Obituaries

Adrian "Andy" Smieja

Adrian "Andy" Smieja

Aug 26, 2015

Adrian "Andy" L. Smieja, 76, of Independence, died Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at his home. Andy was born August 25, 1939 in Trempealeau County, to Andrew and Rose (Ressel) Smieja. He married Virginia Servais September 16, 1961 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Arcadia. Andy worked at Badger Construction in Winona until retirement. Survivors include his wife, Virginia...

Lonnie L. Lee

Lonnie L. Lee

Aug 22, 2015

Lonnie L. Lee, 65, of rural Independence, died Saturday, August 22, 2015 at his home. Lonnie was born September 19, 1949 in Whitehall, Wis., to Tilford and Margaret (Olson) Lee. He married Kathryn “Katie” Helgeson October 30, 1971 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence. Lonnie grew up in Roskos Valley, rural Independence, and graduated from Independence High School...

Theresa R. Ryan

Theresa R. Ryan

Aug 20, 2015

Theresa R. Ryan, 82, of Whitehall, formerly of Independence, died Thursday, August 20, 2015 at Gundersen Tri-County Care Center, Whitehall with her three daughters by her side. Theresa was born February 9, 1933 in Plum Creek, rural Independence, to William and Mary (Pierzina) Jurowski. She married Elmer J. Ryan Jr. on October 1, 1952 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, North...

Judy Schlesser

Judy Schlesser

Aug 8, 2015

Judy Schlesser, 63, of rural Independence, died Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. She was born October 2, 1951 in Wausau, Wis., to Walter and Laura (Hornung) Nest. Judy married Jake Schlesser at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Marathon, Wis. on June 30, 1973. Judy was blessed with over 60 years of enjoying life to...

Marie Ann Moga

Marie Ann Moga

Jul 30, 2015

Marie Ann Moga, 63, of Independence, died Thursday, July 30, 2015 at her home. She was born May 12, 1952 in Arcadia, to Peter and Delores (Bisek) Klink. Marie married Daniel Moga on September 18, 1971 at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Independence. Marie was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, its women's organization, rosary society....

Edmund J. Smieja

Edmund J. Smieja

Jun 30, 2015

Edmund (Ed) J. Smieja, 85, of Independence, died at home on June 30, 2015 after a long and complicated illness. He was born on March 31, 1930 to George and Clara (Sobota) Smieja. He grew up and was raised in Independence where he attended SS. Peter and Paul grade school and Independence High School. He was an active member of...

Irvine Lois Migda Whaley

Irvine Lois Migda Whaley

Jun 28, 2015

Irvine Lois (Hawkenson, Migda) Whaley, 82, of Cheboygan,Mich., formerly of Eleva, died Sunday, June 28, 2015 at her home. Irvine was born January 30, 1933 in Chimney Rock Township, Trempealeau County, to Harry and Hilda (Johnson) Hawkenson. Irvine was a homemaker most of her life and loved her children and made many sacrifices for them. She was loved by her...

Leon L. Ehmen

Leon L. Ehmen

Jun 22, 2015

Leon Ehmen, 68, of Independence, passed away peacefully, Monday, June 22, 2015 at his home. Leon was born November 1, 1946 in Champaign, Ill. to Albert J. and Nora (Rewerts) Ehmen. He married Carlotta A. Wylie on March 27, 1971 in Orlando, Fla. Leon served in the Air Force, loved to play softball, was an avid antique collector and auctioneer....

Cordell L Swanson

Cordell L Swanson

Jun 19, 2015

Cordell LeVere Swanson, 82, of Kingmon Ariz., died June 19, 2015. He was born March 14, 1933 in Dover Township, Buffalo County, Wis., to Chester “Chet” Hartwick and Lurada Marjorie (Fimreite) Swanson. He married Ethel Bell Mann March 2, 1957 at the Western Wedding Manor in Los Angeles, Calif. She was born January 25, 1931 in Dayton, Ohio to William...

Ernest Waldera

Ernest Waldera

Jun 7, 2015

Ernest Waldera, 92, of Independence, died Sunday, June 7, 2015 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse. Ernest was born October 2, 1922 in Arcadia Township, Trempealeau County, to Vincent and Jennie (Giemza) Waldera. He married Agnes Stellar on June 25, 1946 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence. Ernest was a dairy farmer in Arcadia Township for 35 years...

