All Obituaries

William “Will” F. Mantzke, 52, of Sparta, died Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse. He was born November 4, 1965 to Donald and Marlene Mantzke in Sparta. He grew up in Sparta and was a 1984 Sparta High School graduate. As an adult Will remained strong in his faith with God, guided by his genuine kindness and loyalty to his family, friends, co-workers and animals. Will married Kim Schendel on June 25th 1988. They celebrated their 30th wedding Anniversary...

     Lewis W. Hemstock, 91, of Sparta, died Monday, July 16, 2018 in Sparta. He was born on November 6, 1926 in Sparta to William and Iris (Gudbaur) Hemstock. He spent his early years in Sparta and Burns Valley, La Crosse County.      Lewis enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and was assigned to the light carrier USS Cowpens (CVL-25) as an Aviation Ordancemen. The Cowpens was with Admiral William (Bull) Halsey’s famous third fleet and saw action in the...

     Joanne A. Olson, 87, of Sparta, died Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse.  She was born on February 21, 1931 in Sparta to Walter "Scott" and Marie (Ripley) Hendersin.  She grew up in Farmers Valley and graduated from Sparta High School.      Joanne married Robert C. Olson on October 6, 1949 in Waukon, IA.  They lived in Monroe, WI for a year before moving back to Sparta.  She drove school bus...

     Philip James Abbott, 96, of Cataract, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on July 8, 2018.  He was born on October 26, 1921 to Wilson and Gladys Millard Abbott.  He was the second of twelve children.  He entered the service in 1942 during WWII.  He was discharged in January 1946.  He married Dorothy “Lucille” Johnson on September 14, 1946.  They were married until her passing in 2009.      ...

     Roger A. Strom, 85, of Sparta, died Friday, July 6, 2018 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse. He was born on August 18, 1932 in Sparta to Alex and Cynthia (Risberg) Strom. He grew up in Sparta and graduated from Sparta High School in 1951.      Roger married Joan Webster on May 10, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sparta. He then served in the US Air Force and was stationed at Larson Air Force Base in Moses Lake, WA. After the service they moved...

     Joseph A. Kast, 92, of West Salem and formerly of Bangor, died Friday, July 6, 2018 at Lakeview Health Center Nursing Home, West Salem. He was born on March 10, 1926 in Jefferson Township, Monroe County, WI to John K. and Gertrude Ann (Leis) Kast. He grew up in the Melvina area. He worked on the family farm. He served in the US Army during WWII.      Joseph married Margaret Antony. She later passed away. He married Eudora Schaefer on November 6, 1954....

     Dennis Warren June, age 75, of Sparta, WI passed away Sunday, July 1, 2018 at home surrounded by his family after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Dennis was born November 1, 1942 in Milwaukee, WI to Stanley and Erna (Armitter) June. He grew up with one brother on a family farm in Sparta and graduated from Sparta High School in 1960. He attended UW-La Crosse while working as an office manager at Sparta Hospital. Later he took business courses in Chicago which...

Daniel Clemmerson, 80, of Sparta, died Saturday, June 30, 2018 at the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. He was born July 1st, 1937 to Oscar and Elise Clemmerson of Cataract, WI. Dan grew up on a farm and attended Printz Creek School and eventually moved to Dodgeville and worked on a farm. Dan went into nursing where he met and married the love of his life, Laverne from there they moved to Monroe. Dan found his niche working for Walmart as a greeter something that he loved doing. Dan enjoyed...

     Rose A. Blazek, 82, of Thomasville, GA and formerly of Sparta, passed away Friday, June 29, 2018 at her home. She was born on May 28, 1936 in Dorchester, WI to Lars and Edith (Stockwell) Skilbred. She grew up in Dorchester and moved to Camp Douglas when she was in High School.      Rose worked at Sears in Chicago and A.C. Nielsen in Evanston, IL. She married Harold Blazek on January 20, 1962 in Evanston. They moved to Sparta in 1962 and she was a...

     Harry Frederick Caulum Sr., 89, of rural Bangor, was called to his heavenly home on July 2, 2018 at Mayo Clinic Health System, Sparta.      Harry was born on February 3, 1929, to Clarence and Eleonora (Hesse) Caulum in Barre Mills, WI. He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, and later graduated from West Salem High School in 1947. He was united in marriage to Elnora M. Gates on April 23, 1949 and a lifetime of love and dedication...