Shirley Fruechte
Shirley Fruechte, age 80 of Elko, Minnesota and of Westby, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2008, at The Lodge at Natchez Hospice Facility in Elko, Minnesota, with her family at her bedside.
Shirley was born on June 22, 1927, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, to Norval and Leila (Blanchard) Weeks. She married Armin Fruechte June 9, 1951. Shirley graduated from Macalaster College in 1949. She was the 4-H Club agent in Houston County, Minnesota, until marrying Armin in 1951 and moved to Westby. Shirley was a volunteer at Norseland Nursing Home and Vernon Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was supervisor of the 4-H building at the Vernon County Fair for more than 30 years, a member of Eastern Star, past president of the Ladies Aid at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and enjoyed her bridge clubs. She also enjoyed camping in Hatfield, Wisconsin and considered her campsite on Arnold’s Creek her second home for 30 years.
Shirley is survived by her children and families, Linda (Brad) Morse of West Salem, and their son, Derek (Amy) Morse; Bruce (Christine) Fruechte of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and their children, Laura Shaw (and her children Robert and Andrew), Bruce Elliott, Gabrielle and Kaitlinn; Lisa (Marty) Lunde of Eden Prairie, Minnesota and their children, Christian, Elizabeth and Katherine; Robin (Joe) Becher of Mondovi, Wisconsin and their children, Nichole and Jacob. She also is survived by her sister, Kay Prouty of Redwood Falls, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Burton (Lois) Fruechte of Caledonia, Minnesota; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Estenson of Northfield, Minnesota and Audrey Hulsey of Omaha, Nebraska; numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Armin in 1979.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 16, 2008, at 9 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Westby. Pastor Gary Daines will officiate with burial in Coon Prairie Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday, May 15, 2008, from 7-9 p.m., with an Eastern Star service at 8:30 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Main Street, (Hwy. 14) in Westby. Friends may also call at the church on Friday from 8 a.m. until the time of service at 9 a.m. Memorial services were held in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, on Monday, May 12, 2008. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfu neralhomes.com.
The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.
Ruth A. “Deedee” Raitzer
Ruth A. “Deedee” Raitzer, of La Crosse and formerly of Coon Valley, died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at Bethany Riverside Nursing Facility in La Crosse.
She was born on March 2, 1920, in Elmhurst, Illinois, to Robert and Tess (Mower) Schiefner. Ruth spent her childhood in Lawrence, Michigan, and graduated from Michigan State University in East Lansing in 1941, with a degree in home economics. On July 5, 1941, she married Albert Raitzer in Lawrence, Michigan, and he preceded her in death on May 2, 1977. Deedee was a member of the La Crosse County Republican Party, La Crosse County Republican Women, Coon Valley American Legion Auxiliary and Brinkman Ridge Homemakers. She had spent several years volunteering at the Pump House Regional Arts Center, eventually being employed there as volunteer coordinator. Ruth enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, baking and bird watching.
Deedee is survived by five sons, Robert of Smyrna Georgia, Donald of Farmington Michigan, Jerry (Michele) of Seattle Washington, Thomas (Kristen) of Louisville Kentucky and Mark of Brownsville Minnesota; three grandchildren, Christine McIntyre, David (Lisa) Raitzer and Theodore Raitzer; great-grandsons, Scott and Brett; and four nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Ginger Sabo of Tujunga, California.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Walter and Robert Schiefner; and sister, Margaret ”Dolly” Alberti.
A memorial gathering will take place at a later date and will be announced by Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home in La Crosse.
Audrey Helen (Williams) Kinsey
Audrey Helen (Williams) Kinsey, age 96, and 4 months of Viola, died Friday, May 9, 2008, at Vernon Manor Nursing Home in Viroqua.
She was born January 11, 1912, at Sugar Grove, in the Sylvan area, to Herman and Alice (Spurrier) Williams. She married Byron Kinsey on August 5, 1930, in Winona, Minn. and they were married 76 years on Aug. 5, 2006. Byron passed away on Feb. 18, 2007. They lived and farmed in the area, near Viola, known as Camp Creek. They moved to Viola in 1962. After she was retired, she took painting lessons and painted many lovely pictures. She also worked part-time at the Viroqua Greenhouse. She also did crocheting, knitting, sewing, raising a garden and flowers. She liked to cook and share her baked goods with others. She was a good friend and neighbor.
She is survived by three sons, Leroy (Janette) of Viola, Roger (Marilyn) of Foley, Alabama and Joe (Shirley) of La Farge; one daughter, Catherine (Gene) Harris of Viola; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren, and three on the way; four step-great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Ione Williams of Mosinee; brother-in-law, Robert (Jessie) Kinsey of Viola; nieces nephews, relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Byron; her parents; two brothers, Russell, at age 14 and George Williams; one sister and her husband, Lela and Arthur Ewing; his parents, Eli and Amelia Kinsey; one sister-in-law and her husband, Ethelyn and Frank Armstrong; two grandchildren, David Kinsey and Kelli Snider; one great-grandchild, Sarah Gee; also nieces and nephews.
Joint funeral services for Audrey and her husband, Byron, who died February 18, 2007, were held on Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at the Viola United Methodist Church in Viola. Pastors Karen Bankes and Laverne Larson officiated with burial in the Viola Cemetery. Friends called on Wednesday before the time of services. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfu neralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be made to the Kickapoo Rescue Squad, Viola Cemetery or the charity of your choice.
The Vosseteig Funeral Home’s Henthorn Memorial Center in Viola served the family.
