Obituaries

Nov 11, 2023

Brent Casey of Arkdale, WI, aged 67 years, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. Brent was a cancer victim and for the last several years had suffered from the aftermath effects of cancer treatment.

Born in Elkhorn, WI to Robert and Cecelia Casey (nee Beaver). Brent grew up in...

Nov 9, 2023

Eugene Rockweiler, 91, of Hillsboro passed away Thursday, November 9, 2023, after a short illness. He was born March 19, 1932, the son of Nick and Lillian (Havel) Rockweiler of rural Hillsboro. Gene attended the Hillsboro Schools and graduated with the class of 1950.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Afterwards,...

Oct 31, 2023

Betty Virginia (Bankes) Dieter, age 93, of Racine, WI, passed away on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at Hospice Alliance in Pleasant Prairie, WI, after a short illness. Betty was born June 8, 1930, to Kermit T. and Freda M. (Jacobson) Bankes. Betty was born in Folsum, WI and grew up in Liberty Pole, WI. She graduated from Viroqua High...

Oct 28, 2023

Carol Jean Cade, 88, of Westby, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 28th, 2023, surrounded by her family. Carol was born June 11th, 1935, in La Crosse, WI to Ernest and Verna (Jungen) Roesler. She grew up on the Roesler farm near Coon Valley, WI with her sister, Pat and brother, Jim. She was baptized Catholic and graduated from...

Oct 26, 2023

John Anthony Markiewicz, born October 7th, 1943, passed away on October 26th, 2023. Born in Chicago, IL, to Mary and Joseph Markiewicz, he was a cherished brother, uncle, neighbor, and friend, whose spirit and warmth will be missed.

John was educated at St. Rita High School in Chicago, IL. Following his education, he began his...

Oct 22, 2023

Russell Harvey Gilbert, age 76, of Rolling Ground, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at 9:15 am surrounded by his wife, daughters, and one grandchild. Russell was born October 16, 1947, to the late Lorraine McGuire Gilbert and Russell Harvey Gilbert Sr. in Hartford, Connecticut. He was the first of their five children.

Oct 15, 2023

Gerda Muriel (Bagstad) Aarness, 99 of Westby passed away peacefully at Lakeview Health Center in West Salem, WI. on October 15, 2023. She was born December 8, 1923, on the farm in Timber Coulee to Gilbert and Magdalene (Bakkum) Bagstad. She graduated Westby High School class of 1941 and was the class valedictorian. On June 13th, 1950 she married...

Oct 14, 2023

Annabel Lee McGarry, a loving, spirited, and generous woman, passed away peacefully in her hometown of Viroqua on October 14, 2023. Born on November 19, 1934, also in Viroqua, she lived a life filled with love, joy, and service to her community.

Annabel was a graduate of Viroqua High School, class of 1952. Following her...

Oct 11, 2023

Kenneth Ray Moser, known fondly by all as Ken, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2023, in Monroe, WI, after a long, brave battle with dementia. He was born on September 17, 1953, in Manchester, IA, to the late Ray and surviving Ruth Moser. His departure from this world leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, creativity, and selflessness....

Oct 7, 2023

Mary Rosalyea Benson, age 95, of Readstown passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 7, 2023. She was born to Joseph and Opal Sanford in Miami, Oklahoma on April 6,1928.

Mary met William Benson in Anaheim, California. After marrying, they moved to Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin where they were tobacco farmers for a while. Mary...

Oct 6, 2023

Arlene Wistenberg, age 101, of Viroqua, passed away on Friday, October 6, 2023, at her home in Viroqua. Arlene was born in La Farge on November 21, 1921, to Emma and Herman Abelt. She graduated from La Farge High School and attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and graduated from the Vernon County Normal School. She was married to...

Sep 28, 2023

Jill (Robb) Vosseteig, age 90, of Galesville, died Thursday, September 28, 2023, at the Marinuka Manor Nursing Home in Galesville. She was born on December 13, 1932, in Nashville, Tennessee to Tracy Sr. and Lucy (Sterry) Robb and grew up in the Ridgetop, Tennessee area. On October 3, 1952, she was united in marriage to Jens Arlo Vosseteig in...

Sep 24, 2023

La Farge – Our mom, Patsy Johnson, passed away on the morning of Sunday, September 24, 2023. Our mom was loving, kind, selfless, fun, and sassy. She had her tea every morning and watched Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune every night. She loved all things organic and all things cotton. She loved feeding the birds, the sunshine, movies, and...

Sep 23, 2023

William "Barney" Huffar, age 85, of Viola, a beloved figure in the local community and a man of many talents, passed away peacefully at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby on September 23, 2023, surrounded by his family. Born on April 14, 1938, Barney was known for his ability to fix anything, and his easy-going demeanor and infectious smile made...

Sep 22, 2023

Cynthia “Cindy” Ann Manske, age 67, of Coon Valley passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 22, 2023. She was born on August 30, 1956, to the late George and Evonell (Sagmoen) Wyman. Cindy attended Bloomingdale Elementary School and graduated from Westby High School. After graduating, she received her associate degree as a secretary with academic honors from Western Wisconsin...

Sep 17, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Martin Herbert Bekkedal, affectionately known as "Buzz," on September 17, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida. He was 82 years old. Buzzy will always be remembered as a “true gentleman” and a “really nice guy.”

Buzz was born on July 16, 1941, in La Crosse, Wisconsin,...

Sep 17, 2023

Ellen J. Boom, age 74, of Eastman, WI, struggled with Parkinson’s Disease for several years. The disease overtook her on September 17, 2023. She passed peacefully in her home. Ellen was born on December 14, 1948, to Edwin and Margrette Nederlo, the youngest of three daughters. Raised on the family farm in rural Mt. Sterling, she attended Girdler Country...

Sep 16, 2023

James “Jim” Rockwell, age 74, of Viroqua passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2023. He was born on October 21, 1948, to the late Edward and Kathryn (Dodge) Rockwell in Viroqua. Jim graduated Viroqua High School in 1969, and after graduating, he started working at Dahl Ford in La Crosse by cleaning out used vehicles. After he worked for...

Sep 14, 2023

Minnie Olive Fortun, age 94, of Westby, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 14, 2023, while surrounded by family at Norseland Nursing Home. Minnie was born on February 3, 1929, to Henry and Emily Hanson. She was Salutatorian of her high school class and shortly after married her high school sweetheart, Adrian Fortun...

Sep 10, 2023

Cheryl M. Pinkham, 63, of rural Ferryville, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023. Cheryl was born on February 19, 1960, in Richland Center to Eston and MaryLou (Volden) Townsend. She was married to Gary Pinkham for over 30 years. She worked at NCR in Viroqua for 29 years, at the Mt. Sterling Co-Op Creamery, Coulee Cap in Westby,...