All Obituaries

Bettie Roush (nee Nuckolls), Sparta/Cottage Grove Wisconsin      On November 6, 2018, our beloved mother and matriarch, Bettie Roush, passed away at the age of 98. Bettie was born in Omaha, Nebraska on April 16, 1920 to William Hunter Nuckolls and Margaret (Murray) Nuckolls. Bettie was married to her soulmate and best friend, Don Roush, on January 17, 1948. They loved and laughed through 54 years of marriage. Bettie and Don’s first date was spent dancing at...

Marlene A. Benedict, age 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at the Morrow Home in Sparta. A Memorial Service will be held at 12 Noon on Friday, November 16, at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, with Father Eric Berns officiating. Burial will be at a later time in Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta. Family and friends are invited to call on Friday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Online condolences may be offered to Marlene’s family...

     Gary Dean Burnham, 76, of Sparta, passed away in his home on Sunday, November 4, 2018. Gary was born in Waukon, IA to Ray and Ruth (Harris) Burnham on November 22, 1941. Gary married Connie (Hove) Burnham and they lived in Sparta where he worked for the City of Sparta for 31 years until he retired in 2002. Gary was an avid Packer and Badger fan. He loved family get-togethers and camping with friends. Gary had a unique sense of humor and everyone he met was gifted a...

Bruce Irving Bettis Jr., 62, of Hillsboro and formerly of Sparta, passed away peacefully Friday, November 2, 2018 at his home surrounded by the love of his family and friends. He was born November 22, 1955 to the late Bruce Sr. and Joan (Oelfke) Bettis in Neenah, WI. Bruce had a love for tinkering with small engines, especially lawn mowers. When he lived in Sparta, he had a motorized chair he would always drive around. Even though he had cerebral palsy, he never allowed it to limit...

     Dennis L. Farra, 72, of Sparta, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 5, 2018 at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center, Sparta. He was born on April 6, 1946 in Milwaukee, WI to Arthur and Alma (Densmore) Farra.      Dennis married Shirley Scholze on August 7, 1965 in Sparta. They later divorced. Dennis enjoyed stock car races, especially watching his kids and grandkids race. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting and working on John Deere lawn mowers....

     Fredrick “Fred” A. Beckler, 72, of Sparta, died Sunday, November 4, 2018 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse.  He was born in Sparta on September 13, 1946 to Frank and Nena (Standiford) Beckler.      Fred graduated from Sparta High School in 1965.  He worked on the family farm. He also worked for Randall Tire, owned his own shop, worked for Syverson Mobil, Fred’s Brake and Alignment, did cement work and then construction...

     Evelyn Wilhelmina Kretzschmar McAlpine peacefully passed away on November 1, 2018, in her beloved Wisconsin at age 103. A native of New Lisbon, WI, she was educated at La Crosse State Teachers College and Washington University. During her long life, she lived and loved and laughed. She also mourned her devoted husband, James McAlpine, who sadly passed away in 1973.      Evelyn is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren: Mary...

     Margariete “Marge” B. Bruse, 79, of Sparta, died Saturday, October 20, 2018 at her home. She was born at home in Wilton to the late Herman and Ella (Roe) Miller. She was married to Robert O. Bruse. He preceded her in death on April 24, 2014. Marge had an infinite love for horses.      Marge is survived by her sister, Mooneen (Bernie) Waite and many nieces and nephews.      In addition to her husband, Robert and...

     Lee Elden Olson, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) passed away peacefully after a brief stay at the Tomah Veterans Hospice Center, Tomah, WI on October 25, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.      He was born on July 20, 1945, in Prairie du Chien, WI to Edwin and Geneva Olson.  He grew up in Crawford County and graduated from Seneca High School in 1963.  He joined the Army in December of 1963 and after basic training, served in Germany. When...

Adela P. Hayden, 60, of Elroy, died Monday, October 29, 2018 at Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hillsboro Clinic. Adela is survived by her two children, Tanya Hayden and Joseph (Amanda) Hayden; eight grandchildren, Caylee, Logun, Skyler, Nevaeh, Kodi, Bryauna, Zoie; and one unborn grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Frances (Casey) Hayden; and a brother, Ted Hayden. A Celebration of Adela’s life will be held from 1-8 p.m. on Friday, November 2, at the...