Ellen Lubinsky Terpstra
ONALASKA — Ellen L. Terpstra, at the age of 95, came to the end of her long and full life on Wednesday July 2, 2008.
She was born on Aug. 5, 1912, to Michael and Clara (Voss) Forss. Ellen was married to Richard G. Lubinsky on Dec. 17, 1937, in La Crosse. He preceded her in death at the young age of 51 on Oct. 21, 1965. Ellen was marred to Donald R. Terpstra on June 21, 1969, and he also preceded her in death.
Ellen was a member of North Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed flying with her husband, Rich, to have breakfast in Madison and all the other flying trips that they traveled on. Ellen made a trip to Europe on the Queen Mary with her husband, Donald, and loved it all. She enjoyed her winters in Florida and other travels.
She is survived by her sons, Richard (Betty) Lubinsky and Thomas (June) Lubinsky; daughter-in-law, Colleen Lubinsky; stepdaughter, Rae Daffinson; stepson, Gordon Terpstra; seven grandchildren, Cheryl (Brad) Hults, Richard (Connie) Lubinsky, Susan (Marty) Kosobucki, David (Colleen) Lubinsky, Jeff (Susan) Lubinsky, Thomas (Meri) Lubinsky and Lori (Andrew) Erlandson; and 16 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sisters-in-law, Viola Zerell and Sharon Lubinsky; and a brother-in-law, Walter Lubinsky.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Richard G. Lubinsky and Donald R. Terpstra, a son, Gary W. Lubinsky; brothers, Donald and Leslie Forss; sister, Arlene Rinartz; sisters-in-law, Esther Lubinsky and Inice Forss; and brothers-in-law, August Zerell, Frank “Pug” Lubinsky and William Rinartz.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Aug. 1, 2008 at 11 a.m. at North Presbyterian Church, 1327 N Salem Road, La Crosse. The Rev. Scott Skogen will officiate. Family and friends may call the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of services. Memorials may be given to North Presbyterian Church or to the charity of your choice. Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family would like to thank the staff at Laurel Manor and Onalaska Care Center for the excellent care and concern given to Ellen.
Ellen was a loving mother and grandmother who brought love and laughter to her family and friends.
Albert P. Gantert
LA CROSSE -- Al Gantert, 91, of La Crosse passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center on Sunday, July 27, 2008, surrounded by his family.
Albert Patrick Gantert was born in La Crosse on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1917, to Frank Albert and Belle (Kuehl) Gantert. Al attended St. Joseph’s Grade School and later was a member of the first four-year graduating class at Aquinas High School where he met the love of his life, Rosemary McNamara. After graduating from Aquinas, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Chicago School of Art and Design. In May 1941, Al married Rosemary at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
In 1942, their life together was interrupted by WWII when Al was called into active duty. From 1942-1945, Al served as a master sergeant in the Army Signal Corps in North Africa, Italy and Southern France. While in North Africa, he once proudly stood in front of more than 100 captured German vehicles, a photo of which appeared on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. This photo was the only confirmation of his whereabouts during his three-year tour. In spite of the priorities and demands of the war, Al always found time to write a daily letter to Rosemary.
Upon his return from the war, Al followed his father into the family furniture business, pursuing his passion for interior design. He successfully ran the family business for 35 years, retiring in 1980. He later came out of retirement to continue a part-time career in furniture, finally retiring in 2004. Throughout his career, it was always the people he encountered that gave him the greatest satisfaction.
Al and Rosemary started their family after the war, raising three children, Susan (Jerry) Ebner of St. Charles, Mo., Patrick (Debby) Gantert of Onalaska, Wis., and Stephan (Diane) Gantert of Wausau, Wis. In addition to his children, Al is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Kim (Brad) Sparks, Jeremiah (Jennifer) Ebner, Alyssa (Travis) Flett, Stefan (Sarah) Gantert, Erica Gantert (fiancé Jeremy Osley), Patrick J. Gantert, Schuyler Gantert and Lydia Gantert; 12 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Warren Semsch of Wood Ranch, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Al’s family always came first. He would never let the long hours and demands of a retail business get in the way of spending time with them. Throughout his life, he was always a source of encouragement and support to all he knew.
