Obituaries

Judith Rombalski

Jul 24, 2025

Judy Rombalski, 85, of rural Independence, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 24, 2025, at Gundersen Tri-County Hospital, with family by her side.

Judy was born on January 6, 1940, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Kasper and Veronica (Byrne) Underheim. She was raised in Ettrick, Wisconsin, where her family owned and operated the Hegg Store-a central part of her early life.

On March 3,...

Kathryn "Katie" E. Lee

Jul 13, 2025

Kathryn “Katie” Ellen Lee, 75, of Independence, passed into God’s loving care on July 13, 2025. Despite enduring some tragic circumstances, she felt she had a happy life surrounded by immeasurable love. 

Katie was born to Robert and Rita (Lyga) Helgeson of Independence on July 1, 1950, at Whitehall Memorial Hospital. She attended SSPP Catholic grade school and graduated from Independence...

Marian Pronschinske

Jun 30, 2025

Marian Pronschinske, born in 1929 to John and Anna (Kabus) Marsolek, passed away peacefully at her home on June 30, 2025 at the age of 96. Marian spent her childhood in Independence, Wisconsin, after graduating from high school she moved to Cudahy to live with her sister. She returned to Independence sometime after to reunite with Quintin Pronschinske, whom she...

Marion Schank

Jun 25, 2025

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Marion Schank, 85, who passed peacefully on June 25, 2025, at the Grandview Care Center in Blair under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

Marion Servais Born March 17, 1940, in Arcadia, Wisconsin, to Louis and Theresa (Eckel) Servais, and reborn on February 14, 2007, when she received the gift...

Edmund A. Lyga

Jun 15, 2025

With tears glistening in our eyes and sadness in our hearts, the family of Edmund A. Lyga, 97, of Independence announce his passing from Earth on to the promised land on Sunday, June 15, 2025, where he resided at the Trempealeau County Healthcare Center. Edmund's pain and suffering ended on Father’s Day, as his spirit was finally set free from...

Marvin "Mickey" Onstad Jr.

May 7, 2025

Marvin "Mickey" Palmer Onstad Jr., 66, of Independence, died peacefully at home Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Mickey was born on July 24, 1958 to Marvin and Anna (Rombalski) Onstad in Eau Claire.

When Mickey was born, he was very small. One of the nurses called him Mickey Mouse so he was called Mickey ever since.

Mickey enjoyed putt putt golfing,...

Bonnie Helgeson

May 3, 2025

Bonnie Marie Helgeson, 77, of Black River Falls, passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Serenity House in Tomah under the care of Hospice Touch surrounded by family.

Bonnie was born on July 19, 1947, to Norman and Tilda (Norby) Kolve. She was raised in Rock Falls and attended school in Durand. She was united in marriage to Mark...

Leone Olson

Apr 18, 2025

Leone Elizabeth Olson, 82 of Independence, passed away at the Whitehall Tri-County Hospital Friday, April 18th 2025 with her daughters and special friend Joyce Klimek by her side. She came into the world June 22, 1942 to Norman and Lillian (Hundt) George.

Leone attended Saint Aloysius Catholic School and graduated from Arcadia High School. She married Ronald Matchey in...

Brother Andrew E. Marsolek

Apr 7, 2025

Brother Andrew E. Marsolek, M.M. died on April 7, 2025, in the Skilled Nursing Unit at Maryknoll, NY. He was 88 years old and a Maryknoll Brother for 62 years.

Andrew Edwin Marsolek was born in Independence, WI, on October 27, 1936, son of Frances Pieterick Marsolek and Andrew Marsolek, Jr. He had one sister and one brother. He attended Saints...

Donald Klimek

Apr 7, 2025

Donald J. Klimek, 81, of La Crosse and formerly of Holmen/Independence, died on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse.

