Helen J. Lewis
WEST SALEM — Helen J. Lewis, 75, of West Salem died Saturday, June 14, 2008, at her home.
She was born March 1, 1933, in Black River Falls, Wis., to Ray and Myrtle (Lundberg) Erickson. Helen was confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1947. On Oct. 10, 1957, she married David Lewis, and he preceded her in death June 30, 2003. Helen and her husband lived in various places in Wisconsin as a result of David’s construction work as a crane operator. They enjoyed attending steam engine shows and music fests.
A loving caregiver, Helen worked in the health field, both privately and in facilities, such as Lakeview Health Center and Mulder Health Care Facility, both in West Salem. She was known for her large collection of figurines, pictures and other items featuring owls. Helen enjoyed a trip to Scandinavia, where she explored her Norwegian and Swedish heritage. She was a friend to many, always willing to help and to listen over a cup of coffee at the Neshonoc Octagon House, where she and David spent most of their married life. Helen was interested in preserving local history and was pleased to see the Octagon House recently moved near its original site. Her friends were a great comfort to Helen during her illness, and she treasured them all. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by a son, William (Connie) Lewis of West Salem; three grandchildren, Heather (Cade) Brandeau, Chad Lewis (special friend, Tammy Ferguson) and Tami (Josh) Harr; five great-grandchildren, Brianna, Mayzee, Dakota, Madalyn and Hayden; two brothers, Charles (Sandy) Erickson of Moose Lake, Minn., and James (Charlotte) Erickson of Balsam Lake, Wis.; one sister, Dorothy Prell of West Salem; nephews and nieces, Dennis (Katy) Sahr of Florida, Michael (Dianna) Sahr of Tomah, Wis., Barbara Ranger of La Crosse, Vicki Erickson of Minneapolis, Mary (Homer) Prell of Phoenix, Tim Prell of West Salem, Kathy Prell of New Lisbon, Wis., John (Ann) Prell and Paul (Judy) Prell, both of Sparta, Wis., and Jeffery (Suzette) Erickson of Buffalo, Minn.; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and many special friends.
In addition to her husband, David, she was preceded in death by her parents, Ray Erickson and Myrtle Erickson Vandervort; her stepfather, Leon W. Vandervort; a son, David Lee Lewis; a brother, Donald (Leone) Erickson; and a sister, Cynthia Quinn.
Funeral services will be Thursday, June 19, at 11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 359 N. Leonard St., West Salem. The Revs. Martha J. Hampton and Ken Eggen will officiate. Burial will be in Neshonoc Cemetery. Friends may call at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, today from 5 to 7 p.m. and also at the church Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and may be given to the David Lee Lewis Scholarship Fund at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, West Salem, or to the West Salem Historical Society for the restoration of the Lewis Octagon House.
Zoe M. Langrehr
BANGOR — Zoe M. Langrehr, 11, of Bangor died Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at Fifth Avenue Children’s Home in La Crosse.
She was born April 8, 1997, in La Crosse to Dean and Deanna “Dee” (Knutson) Langrehr.
Zoe is survived by her loving parents, Dean and Dee of Bangor; two brothers, Zach and Zane, both living at home; maternal grandparents, Dale and Tootie Knutson of Stoddard, Wis.; maternal great-grandma, Blanche (LeRoy) Knutson-Reuter of Onalaska, Wis.; maternal great-grandma, Vivian Christianson of West Salem, Wis.; paternal grandparents, Harvey and Mae Langrehr of Bangor; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandpa and her paternal great-grandparents.
Dean and Dee would like to thank their family, friends, nurses and caregivers for the wonderful support they were given during Zoe’s short time on earth.
A visitation will be held today from 5 to 8 p.m at Jandt Funeral Home, Hwy. 162 and Hattan St., Bangor. A private family graveside memorial service and burial will be held on Friday, June 20, in Burns Cemetery. The Rev. Martha J. Hampton of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, West Salem, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Patricia Rice Hoffman
SPARTA, Wis. — Patricia Rice Hoffman, 87, of Sparta died Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, Sparta.
