Tomah Journal - Obituaries

Audrey L. Lobenstein, Junie Nicol, Lucille E. Paddock, LaVerne D. Scholze

Audrey L. Lobenstein

PORTAGE — Audrey Loraine (McNutt) Lobenstein, age 85, formerly of Portage, died on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at the Columbia Health Care Center in Wyocena.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:00 noon on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage with Fr. Jim Murphy officiating. A luncheon will follow in St. Mary School. Inurnment will be private. Visitation will be on Saturday at the church from 10:30 a.m. until noon. The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.

Audrey was born on Oct. 21, 1922, in Warrens, WI, the daughter of Frank Oscar and Florence Ellen (Frink) McNutt. She turned Catholic and married Bernard Lobenstein on Aug. 10, 1946, in Sparta, WI. She was a stay-at-home mom for 32 years. Audrey had eight children and was divorced in 1978. She went back to school and graduated top in her class as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Audrey worked at Divine Savior Nursing Home until her retirement in 1987.

Audrey’s main focus her whole life was her children. She enjoyed watching them all play in sports and then watching grandkids, too. Audrey was blessed with 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her hobbies were playing euchre, crosswords, ceramics, bowling and crocheting. She loved to watch the Brewers and Packers. Audrey loved going to the McNutt family reunions. She stayed close to her lifelong best friends, Virginia and Nello Felton. Audrey enjoyed her apartment in Portage for over 20 years, making many friends, especially Marge, Ruth, Bea and Fran. She spent the last few years at Columbia Health Care Center in Wyocena. She will be remembered for her kindness to others and her great smile.

She is survived by her sons, Dennis and Joanne (Weber) Lobenstein of Spring Green, Gary and Joan (Ashley) Lobenstein of Dodgeville, Rick and Kathy (Babler) Lobenstein of Reedsburg; her daughters, Shari and Dan Rataczak of Montello, Julie and Mark Jordahl of Portage, Terry and Mark Plesek of Middleton, Jane and Craig Boller of Belmond, Iowa; her grandchildren, Ryan and Hillary Lobenstein, Michelle and Rick Marx, David Lobenstein, Joe Lobenstein, Josh Lobenstein, Kori and Greg Coddington, Matt and Mindy Rataczak, Karyn Jordahl, Sharyn Jordahl, Lisa Jordahl, Michael Jordahl, and Harry Plesek; her great-grandchildren, Lily Coddington and Luke Marx; her sister and brother-in-law, Erna (McNutt) and Benny Mee of Tomah; a sister-in-law, Leona McNutt of West Allis; a special nephew and niece, Jerry and Peg Hilliker of Lodi; many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her infant son, David Andrew Lobenstein, her parents, nine brothers and sisters, and other relatives and friends.

The family would like to give a special thanks to all “the staff” at CHCC for taking such good care of our “Mom”.

Memorials will be used for the Memory Walk at Columbia Health Care Center in Wyocena to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s.

Junie Nicol

(Mrs. Robert)

Junie Nicol, 84, of New Auburn, WI, formerly of Tomah, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2007, at home.

She was born Georgia Junior Falkner on Feb. 24, 1923, to George and Myrtle (Bigelow) Falkner in the Town of Adrian, Monroe County, WI. She graduated from Tomah High School in 1940. She married Robert S. Nicol on Oct. 25, 1942, in San Diego, CA, where he was serving with the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. After the war ended, they returned to Tomah where they raised their family.

Junie was employed by the First Bank of Tomah for many years, retiring as cashier in 1981. She belonged to the Business and Professional Women’s Club, Tomah Toastmasters and served on the Tomah Park Board. She was especially proud of her part in getting the Little Red School House established in Gillett Park. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Hiawatha Golf Course.

In retirement, Junie and Bob enjoyed winters in Bradenton, FL, and summers on Long Lake near New Auburn. She was always busy - and enjoyed biking, golfing and canoeing in addition to her volunteer work at schools and at Roser Church in Anna Maria, FL, and at the Ice Age Center and New Auburn School in Wisconsin. She pursued her life long-love of beauty through her flowers, drawing, sketching and photography. Grammy Junie’s picture books were the center of many visits and memories for her family and friends. When Lyme Disease curtailed her physical activities, Junie continued to expand her world and her friendships through her computer, staying in touch with family and friends and following their travels and activities around the world.

