Tomah Journal - Obituaries

Robert Elmer Bradley, Mary Agnes Dwyer, James P. Jeatran, Karon Jones, Clarence H. Lenz, Petra J. Parker, Ed Pingel, Robert R. Rice, Jenetta Wood

Robert Elmer Bradley

Robert Elmer Bradley, 79, of Kendall, died Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008, at his home. He was born Aug. 21, 1928, to Elmer and Cecilia (Rahberger) Bradley at Kendall. He farmed in the Town of Glendale. Robert worked 13 years for the Hoffman Corners Creamery, never having missed a day of work. He handled Badger Farm Equipment for the company out of Kaukauna. He valued his friendships and enjoyed visiting with his friends and neighbors. He also enjoyed listening to music.

He is survived by his sister, Eileen (Victor) Gruchalski of Milwaukee; four brothers, Donald (Marie) and Everett (Carol), both of Kendall, Lawrence (Patty) of Tomah and Harold (Mary) of Sparta; 16 nieces and nephews, many grand-nieces, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Jan. 12, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Kendall. Rev. Richard C. Dickman will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday from 4 until 8 p.m. at the Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Kendall, and at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of the Mass. The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Kendall, is assisting with the arrangements.

Mary Agnes Dwyer

Mary Agnes Dwyer, 90, of Tomah and formerly of Kendall, died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008, at Close To Home Assisted Living, Tomah.

She was born Nov. 17, 1917, to John and Theresa (Lyden) Farmer in Wilton. She was united in marriage to Charles M. Dwyer on June 4, 1940, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Wilton. He preceded her in death July 19, 1994. After graduation from Tomah High School, Mary went to teachers training and taught in country schools for a few years. After her childen were grown she taught in the Kendall schools. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her children, John Michael (Linda) of Waupaca, Susan Dwyer French (John) of Roseville, MN, Joseph Charles (Cynthia) of Kent, CT, James Floyd (Ann) of St. Charles, IL, and Sally Marie Dwyer of Houston, TX; three granddaughters, Jennifer Dwyer, Julie Carlson and Annamarie French; two great-grandchildren, Sophie and Leo Carlson; a sister, Lucille Dams of Fort Atkinson; two sisters-in-law, Carol Farmer of Tomah and Muffy Dwyer of Sparta.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Donald, William and Joseph Farmer; seven brothers-in-law, Leo Dams, Ed Dwyer, Rev. Father Floyd Dwyer, John Dwyer, William Jirshele, Ellsworth Honish and Doug Burnett; six sisters-in-law, Vera Farmer, Catherine Farmer, Florence Jirshele, Grace Honish, Margaret “Marge” Dwyer and Helen Burnett.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial was held today (Thursday), Jan. 10, 2008, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Kendall. Rev. Richard C. Dickman officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Relatives and friends called at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of the Mass. Memorials may be given in memory of Mary to the Kendall Library 209 S. Railroad, Kendall, WI 54638, and Kendall Elementary School, 601 Spring St., Kendall, WI 54638.

The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Kendall, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

James P. Jeatran

WAUNAKEE - James P. Jeatran, 76, of Waunakee, died at home with his family around him on Friday, Jan. 4, 2008, after a brief illness. He was born Dec. 15, 1931, to Peter and Gertrude (Lewis) Jeatran in Menomonie, Wi. He was raised and went to schools in Menomonie and attended the University of Wisconsin until joining the U.Sn Navy, where he served in the Korean War. He attended UW-Stout prior to joining the Wisconsin State Patrol, where he served as Trooper, Sergeant and Lieutenant. He also taught Police Science in the State Vocational System, worked for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and retired as Chief of Police at the VA Hospital in Madison. Jim was an alderman, school board member and municipal judge in Tomah.

He married Alma Brensdal on Dec. 25, 1953, and togehter they raised two children. Alma died on Feb. 14, 1977. On May 27, 1978, he married Karen Bunk of Kendall. He and Karen enjoyed traveling, spending winters in Florida and were active UW-Badger fans. They recently returned from their dream trip to Greece and were able to visit the home where his father was born in the mountain village of Andritsena, Greece. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family and was able to attend the 65th anniversary of deer hunting with his family and friends at the family cabin near Drummond, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Alma; and two brothers, Bob and Dan.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; his son, Tim (Rose) of Warrens; and his daughter, Cheri (Eric Cavazos) of Mesquite, TX; four grandchildren: Jessica (Michael) Olson, Jeff (Hilary) Jeatran, Jason Rischette (Brittney Zuberbeier) and Adam Ersepke, serving in the U.S. Marines; three great-grandchildren: Jocelyn, Nicholas and Anthony; brothers Dick (Jean) and Tom (Betsy); sisters Anne (Al) Rankin and Ruthann (Clyde) Taylor; sisters-in-law Esther Jeatran, Viola Jeatran, Florence Krueger and Betty Enersen; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, 209 South St., Waunakee. The Rev. Eric Sternberg officiated. Friends called on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Winn Funeral Home in Waunakee from 4 until 7 p.m. Burial was in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Waunakee.

