All Obituaries

Heather Lynn Hofstrand, 48, of Cataract, passed away, Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at her home. She was born January 12, 1971, in Sparta. Heather grew up in the Cataract area and graduated from Sparta High School with the class of 1989. Following high school, Heather worked in the kitchen at Ft. McCoy for several years as well as Cardinal Glass in Tomah. Heather had a passion for all animals, volunteering much of her time to the Monroe and Jackson County animal shelters. She loved cleaning...

     Elmer J. Bechel, 93, of Sadieville, KY and formerly of Sparta, died Monday, November 18, 2019 at Lexington VA Health Care System, Lexington, KY.      Funeral arrangements will be announced by Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta.  

     Kathryn “Kathy” A. Vepley, 60, of Sparta, died Saturday, November 9, 2019 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on September 23, 1959 in Sparta to Henry and Vera (Yahnke) Olson. She grew up in Sparta and graduated from Sparta High School in 1978.      Kathy married Peter Vepley III on April 4, 1981. They lived in Illinois before moving back to Sparta. Peter passed away on November 7,...

     Barbara Ann (Wilsey) Voter, 70-something of Sparta, passed away on November 9, 2019 at Gundersen Health in La Crosse.      Barbara was born in La Crosse, WI to Mary Ellen (Bennett) and Ralph Waldo Wilsey on April 16th, 1940-something. She went to Logan High School then married Lonny Montgomery Voter on October 21,1961 in La Crosse, WI. She obtained her nursing degree from Mounds-Midway College of Nursing and started her career as a nurse for troubled...

     Shelvie Dee (Labus) Urfalino was born on April 26, 1937 to Wilbur S. Labus and Vivian F. Scafe at St. Anne’s Hospital in La Crosse, WI. She attended St Paul Lutheran School in Bangor and Bangor High School until graduation in 1954.  She worked at Fort McCoy where she met and married Paul Urfalino who was serving in the US Army. They lived for several years in Brooklyn, New York where Paul grew up, before returning to Sparta to live. Together, they had two...

Josephine A Ferrara, 82, has been reunited in death with her beloved husband, Carl and daughter, Jeanna on November 13, 2019. She was born on August 9, 1937 to the late John and Lavina (Applegate) Joseph in New Jersey. Josephine married Carl Ferrara on March 17, 1956 in New Jersey. Carl preceded her in death on June 20, 2003. Josephine loved her pets. She fostered pets from animal shelters in Texas and volunteered much of her time to Last Paw Rescue in Tomah. Josephine enjoyed cooking for...

     Lois A. Hughes, 80, passed away Thursday, October 31, 2019 at Black River Memorial Hospital, Black River Falls, WI with her son by her side. She was born on December 7, 1938 to Oscar and Elsie (Bratz) Clemmerson. She grew up and lived her life in the Cataract area. She helped support her family by factory work, supper club cook, and in-home daycare.      On July 27, 1968, Lois married Jim Hughes. To this union, they had one son, Eric. Lois enjoyed...

           Angeline M Nichols, 85, of Sparta, passed away peacefully, Sunday, November 3, 2019, at Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta. She was born on December 11, 1933, in Sparta, Wis., to George and Leone (Alton) Endres.      Angie was a strong, big-hearted woman who valued hard work and family. She worked for many years as a Beautician/CNA at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center; while also working on her family farm, hand-milking cows...

     Ole E. Knutson, 83, of Rockland, Sparta, and Bangor, passed away Sunday, October 27, 2019, at the Tomah VA Medical Center.      He was born May 8, 1936, in Sparta, to Albert and Martha (Pokrand) Knutson. Ole had three brothers, Hulbert, Ted, and Alec and three sisters, Katherine, Sylvia, and Carolyn. He attended Sparta High School and worked on various farms, one being Clayton Hutson Farm in Big Creek; it was there, Ole met future wife, Janice Melaas....

After a long journey, Wally went home to be with his Lord on October 23, 2019.  He was born on September 24, 1935, to Walter and Matie (Hansen) Damrow.  He grew up on a farm west of Cataract, and graduated from Melrose High School with the class of 1953.  Shortly after graduation, Uncle Sam called.  Wally spent the next two years serving his country in the U.S. Army.  Wally was proud to be called a veteran and was happy to be a passenger on the Freedom Honor Flight...