Nancy C. Matson
Nancy C. Matson, age 64 of Viroqua, died Saturday evening, May 31, 2008, at the Bethel Home in Viroqua.
She was born June 11, 1943, in Viroqua to Francis and Edna (Everson) Matson. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith by Pastor O. M. Kleven. She lived with her parents until 1986, when her mother died. She then moved to VARC Home until moving to the Bethel Home in December of 2004. Nancy loved Elvis Presley, watching wrestling and her dog Queenie. She worked at VARC and was involved in Special Olympics and The Silver Lining Club.
She is survived by three brothers, Jerrold (Hilda) Matson of Viroqua, David (Marilyn) Matson of Kansas and Francis (Ann Prissel) Matson of Viroqua; one sister, Jean (Gerald) Mattie of La Crosse; and one brother-in-law, Ervan Olson of Westby.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and one sister, Joan Olson.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 5, 2008, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. The Rev. Lindsay Paul Jordan and the Rev. Margaret Eiben Hoversten officiated with burial in the Viroqua Cemetery. Friends called on Wednesday evening at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua, for visitation and a prayer service. Friends also called at the church on Thursday before the time of services. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneral homes.com.
The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home served the family.
Jim M. Loomis
Jim M. Loomis, age 64 of Viroqua, died on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at the Vernon Manor Nursing Home.
He was born July 16, 1943, in La Crosse, the fourth son of Lloyd and Mary (Ambroz) Loomis. Jim was a United States Army veteran having served several years in Europe. On March 12, 1977, he married Cynthia “Cindy” Raaum at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in La Crosse. Jim had worked for many years for the L.B. White Company in La Crosse along with other various jobs during his working career. He was a member of American Legion Post 138 in Viroqua as well as American Legion Post 52 in La Crosse. Jim enjoyed fishing, bingo, playing cards, gardening, baking and cooking, especially outdoor grilling.
In addition to his wife Cindy of Viroqua, he is survived by a brother, Richard “Dick” (Di) Loomis of La Crosse and his father- and mother-in-law, Alston and Elaine Raaum of Viroqua.
He was preceded in death by a son, Timothy James Loomis in 1980; his parents; and two brothers, Lloyd “Junior” Loomis and Jack Loomis.
A memorial service was held Saturday, June 7, 2008, at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home in La Crosse with the Rev. Scott Skogen officiating. Burial with military honors will take place at a later date. Friends and family called at the funeral home before the time of services.
Helen M. Dregne
Helen M. Dregne, age 100 years, passed away on June 7, 2008, at the home of her daughter in Homewood, Illinois; she had congestive heart failure.
She was born on March 15, 1908, one of the 11 children of Albert and Louisa (Olson) Mikkelson, Norwegian immigrants to the Gays Mills-Soldiers Grove area where they cleared land for a bluff-top farm.
All of them preceded her in death: her parents; sisters, Minnie Thompson, Benetta Turben and Alma Thompson; and brothers, Tilman, Norman, Clarence, Alfred, Otto, Oscar and Lawrence. Her husband, Clarence J. Dregne, died in 1976; and daughter, Ardelle Peart in 1982.
Survivors include her daughter, Lenore (Theodore) Cunningham of Homewood, Illinois; and Ardelle and Richard Peart’s sons, Steven, now living and working in the state of Washington and Robert and his wife, Laura, who live in Plainfield, Illinois; as well as sister-in-law, Alice, widow of Helen’s brother Alfred, and many nieces and nephews.
