Mark Arthur ‘Booner’ Morris
LA CROSSE -- Mark Morris, 55, of La Crosse died Sunday, June 8, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse.
He was born on Sept. 9, 1952, to David Frank and Lena Marie (Wittmershaus) Morris of Bangor, Wis. Mark graduated from Bangor High School in 1970 and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He held a variety of positions in mental health throughout his career and found working with children and adolescents especially rewarding. Mark was a generous mentor of his colleagues, supporting and encouraging success in others by freely sharing his skill and insight.
An avid runner, reader and golfer, Mark took great pleasure in exercising his body and mind. The outdoors were a particular source of joy and peace for him.
Many people consider Mark their special friend. He is sorely missed by friends made throughout his life, and their memories of time with Booner will be treasured for years to come.
Mark often expressed his greatest joy in fatherhood and his unwavering devotion to his daughter, Lindsay Marie, 25, and son, Dylan Frank, 23. He is also survived by his loving wife and best friend, Rosalind Laraway, whom he married on Aug 29, 1981. His mother; brother, David; sister-in-law, Janet; and niece, Megan, also survive him. He was preceded in death by his father and brother, James.
His family wishes to express thanks to Dr. Paula Gill and all those who cared for and about Mark during the course of his illness.
He was gifted with unwavering support and skillful care at all levels during the most difficult of circumstances and we appreciate you.
A memorial celebration of Mark will be held on Thursday, June 12, at 7 p.m. at Valhalla Hall in UW-La Crosse’s Cartwright Center. Friends and family are invited to call from 5 to 7 p.m. at Valhalla Hall before the service.
Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home of La Crosse is assisting with arrangements.
Shelba Jean Paulus
GALESVILLE, Wis. — Shelba Jean Paulus, 69, of Galesville, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2008, at her home with her family by her side, after a long courageous battle with cancer.
She was born Sept. 28, 1938, in Sparta, Wis., to Leonard and Dorothy (Schroeder) Gerke. Shelba was raised on a farm near Rockland, Wis., and graduated from Bangor, Wis., High School, in 1956. On Oct. 6, 1956, she married Eugene Paulus at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bangor. Shelba retired from Lake Center Industries (formerly Gale Products) in 1999 after 28 years of service. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Galesville, where she was a member of PCCW. Shelba was also a member of Galesville Garden Club and Tuesday night card club in Centerville, Wis. She had a passion for baking and cooking, along with creating beautiful and articulate crossstitch work for her family and friends. Shelba loved to travel with her husband, especially to their second home in Texas, where they made many friendships. She enjoyed playing cards, flower gardening, shopping, doing picture puzzles, crypto quizzes and watching the birds when she gave them food and water. Shelba’s favorite time of year was during the Christmas season. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Shelba will be sadly missed by her family.
Survivors include her loving husband of over 51 years, Eugene; her mother, Dorothy Gerke of Bangor; six children, Jeff (Tammy) Paulus of Galesville, Renee (Randy) Hoff of Arcadia, Wis., Brian (Pam) Paulus of Hager City, Wis., Sandy Paulus of Sumter, S.C., Pam (Duane) Lee of Ettrick, Wis., and Mark (Mary) Paulus of Eagan, Minn.; 12 grandchildren, Josh (Lindsey) Paulus of Neenah, Wis., Jesse (fiancé, Jennie) Paulus of Minneapolis, Jerrod (Sheila) Hoff of Sparta, Wis., Amanda Hoff (fiancé, Erik Hoff) of Winona, Minn., Kayla and Mitchell Paulus, both of Hager City, Grant Lee of Arcadia, Jason Lee of Galesville, and Danny, Sarah, Erin and Riley Paulus, all of Eagan; one great-granddaughter, Corinne Paulus of Neenah; two sisters, Patty (Robin) Gjertsen of Bangor and Bonnie (Edward) Laxton of Onalaska, Wis.; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard; her brother, Robert Gerke; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Vincent and Marian Paulus.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, June 10, from noon to 2 p.m. at Jandt Funeral Home, Hwy. 162 and Hattan Street, Bangor. Visitation will continue Tuesday, June 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 20344 W. Ridge Ave., Galesville, concluding with a rosary at 7:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Arul Joseph Visuvasam will officiate. In accordance with Shelba’s wishes, her body will be cremated, and there will be no burial.
