Read through the obituaries published in Winona Daily News
Joyce Lorraine (Holmgren) Regan, 93, of Winona died Nov. 27, 2019, at Saint Anne’s Healthcare. Joyce was born Sept. 10, 1926, in Detroit to Edgar and Angeline Holmgren. On May 7, 1949, she married Eugene (Gene) Regan.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eugene (2011); and siblings, Clayton, Elaine, Shirley and Ward. She is survived by her children, Gary (Cheryl) Regan, Ron Regan, Linda (Daryl) Harper and Maureen (Jack) Gerson; her sister, Joann Burke; grandchildren, Daniel, Kim, Mark, Colleen, Heather, Laura, Paul and Sarah; great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Joyce’s family thanks St. Anne’s staff and Dr. Parker for their wonderful care. Mass of Christian Burial will be at noon Saturday, Nov. 30, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Winona, with visitation at 11 a.m. in the visitation commons of the church. Father Mike Cronin will officiate.
Services entrusted to Fawcett Junker Funeral Home and Crematory, Winona and Fountain City, Wisconsin. Words of sympathy and remembrance can be given at www.fawcett-junkerfuneralhome.com.
Margaret Ann Bednar, 90, of Austin, Minn., passed away peacefully Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Austin.
Margaret was born June 16, 1929, in Winona, to George and Leona (Grossel) Hoeppner. She graduated in 1947 from Cathedral High School (Cotter) then attended Winona State University for business and accounting. She worked for Watkins Products for 19 years in accounting. On Sept. 3, 1966, she married Bernard Bednar in Winona at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. After moving to Austin and starting a family, she began working part time at JCPenneys in sales. She retired in 1994. She was a member of St. Augustine Church and the St. Elizabeth Unit as well as an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary. In her earlier years, she enjoyed bowling and golfing. She expressed some of her mother's craftiness through ceramics and other projects. She liked to cook and could often be found watching her “cooking shows” in the afternoons, reading a book, or taking a walk. She enjoyed spending time with friends at the Legion club, having a “cocktail” and playing a few tickets too. Her family was very important to her. She was very dedicated to sending cards to everyone she knew for birthdays and special occasions. We will all remember her sweet smile and the twinkle in her eye.
Margaret is survived by her children, Jeffrey Bednar (Tara Blom), Karen Fuerstenberg (Greg Hovland); grandchildren, Tony Fuerstenberg (Katie Reed), Travis and Kirsten Fuerstenberg, Leslie and Troy Peil, Samantha and Zach White, and Michael and Zoe Bednar; great-grandchildren, Kylie, Aubrey, Margaret, Avery and Torryn; good friend, Jerry Fuerstenberg; and lots of relatives and friends that loved her very much.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard “Buddy”; parents, George and Leona Hoeppner; sister, Dorothy (Jerry) Graf; brothers, Robert Hoeppner, George (Beverly) Hoeppner, and Charles (Mary) Hoeppner; in-laws, Stanley and Sylvia Bednar; sister-in-law, Delores (Arthur) Clennon; and great-grandchild, Baby Peil.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Austin, Minn., with Father James Steffes officiating. There will be a 5 p.m. rosary service Friday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. and also one hour before the Mass at the church Saturday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Arrangements by Mayer Funeral Home. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.
SHERRILL, Iowa — Carlyle L. Olson, 77, of Sherrill completed his earthly journey Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, at home surrounded by his loving family. To honor Carlyle's life, his celebration of life for family and friends to gather and visit will be held from 1 until 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at Breitbach's Country Dining, 563 Balltown Rd., Balltown, Iowa. Family and friends are also invited to visit from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Fawcett Junker Funeral Home, 1476 West Broadway, Winona. Carlyle's memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with burial following at the Bush Cemetery in Ridgeway, Minn., where full military honors will be accorded. Online condolence's for Carlyle's family may be left at www.fawcett-junkerfuneralhome.com.
Carlyle was born June 29, 1942, in La Crosse, Wis., a son to Hector Sr. and Ida (Selke) Olson. He proudly served in the U.S. Army before being united in marriage to Norma L. Stark. They spent their lives together raising their family as Carlyle invested over 28 years as a Supervisor at John Deere. He was a kind and generous man who enjoyed collecting beer steins and hunting. A problem solver by nature and his ability to fix anything were always on display and his love for others was surely his best trait. We will miss Carlyle with all of our hearts and carry his memory close through each day until we meet again.
Carlyle's surviving family members include his loving wife, Norma Olson, Sherrill; his four children, Scott (Kim) Olson, Sherrill, Steve (Angela) Olson, Peosta, Iowa, Sherri (Joey) Sigwarth and Shelli (Rick) Schmitt, both of Balltown, Iowa; his eight grandchildren, his seven siblings, Janet Konkel, Sonja Dulek, Dennis Olson, Denise Stark, Doreen Mish, Debra (Dave) Burce and Hector (Karen) Olson; his in-law's, Fred Hardtke and Linda Olson; along with countless nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, friends and neighbors.
