Story originally printed in the Onalaska Life or online at www.onalaskalife.com

Published - Monday, March 31, 2008

Obituaries for March 28, 2008

Wyman Kenneth Ender | Ruth A. Bertling | Mark Samuel ‘Apple Jack’ Wilhelm | Robert G. Ming | Peter F. Johnson | Sylverne Flora Smith | Norma V. Schlifer | Viola Caroline Schultz

Wyman K. Ender

ONALASKA — Wyman Kenneth Ender, 85, of Onalaska died Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.

He was born in Chicago to George and Clara (Waido) Ender on Aug. 14, 1922. He served in the 8th Army Air Force 445th Bomb Group during WWII as a B-24 bomber pilot, and was recognized with the Air Medal and two Oak Leaf Clusters. Wyman earned a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois, and retired as a senior principal design engineer from The Trane Co. after more than 30 years of service.

Wyman married Elizabeth Winkelhaus in Edison Park, Ill., on Sept. 29, 1947.

He served as the Troop 48 Scoutmaster for 10 years, enjoyed travel, outdoor recreation, and was a “Morning Maniac” participant in the La Crosse Exercise Health Program for over 20 years.

Wyman is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; four sons, Keith, Ralph, Douglas and Carl; as well as eight grandchildren, Christopher, Philip, David, Sarah, Jenessa, Emily, Levi and Jacob. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Robert and George.

A memorial service is planned for July 5, 2008, at Onalaska United Methodist Church. Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the American Stroke Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674.

Ruth A. Bertling

CASHTON, Wis. — Ruth A. Bertling, 90, of Cashton passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at Vernon Manor in Viroqua, Wis.

She was born April 2, 1917, in Wild Horse Colo., to John and Belinda (Neprud) Dahl. The family moved back to Westby, Wis., in 1923. Ruth graduated from Westby High School as salutatorian in 1935. She then attended Vernon County Normal and graduated in 1936.

Ruth was united in marriage with Orval J. Bertling on Feb. 5, 1938, in Decorah, Iowa. Together they farmed the Bertling family farm for many years. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school, holding many offices in the Ladies Aid and was an active member of the church council. Ruth enjoyed cooking and baking, gardening, sewing and spending time with family and friends.

Ruth is survived by one son, John (Jackie) Bertling of Cashton; two daughters, Eileen (Albert) Hagenbuch of Utica, Ill., and Jean (Paul) Hundt of Onalaska, Wis.; a special nephew, James (Terri) Dahl of Corcoran, Minn.; seven grandchildren, John (Robin) Erickson, Kim (Kevin) Stark, Laura Hagenbuch, Johnathan (Kati) Hagenbuch, Douglas (Melissa) Hagenbuch, Nicholas Hundt and Joseph Hundt; seven great-grandchildren, Zachary, Rachael, Konnor, Remmington, Ryder, Isabella and Mae; four sisters-in-law, Lillian Hilden of Westby, Clarissa Bertling of Viroqua, Judith Jothen of Cashton, and Nora Marie Jernander of Cashton; along with many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Orval; a sister, Bertha Dahl; a sister and brother-in law, Ona (Elmer) Stenerson, a brother and sister-in-law, Irvin K. (Rosella) Dahl; five brothers-in-law, Alf Bertling, Oscar Hilden, Marvin Jothen, Harvey Jernander and Norbert Bertling; one nephew, Tom Dahl; and two nieces, Maria Jothen and Mary Zimmerman.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Cashton. Pastor Kay Wold will officiate. Burial will follow in Moen (Immanuel) Lutheran Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton for visitation today from 6 to 8 p.m., and from 1 p.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church. Memorials may be given in memory of Ruth to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or Moen Cemetery. Torkelson Funeral Home of Cashton is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mark Samuel ‘Apple Jack’ Wilhelm

ONALASKA — Mark S. Wilhelm, 48, of Onalaska died Monday, March 24, 2008, at his home.

He was born in La Crosse on April 17, 1959, to Raymond and Marion (Severson) Wilhelm. Mark graduated from Onalaska High School and retired from the La Crosse Rubber Mills. He will be remembered for living life to the fullest.

