Onalaska Life - Printable Version

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

Published - Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Obituaries for April 13,2008

Devoine ‘Duke’ Jerome Quillin

LA CROSSE — Devoine “Duke” Jerome Quillin of La Crosse entered eternal life on Saturday, April 12, 2008, surrounded by family at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center in La Crosse.

Duke was born May 9, 1920, at the family farm near Brownsville, Minn., to Thomas and Elenor (Gasper) Quillin. Duke served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After returning from overseas, he married the love of his life and best friend, Anastacia Bakewell, on Sept. 16, 1946, at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, La Crosse.

In 1947 Duke and his brother, Mac, owned and operated the Skelly Oil Station in La Crosse on the corner of Third and Pearl streets until 1978, when he retired for the first time. Shortly after his first retirement, he went to work for D.B. Reinhart at Gateway Foods, where he managed Mr. Reinhart’s Big “G” gas station on Caledonia Street until his second retirement in 1989. He then worked for Reinhart Co. until his final retirement in May 2007.

During the 1960s in his spare time, Duke built Quillin Realty Co. in La Crescent, Minn. He developed Third and Fourth Street lots and sold homes through the 1980s. Duke valued his time as a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, as a member of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, volunteering his time as a eucharistic minister at the hospital and countless hours of time with the family and friends. Duke will be sadly missed by his family and friends, but remembered for his stories, jokes and smiles for everyone he met. He always greeted everyone with his kind words and “best looking person” he met that day.

Duke is survived by his wife of 61 years, Anastacia of La Crosse; his three daughters, Colleen (Larry) Weibel of La Crescent, Mary Pretasky of La Crosse, and Patricia (Ken) Ebner of Holmen; eight grandchildren, Kellie (Peter) Schmitz of La Crosse, Katie (Jeremy) Palbicki of Rochester, Minn., John (Michelle) Weibel of Wauwatosa, Wis., Avrie (Jeff) Schott of La Crosse, Nicholas Pretasky of Madison, Samantha Pretasky of Eau Claire, Wis., Kyle Ebner of Holmen, Wis., and Jill (Jared) Gustafson of Holmen; five great-grandchildren, Kimberly, Molly and Sophia Schmitz, Grace Anastacia Palbicki and Tegan Devoine Schott; two brothers, Cyril Quillin and Milton (Helen) Quillin; one sister, Eileen (Ernest) Yanke; two sisters-in-law, Verna Quillin and Lois Quillin; and many nieces, nephews and cousins he loved so dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, Marcel (Mac) Quillin and Donald Quillin; his sister, Rosemary Nixon; and sister-in-law, Ann Quillin.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 17, in Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1333 S. 13th St., La Crosse. The Rev. Lawrence Berger will officiate. Entombment will be held in St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum in Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Family and friends may call from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home 1501 West Ave. S., (please use the Denton Street entrance) with a rosary to be held at 6:30 p.m. Family and friends may also call from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass in the church on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Holy Trinity Parish and Franciscan Skemp Foundation.

Carol M. Schwartz

VIROQUA, Wis. — Carol M. Schwartz, 80, of Viroqua died Saturday April 12, 2008, in her home.

She was born March 27, 1928, in Milwaukee to Alfred and Anna (Stadler) DeBoth. She graduated from Mesmer High School in Milwaukee in 1947. On April 1, 1949, Carol married Albert Schwartz in Dubuque, Iowa. The couple lived in Milwaukee until 1980 when they moved to their hobby farm in Antigo, Wis. In 1989, they moved to Broadhead, Wis., and since June 1994 have made their home in Viroqua. Carol worked as a bookkeeper for various companies throughout the years. She was a member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. Carol enjoyed doing crafts and sewing, and she especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Albert; four children, David Schwartz of Sun City, Ariz., Tom (Sue) Schwartz of Anacondas, Wash., Ann Marie (Thomas) Smith of Onalaska, Wis., and Alan (Mary) Schwartz of Central Point, Ore; seven grandchildren Debbie, Rachel, Nikki, Vito, Kimberly, Jason and Carol; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Janet (Clifford) Pemper of Allison Park, Pa.; several nieces and nephews; and her dog, Penney.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter-in-law, Carol; a sister, Doris; and a brother, Jim.

