Obituaries

Jul 23, 2023

Clair William "Butch" Morrison, a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away in rural La Farge, WI on July 23, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on December 10, 1960, in Viroqua, WI, to Clair Junior and Lila (Benson) Morrison, Butch was known for his fun-loving spirit, friendly demeanor, and creative talent, especially in his professional...

Jul 17, 2023

Judith “Judy” Elaine (Salow) Hansen, age 87, of Mt. Sterling passed away at her home on Monday, July 17, 2023, due to complications of peripheral artery disease. She was born on Sunday, July 21, 1935, in Eau Claire, WI to the late Edwin B. and Edna H. (Tilleson) Salow. Judy was baptized at Peace Lutheran Church in Menomonie and...

Jul 17, 2023

Verle Cansey Erickson, age 81, of Viroqua passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023. He was born in Sparta on October 10, 1941, to the late Cansey and Ada Erickson. Verle graduated from Cashton High School in 1959.

He had a natural aptitude for electronics and studied at DeVry Technical. In 1964, he started his...

Jul 10, 2023

Doris Elaine Volden, age 92, of Westby passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 10, 2023. She was born on March 22, 1931, on a small 10-acre farm just one mile west of Tri State to the late Palmer and Rose Volden in Vernon County, Wisconsin where she was the youngest of 10 children. When Doris was about five years...

Jul 10, 2023

Terry J. Best, age 71, of Viroqua, passed away on Monday, July 10, 2023. Terry was born on July 9, 1952, to Gerald and Velda Best. Terry was the third of 6 children. From a very early age, his mission was to experience life to its fullest. His motto was, say yes to adventure, say yes to life, say...

Jul 9, 2023

Patricia Louise Klos, age 81, passed over into eternal life on Sunday morning, July 9, 2023, the result of a heart attack. Patricia was born on July 20, 1941, to Carl and Margaret (Gasper) Downing, the second of eight children. She graduated from Tomah High School in 1959 and attended La Crosse State University, where she met her husband...

Jul 8, 2023

Jeffrey Brian Fortney was born on March 13, 1952, to Atley Gustave and Helen Jane Fortney. He passed away on July 8, 2023, at Gundersen Medical Center due to complications of a stroke. Jeff graduated from Viroqua High School and attended UW Richland. Jeff was a farmer. He loved the place where he was born and raised - Oak...

Jun 26, 2023

Jesse "Jack" John Heisz passed away at home on June 26, 2023. Born September 16, 1924, to Edward and Mollie (Briggs) Heisz. Jesse was the third oldest of thirteen children.

He grew up in Crawford County where he worked on the family farm prior to enlisting in the United States Army. He served in the...

Jun 26, 2023

Richard “Ricky” Franklin Herken, Jr., age 45, of La Farge, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 26, leaving behind a legacy of pure love and happiness. Blessed with a big heart, Ricky was a bright light to all who knew him – a constant champion of the underdog, an adventurer with stellar dance moves, and a lover of all....

Jun 23, 2023

Allen Ray Springborn, a selfless, handy, and gentle soul, passed away on June 23, 2023, in Victory, Wisconsin. He was born on December 29, 1953, to the late Herman and Esther (Warren) Spring and Allen lived a life filled with love, laughter, and a passion for the outdoors.

A proud graduate of De Soto High...

Jun 16, 2023

Mary Kathryn Walsh, 68, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Friday June 16, 2023. Mary was born on May 27, 1955, to the late John Thomas and Ramona (Larson) Walsh. She graduated from North Crawford High School in 1973. She went into the workforce and worked many jobs over the years, until health issues limited her ability to...

Jun 14, 2023

Ida “Joanne” France, age 90, of Soldiers Grove passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, two days before her 91st birthday, at Soldiers Grove Health Care Center, where she had been a resident since April 2017. She was born on June 16, 1932, to the late Clarence and Catherine (Olson) Everson, in the Soldiers Grove area where she...

Jun 13, 2023

Edwin (Whitey) William Giese, age 92, of rural DeSoto, passed away peacefully at home with his family at his side on Monday June 12, 2023. Edwin was born August 26, 1930, to Edward and Elinor (Sletten) Giese in the town of Ridgeville, Monroe County. He graduated from Ontario High School in 1948, worked with his father on the home...

Jun 11, 2023

Edith Emerson, age 94, of Ferryville, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at her home. She was born on August 4, 1928, to Robert and Bertha (Helgerson) Stevenson. Edith married Alvin Emerson on October 6, 1948.

Survivors include her children, Norma (Marlyn) Christianson, Connie Tessmer, Barbara Bland, Loren Emerson, and Glenn (Ellen) Emerson; 7...

Jun 11, 2023

Kathryn Florence (Weber) Hauge, age 90, of rural Viroqua passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sunday, June 11, 2023. She was born on December 18, 1932, in the town of Franklin to Nicholas and Bernice (Zitzner) Weber.

She attended Dach Ridge School and Viroqua Area Schools, graduating in 1951. After...

Jun 10, 2023

Marilyn Margaret (Montgomery) Thompson, 83, of Prairie du Chien, formerly of Soldiers Grove, passed away on June 10th, 2023, after a short stay at the Prairie Maison Nursing Home.

Marilyn was born on October 12th, 1939, to Donald F. and Anna C. (Lechnir) Montgomery in Monona, IA. She began her work, at the age of...

Jun 9, 2023

Lorraine Yvonne (Bekkum) Bakkestuen, age 86, of rural Westby, passed away Friday, June 9, 2023 at her home of 64 years. She was born on January 16, 1937, to Otis and Edna Marie (Larson) Bekkum at the Tillie and Ida Egge farm in the Town of Christiana, Vernon County, Wisconsin. She was baptized on March 7, 1937 by Reverend...

Jun 5, 2023

Susan Arminta Ray, age 72, of Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on June 5, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones. Susan was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin on December 25, 1950, to Roy and Bertha (Hutchcroft) Ray.

She grew up in Beloit, Wisconsin and graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in 1969. In her...

Jun 4, 2023

Alma Jean Green, affectionately known as Jean, was a beacon of light and love to all who knew her. Born on April 21, 1953, Jean’s life was a testament to her unwavering optimism, boundless creativity, and loving spirit. She passed away on June 4, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration and a lasting impact on the lives of...

May 28, 2023

James Edwin Purvis, age 74, of Westby passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on August 20, 1948, to the late Scott and Helen (Stout) Purvis in Mauston, Wisconsin. Jim graduated from La Farge High School and following, attended Wisconsin Technical College for an associate degree in automotive body...