He is survived by his mother, sister; Susan (Charles) Tabbert of Onalaska; niece, Shelly (Kevin) Olson of Trempealeau, Wis.; nephew, Scott Tabbert of Onalaska; aunts, Ardis Anderson of Fergus Falls, Minn., and Odessa Moore of La Crosse; uncle, Lloyd Severson of Onalaska; special friend, Tammy Oelfke; and many cousins on the Wilhelm and Severson side.

He was preceded in death by his father.

A memorial service will be at noon Thursday, March 27, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., Onalaska. A private family burial will take place at Onalaska Cemetery immediately after services. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 11 a.m. until time of services.

Robert G. Ming

ONALASKA — Robert G. Ming, 84, of Onalaska passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 25, 2008.

Robert, son of Albert and Amelia Ming, was born on Oct. 6, 1923, in Chicago.

He married Patricia Dunlap in 1948 and resided in Mundelein, Ill., before relocating to Wisconsin in 1963. Together they raised six children, Janice (Peter) Settle of Greendale, Wis., Jerry (Peg Anderson) of Grays Lake, Ill., James of Port Orchard, Wash., Ronald of Onalaska, and William of Las Vegas. He lost his wife, Patricia, to cancer in 1991 after 42 years of marriage, and a son, Jeffery in 1961.

Robert trained pilots for the Army Air Corps in B-25’s during World War II. Bob worked for several companies as a salesman throughout his career. He was also involved in softball in West Salem, where he was an umpire for many years. He led the West Salem Explorer Scouts for over 12 years on their annual trip to Canada for a week of fishing, where they had the time of their lives. Everyone always looked forward to this yearly event. He then logged over 1,000 hours of volunteer services at St. Francis Hospital.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Patricia; a son, Jeffery; and a sister, Helene.

Robert is survived by his five remaining children; six grandchildren, Kristin and Katie Settle, Jason, Kelly, Kara and Kayla Ming; and five great-grandchildren, Ryleigh Settle, and Vanessa, Isabelle, Michelle and Robert Ming. Robert was very proud of his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a special friend, Lee Verken of La Crosse.

A memorial service will be at 8 p.m. Thursday at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., Onalaska. The Rev. Bruce Iverson will officiate, and burial with military rites will be Monday in Arlington Cemetery in Milwaukee, where he will rejoin his wife Patricia at 12:30 p.m. Family and friends may call the funeral home on Thursday from 6:30 p.m. until time of services. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Francis Volunteers at St. Francis Hospital.

Peter F. Johnson

ONALASKA — Peter F. Johnson, 52, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at his home after a long courageous battle with cancer with family by his side.

He was born Jan. 20, 1956, in La Crosse to Fredric and Audrey (Pabich) Johnson. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying the family cabin in Jump River with his brothers. He especially enjoyed fishing, camping and bird watching with his loving wife, Kathy.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy (Drinkwater); his mother, Audrey Johnson; his two daughters, Jessie (Jim) Viner and Casey (Eric) Lawrence; his stepdaughters, Tara, Amy, Laura (Pao) and Kayla Hoffman; his stepson, Julius Manske; his brothers, Don (Martha), Dave (Kerry), Mike, Bob, Paul and Steve; his sister, Sandy Brueggen; his 15 grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; his in-laws, David and Mida Drinkwater; his brothers-in-law. Brian, Rob and Shawn; his sister-in-law, Vickie Drinkwater; and his special friends, Dawn Hove and Lloyd Hoffmann.

He was preceded in death by his father, Fredric Johnson; his son, Jason Johnson; his nephew, Tyler Ammann; and sister-in-law, Julie Drinkwater.

A visitation will be on Saturday, March 29, at 11 a.m. with a memorial service at noon at Holland Town Hall, W7937 Co. Hwy. MH, Holmen. Memorials are preferred.

Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.

Sylverne Flora Smith

WEST SALEM — Sylverne Flora Smith, 85, of West Salem died Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at Mulder Health Care Facility, West Salem.

