Obituaries

Bryan J. Bahr

Apr 21, 2023

Bryan J. Bahr, 66 of La Crosse passed away Friday April 21, 2023.

He is survived by his father, Eugene Bahr (Ruth Chitwood); siblings, Garry (Amy) Bahr, Laura (Darrel) Dwyer, Lisa Thibodeau and Lucy (Brian) Jacobson and very special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother Virginia (McDaniel) Bahr and a...

Dick W. Petersen

Apr 18, 2023

Dick William Petersen was born May 13, 1948 in Racine, Wisconsin to Harry and Ruth Petersen.  He was the youngest of four children. He spent a few of his younger years in Livermore, California. Returning to the Racine area when he was 10 years old.  He became a survivor during these young years due to the death of his...

Stuart B. Peterson

Apr 14, 2023

Stuart B. Peterson, 80 of Chaseburg, passed away peacefully on Thursday April 14th, 2023.  Stuart was born on July 12th, 1942 to Stanley Sr. and Bernetta (Madsen) Peterson.  Stuart grew up on the family farm in Chaseburg, attended grades 1 thru 8 at the one room Linrud Schoolhouse, and graduated from Westby High School in 1960.  He went on...

Geraldine "Gerri" E. Leum

Apr 13, 2023

Geraldine “Gerri” Elizabeth Ann (Engelcke) (Schrader) Leum, 79, of La Crosse and formerly of Coon Valley, took the hand of Jesus and was ushered into heaven on Thursday, April 13, 2023.   In Gerri fashion—she very courageously fought cancer with everything she had!

Gerri is survived by her husband of 41+ years, Larry Leum; son, Larry P (Jennifer)...

LaVerne J. Sandwick

Apr 12, 2023

LaVerne J. Sandwick, 95 of Stoddard, passed away at home with his family by his side on Wednesday April 12, 2023. LaVerne was born September 26, 1927 to Harold and Florence (Hall) Sandvick Sr.  at his grandma Hall’s home in Romance, WI. LaVerne was the second child of 9. He grew up in Romance and Purdy and graduated 8th...

Karleen M. Kapanke

Apr 11, 2023

Karleen M. Kapanke, 90, of Chaseburg, departed this life peacefully in her sleep on April 11, 2023 at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse. She was born January 22, 1933 at her family’s farm in Chaseburg to Carl W. and Melinda (Dengel) Kapanke Jr.

Karleen accepted Christ at an early age and was a lifetime...

Donald A. Bahr

Apr 9, 2023

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Donald Bahr, our loving and devoted husband, father, Grampa, and brother. He left us unexpectedly on April 9th 2023. He was 75 years old.

Don was a servant his whole life. He served his God in his everyday life through his actions and his example of a life well...

Nancy R. Stuempges

Apr 6, 2023

Nancy Rae Stuempges 90, of Coon Valley, died Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Lakeview Health Care in West Salem.

She was born December 29, 1932 in Whitehall, to Raymond and Helen (Wood) Ringstad. The Ringstad family moved from Whitehall to Coon Valley in 1940 where Nancy’s father ran the lumberyard. Nancy graduated from Westby High School in...

Verna M. Myhre

Apr 6, 2023

Verna M. Myhre, 92, of Chaseburg, passed away peacefully on Thursday April 6, 2023. She was born March 27, 1931 to Fred and Tena (Hallingstad) Goede. She married Milton Myhre at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chaseburg on May 5, 1951. She farmed with Milton and was a member of the St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Ladies Aid....

Barry E. Trussoni

Apr 3, 2023

Barry Eugene Trussoni, age 86, died Monday, April 3, 2023, in the same home where he was born on November 29, 1936 to Lawrence and Laurena (Beyer) Trussoni.  He married Carole Krause on June 13, 1959, enjoying nearly 60 years together before she passed away on May 10, 2019.  Together they were blessed to raise four children on the...

