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Eugene R. Kusilek, 58
Eugene R. Kusilek, 58, of River Falls, died Tuesday, June 30, 1998 after a long battle with cancer.
He was born June 2, 1940, in River Falls, where he lived his entire life. He worked for 3M Company for 32 years until his retirement in 1997.
Gene and his wife, Gwen, were married on May 11, 1963. His passions included: hunting, fishing and spending as much time as possible with his wife, children and grandchildren at their cabin on Buck Lake in northern Wisconsin.
Gene was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and self-appointed coach. His quest in life was to live it to the fullest as his many hunting and fishing trips and vacations confirm.
He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond; and an infant brother, Donald.
He is survived by his mother, Pearl Kusilek; his wife, Gwen; sons: Randy and Laurie Kusilek of River Falls, Michael and Kim of Mukilteo, Wash., and Troy along with friend Chris Meier, both of River Falls; a sister, Donna and Alvin Pechacek of New Baden, Ill.; two brothers: LeRoy and Kathleen of River Falls and Delbert and Charla of Cannon Falls, Minn.; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral was Friday, July 3, at Ezekiel Lutheran Church.
Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers were friends and cousins: Ron Huppert, Melvin Kusilek, Vernon Kusilek, David Kusilek, John (Jack) Kusilek, and Don Sandberg.
Cashman Mortuary provided arrangements.
Clarence H. Matz, 73
Clarence H. Matz, 73, of rural Hudson died at United Hospital in St. Paul on June 30, 1998. He was admitted to the hospital on June 25 for treatment of cancer.
He was born Jan. 7, 1925, in the town of Berry in Dane County, the son of Albert and Hattie (Hilgendorf) Matz. He attended school in the town of Roxbury.
On June 8, 1948, he married Lenora Dahmen at St. Peter's Church in Ashton. Clarence and his family moved to Hudson in 1955 from Dane County.
He worked many years as an over-the-road interstate trucker. Locally he worked for Valley Cartage. He also drove a school bus.
Clarence enjoyed gardening and driving his tractor. He loved nature and in return planted many new trees. He also enjoyed feeding and watching birds.
In his younger years, fishing was one of his pastimes. He was also a dedicated longtime member of St. Patrick's and served as a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Hattie Matz; his daughter, Carol; his granddaughter, Janice; his grandson, Jason; and his brother, Al.
He is survived by his wife, Lenora of 50 years; his sons: Jerome and Gail Matz of Hudson, Steven and Sue Matz of Somerset, Tim Matz of Hudson, David Matz of Hammond, Kenneth Matz of Tampa, Fla., LeRoy and Bonnie Matz of Minneapolis, Mark Matz of Hudson, John and Debbie Matz of River Falls, James and Pat Matz of Chaska, Minn., and Gene Matz of New Richmond; his brothers: Arnold Matz of King, Lynos and Sandy Matz of Las Vegas and Robert and Elaine Matz of Milwaukee; 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral was Friday, July 3, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hudson, with the Rev. Peter Szlezinski officiating. Elsie Sandquist was organist, and music was provided by the Hope Choir.
Pallbearers were: Ken Mahr, Marvin Schmitz, Lloyd Scobey, Jerry Gilbert, Phillip Matz and Joseph Matz.
Burial was in St. Patrick's Church Cemetery. A rosary was performed by the Knights of Columbus and a prayer service followed at O'Connell's Funeral Home in Hudson.
Memorials are preferred.
Harriet B. Nelson, 91
Harriet B. Nelson, 91, died at her home in Stoughton on Tuesday, June 30, 1998, surrounded by her family.
She was born in the town of Pleasant Springs on Oct. 21, 1906, the daughter of Andrew and Anna (Langemo) Orvold. She graduated from the Stoughton High School and married Oscar "Cocky" Nelson on Oct. 11, 1931.
Together they farmed in the town of Dunkirk for many years, retiring to Stoughton in 1952.
She was employed for several years in Stoughton at the K.& H. department store and the Stoughton store as a clerk.
She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Elizabeth Circle, Women of the Church, the Golden Agers and was a former member of the church choir.