She was born Aug. 31, 1922, in Stanley, Wis., to Verne and Nina (Flora) Peet. While attending college at Alberta Bible Institute, Sylverne met her future husband, Garnet. They were married Aug. 3, 1948, in Stanley. She was a faithful pastor’s wife and a mother who enjoyed being a homemaker. Sylverne was a member of WCTU in Chippewa Falls, Wis., for seven years and also volunteered her time working with the Brownies. As a pastor’s wife living in Norwalk, Wis., for 23 years, she was a Sunday school teacher and worked with children on mission projects.

Survivors include her husband, Garnet; three daughters, Heather (Dick) Scully of Rock Springs, Wis., Carmen (Reuben) Rhodes of West Salem, and Wendy Hadley of Onalaska; four grandchildren, Brendan (fiancee Gayle Williams) Scully, Lincoln Scully, Corbin Rhodes and Emily (fiance Jeff Prokop) Hadley; two great-grandchildren, Lilyana and Micah Prokop; one sister, Gwyneth Briggs-Gramling of West Salem; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Sparta (Wis.) First Church of the Nazarene, 6287 Hwy. 16 West. The Revs. Matthew Ulmen and William Haskins will officiate. Burial will be in Hamilton Cemetery, West Salem. Friends may call from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, and from 1 p.m. until the time of services Friday at the church. Memorials may be given to Sparta First Church of the Nazarene.

Norma V. Schlifer

MINDORO — Norma V. Schlifer, 82, of Mindoro passed away peacefully on Monday, March 24, 2008, at Lakeview Health Center in West Salem, Wis.

She was born on April 9, 1925, in rural Mindoro to Gilbert and Carrie (Skoug) Paisley. On Dec. 30, 1944, she married Bernhardt “Bernie” Schlifer, and he preceded her in death on April 28, 1982. Together they farmed in Mindoro throughout their married life. Norma worked at the Home Cafe Restaurant in Mindoro for several years and then worked at Mulder Health Care Facility in West Salem from 1969 to 1995 when she retired. She was an active member of Mindoro Presbyterian Church. Norma will be remembered for her wonderful home cooked meals and her excellent chocolate brownies. She liked keeping a journal and writing poetry. Norma was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Survivors include a daughter, Lori (Bob) Mott of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; two sons, Mark (Jill) Schlifer and Bruce (Jackie) Schlifer, both of Mindoro; five grandchildren, Jenny (Matt) Banse, Mandy (Travis) Zeman, Ben (Shana) Schlifer, Andy Schlifer and Brian (Kim) Schlifer; four great-granddaughters, Marah and Miranda Banse and Kennedy and Cooper Zeman; two sisters, Jeanette Carron of Elk River, Wis., and Idonis “Don” Jorgenson of La Crosse with whom Norma shared a special bond because they spent most of their lives together in this area.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Archie Paisley; a sister, Helen Mickelson; two brothers-in-law, George Jorgenson and Raymond Carron; and a special nephew, John Paisley.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 28, at Mindoro Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Cindy Arndt will officiate. Burial will be in Farmington Cemetery.

Friends may call at Mindoro Presbyterian Church on Friday from 10 a.m. until services.

Memorials may be given to Mindoro Presbyterian Church and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, West Salem, is in charge of arrangements.

A most sincere thank you for the devoted care given by Hearten House 3 in Holmen, Wis., and Lakeview Health Center in West Salem.

Viola Caroline Schultz

LA CROSSE -- Viola Caroline Schultz, 96, of La Crosse died Monday, March 24, 2008, at Bethany-Riverside Health Care Center in La Crosse.

She was born June 8, 1911, in La Crosse to Fred and Rose (Rohrer) Berger. Viola graduated from La Crosse Logan Senior High School in 1929. On March 21, 1936, she married Walter Schultz and he preceded her in death in January 1969. Viola had worked at the Electric Auto-lite until 1959.

She is survived by a daughter, Jean (Howard) Olson of Holmen; a son, John (Pamela) Schultz of Burnsville, Minn.; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Joyce Manske and Elaine Schroeder; a sister; and a brother.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 Sill St., La Crosse. The Rev. Stephan Sandness will officiate. Burial will be in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery, rural La Crosse.

Dickinson Family Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.