She was born Jan. 19, 1921, in Sparta to Zelotes S. and Vena (Hemstock) Rice. She grew up in Sparta and graduated from Sparta High School in 1939. Patricia attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and then returned home to work at Monroe County Publishers.
Patricia married Harold G. Hoffman on June 5, 1943, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta. After marriage, they resided all their married lives in Sparta. They owned and operated Harold’s Studio in downtown Sparta until 1951.
After her family had grown, she returned to the Monroe County Publishers until retiring in 1994.
Patricia was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for many years and served as banquet chairwoman. She often chaired the mother daughter banquet at St. Patrick’s. She was on the board of directors for the Sparta Housing Authority and the Sparta-Tomah Broadcasting Co. Patricia was a member of the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Auxiliary and St. Clare Mission Clinic.
She is survived by two sons, Harold G. II (Barbara) Hoffman of West Salem, Wis., and William R. (Suzanne) Hoffman of Sparta; a daughter, Patricia H. (Ronald) Donnell of Cave Creek, Ariz.; six grandchildren, Marion T. (Mark) Fraley, Michael B. (Marie) Hoffman, Luke P. (Amanda) Hoffman, Matthew W. Hoffman, Natalie M. Hoffman and Shannon L. Hoffman; four great-grandchildren, James, Thomas, Josef and Madison; a brother, Zel S. (Babette) Rice of Sparta; a sister, Elizabeth (Allen) Ecker of New York, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Barbara Rice of Sparta; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold G. Hoffman on Feb. 1, 1981; an infant daughter, Mary Elizabeth in 1962; a son, Thomas J. Hoffman on Jan. 22, 2003; a sister, Mary Ellen Marzolf; and two brothers, John D. Rice and James W. Rice.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with the Rev. James Leary O.F.M. Cap. officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta.
Friends may call at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. and at the funeral home on Monday from 8:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. Online condolences may be offered at www.lanham-miller.com.
Memorials may be given to St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Monroe County Cancer Society or Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Sparta Foundation.
Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Leo Ammerman Jr.
WESTBY, Wis. — Leo Ammerman Jr., 80, of Westby passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, June 15, 2008.
He was born April 21, 1928, in Sparta, Wis., to Leo and Beulah (Burt) Ammerman. He enlisted in the Navy on April 21, 1945, and served four years; most of the time was spent in Panama. On Oct. 15, 1949, he married his “Babes,” Marian Swartz. Leo retired from Trane Co. in 1990 after 38 years. He was a member of the Trane 25 Year Club and was a former elder at First Presbyterian Church in Bangor, Wis.
He enjoyed spending time with family, going for drives in the country and visiting many restaurants. He also enjoyed working with wood and creating wonderful gifts for his family. He was an avid sports fan and played in his youth and in the Navy. He carried his passion through his entire life being a fan of the high school teams as well as a faithful Packers and Badgers fan. His years gave him plenty of stories, and he loved to tell them. After retirement, Leo and his wife moved to a hobby farm outside of Westby where they raised a variety of farm animals. They later moved to the city of Westby from the farm due to illness.
Leo is survived by his wife of 58 years; four daughters, Diane (David) Johnson of West Salem, Wis., Judith (Dan) Triplett of West Salem, Linda (Gary) Heilman of La Crosse, and Lois (Karl) Stoker of Westby; two sons, Bruce Ammerman of La Crosse and Brad Ammerman of Bangor; nine grandchildren, Sandi (Randy) McDaniel, Sara Howe, Brandon “Johnny” Howe (fiancée Jenny Smith), Brian Heilman, Sister M. Renata (Heather) Heilman, Whitney Stoker, Andrew Stoker, Brittney Ammerman and Jared Ammerman; six great-grandchildren, Cody Clements, Chelsea Clements, Desjah Howe, Therrick Roberts, Janaeja Savage and Hailey Howe; and two sisters, Beulah Udell of Arizona and Beverly Swartz of Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and seven sisters.
A special thank you to Dr. Feltes and his staff.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Westby. Pastor Gary Daines will officiate. Friends may call on Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.com.
Memorials are preferred to the American Lung Association or the Westby Area Schools Fine Arts Foundation. Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.