Don was born in Independence on October 30, 1943, to Paul and Eleanor (Slaby) Klimek. Always mechanical, Don worked at various jobs and retired from Empire Screen Printing. He enjoyed tinkering and woodworking and would...

Ruth Pientok

Mar 7, 2025

Ruth Ann Pientok, 77, of Independence, died on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

Ruth was born on October 18, 1947, to Herman and Ellen (Morrison) Hellwig and grew up around the Coon Valley area. After high school, Ruth attended nursing school earning a registered nursing degree. She was employed at Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse....

Donald Woychik

Feb 25, 2025

Donald Anthony Woychik, 87, died Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Donald was born on June 12, 1937, in Arcadia, WI to Paul and Sophia (Suchla) Woychik. The youngest of nine siblings, he grew up on the family farm in the Town of Arcadia, where his life-long interest and love of agriculture was first...

Gregory Slabik

Feb 15, 2025

Gregory A. Slabik, 54, formerly of Independence, died peacefully after a hard-fought battle with MS on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Grandview Care Center in Blair under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

Greg was born in Whitehall on November 14, 1970, to Donald and Sandra (Joern) Slabik. Always working with his hands, Greg farmed most of his life, and...

Irene Roskos

Feb 9, 2025

Irene Roskos, 82, of Eau Claire, formerly of Independence, died Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Dove Healthcare-South, under the care of Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice.

She was the 2nd of two children born to Knut and Jessie (Arneson) Amble on March 11, 1942. She graduated from Whitehall High School in 1960. Irene attended one year of college at...

Beverly Brey

Jan 28, 2025

Beverly E. Brey, 89, of La Crosse, passed away on January 28, 2025, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

She will be dearly missed by her husband of almost 65 years Daniel Brey; children: Stephani Brey, Robert Brey, and Jennifer (Matt) Lamberson; grandchildren: Brady (Heather), Brandon, and Ericka Lamberson; sister-in-law: Jackie Hawkenson; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded...

Robert Hotchkiss

Jan 21, 2025

Robert "Bob" A. Hotchkiss, 75, of Independence, WI, passed away on January 21, 2025, at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Born on August 19, 1949, Bob was the youngest of four children to R. Addison and Pelchie (Kampa) Hotchkiss.

Bob enjoyed watching Wisconsin sports teams including the Badgers, Packers, and Brewers and spending time with friends. Always up...

Dora Jean Blaha

Dec 16, 2024

Dora Jean Blaha, 91, of Independence, died peacefully on Monday, December 16, 2024, at Dove Healthcare Assisted Living in Osseo under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

Dora Jean was born in rural Eleva on December 6, 1933, to Vernal and Leora (Burnett) Lokken. After graduating from high school, she briefly ventured to Utah and worked as a CNA upon her...

August "Gus" J. Klimek

Dec 1, 2024

August "Gus" J. Klimek, 85, of Independence, WI, died on December 01, 2024, at Gundersen Tri County Hospital, Whitehall, WI. Gus was born April 09, 1939, on a farm in American Valley in Arcadia, WI, to Thomas and Gertrude (Kujak) Klimek. He graduated from Arcadia High School. He married Joan Kokott, and they had 3 children. He later married Denise...

Susan Dubiel

Nov 29, 2024

Susan Dubiel, 78, of Stoughton, WI, formerly of Independence, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 29, 2024, at Nazareth Health in Stoughton with her family at her side.

Sue was born on December 20, 1945, in Blair, to Hensel and Lila Johnson. On January 16, 1965, she married Clarence Dubiel, Jr., at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Independence....

Donna Hanson

Nov 21, 2024

Donna M. Hanson, 93, of Strum, died Thursday, November 21, 2024 at UW Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin peacefully surrounded by family.

She was born May 4th, 1931 to Orville and Hazel (Engum) Herbenson. She married Donald Hanson September23, 1950 at Norden Lutheran Church parsonage.

Donna resided most of her life in Strum and was a member of the Eleva Legion...