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Willard J. ‘Bill’ Brunkow | Lyle Roger Whetstone | George Peter Sobotta | Eileen Wolfe Lafferty | Ralph E. Herman | Helen E. Vondrasek | Romilda T. ‘Romey’ Jasmer | Gerald ‘Chalky’ Wolfe |
Willard J. ‘Bill’ Brunkow
Oct. 11, 1926 — Feb. 24, 2008
NELSON, Wis. — Willard J. “Bill” Brunkow, 81, of Nelson died Sunday, Feb. 24, at St. Elizabeth Nursing Home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Oct. 11, 1926, in Alma. He was the son of the late Dave and Bertha (Moy) Brunkow.
On Dec. 14, 1944, Bill was united in marriage to Irene Strand in Nelson, to this union they raised four loving children.
Bill honorably served his country during World War II as a member of the United States Navy.
He was stationed in the South Pacific on a naval destroyer, the USS Halford. He served from Dec. 28, 1944, until his honorable discharge on April 8, 1946.
Bill and his wife lived in Nelson until 1950, where he worked as a mechanic at the Nelson garage. They then relocated to Trempealeau, where Bill joined his father in the family lumber and sawmill business and were proud charter members of Mount Calvary Lutheran church. In the early 1970s, Bill moved back to the Nelson area, where he expanded the business with his sons and formed Brunkow Hardwood Corp., which still runs today. Bill retired in 1988. Bill and his wife were very generous to the St. Elizabeth Hospital and the Trempealeau Public Library.
Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially pheasant hunting on his farm in White Lake, S.D. He also loved history and was a historian at heart. Bill made many close friends over the years with his involvement with members of the antique car clubs. During his retirement, Bill still felt the need to be challenged, so he expanded his interests in raising beef cattle and Arabian horses. He also enjoyed time in his shop fixing various “toys.”
Bill will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 63 years, Irene Brunkow; four children, Bill (Jan) Brunkow of Nelson, Bob (Kim) Brunkow of Durand, Kathy (Art) Przybyl of Libertyville, Ill., Cyndy (Dennis) Schaper of Onalaska; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Jerome (Diane) Brunkow of Nelson; half-brother, David (Jean) Brunkow of Sioux Falls, S.D.; half-sister, Pam Brunkow of Minneapolis; also by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents; two sisters, Dolly Duncan and Donna Reinhardt preceded Bill in death.
Funeral services for Bill will be held Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. at Talbot Family Funeral Home, Alma Chapel, with the Rev. Michael Vetsch officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Nelson Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday from noon until the hour of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Elizabeth Hospital building fund for the new operating room.
Online memories and condolences may be sent to www.talbot-poeschel.com.
Robert ‘Bob’ F. Stelplugh
HOUSTON, MINN. n Robert “Bob” F. Stelplugh, 71, of Houston died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008, at his home.
Bob was born April 2, 1936, in Caledonia, Minn., to Homer and Florence (Manion) Stelplugh. He was raised in Looney Valley (rural Houston) and attended Lower Looney Valley School through the eighth grade. Bob graduated from Houston High School in 1953.
Bob worked for A&J Bowling Alley in Houston while attending high school. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1959.
On Aug. 20, 1960, Bob married Jean Willis in Houston. He was a meat cutter for several area businesses for a number of years. Bob then attended Winona State University for three years. While attending college, Bob was also the manager of the Houston Liquor Store.
He retired from Ace Telephone in Houston in 1990 after 18 years of service. He later worked at Valley High Golf Course for 15 years.
Bob was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. He enjoyed making oyster stew for the Stelplugh family at Christmas every year. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, playing cards and games, country music (mostly Flatt and Scruggs and Johnny Cash), but most of all, he loved to spend time with his two grandchildren, who affectionately knew Bob as Boompa.
Bob is survived by his wife, Jean; one son, Brian (Lisa) Stelplugh of La Crescent, Minn.; two grandchildren, Annie and Bret; and two sisters, Shirley (Francis) VanGundy and Faye Owens, both of Houston.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepmother, Florence Beales.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at Looney Valley Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Jeff Forbes officiating. Burial will be in Silver Creek Cemetery in rural Houston.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hoff Funeral Homes- Houston Chapel and one hour prior to services on Thursday at the church.
The family prefers memorials to be directed to Houston Ambulance.
Please feel free to sign the online guestbook, leave a memory of Bob and view his tribute video at www.hofffuneral.com.
