Helen M. Knudson
HOLMEN — Helen M. Knudson, 70, of Holmen passed away Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
She was born in La Crosse on Oct. 22, 1937, to Theodore and Philomene (Koel) Peterschmidt. She married Richard Knudson in La Crosse on Nov. 12, 1960.
In addition to her husband, Richard of Holmen, she is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Kathy KasaKaitas) Knudson of La Crosse; one son, Steve (Lisa) Knudson of Madison; one granddaughter, Hannah Knudson of Madison; and one brother, James (Jane) Peterschmidt of Eau Claire, Wis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Holmen. The Rev. Robert Schaller will officiate. Private family burial will take place at a later date. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 10:30 a.m. until time of services.
Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska is assisting the family.
Joan Mary Sobotta
ONALASKA/ARCADIA, Wis. — Joan Mary Sobotta, 74, of Onalaska and formerly of Arcadia died peacefully in her home on Monday, Aug. 4, 2008.
She was born in Winona, Minn., on Sept. 1, 1933, to Matthew and Mildred (Smith) Feltes. She attended St. Aloysius School and graduated from Arcadia High. Joan married Dominic T. Sobotta on her birthday in 1951. He died on April 4, 1978.
They lived in Winona for 10 years and she worked for JCPenney Co. They operated the family tavern, Matt’s Place, in Arcadia for 27 years. After Dominic’s death, Joan moved to Onalaska and worked at The Prairie Gift House, and then opened a day care for many years. She was in charge of the Prayer Chain at St. Patrick’s, and her home was always open to friends — the coffee was always on. Joan was an avid angel collector.
Joan is survived by the loves of her life, son, Terrence (Candace) Sobotta of Iowa City, Iowa; daughters, Jill Sobotta (Charles Roterud) of Sun Prairie, Wis., Holly Sobotta of Onalaska and Heidi (Robert) Lewer of Kenosha, Wis.; grandchildren, Zach and Andy Sobotta and Matthew, Ryan, AnnMarie and Mary Louise Lewer; honorary granddaughter, Erin Knadle; great-grandchildren, Imara and Dominic Sobotta; and many, many friends.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother, Donald Feltes.
A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1031 Main St., Onalaska. The Rev. Patrick Umberger will officiate, with interment at Calvary Cemetery in Arcadia. Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Thursday before Mass at the church. Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home is assisting the family.