Friends and family are invited for a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley, Wis., where there will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. Private burial will take place at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park.

Lyle A. Bredemann

HOLMEN — Lyle A. Bredemann, 77, of Holmen died Wednesday April 9, 2008, with family at his side.

He was born Dec. 6, 1930, in the town of Rock, Wood County, Wis., to Albert and Emma (Engelke) Bredemann. He graduated from Marshfield (Wis.) High School in 1949. He married Evelyn Bartsch in 1951 and moved to Kenosha, Wis., working at American Motors and operating Bredemann’s Tree Service. The family moved to Holmen in 1969, where he was owner-operator of the Moe Coulee Game Farm and Bredemann Excavating, working for the town of Holland, Holmen School District and others in the area. After his wife, Evelyn, passed away in 1971, he married Joann Renstrom Thorp of Onalaska, Wis. Together they enjoyed many years of raising deer and various birds and other animals on the farm. In 1971, Lyle received a conservation award from the La Crosse County Soil and Water Conservation District. He was farmer of the month in November 1972, an honor sponsored by the La Crosse County Farm Bureau and the La Crosse Tribune.

Though he struggled with the onset of multiple sclerosis, he so enjoyed working. Unable to walk the last years, he managed well on his Amigo Scooter and Kawasaki Mule. He is a past member of the Moe Coulee Hunt Club, TAC organization in La Crosse. A member of the Holmen Lutheran Church, the Decorah Lodge No. 177 F & AM in Galesville, Wis., and the Scottish Rite bodies on La Crosse and Eau Claire, Wis.

Lyle is lovingly survived by his wife, Joann; a daughter, Linda (Bob) Gapko of Franksville, Wis.; a son, Richard (Joann) of Holmen; grandchildren, Kristin (John) Hummel, Amy (Josh) Britton and Carol (Chad) Mitchell; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Paul (Violet) Bredemann of Lindsey, Wis., Delvan (Jan) Bredemann of Racine, Wis., Ruth Fox of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and Charles (Sharon) Bredemann and Joyce Rasmussen, both of Marshfield, Wis.; and two very special people in his life, Larry (Carol) Howe and Michael (Christina) Howe.

In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by one brother, Henry, and two brothers-in-law, Marlyn Bartsch and Gerald Renstrom.

Funeral services will be Monday, April 14, at 11 a.m. from Holmen Lutheran Church. The Rev. Glenn Borreson will officiate. Burial will follow in Long Coulee Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fossum Funeral Home of Onalaska, Wis., and 10 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the church. Masonic services by the Decorah Lodge No. 177 will be at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Steven Harold Jacobson

WATERTOWN/BLAIR, Wis. — Steven Harold Jacobson, 53, of Watertown and formerly of Blair traveled onward to his place of peace Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at his mother’s home in Holmen, Wis.

Steve was born to Donald and Twila (Duxbury) Jacobson on Nov. 21, 1954, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse. He graduated from Blair High School in 1972 and from UW-Eau Claire in 1977 with a degree in business administration.

He entered a career in real estate and soon co-founded Northwest Title and Escrow Co. in White Bear Lake, Minn. In 1988, Steve left that lucrative business to pursue a more compelling vision. In 1990, he graduated from UW-River Falls in social studies education and began a teaching and coaching career at Watertown High School that spanned 18 years.

Steve is well-known for teaching excellence. Whether in the classroom, on the playing field or the basketball court, he had a legendary ability to inspire curiosity and passion.

Steve believed that knowledge about others creates caring and he accomplished this by leading students on innumerable trips abroad. He demonstrated consistently how learning about the world can create a hospitable, enjoyable and peaceful place. Steve easily engaged people of many ages, cultures and dispositions.

Children in New Guinea, referees on the basketball floor, exchange students at Friday morning breakfasts — all Steve met were drawn into a world of action, generosity and possibility. And his varied students learned how to earn friendships at home and abroad.

Though he ventured to the far reaches of this earth, to Steve growing at home was as important as it was overseas. In 1994, with seed money he received from the Joe Darcey Excellence in Teaching Award, Steve and his students undertook a monumental task in the creation of the International Peace Garden that graces the grounds of Watertown High School campus.

Steve’s life created joy, peace and passion that will live on in many others.