She was also active in the Stoughton Hospital Auxiliary, the Stoughton Senior Citizens, the Weekenders and the Goff Mothers Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Anna; her husband, Oscar, who died March 1, 1981; a brother, Leon Orvold; and a son-in-law, John Quale in 1992.
She is survived by her daughters: Lois Quale of Stoughton, Rae and Ken Stelzer of Stoughton, and Marilyn and Jack Bostrack of River Falls; her grandchildren: Mary and Bob VanDeHey of Lancaster, Sue and Jeff Haylock Quale of Dodgeville, Eric Quale of Stoughton, Kim and Carol Stelzer of Albuquerque, N.M., Kerry and Chris Wollak of Saudi Arabia, Kevin and Christina Stelzer of Austin, Texas, Karl and Janice Stelzer of McFarland, Zenda and Steve Moore, Tamara and Doug Ducklow, Tonnja "P.J." Magee, all of River Falls; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Funeral was Friday, July 3, at Christ Lutheran Church in Stoughton with the Rev. Robert Garbrecht officiating.
Burial was in Riverside Cemetery.
Donald F. Bennett, 68
Donald F. Bennett, 68, of Hager City died on Saturday, July 11, 1998 at his home.
He was born on June 15, 1930, in the town of Hartland in Pierce County, the son of Walter and Lucille (Bystrom) Bennett.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He married Alberta "Becky" Lovell on Sept. 26, 1964, at St. Bridget Catholic Church. He worked for the Red Wing Shoe Company for 44 years, retiring in July of 1992.
He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth, and was a former eucharistic minister. He was a member of the American Legion Post #357 in Bay City. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.
He was preceded in death by his father and one brother.
He is survived by his wife, Alberta "Becky" Bennett of Hager City; three sons: Gregory and Shelly Bennett of Mindoro, Jeffrey Bennett of Eau Claire, and Timothy Bennett of Hager City; one granddaughter, Hannah Bennett of Mindoro; his mother, Lucille Bennett of River Falls; one brother, Richard and Nancy Bennett of Venice, Fla.; two sisters: LaVaughn and Robert Gotzman of Ellsworth, and Doris and Harley Roen of River Falls.
Funeral will be Thursday, July 16, at 11 a.m., at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth. The Rev. Thomas Donaldson will officiate. Interment will be in St. Bridget Catholic Cemetery in River Falls.
A reviewal will be held from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, July 15, at Hill-McLaughlin Funeral Home in Ellsworth and one hour before the service at the church on Thursday.
Bruce M. Erickson, 82
Bruce Michael Erickson, 82, of Elk Mound died Sunday, July 12, 1998, at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire.
He was born on March 3, 1916, in Glen Flora, the son of Art and Clara Erickson. He served in the U.S. Army, taught in Trempealeau and was the high school principal in River Falls from 1963 to 1979.
He was superintendent of schools in Elk Mound. He also served as president of the Elk Mound Village Board for 11 years.
He loved learning and the outdoors. He especially enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.
He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel; his parents, Art and Clara Erickson; his sister, Louise; and his brother, Robert.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth (Sampson); his daughters: Judy of Eau Claire, Linda and Tom Brown of Lynn, Mass., Nancy and Ron Taggart of Duluth, Minn., and Becky of Eau Claire; one brother, Norris, of Prentice; one granddaughter; three grandsons; and one great-grandson.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 16, from 4-8 p.m., at the Fuller-Speckein Funeral Home in Eau Claire.
Funeral will be Friday, July 17, at 11 a.m., at the Lake Street United Methodist Church in Eau Claire.
Melvin L. Oftedahl, 82
Melvin L. Oftedahl, 82, of Ellsworth died Sunday, July 12, 1998 at the Ellsworth Care Center.
He was born on April 7, 1916, in Osseo, the son of Lauritz B. and Mina M. (Myhre) Oftedahl. He spent his youth in Osseo and later attended the La Crosse Business College. He worked in La Crosse until entering the service in 1941.
He served in the artillery in Gen. George S. Patton's Third Army in the European Theater. After his discharge in 1946, he went to work for the Internal Revenue Service as an agent.
