in La Crosse, WI. Patty spent her younger years attending Blessed Sacrament, Aquinas High School for two...

Jul 17, 2023

Clarice Marie (Role) Manske, 90 of Chaseburg, died Monday July 17, 2023 at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse. She was born October 22, 1932 at St. Ann’s Hospital in La Crosse, the only child of Clarence T. and Mary P. (Mathison) Role. She attended three rural schools: Erickson, North Natwick and Spring Coulee. Clarice graduated from...

Jul 16, 2023

Carliss Dean Larson, 86, of Coon Valley died unexpectedly Sunday, July 16, 2023, surrounded by family at Gundersen Health System. He was born March 25, 1937, to Sherman and Olga (Rude) Larson in La Crosse County. He graduated from Westby High School in 1955. Carliss was united in marriage to Karen (Beier) Larson on November 16, 1963, at Good...

Jul 5, 2023

Linda Lou (Hanson) Kreuzer, 79, of rural Chaseburg, died peacefully on Wednesday morning, July 5, 2023 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. She was born July 8, 1943 to Henry and Evelyn (Myhre) Hanson in Chaseburg. She graduated from Westby High School. On July 1, 1961, she married Tom Kreuzer at the Coon Valley Lutheran Parsonage. Linda “Lou”...

Jun 29, 2023

Ralph H. Williams, 91 of Viroqua and formerly of La Crosse, died Thursday June 29, 2023 at Bethel Oaks in Viroqua.

He was born on February 21, 1932 to Halmer and Ellen (Nelson) Williams in Vernon County Wisconsin. He grew up on a farm near Chaseburg and graduated from Viroqua High School in 1950. He then joined...

Jun 29, 2023

Jeannie Marie (Garstka) Skala, 67, of Holmen, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, June 29, 2023. She was born on November 20, 1955 to Eugene and Dolores Garstka. Jeannie married Joseph Skala on November 3, 1994. Jeannie enjoyed crocheting since she was a child. She learned the craft from her grandmother. Using this...

Jun 23, 2023

Robert “Bob” “Pete” L. Pederson, 85, of Coon Valley, died Friday June 23, 2023 at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby. He was born December 6, 1937 to Chester and Lillian (Steenberg) Pederson. He graduated from Westby High School where he was an excellent athlete. Bob married Sonja Skolos on January 29, 1955 in Coon Valley. He had a painting...

Jun 23, 2023

Gloria Dawn Kunert died peacefully on Friday, June 23, 2023 surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on November 24, 1951 to Edward and Marian (Devic) Kunert. Gloria grew up on a dairy farm in Mormon Coulee and treasured her time on the farm. She loved to visit often to help harvest and can vegetables from the garden...

Jun 16, 2023

Sharon E. Stendahl, 68, of Chaseburg, died Friday June 16, 2023 after a 6-month battle with cancer. She was born December 10, 1954 to Kenneth and Lorraine (Tripp) Stenslien. She graduated from Viroqua High School in 1973. Sharon married Lee Stendahl on Mackinac Island, Michigan on July 16, 1985. She worked at Veum Veterinarians in Viroqua and then at...

Jun 6, 2023

Gary Lee Cook Sr. , 84, of Holmen, Wisconsin passed away at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, La Crosse, Tuesday, June 6, 2023 surrounded by his family after a long, hard battle with C.O.P.D. and a heart condition.  Gary was born on September 22, 1938, to Wesley and Evelyn (Grayless) Cook. He married Delores (Bryant) Cook on June 20, 1961....

May 24, 2023

Caroline Salomea (Lindahl) Bakkestuen, 91, died Wednesday May 24, 2023 at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby where she had been a resident for the past 5 plus years. Caroline was born October 3, 1931 in Viroqua to Joel and Salomea (Stoehr) Lindahl. She was baptized, confirmed, married and a lifetime member of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Hamburg and...