Carlyle was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Ralph (Arvilla) Olson, Arlan Olson Karen Hardtke, Roger Olson and Loren Olson; and his in-law's, Dan Konkel, Rodney Dulek, Sue Olson, Fritz Stark and Leroy Mish.
Lauren “Bounce” LeRoy Olson, 84, of Winona died at his home Monday, Nov. 25, 2019. He was born to
Andrew and Gertrude (Weiker) Olson, the sixth of seven children. And as older siblings often do, they nicknamed him Bounce which was an abbreviated form of “bouncing baby boy.” It stuck.
He attended Winona Senior High and Cotter High School but was far more interested in athletics than academia. He played baseball, football, and his favorite sport of all, basketball. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and spent his service time in Germany. After returning home he met Janet Meisner and they eventually were married Nov. 16, 1957, in St. Martin's Church.
A proud dad of his children, Dane, daughter Leslie, and Derek, Bounce spent many hours of his spare time teaching athletic skills to them, and enjoying the outdoors including fishing, hunting, and camping. As the children grew older and discovered other interests of their own, it allowed him to spend more of his own time playing golf with his partner Bill Schneip and many other golfers. He played until his health wouldn't allow it anymore. He then began watching TV sports of all kinds and loved every minute of those contests. Western movies also were favorites of his.
His employment was in construction, working for several companies, with longest tenure being with Johnson Bros. Construction as labor foreman for about 25 years. His work took him all over the U.S. helping to build bridges, electric producing plants, sewage disposal plants, and dams. He loved the work and enjoyed lifelong friendships with his supervisors including Martin Peplinski and Bob Defetter. He also was a lifetime member of Local #563 Laborers' International Union of North America and a staunch Democrat, always willing to discuss politics.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janet; sons, Dane and Derek; daughter, Leslie; grandchildren, Lauren and Ian; and great-grandchild, Abigail.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Gertrude; sisters, Geniveve Miller, Francis Knutson, Daisy Borger; brother, Andrew; and in-laws, Harold and Harriet Diekman.
Our family would like to express our sincere and profound gratitude to the health care team of the dialysis unit at Winona Health, for without you, Bounce's lifetime would have been severely shortened. We thank you all for every day you gave us. Your kindness and compassion is incredible.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview, with Funeral Celebrant Jodi Heim presiding. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Please leave a memory of Lauren and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview, is assisting the family.
OAK RIDGE, Minn. — Francis “Fran” Maschka, 81, of Oak Ridge died Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, at his home.
Fran was born March 12, 1938, to Donald and Bernette (Meisch) Maschka, at Oak Ridge. He was raised on the family farm in Mount Vernon Township and graduated from Holy Trinity School in Rollingstone, in 1956. Fran served in the Naval Reserves and U.S Navy from 1956 to 1961. Fran and Lola Rauk were married Dec. 1, 1962. He farmed at Oak Ridge in Mount Vernon, from 1956 until his death. Fran also worked for Lewiston Sales Barn from the early ’90s until illness forced him to retire in November of 2019.
Survivors include three children, Dave L. (Jeanine) Maschka of Winona, Danelle Chiarini of Rochester, Minn., and Danna Maschka of Winona; four grandchildren, Damian Maschka, Jennifer (Joe) Lee, Nathan Maschka and Jeffrey Miller; two stepgrandsons, Anthony and Vincent Chiarini; two great-grandchildren, Nora Maschka and Nolan Lee; two brothers, Roger (Jane) Maschka of Rollingstone and David B. (Carol) Maschka of Rollingstone; in-laws, Ed (Kay) Rauk and Paulette Gilbert; and several nieces and nephews.
Fran was preceded in death by his wife, Lola, in 2004; his parents; two daughters, Dawn Miller and Darla Jo Maschka; two granddaughters, Jenny and Jessica Miller; son-in-law, Kevin Chiarini; and two infant sisters.
A funeral Mass will be noon Wednesday, Nov. 27, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Rollingstone, with the Reverend Chinnappa Pothireddy and the Reverend Michael Cronin officiating. A visitation will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and one hour before services, all at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Come as you are, no need to dress up. Fran wouldn’t want that. Please share a memory of Fran at his online guestbook and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Eagles Cancer Telethon. Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview is assisting Fran’s family with arrangements.
LAKEVILLE, Minn./WINONA — Donald C. Thiesse, 88, of Lakeville, formerly of Winona, died Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, in Lakeville.
Visitation will be held from 1 until 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home. Burial will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Online condolences and a complete obituary are available at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.
MONDOVI, Wis. — Doloris “Dee” Barbara Brugger, 87, of Mondovi died Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, at her home. She was born May 24, 1932, in Winona, to Frank J. and Olga (Kozlowski) Theis. She grew up there and graduated from the Cathedral School. She worked as a secretary at Milwaukee Freight, Ward Medical Company, Pepin Pickling Company, and Peerless Chain Company, all in Winona.