Elmer J. Ryan Jr.

Elmer J. Ryan Jr.

Jun 7, 2015

Elmer J. Ryan Jr., 86, of Independence, died Sunday, June 7, 2015 at Gundersen Tri-County Care Center, Whitehall with his wife and three daughters by his side. Elmer was born January 30, 1929 in Lincoln Township, Trempealeau County, to Elmer and Florence (Kurth) Ryan Sr. He married Theresa R. Jurowski on October 1, 1952 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, North...

Katie Elizabeth Johnson

Katie Elizabeth Johnson

May 28, 2015

Katie Elizabeth Johnson passed away on May 28th, 2015. She was born December 18, 1987 to Dennis and Diane (Kamrowski) Johnson. She graduated from Arcadia High School in 2006. Katie was a very hard worker who attended Southeast Technical College-Winona and owned Maid for a Day Housekeeping. She also worked at East End Bar and Troy’s Gas & Grub. She...

Jerald "Jess" Johnson

Jerald "Jess" Johnson

May 3, 2015

Jerald N. “Jess” Johnson, 63, of Fairchild, died Sunday, May 3, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Osseo. He was born March 9, 1952 in Eau Claire to Maurice “Kooga” and Ruth (Evenson) Johnson. He married Nona Coyle. They later divorced. He served in the U.S. Army during Viet Nam War. He was a member of Carl Nelson American...

Frederick A. Enger

Frederick A. Enger

Apr 21, 2015

Frederick A. Enger, 86, of rural Strum, died Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. Fred was born April 12, 1929 in Eau Claire County to Hans and Karen "Carrie" (Finstad) Enger. Fred served his country in the U. S. Marine Corp from 1951 to 1953. He also attended Milwaukee School of Engineering. He was...

John Edward Herman

John Edward Herman

Apr 7, 2015

John Edward Herman, 70, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 as a result of a heart attack while working in the barn on the Pleasantville, WI farm where he lived his entire life. He was born at the Whitehall Hospital in Whitehall, Wis. on April 23, 1944 to Clarence Gustav Herman and Esther Marian Gjestvang. He attended the Pleasantville...

Marie J. Berg

Marie J. Berg

Mar 31, 2015

Marie J. Berg, 72, of Independence, died Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at her home. Marie was born March 1, 1943 in Arcadia Township, Trempealeau County, to Clemence and Maggie (Wiersgalla) Ressel. She married Gary L. Berg May 21, 1966 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence. He died August 9, 2007. Marie worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at...

Loretta G. Kamrowski

Loretta G. Kamrowski

Mar 29, 2015

Loretta G. Kamrowski, 92, of Winona, formerly of Dodge/Pine Creek area, died Sunday, March 29, 2015 at Sterling House of Winona. Loretta was born November 14, 1922 in Burnside Township, Trempealeau County, to John and Gertrude (Klimek) Miemietz. She married George Kamrowski. He died December 21, 1991. The couple farmed in Dodge/Pine Creek area. She was well known for her...

Richard Stevens

Richard Stevens

Feb 25, 2015

Richard F. Stevens, 78, of Independence, died Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at Gundersen Tri-County Hospital and Clinic, Whitehall surrounded by family and friends. Richard was born December 2, 1936 in Cleveland Township, Chippewa County, to Frank and Rosie (Niesen) Stevens. Richard retired after working 30 years at American Motors in Kenosha. He was also a self-employed cement contractor. He enjoyed...

Rudolph Rebarchek

Rudolph Rebarchek

Feb 15, 2015

Rudolph "Rudy" Rebarchek, 68, of rural Independence, went to tend his flower garden and pumpkin patch in heaven on Sunday, February 15, 2015. Rudy was born August 17, 1946 in Whitehall, to Andrew and Eleanore (Matchey) Rebarchek. He dairy farmed for several years before entering into the florist business. He owned and operated Absolutely Rudy’s in Independence and Arcadia. Rudy...

Gene Sosalla

Gene Sosalla

Feb 13, 2015

Gene Sosalla., 85, of Independence, died Friday, February 13, 2015 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse. Gene was born April 30, 1929 in Lincoln Township, Trempealeau County, to Joseph and Victoria (Marsolek) Sosalla. He married Lucille Bautch January 8, 1952 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence. Gene was an avid outdoorsman and a huge New York Yankee fan....