Lyle Roger Whetstone
June 17, 1938 — Feb. 21, 2008
Lyle Roger Whetstone, 69, of Winona died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, at Western Arizona Regional Medical Center in Bullhead City, Ariz.
Lyle was born June 17, 1938, in Winona to Donald and Lorraine (Knoll) Whetstone. He graduated from Winona High School in 1956 and served in the U.S. Army from October 1961 through June 1963, stationed in Alaska. He and Chris Pozanc were married Oct. 16, 1965, in Brownsville, Minn. Lyle was a heavy equipment operator for 35 years, working for Winona Plumbing Co., Austin P. Keller Construction Co. and American Plumbing Co. He was the manager of the Redmen’s Club for 11 years, before his retirement.
Survivors include his wife, Chris; four children, Cary Whetstone of Princeton, Minn., Tricia (Kevin) Justin of Fountain City, Wis., Troy Whetstone of Winona and Kim (Jen) Whetstone of Winona; four grandchildren, Brok, Kyle, Krystal and Estee; three brothers, Jerry (Judy) Whetstone, Wesley (Brenda) Whetstone and Clifford “Skip” Whetstone, all of Winona; two sisters, Audrey Smith and Judy Barth, both of Winona. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Marlene.
Lyle was a member of McKinley United Methodist Church, a 49-year member of the Redmen’s Club and belonged to the Winona American Legion Post 9. He was an avid Twins, Vikings and NASCAR fan. He called bingo for 20 years at Plamor campground. He enjoyed gardening, camping and enjoyed being a Minnesota Snowbird in Arizona. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren playing cards and grand-dogs; Tucker, Molly, Lady, Gunner, Jack, Missy and Pride.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at McKinley United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Kathleen Zielinski officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service, Hansen Goodview Chapel. They may also call one hour before services at the church on Thursday. Military graveside honors will be conducted by Winona American Legion Post 9.
Pallbearers will be his sons; Cary, Troy and Kim, son-in-law; Kevin; and grandsons, Kyle and Brok. Honorary pallbearers are Gary Luedtke, Jim Kozlowski, Howard Barth, Neil Monahan, Sonny Speltz, Bud Thicke and Jim Paskiewicz.
Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society. Please share a memory of Lyle or view his online tribute video at www.hofffuneral.com.
George Peter Sobotta
Nov. 10, 1931 — Feb. 23, 2008
ROCHESTER, Minn. — George Peter Sobotta, 76, of Rochester died Feb. 23, 2008, in Rochester, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 10, 1931, in Arcadia, Wis. He married Mary E. Ellis on June 28, 1954, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Arcadia.
Survivors include his wife, Mary; children, Gary (Natalie) Sobotta of Rochester, Terry (Mary) Sobotta of Byron, Minn., David Sobotta of Stewartville, Minn., John (Lisa) Sobotta of Rochester, Beth (Donald) Fiskars of Benton Harbor, Mich., Lori (Gene) Harjamaki of Lino Lakes, Minn.; grandchildren, Sarah (Justin) Schwirtz, Kate Sobotta, Kayla and Mitchell Sobotta, Chelsey and Lauren Sobotta, Emilie and Danielle Fiskars, Ellis and MiKyla Harjamaki; great-grandchildren, Dominic and Madilyn Schwirtz.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; and one sister, Betty J. Berry.
George attended grade school and high school in Arcadia, moving to Rochester in October 1959. George worked for Ecolab as a salesman, moving to Cloquet, Minn., and back to Rochester in 1964. He retired after 30 years of service.
George enjoyed family gatherings, traveling, golfing, fishing and hunting. He also loved spending time at his son’s tree farm.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Pax Christi Catholic Church, the Rev. Joseph L. Keefe officiating. Burial at St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery, Arcadia, at a later date.
Friends may call today, Feb. 26, at Macken Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. A rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. at Macken Funeral Home.
The family prefers memorials to Pax Christi Project Fund and Caring Bridge.
Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Eileen Wolfe Lafferty
Nov. 16, 1943 — Feb. 24, 2008
LAKE CITY, Minn. — Eileen M. (Wolfe) Lafferty, 64, of Lake City died of cancer Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008, at Lake City Medical Center in Lake City. She was born Nov. 16, 1943, in Wabasha, Minn., the daughter of Louis and Virginia (Loechler) Wolfe. She graduated from St. Felix High School in 1961. She later attended beautician school in Rochester, Minn. She had worked at Zero King in Lake City and then for several years worked in the Red Wing Armory as a beautician. She then worked at D B Industries in Red Wing, retiring in December 2006. She married Donald Lafferty on Aug. 7, 1971, and they later divorced.