She was united in marriage to Earl L. Brugger July 1, 1961, in Winona. The couple later moved to Mondovi in 1963, where Earl was a teacher. Doloris was a homemaker and cared for their six children. Over the years, she also worked at the Tastee Freeze (later McT’s), as a teacher’s aide and babysat for neighbors. She was a longtime member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Mondovi and served for many years with the ladies aide, including as a past president. Doloris was also a member of the Winona VFW Post 1287 Auxiliary. She loved to knit and crochet and made many prayer shawls for church over the years. She also liked to travel, do ceramics and play bridge and other card games with friends and family. Doloris bowled for many years in the Winona and Mondovi leagues. She belonged to the 600 Bowling Club in Winona and bowled with a high average in both leagues.
She is survived by her five daughters, Mary (James) O’Rourke of Durham, North Carolina, Meg (John) Shortridge of Phillips, Wisconsin, Melissa (Darrin) Briggs of Onalaska, Wisconsin, Nancy (David) Griffin of Winona, and Susan (Joseph) Boller of Waukesha, Wisconsin; six grandsons, Luke (Gina) O’Rourke of Raleigh, North Carolina, Landon and Carter Briggs, of Onalaska, Wisconsin, Austin and Spencer Griffin of Winona, and Evan Boller of Waukesha, Wisconsin; one great-granddaughter, Mackenzie O’Rourke; sister, Rosemarie (Norman) Klein of Milwaukee; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl L. Brugger; son, Michael Brugger; parents, Frank J. and Olga Theis; sister, Mary Lynch; and two brothers, William P. and John F. Theis.
Doloris would like to thank Gerda Landry, Mary Michaels, Sue Stoughton, Betty Anderson, Pat Smith and Betty Harms for coming to her home to play cards, which she enjoyed very much.
Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Doloris’ name.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Mondovi with Father Emmanuel Asamoah-Bekoe officiating. Burial will follow at 2:45 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Winona. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at Kjentvet-Smith Funeral Home, Mondovi, with a prayer service at 6:45 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Online condolences may be shared at www.kjentvet-smithfuneralhome.com.
Edward Budd Miner, M.D., of La Crosse passed away Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, surrounded by his family at the Bethany St Joseph Care Center from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was born to Percy L. and Esther E. (Smith) Miner Jan. 20, 1933, in Pepin, Wis., where everyone had a nickname, his was Budd. He graduated from Pepin H.S. in 1950. He went on to earn his second moniker, Dr. Ed, graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor’s degree in medical science in 1954 and his medical degree in 1957. He and Jean Ann Quisenberry met in the registration line at UW-Madison. They were married June 15, 1957, and the couple moved to Indianapolis where Ed completed his residency, serving as chief resident, and then completing a fellowship in endocrinology and metabolism.
In the early 1960’s, Dr. Ed worked for the U.S. Public Health Service with the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. Dr. Ed came to La Crosse in 1964 to join Internal Medicine at the Gundersen Clinic. He practiced medicine for 35 years until retiring in 1999. As a primary care physician and medical educator, Dr. Miner touched the lives of many people. He served as the Secretary Treasurer of the Gundersen Medical Foundation supporting education and the growth of the clinic over his tenure. He championed housing and services for the aging and disability community, water fluoridation, and advanced health care planning. Sally and Dr. Ed were recently honored for their contributions to the community with the Founder’s Award from the Gundersen Medical Foundation.
Ed and Jean raised three daughters and it brought a smile to his face to talk about them if anyone asked. He was a long-time member of the La Crosse Jazz Society, appreciating the great local and national talent that gathered for the Jazz Fest. His passions were music and people. Everyone benefitted from his marvelous memory for the details of people’s lives and his ability recall these details when he spoke with friends, patients and colleagues. He had a wonderful knack of showing people that we are all connected to one another in some way.
Ed married Sally (Schmitz) Frick April 17, 1998. Together they enjoyed his retirement, traveling widely, enjoying sporting events on both sides of the river, entertaining friends, volunteering, and watching the grandchildren grow up. Ed was an active member of his church community first at Asbury United Methodist and then at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir, and performed in the bell choir.
Ed is survived by his wife, Sally (Schmitz Frick) Miner; his daughters, Jennifer Miner (Ross) Asselstine of San Anselmo, Calif., Dr. Pamela Rae (Julie) Miner of Portland, Ore., and Amie Elizabeth (David) Bates of Nashville, Tenn.; his stepsons, Adam (Wendy) Frick of La Crescent, Minn., and Alex (Kris) Frick of Dakota, Minn.; and his grandchildren, Brett and Claire Asselstine, James and McCall Bates, Reid and Miles Miner, Haley, Hunter and Hannah Frick, and Karina Puent. He was preceded in death by his parents; a stepgrandson, Zachary Puent; son-in-law, Martin Kragness and his former wife, Jean (Quisenberry) Miner.
The family would like to express their profound appreciation of the staff of Bethany St Joseph Care Center for their attentive, professional and compassionate care. As his last expression of caring and service he is donating his body to his alma mater, University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Gundersen Medical Foundation, La Crosse Community Theater or the charity of your choice.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 21 N. Hill St., La Crescent with Pastor Mike Woods and Pastor Kent Johnson officiating. Visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. South, La Crosse. Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. Monday until the time of services at the church. An online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.
