George J. Hurtz
MIDDLE RIDGE — George J. Hurtz, 101, of Middle Ridge passed away Saturday, June 6, 2009.
He was born March 1, 1908, in Nebraska to Jacob and Mary (Schmidt) Hurtz. George moved from Nebraska to Middle Ridge at the age of 9. He was a lifelong resident of Middle Ridge. He was united in marriage to Regina Weber on Oct. 4, 1932, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Middle Ridge. George was a dairy farmer all of his life. He also hauled milk and worked in woodworking. He loved being with his family and especially family get-togethers. He also enjoyed traveling, fishing, playing cards and going to dances in Cashton. He was also proud to be a cancer survivor since 1987.
He is survived by two sons, Cletus (Marilyn) Hurtz of Cashton and Quentin (Gloria) Hurtz of Boscobel, Wis.; four daughters, Donna (Paul) Leis of Cashton, Eunice (Richard) Reget of Coon Valley, Carol Riley of Boscobel and Sonya (Pat) Goerg of De Forest, Wis.; 22 grandchildren, Rodney Leis, Diane Schwarz, Dennis Leis, Steven Leis, Michelle Brown, Gregory Leis, Laurel Gotz, Bridget Mlsna, Thomas Leis, Kelly Leis, Christine Roberts, Karen Reget, Jeffrey Reget, Daniel Reget, Mark Reget, Patrick Reget, Robert Hurtz, Allen Hurtz, Ronald Hurtz, Todd Hurtz, Tammy Lemke and Tim Goerg; 52 great-grandchildren; 28 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Amanda Whitehead of Red Wing, Minn., and Johanna Frederick of La Crosse; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Hurtz of Bangor and Marie Hurtz of Cashton; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Regina; his parents, Jacob and Mary; one daughter, Laureta; two brothers, Peter and James Hurtz; one sister, Regina Schomburg; three brothers-in-law, Leo Whitehead, Willis Schomburg and Lawrence Frederick; and four greatgreat-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 13, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Middle Ridge. Father Francis Abuah-Quansah and Monsignor Robert Hundt will concelebrate. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation Friday, June 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Middle Ridge, with a rosary to conclude visitation. Family and friends are also invited for visitation Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church.
Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memorials may be given to Franciscan Skemp Cancer Center or St. Peter’s Catholic Church in memory of George.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Harold R. Olson
BANGOR — Harold Robert Olson, 81, formerly of Bangor died Thursday, June 4, 2009, at Rolling Hills Rehab Center in Sparta.
He was born July 23, 1928, in La Crosse to Harry and Pernella (Amborn) Olson. Harold served in the U.S. Army, returning to Bangor to work on the family farm. He was a hard worker.
Harold is survived by three brothers, Clayton, Sidney and Harley, all of Bangor; one sister, Delores Gutowski of Milwaukee; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Olson of Kenosha, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Bernice; and two brothers, Spencer and Orville.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 8, at Fossum Funeral Home in Bangor. Pastor Jeff Miller will officiate. Burial will follow in the Burns Cemetery, rural Bangor. Friends may call at the funeral home Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of the services.
Merrylyn M. Ruegg
LA CROSSE -- Merrylyn M. Ruegg, 86, of La Crosse passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
She was born in La Crosse on May 27, 1923, to Arthur and Berthe (Meyers) Taylor. She married Robert Ruegg in La Crosse on Jan. 30, 1942, and he preceded her in death on Jan. 12, 2000. Merrylyn will be remembered for her strong faith, her love of music and the number of books she read even later in life. Many wonderful family trips were spent up and down the Mississippi River, and they were longtime members of the Pettibone Boat Club.
She is survived by her children, John (Joanne) Ruegg of Onalaska and Lynn (Kenneth) Koopmann of West Salem; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Charlene Dingledein of La Crosse; one brother, Donald Taylor of St. Cloud, Minn.; and her special dog, “Foxy.”
In addition to her husband, Robert, she was preceded in death by four sons, Ron, Wayne, Rodney and Terry; one brother; and one grandson, Tim.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 8, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska. Pastor Mark Clements will officiate. Burial will follow in the Onalaska City Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated in Merrylyn’s name. Online condolences may be given at www.schumacher-kish.com.
La Verne A. Wurzel
LA CROSSE -- La Verne A. Wurzel, 78, of La Crosse died at his home Friday, June 5, 2009.
He was born in La Crosse on Sept. 19, 1930, to George and Ina (Bennett) Wurzel. He married Betty Bernd on Oct. 28, 1953, in La Crosse.
La Verne was employed by Trane Company for 33 years before retiring in 1994, and was a member of Trane Company 25-Year Club. In his free time, he enjoyed horseshoes, bowling, golfing, playing cards and eating at Maid-Rite and visiting with Richard and the rest of his clientele.
La Verne is survived by his wife, Betty; three sons, Steven (Geri) Wurzel of Barre Mills, Raymond (Dawn) Wurzel of Brice Prairie, Onalaska, and Douglas (Rebecca) Wurzel of La Crosse; eleven grandchildren, Jason, April (Josh) Forer, Jeff, Ray Jr., Kurt, Stacey, Dennis, Chris, Mike, Stewart (Emily) and Carrie; and three great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Blake and Maya. He is further survived by two sisters, Lois (Robert) Bernd and Carol Russell, both of La Crosse; one brother, George (Norma) Wurzel, Jr. of La Crosse; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and one brother.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. James the Less Catholic Church. Rev. Roger Scheckel will officiate. Entombment will take place in St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum in Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services at the church. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers and will be donated later in La Verne’s memory. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting the family with arrangements.
