All Obituaries

     Phillip E. Quackenbush, 72, of French Island, WI passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. He was born March 8, 1947, in Sparta, WI to Clyde W. and Rose J. (Parlow) Quackenbush.      Phillip farmed in Big Creek and Leon growing up. He married Ada Dawn Lenser. Together, they had three children and they later divorced. He married Verna Joyce Williams and she preceded him in death. Phillip helped on the family farm,...

     Roger James Ebert, 84, of Sparta, died Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. He was born and raised on the home farm on August 3, 1934 to William and Anna Ebert, Sparta, WI.       Roger graduated from Sparta High School.  After graduation, he continued to farm with his dad. In 1955, he married his sweet heart Ellie. Roger and Eleanor “Ellie” Juen were married June 18, 1955 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, La...

Patricia M. “Patti” (Pippenger) Lasko, 66, of West Salem and formerly of Sparta passed away suddenly, March 17, 2019, at her home. She was born February 27, 1953, to Michael and Florence Pippenger in Eau Claire, WI. Patti loved to spend time with her family, especially those granddaughters.  She was a true story teller, the only person who attended Woodstock, but was never in New York; and could hold her own in a political debate, but knew nothing about politics.  But...

     Frances M. Baird, 88, of Sparta, died Sunday, March 17, 2019 at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center, Sparta. She was born on January 2, 1931 in Sparta to Hugh and Emilla (Davenport) Church.      Frances married Benjamin Baird on June 17, 1950 in Sparta. They later divorced. She worked 22 ½ years at Spartek retiring in 1996. Spending time with her family was her greatest joy.      Frances is survived by her children, Mike...

Peter J. Clemmerson, 83, of Little Falls, died Friday, March 8, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born December 26, 1935 to the late Oscar and Elsie (Bratz) Clemmerson in Sparta. Peter was raised on the family farm in Printz Creek. He left home and went to Kenosha and worked for Goodyear Tire Co. After an injury, he moved back to Cataract where he met and married the love of his life Darlene Johnson on July 25, 1959. They moved to Chicago for a short time and then back...

Anthony “Tony” E. Knutson, AKA "Wheels", 50, of Sparta, died Saturday, March 9, 2019 from injuries sustained in a snowmobile accident. He was born January 7, 1969 to Eugene and Karen (Bryhn) Knutson, in La Crosse, WI. Tony grew up in the Sparta area and graduated from Sparta High School in 1988. Following high school he attended Western Wisconsin Technical College earning an Associate’s Degree in the CNC program. He also earned a degree at Western Tech. in the...

Glenda F. (Adams) Arnold, 74, of Sparta, passed away Saturday, February 23, 2019 at her home. She was born to the late Clyde and Anna (Bryant) Adams in Zion, IL. At an early age Glenda moved to the Sparta area where she graduated from Sparta High School. She married Joseph Arnold on August 20, 1965 in Winona, MN. Glenda worked at the Sparta Brush Co. for over 21 years. Shortly after being partially retired, Glenda and Joe took over Southside Tap Bar & Grill in 1993. She enjoyed sewing,...

     Timothy “Tim” D. Hogan, 59, of Portage, WI, and formerly of Sparta, died Friday, March 1, 2019 at the Rivers Assisted Living, Portage. He was born October 17, 1959, in Portland, OR, to Edward E. and Lois A. (Solberg) Hogan.      In 1963, he moved to Sparta and was a 1978 graduate of Sparta High School. Tim moved to Eau Claire, WI after high school where he attended UW-Eau Claire and then moved Chicago, IL, where he was the drummer for...

Michael C. Tucker, 70, of Sparta, died Saturday, February 23, 2019 at his home. He was born January 11, 1949 to Chester J. and Mabel F. (Johnson) Tucker in Sparta. Mike grew up in the Sparta area and graduated from Sparta High School with the class of 1967. Following high school he moved to Wyoming to work construction. Mike moved back to the Sparta area in 1988 and started a siding business and kept the family farm going working it until 2014. He also worked for the Sparta school system as...

Paul Jeffrey Bell “Pale Rider”, was born March 27, 1956 to Theodore R. Bell Jr. and C. Jeanne (Arnold) Bell in Sparta, WI. He grew up in the Sparta and surrounding areas, attending West Beaver Creek, Ward School and Sparta schools. In 1973 he joined the US Army and spent two years in Stuttgart, Germany as a persian missile mechanic. In 1979 he fell in love with the love of his life Diane Tenner and they married in 1980. Together, they had two sons, Andrew Paul in 1981 and Jesse...