Karon Jones

SLEEPY EYE, MN - Karon Jones, 62, of Sleepy Eye, MN, died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, at her home in Sleepy Eye. Memorial services will be held near her hometown in Wisconsin at a later date. Burial of the cremains will be in the Home Cemetery in Ontario, WI.

Karon is survived by her husband, Roland Jones, of Sleepy Eye, MN; step children, Sandy Jones of White Bear Lake, MN, Tom Jones and Connie Hall of Lester Prairie, MN, Patty Jones of White Bear Lake, MN, Tim and Jenny Jones of Hanska, MN; nine step grandchildren, a brother Ken Schaefer of the Philippines; a sister, Sandra Schaefer of Sparta; a special sister, Bertha Geier of Sparta; a special niece and goddaughter, Lori Kaul, and also by four nephews. Karon was preceded in death by her parents and a beloved sister, Alice.

Karon Kay Jones, the daughter of Louis and Eleanora (Eckelberg) Schaefer was born on March 13, 1945, near Sparta, WI. She was baptized and confirmed at the St. John’s Ridgeville Lutheran Church in Ridgeville. Karon was a 1963 graduate of the Brookwood High School in Norwalk, WI. She was united in marriage to James Mumford in 1970 and lived in numerous states before and during her marriage. Their marriage ended in 1992. She then moved back to Wisconsin. In 1998 she married Roland Jones in Rushford, MN. Karon fought a long battle with breast cancer with many metastases since 1995. During all of this Karon fought to retain her sense of humor throughout which she was known for during her life. Karon’s wish was to go out of this world quietly, softly, and gently as Jesus is calling her.

Arrangements were handled by the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm. MN.

Clarence H. Lenz

Clarence H. Lenz, 84, of Tomah, died Friday, Jan. 4, 2008, at the Tomah Health Care Center. He was born Nov. 6, 1923, in the town of Meeme, to August and Lena (Poppenhagen) Lenz. Clarence attended Woodland Grade School in “School Hill” and Kiel High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1941. He was discharged in 1945 and was a member of the Reserves for one year. He graduated from Fond du Lac Business College and was an investigator for Retail Credit Co. for 12 years. He was owner of the “Uptown Club” in Tomah for 26 years. In 1947 he was united in marriage to June Batt of Sheboygan. Together they had three children, Dwight, Dale and Kathleen. He was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. He was and active member and past president of the Tomah Lions Club, and past commander of the VFW. After his retirement he enjoyed golfing and playing cards.

He is survived by his wife, June, of Tomah; two sons, Dale |(Barbara) of Menomonee Falls, and Dwight (Kathy) of Tomah; granddaughters Reisha K. Lenz and Tyra Dee Lenz; step-grandchildren Paul Schilling and Jennifer Moore; two great-grandchildren, Gabrielle and Bode; a brother, Norbert C. Lenz of Green Lake; a sister-in-law, Mabel Lenz of Kiel; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Kathleen; four brothers, William, Ewald, Arnold and Alvis; and two sisters-in-law, Mary and Eileen.

Memorial services were held at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah, on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008, at 11 a.m. Pastor William Rice officiated. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery with military honors by Curtiss-McNutt VFW Post 1382. Relatives and friends called at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Petra J. Parker

Petra J. (Peterson) Parker, age 90, of Kendall, WI, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2007, at the Heritage Manor in Elroy, WI. She was born on July 18, 1917, to Peter and Elma (Jeorgenson) Peterson in Knapp, WI. She was united in marriage to Charles Parker on Dec. 29, 1938.

She is survived by her children, Charles R. Parker of Cataract, Phillip Parker of South Bend, IN, Beverly Kulikowski of Kendall and Vidella Parker of Cashton; 20 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; a brother, Lawrence Peterson of Racine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her sisters, Minnie Middlestad, Hazel Schultz, Rose York, Ruth York and Ida Himan; her brothers, Edward Peterson, Peter Peterson and George Peterson.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 2 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Pastor William Rice will officiate. Burial will follow in the Wood Cemetery, rural Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Saturday from 12 p.m. until the time of service at the Torkelson Funeral Home.