She was a member of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake City. She was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan and she also enjoyed cooking and especially enjoyed spending time with her family.
Eileen is survived by brothers- and sisters-in-law, Harold and Gerry Wolfe of Wabasha, Joseph Wolfe of Hastings, Minn., Thomas and Barb Wolfe of Hastings; sisters and brothers-in-law, Dorothy and Jesse Dorman of Fort Madison, Iowa, Mary Ann and Dale Patraw of Nelson, Wis., Kathryn and Gary Patraw of Nelson, Helen and Jim Burfeind of Wabasha, Irene and Jerry Flies of Wabasha; and nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Her parents; one brother, James Wolfe; and one nephew, James Dorman, preceded her in death.
A funeral Mass will be offered Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, at 11 a.m. at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha with the Rev. James Russell officiating. Interment will be in St. Felix Cemetery.
Casket bearers will be nephews, Steven Wolfe, Kevin Patraw, Bradley Flies, Randy Patraw, Allen Dorman and John Wolfe.
Friends may call at Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., where there will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. Friends may also call at the church on Thursday one hour before the service.
Memorials are preferred to Mayo Hospice-Wabasha Chapter, 1200 5th Grant Blvd. W., Wabasha, MN 55981.
Personal messages may be sent to the family at www.abbottfh.com.
The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha is in charge of arrangements.
Ralph E. Herman
OSSEO, Wis. — Ralph E. Herman, 70, of rural Osseo died Monday, Feb. 25, 2008, at Tri-County Memorial Hospital in Whitehall, Wis.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural Whitehall. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall, and one hour before the services at the church Thursday.
Rachel Giem
KELLOGG, Minn. — Rachel C. Giem, 87, of Kellogg died Monday, Feb. 25, 2008, at St. Elizabeth’s Health Care Center in Wabasha.
Arrangements are pending with the Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha.
Helen E. Vondrasek
Helen E. Vondrasek, 95, of Winona died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008, at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill.
Arrangements are pending with the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home.
Romilda T. ‘Romey’ Jasmer
Romilda T. “Romey” Jasmer, 95, of Winona died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, at St. Anne Extended Healthcare.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Chapel of Our Lady at St. Anne Extended Healthcare. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Winona.
Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of service Friday in the Chapel of Our Lady at St. Anne Extended Healthcare.
Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home.
Gerald ‘Chalky’ Wolfe
Jan. 26, 1933 — Feb. 23, 2008
ARCADIA, Wis. — Gerald “Chalky” Wolfe, 75, of Arcadia died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, at the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Medical Center in Arcadia.
He was born Jan. 26, 1933, in Fountain City, Wis., to Joseph and Leoba (Patzner) Wolfe. On April 28, 1956, Chalky married Grace Sonsalla at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Independence, Wis.
Chalky was a proud member of Bill Cashen’s undefeated 1951 football team. He also proudly served in the National Guard. He owned and operated Arcadia Cleaning Works for 39 years. From 1973 to 1983, Chalky was manager of the Arcadia Credit Union. He then served on the credit union board as vice president and loan officer until his retirement in 1995. He was a member of Arcadia’s Knights of Columbus and the Sportsman’s Club, and he was a past member of the Arcadia Lions Club.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Grace Wolfe of Arcadia; one daughter, Jean (Richard) Bottelberghe of Onalaska, Wis., and children, Becky (Dan) Lamm, Kathy, John, Cindy and Jim; three sons, Joseph (Jodeen) Wolfe of Arcadia and daughters MacKenzie and Bailey, James (Maite) Wolfe of Utrera, Spain, and sons Cody and Marcos, and Jerry Wolfe of Arcadia; two sisters, Dorothy Ruben and Marlene Gamoke, both of Arcadia; two brothers, Lloyd Wolfe of Nekoosa, Wis., and Marvin (Phyllis) Wolfe of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; sisters-in-law, Marge Wolfe of Winona, Doris Wolfe of Fountain City,
Phyllis Wolfe of Arcadia and Jean Wolfe of Wisconsin Rapids; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Preceding Chalky in death were his parents and four brothers, Anthony (Francis), Clarence, Norbert and Linus.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Holy Family Parish, with Father Michael Klos officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Arcadia.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Wozney-Killian Funeral Home, Arcadia, where there will be a 7 p.m. prayer service and a 7:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus rosary. They may also call from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to wozneykillianfh@aol.com.
