Tomah Journal - Obituaries

Loretta Birkholz, Arthur L. Jerdee

Loretta Birkholz

Loretta Birkholz, 91, passed away July 15, 2008, at St. Elizabeth’s Home in Janesville, where she had resided the past eight years after moving from Wilton where she had lived for 67 years. Loretta was a highly regarded resident of the Wilton area. She worked as a custodian at the Wilton Elementary School for 30 years. Loretta was born to William and Agnes McGarvey on April 7, 1917, in Wilton. At age 2 she moved to Butler, where she attended grade school. In 1932 she moved back to Wilton with her family. She married Herman Birkholz on Nov. 8, 1941, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Wilton. He preceded her in death on Dec. 20, 1967. In 1945 Herman and Loretta purchased a home in the village of Wilton known as the Doctors’ house. Dr. Mills built it and practiced there for several years before selling it to Dr. Graves, who practiced there for years. He sold it to Dr. LeRoy Abbott. After purchasing the house, many quests have stayed there while on the bike trail. Teachers would room and board with the Birkholzes. Loretta was known as the Wilton Historian. She was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Wilton, and a proud member of the Wilton American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by a daughter, Lorraine (Harold) Knutson of Janesville; a son, Robert (Carol) Birkholz of Janesville; four grandchildren, Kent (April) Knutson of Orlando, FL, Bret Knutson of Janesville, Ty Birkholz of La Crosse and Jennifer (Joe) Nunn of Janesville; four great-grandchildren, Nichole Nunn, Brooke Nunn, Cole Knutson and Cloe Knutson; a brother, Jerome (Bev) McGarvey of Verona; several nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Jack, Floyd and Edward, and two sisters, Joan and Marie.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 19, at 1 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, 504 Enderby Ave., Wilton. Father Gene Trainor will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

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

Memorials can be made to St. Elizabeth’s Home. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and Sisters of St. Elizabeth’s for the wonderful care given to Loretta over the past eight years.

God saw she was getting tired, and a cure was not to be. So he put his arm around her and whispered, “Come with Me.” With tearful eyes we watched her gradually fade away. Although we loved her dearly, we could not bid her stay. A golden heart stopped beating. Hard working hands to rest. Through grace and faith God proved to us, that we are truly blest.

Arthur L. Jerdee

Arthur L. Jerdee, 94, of Tomah, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, in Tomah.

He was born Jan. 10, 1914, to John and Julia (Christopher) Jerdee in the Town of Byron. He was baptized on Feb. 22, 1914, and confirmed on April 10, 1927, at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Tomah. He was united in marriage on June 30, 1941, to Doris Sauers in West Union, IA. She preceded him in death on Oct. 19, 1985. He was an active and faithful member of St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Sparta, and when he returned to Tomah at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church. Arthur served as chairman of the St. John congregation and also served on numerous other church boards and organizations. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving his country during WWII. He worked as a supervisory clerk at the VA Medical Center in Tomah until his retirement in June of 1973. From 1974 to 1987, Arthur served as Monroe County supervisor.

He is survived by two daughters, Vicki (Pastor Gerald) Schroer of Stevensville, MI, and Karen Jerdee of Eau Claire, WI; seven grandchildren, Rebecca (Jeff) Verbeke of Appleton, Sara Prater of LaPorte, IN, Pastor Andrew (Clariza) Schroer of Edna, TX, Elizabeth (Thomas) Plitzuweit of Plymouth, NE, Aaron (Rachel) Schroer of Norfolk, VA, Adam (fianceé Maggie Kenny) Schroer of Saginaw, MI, and Amos (Melissa) Schroer of Clarkston, MI; nine great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Doris, seven brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 17, at 1 p.m. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Tomah. Pastor Curtis S. Backhaus will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church on Thursday from noon until the time of the services. The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family requests that memorials be given to St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church.