Junie is survived by Bob, her husband of 65 years, and their four children: Bonnie (Karl) Peterson, Green Bay, WI; Blaine (Rosanne) Nicol, Brea, CA; B. Scott (Dorothy) Nicol of Tomah, and Brent (Donna), also of Tomah; 11 grandchildren and their families also survive: Sara (Ben) Ehrets and Odin of Stoughton, WI; Joshua Peterson, Green Bay, WI; Emily (Rob) Robinson and Travis, Alyssa and Hailey, Placentia, CA; Jenny Nicol (Charlie Visnic), Fullerton, CA; Stacy Nicol (Guilliame Tessier) of France; Brian (Marie) Nicol and William of Green Bay; Melissa (Brian) Olson and Caitlin, Sadie and Rylie of Tomah; Brett (Kim) Nicol and Emily of Milwaukee and Mandy Nicol (Adam Lange) and Kaya Lange of Milwaukee; and Jason Nicol of Eau Claire and Joe Nicol of Tomah. She is further survived by her sister, Orlou Daniels, formerly of Tomah and now of Janesville, and many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Arllys Schumann.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tomah. Pastor William Rice officiated. Burial followed in the LaGrange Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends called on Monday, Dec. 10, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah and on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Lucille E. Paddock

Lucille E. Paddock, age 84, of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, passed away on Friday, Dec. 7, 2007, at the Strawberry Lane Nursing Home in Wisconsin Rapids. She was born on Dec. 28, 1922, to Willis and Gertrude (Shaw) Wood.

Lucille was united in marriage to Jennings M. Paddock, on June 8, 1939, in Black River Falls. To this union, six children were born. Lucille took great pride in raising her family. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her children, James (Donna) Paddock of Center Point, TX, Gertrude Rice, Wickenberg, AZ, Gloria Johnson of Wickenberg, AZ, Audrey (Robert) Warner of Wisconsin Rapids, and Velva (Jim) Sass of Wickenberg, AZ; two half sisters, Delores Paddock and Betty White, and a half brother, Tom Rockwell; 20 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willis and Gertrude; her husband, Jennings; a daughter, Edith Paddock; brothers Les and Ralph Wood.

Funeral services were held today (Thursday), Dec. 13, at 11 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Burial followed in the Brookside Cemetery in Millston. Family and friends called on Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah and today (Thursday) from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

LaVerne D. Scholze

RACINE - LaVerne D. (nee: Oertel) Scholze, 76, passed away Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, at her residence.

LaVerne was a lifetime resident of Racine, born on Feb. 13, 1931, to Karl and Minnie (nee: Woelfel) Oertel. LaVerne was united in marriage to Carl Scholze on March 30, 1976.

She was a 1948 graduate of Park High School. She was a longtime member of Franksville United Methodist Church and a member of the Fifty-Niners Senior Club. LaVerne worked as a dental assistant for many years. Later, she became licensed as a Hearing Aid Audiologist for Beltone, retiring in 1981. LaVerne enjoyed gardening outdoor flowerbeds, especially roses, as well as a love for indoor plants. She especially enjoyed cooking, knitting, playing cards and playing the piano and organ.

Surviving are her step-children: Gary Scholze of Sturtevant and Denis (Nancy) Scholze of Union Grove; three granddaughters, Kristine (Ashley) Sayers, Diane (Brice) Hazelwood and Ellen Lofton; four great-grandchildren, Trey, Emma, Kalei and Sophie; son-in-law, William Lofton; sisters-in-law, Jackie Oertel, Betty (Roy) Rasch, Linda (Damon) Beville and Jewell Scholze; special niece, Julie Larsen; caregivers and dear friends Kathie and Harold Stayton; and her precious and loyal Schnauzer “Candy.” She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, on May 24, 2005; her first husband, Del Nadolski; step-daughter Karla Lofton; brother Rick Oertel; sisters Doris Larsen and Bernice Oertel; and six brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law.

Funeral services were held at Franksville United Methodist Church on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Kaye Glennon officiating. Interment followed at Caledonia Memorial Park. There was a time to meet with family and friends at the church on Wednesday before the services from 10 a.m. until time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Franksville United Methodist Church have been suggested.

Special thanks to Pastor Kaye Glennon for her never-ending support during the illness of Carl and LaVerne.

The Sturino Funeral Home (formerly Hanson Funeral Home), 3014 Northwestern Ave., Racine, was in charge of arrangements.