Ed Pingel

JANESVILLE, WI - Ed Pingel, age 75, passed away on Jan. 3, 2008, after a brief stay at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, WI. A Janesville resident since 1965, Ed also lived in Iowa, traveled and grew up in rural Tomah, attending Tomah High School. As a farmboy, he would admire the train whistles and long-haul truckers that passed along the highways and he “couldn’t help but wonder where they were bound”. He got to travel when he joined the U.S. Navy (Seabees) to the Islands of the Philippines and beyond during the Korean War. After that he became a trucker: JATCO for 19 years and Jaeger Bread Company after that. He enjoyed his days traveling throughout the Midwest delivering new Chevrolets to folks and praising the charm of each small town in pre-interstate Wisconsin. He learned the secrets of the road, shortcuts, best motels, and hot plate specials. He especially enjoyed each town’s unique Christmas lights and would point them out on family trips. Ed loved old-time bluegrass music and was frequently seen “playing the spoons” along to such greats as Bill Monroe. He liked dancing, polkas, humorous stories, hominy, simple pleasures, and an Old Style with friends. Ed made friends gracefully and enjoyed the easy company of others. His friends will miss him. He liked early mornings on empty highways and the long vistas of South Dakota plains. His Tom & Jerrys will be missed. Ed married Joanne McCollough in 1955 and they stayed together until 1983.

He was preceded in death by his parents: George and Bertha Pingel of rural Tomah; two sisters and one brother. He leaves his family: Joanne Pingel of Janesville; his daughters: Denise (Todd) Hannemann of Galesville and Lynn Pingel (Troy Bunker) of Janesville; his sons: Randall (Cindy) Pingel and Russell (Sharyl) Pingel of Janesville. He also leaves 12 grandchildren and one great-grandson; a brother: Arthur (Ardith) Pingel of Moorhead, MN; a sister: Louise (Stanley) Schleusener of Tomah, and their families; and many friends.

Funeral services were held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Whitcomb-Lynch-Albrecht Funeral Home, 15 N. Jackson St., Janesville, WI, (608) 752-2444, with Rev. Jerry Amstutz officiating. Burial followed in Milton Lawns Memorial Park with military rites provided by Kienow-Hilt Post #1621. Visitation was on Monday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the funeral home and on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Robert R. Rice

Robert Raymond Rice, age 69, of Wilton and Westby, died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Center in La Crosse.

He was born Sept. 22, 1938, in the town of Wilton to Raymond and Irene (Berendes) Rice. He was united in marriage

to Kathryn Kroeger on Oct. 10, 1981, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wilton. Robert worked as a crane operator for Lunda Construction of Black River Falls and was proud of the work he had done building interstate bridges.

He is survived by his wife Kathryn and son Jason, both of Westby; two brothers, William (Rita) of Wilton and Richard (Patricia) of Virginia Beach, VA; a sister, Betty (Douglas) Wills of West Bend; three sisters-in-law, Donna Paske of Madison, Sister Jean Kroeger of Holmen and Carol (Clinton) Sommerfield of Norwalk; five brothers-in-law, Pete (Rosemary) Kroeger of Sparta, William (Gayle) Kroeger of New Orleans, LA, Richard Kroeger of CA, Charles (Jolleen) Kroeger of Onalaska, James (Val) Kroeger of Sparta; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Michael.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Jan. 11, at 11 a.m. at St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Wilton. Rev. Del Malin and Rev. Richard C. Dickman will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Relatives and friends are invited to call today (Thursday) from 4 until 8 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wilton and on Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. A parish prayer service will be held at the church this (Thursday) evening at 7:45 p.m.

The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Wilton, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Jenetta Wood

Jenetta Wood, age 98, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008, at the Tomah Healthcare Center. She was born on Aug. 27, 1909, to Thomas S. and Clara E. (Rice) Moore in Excelsior, WI. She was united in marriage to Albert Orin Wood for over 70 years before his death in 1997.

Jenetta was known for making and selling her own wine and beer. She enjoyed cooking and was a cook for Volk Field in Camp Douglas and at Badger Ordnance in Baraboo. She moved to Illinois and was head cook at a nursing home in Hartland, IL, and later worked at Admiral Television Corp. Jenetta was known for making and selling her own wine and beer. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and doing word puzzles. Jenetta was also known for helping people deliver babies at their homes. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.

She is survived by her children, Charley Wood, Thelma Bronner and Babe Courtade; 33 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; her children, Helen Chambers; an infant daughter Marge Wood, Doris Morrow, Clarence Wood, Elden Wood and Betty Brennecka; her siblings, Riley Daniel Moore, Raymond John Moore, Rossie Evon Moore, Sidney Earl Moore, Geneva Moore, Virgil James Moore and Clarence LeRoy Moore.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 10 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home, Tomah. Pastor Clyde Ewers will officiate. Burial will follow in the Wood Cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Friday, Jan. 11, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.