Obituaries

Ruth Pientok

Mar 7, 2025

Ruth Ann Pientok, 77, of Independence, died on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

Ruth was born on October 18, 1947, to Herman and Ellen (Morrison) Hellwig and grew up around the Coon Valley area. After high school, Ruth attended nursing school earning a registered nursing degree. She was employed at Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse....

Donald Woychik

Feb 25, 2025

Donald Anthony Woychik, 87, died Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Donald was born on June 12, 1937, in Arcadia, WI to Paul and Sophia (Suchla) Woychik. The youngest of nine siblings, he grew up on the family farm in the Town of Arcadia, where his life-long interest and love of agriculture was first...

Gregory Slabik

Feb 15, 2025

Gregory A. Slabik, 54, formerly of Independence, died peacefully after a hard-fought battle with MS on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Grandview Care Center in Blair under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

Greg was born in Whitehall on November 14, 1970, to Donald and Sandra (Joern) Slabik. Always working with his hands, Greg farmed most of his life, and...

Irene Roskos

Feb 9, 2025

Irene Roskos, 82, of Eau Claire, formerly of Independence, died Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Dove Healthcare-South, under the care of Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice.

She was the 2nd of two children born to Knut and Jessie (Arneson) Amble on March 11, 1942. She graduated from Whitehall High School in 1960. Irene attended one year of college at...

Beverly Brey

Jan 28, 2025

Beverly E. Brey, 89, of La Crosse, passed away on January 28, 2025, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

She will be dearly missed by her husband of almost 65 years Daniel Brey; children: Stephani Brey, Robert Brey, and Jennifer (Matt) Lamberson; grandchildren: Brady (Heather), Brandon, and Ericka Lamberson; sister-in-law: Jackie Hawkenson; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded...

Robert Hotchkiss

Jan 21, 2025

Robert "Bob" A. Hotchkiss, 75, of Independence, WI, passed away on January 21, 2025, at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. Born on August 19, 1949, Bob was the youngest of four children to R. Addison and Pelchie (Kampa) Hotchkiss.

Bob enjoyed watching Wisconsin sports teams including the Badgers, Packers, and Brewers and spending time with friends. Always up...

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...