Lauretta A. Reschke

Lauretta A. Reschke, 92, of rural Chaseburg, died Sunday July 31, 2011 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse surrounded by her family who loved her dearly.

She was born December 13, 1918 in Ferryville, to Helmer and Christina (Johnson) Burkum, she attended school in Sugar Creek and Seneca, Wisconsin. Lauretta married Donald Reschke March 15, 1941 in Waukon, Iowa. Before long they had purchased a farm in rural Chaseburg, where they settled down to raise their 13 children they were blessed with over the years.

She was a housewife always at her husband's side and loved being a Mom and Grandma. She always said how much she loved taking care of her children, all the baking, canning, cleaning, she said she never complained, because she loved being at home near her husband and children. After retirement she became a volunteer at Gunderson Lutheran, for many years. She loved helping at the hospital and always had hugs for people she met. She was a member of the Lower Coon Valley Lutheran Church WELCA and her circle. She loved quilting, sewing, and always had time for a game of cards, or yahtzee, and loved to dance; we just danced last week a polka in the living room of her home. She always enjoyed going on country roads to check on the crops of the area farmers and stopping for an ice cream treat.

She is survived by her 13 children, Duane of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Roland (Ann) of West Branch, Michigan, Carol Volden of Chaseburg, La Vonne Krause of Cambridge, Joan (Gary) Verthein of Trempealeau, David (Jane) of Chaseburg/Montrose, Colorado, Harland (Bev) of Chaseburg, Paul (Gail) of Kerrick, Minnesota, Gerald (Debra) of Chaseburg, Randy of Eau Claire, Arlen of Longmont, Colorado, Arlene (Tom) Hegge of La Crescent, Minnesota, and John (Wanda) of Westby, 34 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren, 3 nieces and 1 nephew, her best friend Eleanor Seelow, special friends Jerry and Wes Larson and special companion Twinkie.

Lauretta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; a brother, Harold; 2 grandsons Brian Verthein and Charles Reschke; a niece, Muriel (Burkum) Schantz, and a son-in-law, Wayne Krause.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday August 3, 2011 at the Lower Coon Valley Lutheran Church, rural Stoddard. Rev. Donald Fox will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be given to the Genoa First Responders, Chaseburg Cancer Run/Walk or the Lower Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be offered at selandsfuneralhome.com

We go through life looking for angels on earth, and we were so blessed to have shared our lives with one. Mom/Grandma loved everyone, and always had time to give a hug to anyone, even a stranger. Her secret to life was 3 simple things; smile, be happy and enjoy life. We had an Angel among us. We love you and will miss you!