Steve is survived by his mother; sisters Judith (Michael) Wellert of Missoula, Mont., Sherry (Patrick) McConnell of Neillsville, Wis., Joan (Mark) Olsen of Tulsa, Okla., and Karen (Gary) Rooney of Onalaska, Wis.; and five brothers, Kerry (Mona Vold) Jacobson of Osseo, Wis., Kevin Jacobson of Chicago, John (Michael Mertens) Jacobson of Edgewood, Calif., Jeffrey (Kathy) Jacobson of Platteville, Wis., and Kent (Debbie) Jacobson of Watertown. He is further survived by 24 nieces and nephews, Charles and Matthew Wellert, Jenny (Nelson) Penserga, Amy (Ted) Johnson, Jesse, Kate, Laura and Emily Jacobson, Julia (Scott) Diggins, Kelly (Craig) Dunek, Claire McConnell, Kirsten, Spencer and Jens Jacobson, Erik, Sophia, Caroline, Anders and Jakob Olsen, Elise, Kimberly and Gregory Rooney, and Brett and Kaley Jacobson.

He was preceded in death by his father; maternal and paternal grandparents; and brother-in-law, John Tabbert.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 12, at 11 a.m. in Evangelical Lutheran Church, with burial in the church cemetery, both in Pigeon Falls, Wis. Pastors Kevin Jacobson and Kathy Jacobson will officiate.

Visitation will be Friday, April 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Blair, and 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the church.

Beatrice M. Van Loon

HOUSTON, Minn. n Beatrice M. Van Loon, 77, of Houston died Tuesday, April 8, 2008, after a long battle with cancer.

Beatrice, known by most as Bea, was born June 15, 1930, in La Crosse to John and Leila (Owen) Bymers. She was raised in Onalaska and moved to La Crosse at age 15, where she attended and graduated from Central High School. On June 8, 1951, she married Norman Van Loon in New Amsterdam, Wis.

Bea had a vibrant Christian faith that was the foundation for her life and service. That faith, and the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, was lovingly passed on to her children, as well as to a number of young people who experienced the loving ministry of the Word of God to them in youth groups, Sunday School and personal ministries. Bea first attended Northwestern Bible College and then transferred to the University of WisconsinnLa Crosse, where in 1960 she earned her bachelor’s degree.

She earned her master’s degree in elementary administration from Winona (Minn.) State University in 1969. Bea taught first grade for five years, after which she also became the acting principal prior to serving as full-time principal at Houston Elementary School, where she served for a total of 30 years. She was an active member of numerous educational organizations. The last 15 years Bea and Norm have spent their winters in Gulf Shores, Ala. She loved the things of God, family, reading, travel, puzzles and people.

Beatrice is survived by her husband, Norman Van Loon; three sons, Kenneth (Sandra) Van Loon of Newton, Iowa, Timothy (Rita) Van Loon of Winona, and Ronald (Cindi) Van Loon of La Crescent, Minn.; one daughter, Kimberly Van Loon of Honolulu; six grandchildren, Rebecca, Jonathon (Cheryl), Nathan, Andrew, Benjamin and Angela; two great-grandchildren, Bridget and Amber; one sister, Mary Bymers of Watervliet, Mich.; and one brother, Robert (Dody) Bymers of Coloma, Mich.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Ruth.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 11, at Hoff Funeral HomesnHouston Chapel.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 12, at 11 a.m. at Bethany Evangelical Free Church in Houston. Burial will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in Green Mound Cemetery, Holmen, Wis.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Christian Air Ministries.

Feel free to sign the online guest book and leave a memory of Bea at www.hofffuneral.com.

Richard ‘Jumper’ P. Tschumper

ONALASKA — Richard “Jumper” P. Tschumper, 69, of Onalaska died Monday, April 7, 2008, at his home after 13 years of battling many cancers.

He was born July 1, 1938, in Houston County, Minn., to Frank and Dora (Lietzau) Tschumper.