Rita M. Stephan

Apr 2, 2023

Rita M. Stephan, 93, of La Crosse, died Sunday April 2, 2023 at the Onalaska Care Center. She was born September 24, 1929 to James and Verna (Richards) Matiak. Rita worked with her family running Stephan’s Maple Grove for 30 years, followed by Stephan’s Gift Shop and then finished her career as a nurse’s aid at Hillview Health Care...

Arlene "Bun" M. Townsend

Mar 29, 2023

Arlene “Bun” Mae (Strangstalien) Townsend, 85 of Coon Valley, died peacefully Wednesday morning, March 29 with her sister Gloria by her bedside. Arlene was born in Westby, Wisconsin on April 22, 1937 to Arthur and Mabel (Lindvig) Strangstalien. She graduated from Westby High School in 1955, but not before being named one of the “Bevy of Beauties” for the...

Tilmer "Tim" J. Ofte

Mar 19, 2023

Tilmer “Tim” Johannes Ofte, 95 of La Crosse, died peacefully on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Benedictine Manor. He was born at home on April 25, 1927, to Setles and Ellen (Haldorson) Ofte in Coon Valley, Wisconsin.

Tim graduated from Westby High School in 1946. After graduation, he worked for Skolos Painting and various farmers until 1955...

Cole B. Peterson

Mar 4, 2023

Cole Brodyn Peterson, age 20, of Chaseburg, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Cole was born May 6, 2002 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI to Bruce and Lynn (Hooverson) Peterson. He was baptized and confirmed at Westby Coon Prairie Church and graduated from Westby Area High School in 2020. Cole was a Dean’s...

Patricia M. (Heller) Lenser

Mar 1, 2023

Patricia M. (Heller) Lenser, 73 of rural Westby and formerly of rural Coon Valley, died Wednesday March 1, 2023 at her home. She was born April 22, 1949 to John and Marie (Spagl) Heller in La Crosse. She worked as a nursing assistant for many years at various nursing homes. In her retirement, she enjoyed traveling, working outside, gardening,...

Beatrice E. Olson

Feb 23, 2023

Beatrice E. Olson, 82 of Viroqua and formerly of Coon Valley passed away peacefully on Thursday February 23, 2023. She was born November 12, 1940 to Percy and Gertrude (Marks) Bohland. She married Leonard Olson in Retreat, WI on April 16, 1960. The couple farmed and were owners of Olson Trucking (milk hauling). Beatrice was a member of the...

Ellen L. Elmer

Feb 3, 2023

Ellen Louise (Albrecht) Elmer, 74, of Tomah passed away peacefully on Friday, February 3, 2023, at Serenity House in Tomah with her daughter by her side.  She was born February 21, 1948, to Robert and Eunice (Rudie) Albrecht in La Crosse.  Ellen married John Elmer on January 14, 1967, in La Crescent, MN.

Ellen loved her family...

Bonnie J. (Hoff) Boerner

Jan 27, 2023

Bonnie Jean (Hoff) Boerner, 71, formerly of Chaseburg, died peacefully on January 27, 2023 in Canada of Alzheimer’s. She was born October 7, 1951 in Vernon County to Virgil and Myra Hoff. She was baptized and confirmed at Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Bonnie was a 1969 graduate of Westby High School and a 1973 graduate of UW-Eau Claire...

Richard R. Stellner

Jan 26, 2023

Richard R. Stellner, 93 of West Salem formerly of LaFarge. Passed away January 26th 2023 at Lakeview Healthcare Center in West Salem, where he had been a resident for the past nine years. Richard was born October 9, 1929 at home in Spring Coulee, Genoa, to William and Clara Hoover Stellner. He attended Riverside School in rural Genoa. Richard...

Kenneth J. Stubblefield

Jan 19, 2023

Kenneth J. Stubblefield, 67, of Coon Valley died Thursday January 19, 2023 at his home.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

The Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family.