Obituaries
Russell "Russ" W. Rankin
Mar 5, 2025
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Russell “Russ” W. Rankin, who died at the age of 102 on March 5th, 2025 (He passed away 34 hours before his 103rd birthday). He was born March 7, 1922, in Virden, IL.
He graduated from Virden Community High School Class of 1941.
A World War II veteran, he served his duty in the...
Sharon Rose Kasha
Mar 5, 2025
Sharon Rose Kasha, 90, of La Crescent, MN, former long-time resident of Crystal Lake, IL died Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Sharon was born on November 28, 1934 in Chicago, IL to Lawrence and Katherine (Dorgan) Howley. She graduated from Mercy High School in 1952 and then attended St. Xavier College for Women. During that time, Sharon met the love of...
David E. Dwyer
Mar 4, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of David E. Dwyer, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother. He was 74 years old. Dave was born to Eugene and Janet (Satek) Dwyer in La Crosse on January 13, 1951. He was a 1969 graduate of Central High School. In 1970, Dave married his high school...
Christine Portzen Metzler
Mar 4, 2025
Christine Portzen Metzler, 68, of Onalaska, went to Heaven on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Christine was born on December 17, 1956, to Joseph & Dorothy (Lowe) Portzen in Manitowoc, WI. After graduating from Flambeau Lincoln High School in Manitowoc in 1974, she went on to study Music Performance and Education, earning her degree from...
David K. Leuck
Mar 3, 2025
David K. Leuck, age 82 of Onalaska, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Monday, March 3, 2025, after a brief illness. He was born on January 30, 1943, in La Crosse, WI, to the late Carl Joseph and Calverna (Schams) Leuck.
Those who knew David will remember him for his zest for everything he did, and larger than life presence. He was...
David E. Breyer
Mar 2, 2025
David Breyer, 63, of La Crescent, Minnesota, passed away on March 2nd, 2025.
David was known for the many roles he carried in life—husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and a successful small engine business owner. He was a man whose presence was felt in the best way, always bringing warmth, laughter, and genuine connection to those around him.
As a husband,...
Joyce E. Benusa
Mar 1, 2025
Joyce Elaine Benusa, 89, of Onalaska, WI, a beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 1, 2025 surrounded by family. She was born on July 24, 1935 in Whitehall, WI to the late Bernice (Scow) and Harry Meistad.
While in high school in Arcadia, she met her future husband, Bill Benusa. They were...
Rita G. Brown
Mar 1, 2025
Rita Gail (Hoveland) Brown, 90, of La Crescent, MN died March 1, 2025, at Bethany Riverside in La Crosse. Born on May 21, 1934, in Westby, WI to Palmer and Amy (Lee) Hoveland. Rita was the youngest of three children. She attended Westby schools, graduating from Westby High School in 1952 along with friends, Helen Kissel and Pat Stafslien who...
Edward A Faas
Feb 28, 2025
Edward (Ed) Albert Faas age 81, died peacefully on February 28, 2025, at Mayo Hospital in La Crosse Wisconsin after a brief hospitalization. Ed was born on October 2, 1943, to Harold and Bernette (Schubert) Faas in Mishawaka Indiana. In 1960, Ed’s parents moved to the Stoddard area, raising their two sons and two daughters. Ed attended Holy Trinity and...
Lillian Gertude Kletzke
Feb 27, 2025
Lillian Gertrude Kletzke “Lightnin Lil “of La Crescent, MN. Passed away on February 27th, 2025 at the age of 87 after a long battle with cancer.
Lillian was born on October 27th,1937 to Lloyd and Myrtle (Brader) Huffey in Van Nuys, Ca. She was the eldest of 14 children. At the age of 7 the family moved to Iowa where Lillian...
Geraldine M. Schmidt
Feb 26, 2025
Geraldine "Gerry" Merle Maynard Schmidt, born on September 19, 1936, to Ronald Maynard and Dorothy Kateley Maynard, passed away peacefully in La Crescent, Minnesota. Gerry grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she graduated from Minneapolis Central High School. In 1956, she married Henry Schmidt, with whom she shared many cherished years until his passing.
A devoted member of St. Mark’s Episcopal...
Carol L. Juel
Feb 25, 2025
Carol Lee Juel, 87, of Stoddard, WI passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 in her home. She was born on December 25, 1937 in La Crosse, WI to Roy and Irene (Arntsen) Morehouse. Before retirement Carol worked for 20 years as a receptionist for a law firm in Davenport, Iowa. She was a charter member of Good Shepherd Lutheran...
Dr. William Joseph O'Leary
Feb 25, 2025
Dr. William Joseph O’Leary, Jr., 88, is now at peace in heaven, having passed away at home on February 25, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born on March 30, 1936, to Dr. William and Anne O’Leary of South Milwaukee, WI, where he grew up and attended Marquette University, graduating in 1958, and Marquette University School of Medicine...
Darlene M. Anderson
Feb 24, 2025
Darlene “Dar” Marjo Anderson passed away Monday, February 24, 2025, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. She was 86 years old. Darlene was born in MacIntosh, MN on November 30, 1938, and was the only child of Melvin and Hilma (Bendickson) Hartel. She graduated from Central High School in Crookston, MN in 1956 and then graduated from the...
Richard L. "Rich" Peterson
Feb 23, 2025
Richard L. ( “Rich”Pete”) Peterson of La Crescent, passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at the age of 80 years, at the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. Rich was born in Galesville, WI on September 19, 1944 to Milford and Genevieve (Francar) Peterson. He grew up in Galesville with his parents and sister Mary Lou. (all deceased) He...
Sandra Jean Walsh
Feb 22, 2025
Sandra J. Walsh, 75 of West Salem WI went to live with her Heavenly Father in her eternal home on February 22, 2025. Sandy was born on January 22,1950 to Catherine (Moan) and James Erickson in La Crosse, WI. Sandy was baptized and confirmed at the Halfway Creek Lutheran Church. Sandy attended Holmen area elementary schools and graduated from Holmen...
Carlene Marie Ulrich
Feb 19, 2025
Carlene Marie Ulrich ran the race of her life and finished well on February 19th 2025. She was born in Bismarck, ND on July 3rd 1962 to Ronald and Minnie Keller. She grew up on a farm, and graduated from Elgin, ND High School in 1980 and NDSU in Fargo, ND in 1984. She married her high school sweetheart, Dennis...
Vickie S. Hengel
Feb 18, 2025
Vickie S. Hengel, 67, of La Crosse, passed away February 18, 2025 after a long battle with cancer. She is preceded in death by her parents Willis (Willie) and Catherine Allen, and her mother-in-law Nelda J. Hengel.
Vickie is survived by her husband, Phil Hengel; son Roman (Amy) Wells of Holmen; daughter, Alyschia Wells of Eau Claire; grandchildren Jaxsyn, Torynn and...
Dianna K. Steidl
Feb 17, 2025
Dianna K. Steidl, 74, of La Crosse passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025. She was born on March 4, 1950, to Robert and Beverly (Helgerson) Wolford. Dianna worked in retail sales and was very good at what she did. Throughout her career she worked at International Brass, Puzzles Plus, and Sears. She was a very creative and artistic person...
James D. Fema
Feb 15, 2025
James D. Fema, 87, of La Crosse, WI passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. He was born on March 12, 1937 in La Crosse to Leonard and Dorothy (Morrison) Fema. Jim loved to hunt whether it was chasing after a deer or hiding out in the brush waiting for a Tom to...
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