David W. Crawford
LA CROSSE — David W. Crawford, 56, of La Crosse, answered the call to join his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn.
He was born in La Crosse on Sept. 3, 1951, to Jeanine Halverson. David graduated from Logan High School in 1969. He married Cheryl Nagle in La Crosse in 1970 and then worked for La Crosse Footwear from 1970 until the plant’s closing.
In addition to his wife, Cheryl, he is survived by one daughter, Rachel Crawford of La Crosse; his mother, Jeanine Hardie of West Salem; three sisters, Diane Dunlap, Cindy (Greg) Ashland and Jamie Hardie, all of West Salem; one brother, Donnie (Mary) Hardie of West Salem; his uncles, Vernon (Phylis) Halverson and Fran Murphy; his sisters-in-law, Kathy Crawford, Pat (Ger) Christianson, Donna (Floyd) Johnson, Barb (Steve) Hoff, Debbie (Dean) Seidel, Janet (Jeff) Bahr and Kerri Nagle; three brothers-in-law, Randy (Jeanette) Nagle, Jim (DeeDee) Nagle and Scott Nagle; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his father, James Hardie, he was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Crawford; his grandparents, Ken and Mabel Hardie and Otto and Stella Grimslid; and his father-in-law, Ed Nagle.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. Dick Bruley and Cal Erickson will be officiating the services. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated in David’s name. Online condolences may be given at www.schumacher-kish.com.
Adela A. Berg
WINONA, Minn./BANGOR — Adela A. Berg, 99, of Winona and formerly of Bangor, died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008, at Sauer Memorial Home in Winona.
Born June 7, 1909, in Sauk County, Wis., Adela Anna Ninnemann was the daughter of John and Louise (Schulz) Ninnemann. She became a member of God's family through baptism on July 4, 1909, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Loganville, Wis. She confirmed her faith in the Lord on March 25, 1923, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Rock Springs, Wis.
After her graduation from Reedsburg (Wis.) High School, she attended Sauk County Training School and La Crosse State Teachers College. She taught in elementary schools in rural Sauk County and in Bangor. Adela's love for children and her lifelong interest in learning led her to serve for a number of years as a teacher substitute and aide.
On Aug. 27, 1938, she married Edward C. Berg in Rock Springs, Wis. Adela and Ed spent most of their married life in Bangor. They moved to Winona in 1999. Ed preceded her in death on July 14, 2002.
Adela is survived by a daughter, Linda Berg, and a son, John E. (Susan) Berg, all of Winona, Minn.; a grandson, the Rev. John C. (Tricia) Berg and great-grandchildren, Madison, Annika and Charles, all of Viroqua, Wis.; a granddaughter, Anne (Eric) Henne of Wauwatosa, Wis.; a brother-in-law, Fred Buege; a special cousin, Glen (Mary) Schulz; and nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Erma Buege.
Adela's kind and gentle nature was a special blessing from the Lord, as was her faith in his promises. The greatest of those promises was fulfilled when he took her home to Heaven.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 401 16th Ave. N., Bangor. The Revs. Roy Hefti and Paul Welke will officiate. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials, if desired, may be given to St. Paul's Lutheran Church or School, Bangor; or to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Winona.
Jandt Funeral Home of Bangor is in charge of arrangements.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ---- Philippians 1:20
Ruby Q. Lokensgard
ONALASKA — Ruby Q. Lokensgard, 90, of Onalaska passed away at her home Sunday, Aug., 17, 2008.
She was born in West Salem on June 7, 1918, the youngest of six children, to Ward and Bessie (Radcliff) Quackenbush. After graduating from West Salem High School, she attended University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Montana at Missoula and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, receiving her master’s degree in speech pathology and audiology. She was married to Maurice Lokensgard of Montana, who was also a graduate of the University of Montana and Southern Illinois University with a doctorate in speech communication. They both enjoyed working at their respective professions in Oklahoma, Illinois, Montana, Alaska and New Mexico, where Ruby worked in clinics, schools and hospitals as a speech pathologist and her husband was a university professor. Together, they traveled to many foreign countries during their summer vacations.
In addition to her family and friends, Ruby’s special interests included travel, photography, music, literature, nature, lighthouses and, most recently, computers.
She is survived by several nieces and nephews and their families who live in various parts of the United States, Jack (Barbara) Cain, Barbara Scott, John (Bethanne) Jacobson, Jerry (Karen) Quackenbush, Joan (Allan) May, Carol (James) Bean and Robert (Donna) Quackenbush; and four sisters in law.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two sisters, Geneva Cain and Marjorie Jacobson; three brothers, Forrest, Earl and Gerald Quackenbush; one niece, Lynn Lynch; two brothers-in-law; and two sisters-in-law.
At her request, there will be no funeral services and her body will be cremated and the cremated remains scattered in accordance to her wishes.
Special thanks to the Gundersen Lutheran Hospice program and Comfort Keepers for making it possible for Ruby to return to her apartment following her fall.
Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska is assisting the family with all arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.schumacher-kish.com.
Bernice M. Larson
STODDARD, Wis. — Bernice M. Larson, 94, of Stoddard died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby, Wis.
She was born June 20, 1914, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Herman and Margaret (Schilling) Yaeger. She married Leonard Larson on July 29, 1939, in Waukon, Iowa. She and Leonard enjoyed traveling together, seeing most of the U.S., including Alaska. She also enjoyed flower gardening, bird watching and crocheting.
She is survived by her children, Beverly Larson of Westby, Wis., Dennis Larson of Stoddard, Alan (Kim) Larson of rural Westby and Judith (Steve Nordstrom) Larson of Holmen, Wis.; four grandchildren, Laura, Dean, Kari and Levi; six great-grandchildren; and one sister, Ruth Nutt of La Crosse.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, on Sept. 15, 2001; a grandson, Randy; one sister; and three brothers.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in La Crosse. The Rev. Dr. Dennis Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Stoddard Cemetery. Friends may call 5 to 7 p.m. today at Schumachern Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse and at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services.
Edgar N. Wirtala
LA CROSSE — Edgar N. Wirtala, 68, of La Crosse died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse.
He was born in Stanley, Wis., on March 8, 1940, to William and Vendla (Ranta) Wirtala. Edgar grew up attending a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Owen Withee High School in 1958. He married Cheryl Hogden on Sept. 25, 1965, and she preceded him in death Aug. 5, 2007. Edgar worked for Trane Company for over 42 years. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan who absolutely loved spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by two sons, Brian Wirtala of La Crosse and Rich (Rachel) Wirtala of West Salem; a sister, Carol Wirtala; brothers, Bill (Fern), Nick (Sandy), Mike (Linda), Chuck and Dave (Pam) Wirtala; and grandchildren, Loran, Bradley and Morgan Wirtala.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl; his parents; and two sisters, Lois and Diane.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 Sill St., La Crosse. The Rev. Laurie Weis will officiate, and burial will be in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery, rural La Crosse. Family and friends may call at the church Wednesday from 9 a.m. until time of services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, La Crosse.
Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
