Obituaries

Dora Jean Blaha

Dec 16, 2024

Dora Jean Blaha, 91, of Independence, died peacefully on Monday, December 16, 2024, at Dove Healthcare Assisted Living in Osseo under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

Dora Jean was born in rural Eleva on December 6, 1933, to Vernal and Leora (Burnett) Lokken. After graduating from high school, she briefly ventured to Utah and worked as a CNA upon her...

August "Gus" J. Klimek

Dec 1, 2024

August "Gus" J. Klimek, 85, of Independence, WI, died on December 01, 2024, at Gundersen Tri County Hospital, Whitehall, WI. Gus was born April 09, 1939, on a farm in American Valley in Arcadia, WI, to Thomas and Gertrude (Kujak) Klimek. He graduated from Arcadia High School. He married Joan Kokott, and they had 3 children. He later married Denise...

Susan Dubiel

Nov 29, 2024

Susan Dubiel, 78, of Stoughton, WI, formerly of Independence, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 29, 2024, at Nazareth Health in Stoughton with her family at her side.

Sue was born on December 20, 1945, in Blair, to Hensel and Lila Johnson. On January 16, 1965, she married Clarence Dubiel, Jr., at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Independence....

Donna Hanson

Nov 21, 2024

Donna M. Hanson, 93, of Strum, died Thursday, November 21, 2024 at UW Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin peacefully surrounded by family.

She was born May 4th, 1931 to Orville and Hazel (Engum) Herbenson. She married Donald Hanson September23, 1950 at Norden Lutheran Church parsonage.

Donna resided most of her life in Strum and was a member of the Eleva Legion...

Janice Gunderson

Oct 25, 2024

Janice Ann Gunderson, 76, formerly of Independence, WI passed away peacefully, October 25, 2024. at Elroy Health Services in Elroy WI with her family at her side.

Janice was born to Harm and Annabelle Harms May 28, 1948 in Canova, SD. The family moved several times before settling in Independence, WI She graduated from Independence High School, Independence, WI in...

Leonard L. Robinson

Oct 16, 2024

Leonard LeRoy Robinson, 93, of rural Osseo, died on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at his home with his children by his side under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

Leonard was born on March 21, 1931, in rural Strum, to Walter and Annie (Pawelke) Robinson. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1953, and served dutifully until his honorable discharge...

Brian Kulig

Oct 11, 2024

Brian John Kulig, 60, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Winona, MN on October 11th, 2024. He was the son of Al and Ginny Wright Kulig and was born on St. Patrick's Day, 1964. He grew up in Independence, WI along with his four siblings where he attended Saints Peter and Paul (SSPP) Catholic grade school and was a...

Andrew Dejno

Oct 9, 2024

Andrew R Dejno Jr, 83, of Independence, completed his earthly journey on October 9, 2024.

Andy was born on October 26, 1940 in Independence WI to Andrew J. and Monica (Pientok) Dejno. Andy grew up on the family farm, one of five children. He began his education at Cripp's rural school, attended S.S. Peter & Paul grade school, and...

Lois Suchla

Oct 4, 2024

Lois Rae Suchla passed away peacefully in her sleep at 91 years old on October 4th, 2024, at Grand View Care Center in Blair.

Lois was born on November 6th, 1932 in rural Rusk County, Wisconsin to Steven and Kathryn (Kennedy) Krisik. Lois grew up on a farm in Glen Flora, Wisconsin and was one of sixteen children. She graduated from...

Bernice Pyka

Oct 3, 2024

Bernice Pyka, 84, of Independence, passed away in the comforts of her own home on October 3rd, 2024.

Bernice was born on September 10, 1940, on her family farm in Travers Valley to George and Gunda Gierok. At the age of 18, she married the love of her life, Edmund Pyka, the farm boy from up the valley. Together, they farmed...

Robert "Bruce" Brandenburg

Sep 14, 2024

Robert (Bruce) Brandenburg, earlier known to some as "Jackson" or "Action Jackson," of Independence, WI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Hope Stay in Holmen. He was blessed with 72 years of life and leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories.

Born on June 9, 1952, in Clintonville, WI, Bruce was the son of Eldon...

Everett Sluga

Sep 13, 2024

Everett L. Sluga, 92, of Independence, passed away unexpectedly on September 13, 2024, at his home.

Everett was born in rural Independence on March 31, 1932, to Lawrence and Helen (Lyga) Sluga. He was raised on the family farm where he learned a great work ethic. Everett was united in marriage to Valeria Bautch on October 20, 1953. The couple worked...

Marie E. Kloss

Aug 4, 2024

Marie Kloss, born in 1938 to Thomas and Pauline Bautch, passed away at the Pigeon Falls Nursing Home on August 4th, 2024, at the age of 86.

Marie spent her childhood in Independence, WI, and then married her high school sweetheart, Don Kloss, in 1956. After getting married they moved to South Carolina, where Don was stationed in the Navy. Marie...

Jerome Schank

Jul 28, 2024

Jerome L. Schank, 87, of Independence, died peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Grandview Care Center in Blair under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

Jerome was born in Arcadia on December 4, 1936, to Clarence and Dorothy (Wicka) Schank. Growing up on the farm, Jerome was no stranger to hard-work and developed a love and respect for the...

Marian Karasch

Jul 15, 2024

Marian A. Karasch, 94, of Independence, died on Monday, July 15, 2024 at the Trempealeau County Health Care Center, Whitehall. 

Marian was born on January 23, 1930, on a farm in Wickham Valley in Independence to Frank and Angeline (Kokott) Koval. She filled many roles in her lifetime. When she was a young girl, she worked as a housekeeper and babysitter...

Marcus Woychik

Jul 3, 2024

Marucs Peter Woychik, 87, of Independence, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 3, 2024 in his sleep after watching baseball on TV. Marcus was born on November 8, 1936 to Peter and Mary (Killian) Woychik. On June 18, 1958 he married Carol Rothering and together had 6 children. They later divorced. In 1998 he met Rita O'Reilly and together they had...

Shirley Hanson

Jun 26, 2024

Shirley (Shirl) J Hanson, age 79, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2024 at Hillview Nursing Home in La Crosse, WI.

Shirley was one of 5 children born in Arcadia, WI to her parents, Marian and Aaron Kotlarz. They were raised on the family farm now lovingly known as Aaron's Acres. When Shirley was a young girl her Dad...

Larry Helgeson

Jun 19, 2024

Larry Bennie Helgeson passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at Cambridge Senior Living Facility in Eau Claire. He was surrounded by his family and caretaker, Brooke.

If you knew Larry, you knew he was a storyteller and had the gift of gab. So, it is only appropriate that we tell you one last story.

Larry was born June 1, 1945, to...

Conrad Halama

May 25, 2024

Conrad "Connie" Thomas Halama, age 80, of Independence, WI, passed peacefully at home on Saturday, May 25, 2024, spending his final days surrounded by his loving family. His life journey with his better half Patricia "Trish" began on April 27, 1968. A commercial construction worker and carpenter by trade, he lended his expertise in home-building to the community for many...

Susan Hunn

May 16, 2024

Susan 'Sue' Wozney Hunn, 83, of Mahomet, IL and formerly of Columbia, MO and Independence, WI, died on Thursday, May 16th, 2024, at Bridle Brook Assisted Living in Mahomet.

Sue was born in Independence, WI on August 1, 1940, to Bernard Henry 'Ben' Wozney and Susan 'Susie' Emily Maule Wozney. She graduated from Independence High School in 1958 and...