Pelchie Puchalla

Pelchie Puchalla, 99, of Independence, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 15, 2014 at Pigeon Falls Health Care Center, Pigeon Falls. Pelchie was born February 8, 1915, in Wickham Valley, Trempealeau County, to Joseph and Rose (Smieja) Resler. She married Adolph Puchalla at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence. He died November 24, 1980. Pelchie and Adolph, both having grown up in the midst of the great depression, were very devoted parents and like most members of the greatest generation, were less concerned about themselves than they were about seeing to it that their children had it better than they did. Pelchie received her primary education in a one-room school house in Wickham Valley near Independence, Wis., to which she walked every day. She and Adolph worked together running a family farm in Wickham Valley until their retirement. Pelchie was a mother, a hard-working farm wife, excellent cook and avid gardener. One thing she especially enjoyed was when her sister Monica would take her annual vacation from the Convent at Stevens Point, Wis. They would both spend much of the time picking blackberries and black caps in the woods on the family farm. Many people in the Independence area will probably remember her for her passion for vegetable gardening. Pelchie would go out in the garden after breakfast and proceed to work in the garden until 4-5 p.m., usually forgetting to eat lunch. It seemed to be her mission to destroy every weed that appeared in her garden. With all of the produce she grew, she far exceeded what was needed for the family. The bulk of which was given to friends and relatives free of charge. She probably would have set up what now are known as farmer's markets, but she was not in it for profit, just for the joy of gardening that she possessed. Pelchie is survived by her son Dennis (Karen) of Independence, a daughter, Mary Jane (Roald) Dahlen of Hixton, Wis., five grandchildren, Craig Puchalla, Michelle (Michael) Lorenz, Christine (Jorge) Lomeli, Sherry and Steven Dahlen; three great-grandchildren, Emily Puchalla, Andrew and Allison Lorenz. She was preceded in death by her husband, Adolph; two sisters, Gertrude and Monica; three brothers, George, Joe and Peter. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2014 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence, with Very Rev. Woodrow H. Pace officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Pelchie Puchalla, please visit our flower store.