Obituaries

Everett Sluga

Sep 13, 2024

Everett L. Sluga, 92, of Independence, passed away unexpectedly on September 13, 2024, at his home.

Everett was born in rural Independence on March 31, 1932, to Lawrence and Helen (Lyga) Sluga. He was raised on the family farm where he learned a great work ethic. Everett was united in marriage to Valeria Bautch on October 20, 1953. The couple worked...

Marie E. Kloss

Aug 4, 2024

Marie Kloss, born in 1938 to Thomas and Pauline Bautch, passed away at the Pigeon Falls Nursing Home on August 4th, 2024, at the age of 86.

Marie spent her childhood in Independence, WI, and then married her high school sweetheart, Don Kloss, in 1956. After getting married they moved to South Carolina, where Don was stationed in the Navy. Marie...

Jerome Schank

Jul 28, 2024

Jerome L. Schank, 87, of Independence, died peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Grandview Care Center in Blair under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

Jerome was born in Arcadia on December 4, 1936, to Clarence and Dorothy (Wicka) Schank. Growing up on the farm, Jerome was no stranger to hard-work and developed a love and respect for the...

Marian Karasch

Jul 15, 2024

Marian A. Karasch, 94, of Independence, died on Monday, July 15, 2024 at the Trempealeau County Health Care Center, Whitehall. 

Marian was born on January 23, 1930, on a farm in Wickham Valley in Independence to Frank and Angeline (Kokott) Koval. She filled many roles in her lifetime. When she was a young girl, she worked as a housekeeper and babysitter...

Marcus Woychik

Jul 3, 2024

Marucs Peter Woychik, 87, of Independence, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 3, 2024 in his sleep after watching baseball on TV. Marcus was born on November 8, 1936 to Peter and Mary (Killian) Woychik. On June 18, 1958 he married Carol Rothering and together had 6 children. They later divorced. In 1998 he met Rita O'Reilly and together they had...

Shirley Hanson

Jun 26, 2024

Shirley (Shirl) J Hanson, age 79, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2024 at Hillview Nursing Home in La Crosse, WI.

Shirley was one of 5 children born in Arcadia, WI to her parents, Marian and Aaron Kotlarz. They were raised on the family farm now lovingly known as Aaron's Acres. When Shirley was a young girl her Dad...

Larry Helgeson

Jun 19, 2024

Larry Bennie Helgeson passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at Cambridge Senior Living Facility in Eau Claire. He was surrounded by his family and caretaker, Brooke.

If you knew Larry, you knew he was a storyteller and had the gift of gab. So, it is only appropriate that we tell you one last story.

Larry was born June 1, 1945, to...

Conrad Halama

May 25, 2024

Conrad "Connie" Thomas Halama, age 80, of Independence, WI, passed peacefully at home on Saturday, May 25, 2024, spending his final days surrounded by his loving family. His life journey with his better half Patricia "Trish" began on April 27, 1968. A commercial construction worker and carpenter by trade, he lended his expertise in home-building to the community for many...

Susan Hunn

May 16, 2024

Susan 'Sue' Wozney Hunn, 83, of Mahomet, IL and formerly of Columbia, MO and Independence, WI, died on Thursday, May 16th, 2024, at Bridle Brook Assisted Living in Mahomet.

Sue was born in Independence, WI on August 1, 1940, to Bernard Henry 'Ben' Wozney and Susan 'Susie' Emily Maule Wozney. She graduated from Independence High School in 1958 and...

Paul Hanson

Mar 31, 2024

Mark R. Cormack

Mar 31, 2024

Mark R. Cormack, 72, of Independence, died on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Hope Stay in Holmen under the care of Mayo Clinic Hospice.Mark was born on August 30, 1951, in Detroit, MI to Eric and Barbara (McLeod) Cormack. After graduating from high school, Mark enlisted into the United States Navy and served during the Vietnam era, being honorably discharged...

Eleanor Andre

Mar 28, 2024

Eleanor Andre, age 96, passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024. She was born February 8th,1928 in Hale Township, Trempealeau County, to Albert and Agnes (Kampa) Halama. She married William "Bill" Andre on October 1,1951 at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Independence. Eleanor was a life-long beautician. She owned and operated a Beauty Shop in Independence for decades. She...

Janice "Kay" Wozney

Mar 24, 2024

Janice "Kay" Katherine Wozney, 83, of Independence, died Sunday, March 24, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System- St. Mary's Campus in Rochester.

Kay was born in rural Fountain City on November 26, 1940, to Raymond and Irene (Kotlarz) Kujak. She was united in marriage to Joseph "JoJo" Wozney on December 1, 1962, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Arcadia, and together...

Norman Johnson

Mar 19, 2024

Norman D. Johnson, 87, of Eleva, WI died Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Mayo Clinic Hospital – Luther Campus in Eau Claire. He was born May 29, 1936, in Chimney Rock, the son of Clarence and Minnie (Knudtson) Johnson.

Norman was baptized and confirmed at Chimney Rock Lutheran Church. He attended Chimney Rock school and Independence High School.  Norman married Kathleen...

Ted Suchla

Feb 21, 2024

Ted A. Suchla, 53, of Coon Valley and formerly of Independence, died on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, in Independence.

Ted was born on January 13, 1971, to Ernest and Beatrice (Zilla) Suchla and raised in Independence. After graduating high school in Independence, Ted became a man of many talents. He was a truck driver, a carpenter on the side throughout his...

Randy Sluga

Feb 18, 2024

 Randall “Randy” J. Sluga, 58, of Eau Claire and formerly of Independence, died at his home on Sunday, February 18, 2024.

Randy was born on November 9, 1965, to Robert and Karen Sluga and raised in Independence. In school, Randy excelled at wrestling; making 2 high school state appearances and earning the Badger State Award as a senior.  Randy continued to...

Dale Franson

Jan 29, 2024

Dale O. Franson, 78, of Strum, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Monday, January 29, 2024, after a short battle with cancer under the care of Heartland Hospice.

Dale was born June 12, 1945, in Whitehall to Otis and Mae (Anderson) Franson. He valued hard work from an early age. He worked on the...

Irene Helgeson

Dec 17, 2023

Irene T. Helgeson, 94, of Independence, passed away on December 17, 2023, at Our House Senior Memory Care in Eau Claire.

Irene was born on October 22, 1929, to John and Emma (Susa) Bautch. Irene married the love of her life, Virgil Helgeson, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church on October 4, 1952. Together they had three boys:...

Garrett Huff

Dec 4, 2023

Garrett Noble Huff, 37, of Blue River WI, formally of Independence WI, passed away December 4, 2023. He was born on April 5, 1986 In Eau Claire WI to Dennis and Kari Huff

Garrett grew up farming alongside his family on their dairy farm, and if he wasn't busy with that, you could catch him riding dirt bikes with his...

Roland G. Kulig

Dec 2, 2023

Roland G. Kulig, 86, of Independence, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at the Grandview Care Center in Blair under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

Roland was born on the farm on February 22, 1937, to William and Julia (Kwosek) Kulig. He attended schools in Independence into high school until a fire destroyed their...