Story originally printed in the Tomah Journal or online at www.tomahjournal.com

Published - Friday, February 22, 2008

Obituaries for February 21

Kimberly (Kortbein) Brinkman, Eugene R. Burnstad, Kenneth C. Prell, Robert E. “Bob” Rosier

Kimberly (Kortbein) Brinkman

Kimberly (Kortbein) Brinkman, age 46, of Carrollton, TX, passed away on Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, at her home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born December 4, 1961, in Milwaukee, WI to James and Marlene (Lesperance) Kortbein.

Kim was raised in Tomah, WI, and was a 1980 graduate of Tomah High School. Following high school, she attended Mankato State University in Minnesota, graduating in 1984 with a degree in Accounting. After college, Kim worked for March of Dimes in Minneapolis, MN where she met her husband Gene Brinkman. They were united in marriage on April 27, 1991, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Russellville, AR. Kim moved to Dallas, TX in 1991, she worked for the last 14 years at Interstate Hotels & Resorts as their Senior Accounting Manager.

Kim was big fan of the Green Bay Packers, every time they were playing, you would never catch her sitting down, she would be pacing the floors, screaming for a victory. She was also an avid reader, she loved her books, garden, plants and her three cats, but most importantly, spending time with her family. She will always be remembered as a strong willed, smart, hard working, determined, very kind and genuine person. Kim will be sadly missed by her family and friends. Her memory will be with us always.

She is survived by her husband, Gene; her daughter, Taylor both of Carrollton, TX; her parents, Marlene Kortbein of Menomonee Falls, WI and Jim (Glenda) Kortbein of Gold Canyon, AZ; two brothers, Todd (Kerry) Kortbein of Tomah, WI and Jay (Shannon) Kortbein of Franklin, WI; two sisters, Dawn (Larry) Pierce of Tomah, WI and Tammy (Mark) Smoker of Lusby, MD; one step sister, Jennifer (Todd) Torkelson of Tomah, WI and one step brother, Van McLamb of AZ.; two sisters-in-law, Linda (Norm) Ruhl of Athens, AL and Evelyn (Gary) Green of Joshua, TX; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, George and Mary Lesperance; and her paternal grandparents, Clarence and Lydia Kortbein and Margaret Kortbein; and her mother and father-in-law, Louis and Selma (Steuber) Brinkman; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Ness.

Memorial services for Kim will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2008, 11:00 a.m. at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Plano, TX. Rev. Victor Kollmann will officiate. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com

Eugene R. Burnstad

Eugene Roland Burnstad, age 77, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, at his son’s home in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He was born on May 8, 1930, to Chet and Edna (Butterfuss) Burnstad. He was united in marriage to Karyl Moseley on April 15, 1950.

He loved farming but above all he loved Jehovah. He was a kind and compassionate man and will sorely be missed by his devoted wife Karyl. There are so many little things that add up to the great human being that he was.

He is survived by his eight children, Dana (Sally) Burnstad, Sara (Steve) Woodard, Sue (Slavko) Malinowsky, Drew Burnstad, Daran (Leanne) Burnstad, Syd (Dana) Sawrey, Stacey Tormoen, and Shana Burnstad, as well as 26 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; his brother, Victor (Rita) Burnstad, and two sisters, Marlene (JC) Johnson and Karen Boldon; two aunts, Eunice Moseley and Darlene (Ron) Tralmer; one uncle, Norman Bjornstad, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Donald.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, 11 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Kenneth C. Prell

Kenneth C. Prell, 90, Deerfield, Wisconsin, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, at the VA Hospital in Madison after a sudden illness. Born October 25, 1917, in Orange Township, Monroe County, the son of Fred and Lettie (Brookman) Prell. He attended Graf School in Clifton. On April 15, 1956, he married the former Retta Best in Davis, IL. Kenneth and Retta celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006. She preceded him in death on Jan. 23, 2007. Kenneth was employed as a sheet metal worker at Paul Isler Heating & Air Conditioning in Rockford, IL for 35 years, retiring in 1982. He was a veteran of World War II, serving as a private in the US Army. He was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #219 and received his 60-year award in October of 2007. Kenneth lived in Clifton for 25 years before moving to the Rockford-Durand, IL area in 1942, where he lived until his retirement in 1982. After retirement, he lived in Colorado and Missouri, and he lived his last months in Deerfield.

Survivors include children Jerry (Mary Ellen) Hatton, Spring Arbor, MI; Royce (Jean) Hatton, Glendale Heights, IL; Harlan (Gloria) Hatton, Morris, IL; Carrie (Harold) Thorne, Deerfield; and Lettie (John Domini) Prell, Des Moines, IA; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; sisters Shirley Coxey and Joann Foxx, and brother S. Gene Prell. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Retta; brothers Russell, Clifford and Darrel and his sister Rosalie Nelson.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, at McCorkle Funeral Home, 101 Main Street, Durand, IL. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Garden, Loves Park, IL. Family and friends may call at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until time of the service. A memorial in Kenneth’s name will be established. Online condolences are available at www.mccorklefuneralhome.com.

Robert E. “Bob” Rosier

Robert E. “Bob” Rosier, age 76, of Camp Douglas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 16, 2008, at Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta with his family by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on Feb. 22, 1931, to Leonard and Elise (Rasmussen) Rosier. He was a graduate of Mauston High School. He was united in marriage to Marian Buffington on December 6, 1952, his wife of 55 years. Robert served in the Army and was stationed for two years in Germany.

He is survived by his wife Marian Rosier of Camp Douglas; his children, Pat (Jim) Sampson of Camp Douglas, Mike Rosier of Hustler, Terry (Allan) Westergard, of Poynette, Sue (Greg) Evans of Sparta; nine grandchildren: Justin and Jessica Miller, Chad, Ryan and Nathan Rosier, Jordan and Jared Flint, Drew and Kyle Evans, and three beautiful great-granddaughters: Savanna Burgess, Andraliese and Alexis Miller; a brother, Duane (Barb) Rosier Union Grove, WI; a sister-in-law, Grace Hyslop of Waunakee. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews other relatives and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Be happy that we had so many years. You can only guess how much happiness you gave me. I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it’s time I travel alone. So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust. It’s only for awhile that we must part, so bless the memories within your heart. I will not be far away, for life goes on.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008, at 11 a.m. at the Hare Funeral Home in New Lisbon with Rev. Stephanie Taylor Homann presiding. Relatives and friends called at the Hare Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5 until 8 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Online condolences and information available at www.harefuneralhome.com.

All stories copyright 2006 Tomah Journal and other attributed sources.