Rich served in the U.S. Army from 1955 until 1958 and was stationed in France for 2½ years. On June 11, 1960, he married Patricia Behm, and they had three children. Rich worked for Mathy Construction and was a member of the Operating Engineers for over 40 years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed many outings with his friends, sons and grandsons. Rich also loved watching old westerns and sports on TV, playing cards, attending Loggers games and watching his son and grandchildren play ball.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia; a daughter, Kelly (Mark) Lonkoski and their children, Jacob and Jonah of Lannon, Wis.; two sons, Dean (friend, Patty) and his son, Jerimiah of Arena, Wis., and Heath (Kristin) and their children, Drew and Ellie of La Crosse; two brothers, Albert (Inez) of Holmen, Wis., and William (Marni) of West Cliffe, Colo.; sisters-in-law, Madonna (Butch) Gammon of Minnetonka, Minn., Bonnie Beam of La Crosse, and Kathy (Jerry) Sagen of La Crosse; brother-in-law, Denny Behm of Beaverton, Ore.; and best friends, Stretch, Larry and his dogs, Buddy and Koko.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Hazel Behm.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 11, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1031 Main St., Onalaska. Father Pat Umberger will officiate. Military honors will follow the Mass by Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52 of La Crosse and the United States Military Funeral Honors Program. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Hokah, Minn. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of Mass. Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements.

Marguerite E. Wright

ONALASKA — Marguerite E. Wright of Onalaska passed peacefully several weeks after her 90th birthday.

She is survived by her loving husband, Orville, his five sons and one daughter; Marge’s son and daughter and numerous grand and great-grandchildren.

The daughter of Henry and Margaret Bruckshen, she was born on March 14, 1918, in Young America, Minn.; taught school in Sibley County, Minn.; and worked in Mankato, Minn., where she married Juell Paulson. After World War II, they moved to Minneapolis, where he taught high school and she was a successful realtor. After Juell’s death, she married Wilfred Cox. After Bill passed, she and Orville married and had a joyful and loving marriage of nearly 20 years.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 11, at Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 401 Main St., Onalaska. Burial will be in Onalaska Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 10 a.m. until services.

Bertha Mae Oliver

VIROQUA, Wis. — Bertha Mae Oliver, 86, a resident at Vernon Manor died early Tuesday morning, April 8, 2008, at the manor.

She was born Dec. 16, 1921, in Missouri to Samuel Everett and Elsie Christina (Perkins) Warren. In 1940, Bertha married Charles Allen, and they were later divorced in 1945. She lived in Jerseyville, Ill., until 1951 when she married P.J. “Slim” Oliver and relocated to Viola, Wis. They operated a construction company and later a dairy farm until 1985. Bertha took care of all the business paper work for the construction company and farm along with being a loving and caring mother. After selling the farm, the couple retired to the Viroqua area. Bertha enjoyed gardening and feeding birds but especially liked watching cardinals. She was an active member at the Church of Christ in Viroqua until her health declined.

Bertha is survived by her husband: P. J. “Slim” Oliver of Viroqua; daughter, Constance (John) Murphy of Springville, Kan.; sons, Bruce Allen of La Crosse, Kevin (Jeannie Iverson) Oliver of Onalaska, Wis., and Steven (Sylvia) Oliver of Collinsville, Ill.; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins; sister-in-law, Evelyn Leonard of California; and special friend, Deidra “Sissy” Morrison of Westby, Wis. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Irene Ferguson and Bill and Authur Warren; sisters-in-law, Loretta Warren and Georgia Warren Allen; nephew:, Larry Ferguson; and brother-in-law, Harry Ferguson.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home in Viroqua. Officiating at the service will be Minister Nathan Prong, with burial to follow in Manning Cemetery, rural Readstown, Wis. The family will greet relatives and friends from noon until the time of service at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, at Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home in Viroqua.

Jewel J. Hafner

ONALASKA — Jewel J. Hafner, 83, of Onalaska died on Thursday, April 3, 2008, at Onalaska Care Center.

He was born in La Crosse on Oct. 11, 1924, to George and Rhoda (Cline) Hafner. Jewel had worked for Allis Chalmers, Northern Engraving and Machine Products of La Crosse for several years until his retirement.

He is survived by one son, Donald (Debrah) Hafner of Prince George, Va.; three grandchildren, Donald J. Hafner Jr., Valerie Ruth Hafner and Vicky (Chris) Hafner-Bower; and two sisters, Georgina Hafner of La Crosse and Margaret Petlewski of Milwaukee. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 11, at Onalaska Church of Christ. Pastor Gordon Clary will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska is assisting the family.