He was active in Boy Scouts, and was inducted into The Order of the Arrow. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion-Roy L. Vingers Post 52 and VFW- Thomas Rooney Post 1530. In addition, Al volunteered to help counsel cancer patients.
Al was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and sisters, Katherine (John) Flynn, Louise (Ford) Stickler and Dorothy (George) Pouzar. Following Rosemary’s passing, Al remained ever devoted to her memory.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 31, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 130 Losey Blvd. S., La Crosse. The Rev. Robert Cook will officiate with interment at Catholic Cemetery with the American Legion Roy L. Vingers Post 52 providing military honors. Visitations will be held Wednesday, July 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave S., La Crosse, and one hour prior to Mass at the church.
The family would like to thank the staff at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center for their guidance and care as well as the staff and residents at MeadowWood Assisted Living for friendship and support.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Aquinas Schools Foundation or the Gundersen Lutheran Foundation.
Carol P. (Heinke) Arenz
ONALASKA — Carol P. Arenz, 79, of Onalaska died Sunday, July 27, 2008, at her home. Memorial services will be held at a later date (tentatively late August) and will be announced closer to the service date in a complete obituary by Woodruff-Jandt Funeral Home, La Crosse.
Gordon Henry Bahnub
HOLMEN/ETTRICK, Wis. — Gordon Henry Bahnub, 88, formerly of Ettrick died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 20, 2008, in Holmen, where he has resided for the past two years. Gordon was born Aug. 20, 1919, in La Crosse and grew up on the family farm in Disco, Wis. He was the second-oldest of four children born to Fred and Mary (LaFleur) Bahnub. On Dec. 27, 1947, he was united in marriage to Beverly Ann Gilbertson at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Black River Falls, Wis.
Gordon was proud to have served his country from October 1940 to July 1945 in the United States Army’s 32nd Red Arrow Division, where he fought courageously in the South Pacific during World War II. After his discharge, he worked on the family farm in Ettrick. He retired from the Trempealeau County Highway Department in 1990. Gordon was a member of Living Hope Lutheran Church and served on the church council as a trustee. He was also a member of the American Legion, the VFW and the Ettrick Volunteer Fire Department.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; three daughters, Sara Karels and special friend, Michael Wall, Holmen, Julie (Keith) Johnson, Whitehall, Wis., and Beth (George) Giudice, Madison; and one son, Scott (Deanna) Bahnub, Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Va.; six granddaughters, Kari Anderson, Abby Johnson, Jennifer and Michelle Giudice, and Leah and Lindzy Bahnub; one great-granddaughter, Alexis Anderson; one “adopted” granddaughter, Michelle Johnston; and one sister, Mary (George) Stecha.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Gail; his parents, Fred and Mary Bahnub; a sister, Lois Powell; and a brother, Dean.
Gordon will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his incredible wit, his unforgettable performances while playing cards, his memorable moves on the dance floor and his frugal way of living that reminded us daily that he grew up during the Depression. He loved his family and friends and the years he was able to spend in Arizona. Gordon was not only a good man but a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many people. He will be deeply missed by all of us. The world is a better place thanks to the 88 years he spent making so many people laugh. May God bless this precious man.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Gordon’s life at a memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Living Hope Lutheran Church in Ettrick, with Rev. Greg Ofsdahl officiating. A private family burial will be held with military honors by the Ettrick American Legion Post 354 prior to the service, followed by a visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. at Living Hope.
Fossum Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Paul Joseph Mahoney
Paul Joseph “Mooch” Mahoney died Thursday, July 3, 2008, at McAllen Medical Center in McAllen, Texas. He was born April 13, 1935, in La Crosse County to Paul K and Charlotte (Allender) Mahoney. He attended Central High School, then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1953 and was a Korean war veteran. On July 10, 1957, Paul married June Rose of La Crosse. He was employed as an engineer on the Burlington Northern Railroad for 45 years until his retirement.
Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and attending family gatherings. He spent many seasons golfing with friends at Pine Creek and Ettrick golf courses. Paul and his wife, June, spent many years camping and traveling in their RV. In later years, they enjoyed spending their winters together in Texas with family and friends. Paul was also an avid Packers fan. In 2007, he and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Paul was a Golden Age Eagle and React member of the La Crosse Eagles Club Aerie 1254. He was employed there part time after his retirement. He was a member of La Crosse VFW Post 1530 and French Island American Legion Post 417. He also belonged to Local 311 of the United Transportation Union.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. Paul enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and his sense of humor will be missed. He is survived by his wife, June; a son, Jeffery (Rebecca) Mahoney of Rhinelander, Wis.; daughters, Susan (Dale) Gehri of Holmen, Wis., and Barbara (Jerry) Brooks of Independence, Wis.; son-in-law, Mark (Catherine) Hollowitsch of La Crosse; grandchildren, Michael (Heidi) Gehri, Amy and Melissa Brooks, Jacob and Jenna Mahoney, Mackenzie Hollowitsch, and Colleen and Morgan Roach; great-grandchild, Logan Paul Gehri; and nephew, Rodney (Marty) Wilson. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kimberly Rose Hollowitsch; parents, Paul and Charlotte Mahoney; sister, Alice; brother-in-law, Donald Wilson; and niece, Patty Wilson.
Memorial services will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 Sill St., La Crosse. The Rev. Stephan Sandness will officiate. Relatives and friends may call from 1 p.m. until the time of services.
Interment will be at a later date.
Marcia A. Connell
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa — Marcia A. Connell, 81, of Clear Lake died peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, June 12, 2008.
A memorial service was held June 18, 2008, followed by private inurnment services, both in Clear Lake.
Memorials may be given to the First Congregational Church in Clear Lake, Opportunity Village, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Clear Lake Community School Foundation.
Marcia Jean Ashland was born Nov. 28, 1926, to L.E. (Earl) and Esther Woodford Ashland. As a teen, she worked summers in her father’s Basket Grocery stores. She enjoyed sailing on the lake and the outdoors. She enjoyed fishing, pheasant hunting and trapshooting with her father. She graduated from Clear Lake High School, attended Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Mo., and graduated with a business degree from the University of Iowa. Marcia worked as a buyer for Marshall Fields in Chicago after graduating from college.
Marcia and James F. Connell were married Sept. 3, 1949, and lived in Iowa City before moving to Clear Lake where Jim managed what is now Woodford Lumber and Home Company. Their first daughter, Sarah, was born while Jim was serving in the Army during the Korean Conflict. She was active in the Girl Scouts with her daughters and headed up the Red Cross swimming program at City Beach. Marcia had a dry sense of humor, was a hard worker and staunchly independent until breaking a hip a few years ago.
Marcia enjoyed taking family trips in the summer, going on fishing trips to Canada with Jim and good friends, golfing, hunting for morel mushrooms and having picnics with family and friends. She was an avid reader and enjoyed her “bookies” group of friends who meet weekly. She loved attending her grandsons’ school and sports activities.
Marcia was an owner, served as president, was currently chairman of the board and was active on the boards of directors of both the Clear Lake Independent Telephone Company and Woodford Lumber and Home for over 60 years until just months before her death. At a time when many might focus on their retirement, she continued to reinvest in the companies.
She enjoyed wishing employees happy birthday and keeping up with their children's’ activities. She also believed strongly in giving back to the community. She established scholarships at Clear Lake High School and NIACC. Marcia and her family are grateful they could protect one of the last stretches of lakeshore wilderness on Clear Lake. The family gave up the property rights in 1992 to develop what is now Woodford Ashland Lone Tree Point Nature Area via a conservation easement with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The family still owns the property, but allows public access for low-impact use.
Marcia served on the Opportunity Village Board of Directors, board of trustees at First Congregational Church, and was an active member there. She was a member of PEO Chapter EA, Delta Gamma sorority and other organizations.
She is survived by her daughter, Sarah Ohlrogge (Dennis) of Onalaska, Wis.; daughter, Jan Lovell (Tom) of Clear Lake; two grandsons, Christopher Lovell and Erik Ohlrogge and son-in-law Kevin Magee of Madison, Wis. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jim; and daughter, Susan Connell-Magee of Madison.
The family was assisted by Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake, Iowa 641-357-2193. www.colonialchapels.com.
