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Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com

Published - Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Obituaries for Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008

By Daily News staff

Martha L. Witmer Giese

June 17, 1910 — Dec. 19, 2007

Martha L. Witmer Giese, 97, of Adith Miller Manor, Winona, died Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home, Rushford, Minn. Martha Louise was born June 17, 1910, in Sheboygan County, Wis., to Gustav and Helene (Szeppull) Franz.

Martha graduated from Mission House Academy in Sheboygan County, Class of 1928. She married the Rev. Melvin C. Witmer on June 15, 1932, at Immanuel United Church of Christ, Sheboygan County. The couple served churches in Zwingle, Iowa; Fountain City, Wis.; Bloomington, Minn.; and Juneau, Wis., before retiring to their cottage home in Wautoma, Wis.

Her husband preceded her in death June 15, 1983, on their 51st wedding anniversary. Also preceding her in death were her brothers, Ewald and Roland; her sisters, Elsie and Marie; and her children, David, Clarence and Margaret Cross.

On Sept. 1, 1991, Martha married the Rev. Milton W. Giese at Grace United Methodist Church, Wautoma, Wis. Milton died Oct. 23, 1991, at their home in Beaver Dam, Wis.

Martha is survived by a daughter-in-law, Doris Witmer of La Crosse, Wis. Surviving stepchildren, Ira Giese of Wautoma and Carmen (Brian) Woodring of La Grange, Ill.; grandchildren, Mark (Lynne) Witmer, Jeffrey (Merrilee) Witmer, Laura Witmer, Kevin (Carol) Cross and Carolyn (Renato)

deMatta; great-grandchildren, Joel Witmer, Kyle Witmer, Alison Witmer, Kathryn Witmer, Jennifer Cross, Jonathan Cross, Leah deMatta and Colleen deMatta; and stepgrandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Martha will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at First Congregational Church, Winona, with the Rev. Rick King officiating. Interment will be at Immanuel United Church of Christ Cemetery, Town of Herman, Sheboygan County.

Family will greet friends beginning at 10 a.m. and after the service at the church Saturday.

Memorial gifts may be directed to First Congregational Church, 161 W. Broadway, Winona, MN 55987 or St. John’s United Church of Christ, 303 S. Hill St., Fountain City, WI 54629.

Words of sympathy or remembrance may be given at www.fawcett-junkerfuneralhome.com.

Services entrusted to Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Winona.

Walter Elmer Davis

Dec. 20, 1923 — Feb. 11, 2008

Walter Elmer Davis, 84, of Pickwick died Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, at Sauer Memorial Home.

Walter was born Dec. 20, 1923, in Winona to Clarence and Magdaline (Schmitt) Davis. He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army.

He worked for the railroad and farmed in Pickwick Valley. Walter married Edith May Fitch on Oct. 14, 1950, in Pickwick.

He is a member of St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pickwick.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife on Sept. 9, 1984; his parents; sister, Helen; granddaughter, Mallory; and brothers-in-law, Franklin Fitch and Clyde McNally.

He is survived by five children, Wilbur Davis of Pickwick, George Davis Sr. of Pickwick, Joey (Billee Jo) Davis of Stockton, Minn., Lois Davis of Pickwick and Sharon (David) Korb of Fountain City, Wis.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Lulu McNally of St. Cloud, Minn.; sister-in-law, Opal Fitch; and brother-in-law, Chancey Fitch.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 15, at 4:30 p.m. at Martin-Myhre Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Galen Riediger officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Pickwick Cemetery.

Visitation will be after 3:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Ira Jerald Gady

June 4, 1936 — Feb. 11, 2008

Ira Jerald Gady, 71, of Homer Ridge died Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, at his home.

Ira was born June 4, 1936, in Winona County to Joseph and Anna (Schumacher) Gady. He graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1954. Ira joined the Marines soon after graduation. While home on leave after basic training, he lost the use of one eye due to a wood splitting accident. He was then honorably discharged from the Marines.

He worked for Bateman Brothers Construction out of La Crescent, Minn.

He married Jeanette Husman on Jan. 20, 1961, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, La Crescent. Together, they farmed on Homer Ridge for several years. Jeanette preceded Ira in death Sept. 30, 1993.

Ira is a member of Pleasant Valley Evangelical Free Church and the Old Settlers Association. He enjoyed sawing lumber.

He is survived by his two children, Sandy (Scott) Paetzel of Winona and Alan Gady on the home farm; two grandchildren, Ashley and Amber Paetzel; two sisters, Rita Mades of La Crescent and Janette Husman of Ridgeway; two brothers, Joseph (Anna) Gady and Ray (Irene) Gady, both of Ridgeway; and special friend, Barbara Rice.

Ira was also preceded in death by his parents; brother, Darwin; and two brothers-in-law, Emil Mades and Don Husman.

Funeral services will be at Friday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Evangelical Free Church, with Pastor Joe McConkey officiating. Burial will be in Bush Cemetery, Ridgeway.

Casketbearers will be Marty Frickson, John Waadevig, Michael Gady, Paul Gady, Steve Husmann and Jim Larson.

Visitation will be held at Martin-Myhre Funeral Home Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church after noon Friday.

Leolah Dorine Modahl

GALESVILLE, Wis. — Leolah Dorine Modahl, nee Smith, 92, of Galesville, died Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, at Marinuka Manor, Galesville.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Galesville. Burial at a later date in Pine Cliff Cemetery, Galesville. Friends may call at the church Friday from 10 a.m. until services.

Zwickey Funeral Homes, Galesville Chapel, assisted the family.

Nora J. Williams

BETTENDORF, Iowa — Nora J. Williams, 96, of Bettendorf and formerly of Spring Grove, Minn., died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, at Trinity at Terrace Park in Bettendorf.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Roble Funeral Home in Spring Grove. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Trinity Church Cemetery.

Barbara T. Rivers

Barbara T. Rivers, 90, of Winona died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, at Community Memorial Hospital, Winona.

She was born March 31, 1917, in Wilson Township, Winona County, Minn. She married Reinhard J. Rivers; they had seven children.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Wilson, Minn. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home, Winona, and beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Burial will be at Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery, Wilson.

Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Winona in charge of arrangements.

Val Wilson

WABASHA, Minn. — Val Wilson, 74, of Wabasha died Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Wabasha.

She was born Feb. 18, 1933, in Nelson, Wis. Survivors include her husband, Richard Wilson, and three children.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wabasha. Interment will be at Nelson Cemetery in Nelson. Friends may call at Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha today from 4 to 8 p.m. and at the church Thursday one hour before the service.

Martin A. ‘Marty’ DeVries

PLAINVIEW, Minn. — Martin A. “Marty” DeVries died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, at Charter House in Rochester, Minn.

He is survived by his wife and two children.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Schleicher Funeral Homes, Plainview Chapel. Burial will be at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery, Plainview. Friends may visit from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday after the service at the funeral home.