Tomah Journal - Obituaries

Carl E. Keene, Russell O. Potter

Carl E. Keene

Carl E. Keene, 94, of Sparta, WI, passed away at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta on Thursday, June 12, 2008.

Carl was born on Feb. 10, 1914, in the Township of Leon, to Jule and Orpha Keene. He graduated from Sparta High School in 1932 and attended the La Crosse Business School. He was united in Holy Matrimony to Alta Vestreng. Together they farmed in the Angelo and Farmers Valley area. When he retired from farming, he loved to go fishing, trapping, hunting and did amazing woodwork.

Carl is survived by his three sons, Howard (Sharon) Keene of Sparta, Harold (Karen) Keene of Waukesha, and David (Helen) Keene of Richmond, (Midlothian), VA; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, along with other relatives and friends.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alta (Vestreng) in 1996; his brother, George; and sisters, Ila and Bertha.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 14, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sparta. Pastor Jeffrey Miller officiated. Burial followed in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Sparta. Family and friends called at the Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday, June 13, and at the church on Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. until the time of service. The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Memorials are requested for Trinity Lutheran Church or the Morrow Memorial Home.

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

Russell O. Potter

Russell O. Potter, age 96, of Tomah, WI, passed away in his sleep under the care of Tomah Hospice on Thursday, June 12, 2008, at Agape Acres in Warrens. He was born on Oct. 22, 1911, to Oscar and Eva (Bennett) Potter. On May 21, 1938, he married Anna Christina Olsen. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with an open house at Agape Acres. Before his first birthday, Russ moved with his family to a cranberry marsh east of Warrens. He grew up raising cranberries and continued in that role throughout his adult life until retirement. His mechanical skills built or converted many machines used to modernize the cranberry industry. There was always a beagle and/or another hunting hound kenneled nearby as rabbit and fox hunting with friends were favorite winter sports.

On the pond during the summer, Russ pulled neighborhood kids and friends on water skis or surfboards. He purchased one of the first Ski-doo snowmobiles to pack snow on the cranberry sections, but it also provided hours of entertainment with his kids. He enjoyed being with his grandkids, especially on the water “up north” and cheering them on as they participated in each season’s sporting event. If there was an auction in the area, Russ was bidding on something one of the kids wanted. Having lived in the area, he knew every road, paved or mostly otherwise. Many friends have ventured over these roads, passable or not, with Russ in his green Scout, Jeep or Explorer as they scouted out wildlife and/or the current berry crop. He served on the board of Tomah Memorial Hospital and the Tomah School Board.

He is survived by his wife, Anna; a son, Keith (Dr. Judy Lottmann) of Sparta and children Alan (Julie) Potter and daughters Megan and Nicole of Warrens, and Paul (Michelle) Potter and son Jeremy of Tomah, and Matt Lindborg; a daughter, Mary (Dave) Grade of Wausau and children Ann (Will) Nygaard and daughters Hannah and Naomi of Wausau, Tim (Susie) Grade of Denver, CO, Dano (Maggie) Grade and daughters Grace and Brenna of Wausau; his sister, June Jensen of Tomah; his brother, Clint Potter of Black River Falls; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Merle and brothers Jerry and Ben.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the Warrens Baptist Church. Dennis Frost and Tim Grade will officiate. Burial will follow in the Warren Mills Cemetery, Warrens. Family and friends are invited for visitation today (Monday) June 16, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Memorials may be given to the Tomah Hospice or Child Evangelism Fellowship of Western Wisconsin.

The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.