Helen attended Gays Mills High School for one year and was confirmed in Mt. Sterling church. She and her family became members of Franklin church and her daughters were confirmed in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Viroqua. She received awards for her volunteer work with the mealsite at the Viroqua Dairy. Her church work included membership in one of the Franklin ladies’ circles to raise money for the church and missions. When newly married in 1928, the couple farmed land owned by Knute Dregne on Stump Ridge for about 10 years and in 1939, purchased a farm on Maple Dale Road east of Viroqua where they lived and worked for about 15 years. For retirement, they moved into a new house built on a plot of land overlooking the farm. When Clarence passed away, Helen moved to the city and became one of the initial residents of the “high-rise” named for Phil Bigley but now known as Park View Manor; she lived there for 25 years until she became completely blind and decided to live with her daughter. A house addition had been designed and built for her 10 years earlier in Homewood, Illinois. She enjoyed her friends at Park View and stayed there as long as she could.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at the Franklin Lutheran Church, rural Soldiers Grove. Pastor Pete Beckstrand officiated with burial in the church cemetery. Friends called on Tuesday evening at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua. Friends also called on Wednesday at the church before the time of the services. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfunera lhomes.com. Memorials are preferred toward the cure of breast cancer.
The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua served the family.
Roland Otto Hagen (Rye/Rollie)
Roland Otto Hagen (Rye/Rollie), age 87, of Westby, passed away on June 5, 2008, at Old Times Assisted Care where he has been a resident for two years. He has been living in Westby since his retirement in 1984. He had lived in Milwaukee and West Allis before retiring to Westby.
Roland was born March 13, 1921, to Reuben and Blanche (Nichols) Hagen in Westby. He attended area schools and was an outstanding basketball player while in high school and a member of the first championship team. Upon graduation he entered the U.S. Navy on September 28, 1942 and was honorably discharged on January 14, 1946. His rank was Pharmacist's Mate 2nd class USNR. He served as a medic with a Marine Corps unit on Okinawa during World War II. Upon discharge he entered the University of Wisconsin, Madison and graduated with a degree in business administration. After graduation he entered the banking industry and had a long career with First Wisconsin National Bank (US Bank) in downtown Milwaukee. At the time of his retirement he was an assistant vice president. Roland married Jessie Borgen of Viroqua on February 1, 1947, in Viroqua. She preceded him in death on April 14, 1999. They were the parents of two children, Ryan Hagen of Menasha (fianceé Pat Raddatz) and Rhonda (David) Smerchek of Union Grove Wisconsin.
He was a lifetime member of the Westby Rod & Gun Club, a member of the Westby Coon-Prairie Lutheran Church and the Snowflake Ski Club. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, golfing, fishing and was an avid sports fan.
Roland was preceded in death by his wife, Jaye; a brother, Harold and three infant children.
In addition to his two children, Roland is survived by his sister, Lois Hagen of Santa Fe, New Mexico; three grandchildren, Brad Hagen, Amy (Tim) Boocher and Nicole Smerchek; and two great-grandchildren, Karina Hagen and Violet Schwersenska,
Funeral services were held on Monday, June 9, 2008, at the Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church with Pastor Dennis Hallemeier officiating. Burial with military rites was in the Coon Prairie Cemetery. Friends called at the church on Monday before the time of services. Online condolences may be offered at www.vos seteigfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials may be made to the Coon Prairie Cemetery Fund or the Fine Arts Foundation of the Westby Area. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby served the family.
Michael J. Markiewicz
Michael J. Markiewicz, age 62 of De Soto, died Friday, June 6, 2008, at his home.
He was born on August 28, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Joseph and Mary (Cienkus) Markiewicz. During his childhood years, Michael and his family lived in Chicago and he had worked in the Chicago area for catering firms, Pepsi, a box factory and had also painted cars for Ford Motor Company prior to his service in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War: He had served in the Army from 1965 to 1967. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Michael joined his family on the farm they had purchased near Red Mound, and along with his brother, continued to operate the farm. Michael had served on the Wheatland Town Board for several years and helped organize the Wheatland First Responders.
Michael is survived by his brother, Johnny Markiewicz of De Soto; sister, Margaret Markiewicz of Madison; three nieces; his former wife, Brenda; and many neighbors and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2008, at 1 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 320 Main St. (Hwy. 82) in De Soto. Pastor Bill Busch will officiate with burial in the Walnut Mound Cemetery at Retreat. Friends may call on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in De Soto. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfu neralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials are preferred to the Wheatland First Responders.
The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of De Soto is serving the family.