He moved to Ellsworth that same year and it was then that he met his future wife, the former Dorothy Ingli. They married in March of 1947.
He joined the Bank of Ellsworth in 1955, retiring as its senior vice president in December of 1981.
He was instrumental in the development of the Ellsworth Country Club. He was a past president of Group I of the Wisconsin Banker's Association and the Pierce County Banker's Association.
He was a past president of the St. Croix Valley Shrine Club. He was past worshipful master of Hancock Masonic Lodge #229 and its current treasurer in Ellsworth.
He was a member of the Zor Temple, Madison, Scottich Rite Valley of Eau Claire, Ellsworth Rod and Gun Club, Kinne-Engelhart American Legion Post #204, Ellsworth, Pierce County 40 et 8, Ellsworth Commercial Club, past member of the Ellsworth School Board and longtime member and past treasurer of English Lutheran Church, Ellsworth.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy, in 1988; and one brother, J. Reidar Oftedahl, in 1986.
He is survived by two daughters: Lanette and Richard Sporl of Bradenton, Fla., and Lorene and Robert Wehrenberg, Onalaska; five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; two brothers, one sister and one sister-in-law: Adolph and Mary Oftedahl of Wauwatosa, Mrs. J. Reidar "Antoinette" Oftedahl of Osseo, Ralph and Edith Oftedahl of Osseo, and Harriet and Alvin Intefjord of Verona.
Funeral was Wednesday, July 15, at English Lutheran Church in Ellsworth with the Rev. Lauryl Stockness and the Rev. Harlen Menk officiating. Burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ellsworth.
Diane A. Smith, 58
Diane Ardyth Smith, 58, of Roberts, died Monday, July 6, 1998 at Hudson Medical Center. She was admitted there earlier that week.
She was born Aug. 11, 1939, the daughter of William and Annabel (Johnson) Rosenthal at the family farm south of Menomonie. She attended Lincoln grade school near Downing and began high school at Menomonie prior to graduating from Elmwood High School in 1957.
Following high school she received technical on-the-job training at Brown and Bigelow where she was a key punch operator.
She worked for Brown and Bigelow from 1957-62. She then worked for the Great North Railroad as a key punch operator.
On Nov. 26, 1960, she married Craig N. Smith. Together they lived in St. Paul until 1964, when they moved to Roberts. While in Roberts they farmed. They had two children: Tim, born Oct. 21, 1961, and Craig, born June 24, 1963.
In 1976 Diane and Craig began the St. Croix Steel Erection Company and she served as president.
She loved her family. She entertained family and friends on a regular basis at the family farm.
Besides her family, her love was for horses. In her teenage years, she won the Plug Horse Derby at the state fair for many years.
Following her marriage, she went to various county and state fairs, showing and riding. She raised Arabian horses.
Between 1986 and 1991 her horses raced at Cantebury Park in Shakopee, Minn. In more recent years she enjoyed trail riding; especially by her cabin near Cushing.
She belonged to the Willow River Riders Club. As a result she made many friends in the River Falls and Hudson areas and throughout the county. They traveled to various riding spots.
She also enjoyed reading novels, horse literature and growing flowers. She also took great pleasure vacationing with her husband, Craig. Together they traveled to Canada, Florida, Las Vegas and Arizona. They both belonged to a bowling league in New Richmond for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Annabel.
She is survived by her husband, Craig; her sons: Timothy and Craig and Jennifer of Hudson; her grandchildren: Emily and Charles; a brother, Lance and Marie Rosenthal of Milwaukee; a sister, Kristy and James Fischer of Ormond Beach, Fla.; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral was Thursday, July 9, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Baldwin, with the Rev. Paul Lovestrand officiating. Organist was Vicki Lovestrand and soloist was Sharon Freitag.
Interment was in the Warren Cemetery in Roberts.
Pallbearers were: Eric Oetjen, Chad Rosenthal, David Storing, Shawn Oetjen, Danny Rosenthal and John Oetjen.
Honorary pallbearers were: Louie Rolf and Fred Smith.
Memorials are preferred.
