All Obituaries

Verlyn Gene Anderson, 75, of Sparta, died Monday, September 17, 2018 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse. He was born September 29, 1942 to Otis and Elverda (Hanson) Anderson. Verlyn graduated from Sparta High School with the class of 1960. He worked odd jobs until he started farming in Mindoro and Cataract. After farming, he opened up Andy’s Resale store in Sparta. Verlyn especially loved traveling and made trips to California, Norway, Alaska, and the Bahamas. Verlyn is survived...

     Richard “Rick” D. Watzka, 66, of Sparta, died Friday, September 14, 2018 at a result of an automobile accident. He was born on October 21, 1951 in Rhode Island to Byron and Irma (Glodny) Watzka. He grew up in Connecticut.      Rick moved to Sparta in the 1970’s. He worked at Sparta Manufacturing until it closed and then Carlisle until he retired in 2013. He loved spending time with his family.      Rick is...

     Maxine E. Isensee, 101, of Sparta, died Friday, September 21, 2018 at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. She was born on June 8, 1917 to Henry and Lucille (Ravenscroft) Nichols. She grew up in Sparta and, for a short time, her family lived in South Dakota. She graduated from Sparta High School.      Maxine married Albert “Snooks” Isensee on September 23, 1936 in Waukon, IA. They farmed for many years. She worked at Fairway Foods. In 1960, she...

Thomas “Ricky" Bean Jr., 58, of Sparta, died Friday, September 14, 2018 at his home surrounded by family. He was born on January 7, 1960 to the late Thomas Sr. and Florene (Buchanon) Bean in Sikeston, Missouri. Thomas was born and raised in the Sikeston area and graduated from Sikeston Senior High. Shortly after graduating he proudly served his country as a MP in the US Army from 1982-1991 stationed in Hawaii and Germany. Thomas had various jobs throughout his career but always...

Patricia Ann Johnson, 77, of Cataract, passed away Monday, September 17, 2018 surrounded by her family.  She was born in Kenosha, WI on January 10, 1941 to Claude and Phyllis (Schancock) Trecroci.        Pat married Lon Johnson June 24, 1989 in Cataract. She worked for the Sparta Area School District and was known as Mrs. J.  Pat was involved in the development of the alternative education program (SAILS). Pat is survived by her mother, Phyllis...

     Vera M. Siekert, 94, of Sparta, died Monday, September 17, 2018 at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta.      Funeral arrangements will be announced by Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta. 

     Albertus F. “Bert” Anderson, 93, of Coles Valley, passed away, Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. He was born the first of eleven children on October 7, 1924 in Sparta to John and Leah (Pratt) Anderson.      After high school, Bert served in the US Navy during WWII. He was stationed on the USS Maui. He was honorably discharged on June 16, 1946.      Bert married Emma Biegel on June 5, 1948...

Linus R. Heintz, 93, of Sparta, died Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. He was born October 9, 1924 to the late Hubert and Theresa (Karis) Heintz. Linus grew up in the Wilton area and graduated from Wilton High School with the class of 1942. He proudly served his country in the US Navy from April 15, 1943 to April 21, 1946. He married Margaret “Dolly” Schroeder on April 22, 1950. He was very devout in his faith and was a fourth degree Knight for the...

     Carolyn Joann Hulsether died September 3, 2018, at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta.  Carolyn was born on May 4th, 1934, in Richland Center, Wisconsin to Carrol and Susan Weller.  Carolyn graduated from Richland Center High School in 1952.  On December 20, 1952, Carolyn married Melvin LaVerne “Vern” Hulsether.  The couple moved to Austin, Texas on December 31st, 1952, where Vern was stationed at San Marcos Air Force Base.  Upon his...

     Stephen T. Ruetten, 90, of Sparta, died Thursday, August 23, 2018. He was born on April 27, 1928 in Sparta to George and Mary (Muehlenberg) Ruetten. He attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School.      Stephen worked at his sister’s family farm near New Glarus, WI before returning to his family farm. He continued planting crops even after he discontinued dairy farming. He was a true “Steward” of the land. He worked 47 years at St....