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Miscellaneous Douglas County, Wisconsin Obituaries


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Frank “Ati” Bucar Sr., 86, Duluth, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1998, in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born in Smartno, Slovenia, on Oct. 2, 1912, he came to the U.S. as a refugee of World War II in 1950. All four of his sons served in the U.S. military. He had worked for U.S. Steel as a millwright helper. He was a member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church and the Steelworkers Union No. 1028, both in Duluth. He enjoyed gardening, carpentry work and listening to button box music. His wife, the former Mary Kimovec, died in 1991. He is survived by sons, Vid, Frank (Sharon) Jr., and Andrew, all of Duluth, and John P. (Sharon) of Perkasie, Pa.; one daughter, Mary “Meech” (Dale) Koski, Maple; grandchildren, Barbara (Dan) Hudson, Brenda, Frank, Brian and Denise Bucar, and Paul and Gina Koski; and several nieces and nephews in Canada and Slovenia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, where visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment icon will be in Oneota Cemetery in Duluth. Arrangements are by the Hegstrom Family Funeral Homes, Foley Chapel, Duluth.

Raymond Biver, 81, of 1411 Poplar Ave., died Wednesday, morning, Nov. 11, 1998, in St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior. Born July 11, 1917 in Shell Lake, he resided in the Superior area for most of his life. He and the former Jean Linski were married on Aug. 2, 1941 at the former St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Superior. He was employed as a chief engineer by the former St. Mary’s Hospital in Superior, the former St. Joseph’s Hospital in Superior’s Billings Park and retired from St. Francis Home in the Park. Previously, he was lead foreman for the Quint Fleet Project at the former Butler Shipyards in Superior. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Jean; a daughter, Barbara (Greg) Guenard, Superior; three grandchildren, Scott, Erik and Kevin Guenard; three great-granddaughters, Taylor, Karena and Olivia Guenard; and one great-grandson, Trevor Guenard. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Florence Biver, and two brothers, Henry and Alfred Biver. He was currently a member of Cathedral of Christ the King and a longtime member of the former St. Stanislaus Catholic Church where he served on the parish council, as a lector and an usher. He was also member and president of Holy Name Society of St. Stanislaus Church, a lifetime member of Bishop Annabring Council of the Superior Knights of Columbus, a former member of the National Association of Power Engineers, Superior Elks Lodge No. 403 and the United Commercial Travelers. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. Friday in the William Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, where a Catholic vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. and an Elks memorial service conducted by Past Exalted Rulers Association of Superior Elks Lodge No. 403 follows at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Cathedral of Christ the King with Fr. Dan Dahlberg as celebrant. Interment icon will be in Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Scott, Erik and Kevin Guenard, John and George Skandel and Kurt Graves.

Joyce L. Ryan, formerly of 2315 Banks Ave., died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1998, in Lakeshore Lutheran Home in Duluth. Born July 9, 1919 in Buhl, Minn., she resided in Superior most of her life. She was owner/manager of the former Personal Apparel store in Superior for many years. Surviving are two sisters, Birdie Clune, San Diego, Calif., and Connie Nehring, Hibbing, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 1972. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Hibbing. Inurnment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Downs Funeral Home in Superior is in charge of arrangements.

Arnold Francis Seppa, Plymouth, Minn., formerly of Superior, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1998, in New Hope, Minn. Born Feb. 1, 1918 in Swan Lake, Minn., he had resided in Superior for 14 years before moving to Plymouth. He was a member of a Masonic lodge in Duluth. Surviving are his wife, Mae; a daughter, Diane (Leroy) Johnson of Fort Collins, Colo.; two sons, David Seppa of Plymouth, and Daniel Seppa of Duluth; step-children, Bonnie Peterson of Istanbul, Turkey, Patsy Bolk of St. Louis Park, Minn., and Dale Bolk of Bloomington, Minn.; five grandchildren, Lorrie, Perry, Christian, Jesse and Joseph; step-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Gearty-Delmore Chapel of Plymouth (37th Avenue North and Vicksburg Lane). Interment icon will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled Sunday from 3-6 p.m. at the funeral home.

Ruth A. (Spencer) Maier, 80, of 1516 Hughitt Ave., died Sunday, Nov. 8, 1998, in Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Columbus, Nebraska and had been a longtime Superior resident. After graduating from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Duluth as a registered nurse, she had practiced as an RN for many years in Superior and Duluth hospitals. She was a longtime member of the United Presbyterian Church in Superior (formerly Hammond Avenue Presbyterian Church) and was active in many of its women’s organizations. Surviving are one daughter, Kathy (Wayne Mack) Spencer, Superior; two sons, David (Kathy Empie) Spencer, Superior, and Dan Spencer, Wayzata, Minn.; a stepson, Andy Maier, Verndale, Minn.; and two granddaughters. The funeral is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19 at the United Presbyterian Church (formerly Hammond Avenue Church) with Rev. Henry Hanna officiating. Visitation in the church that day will be from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service. Interment icon will be in the family lot at Greenwood Cemetery. Downs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

James C. Sauter, 71, a retired Great Lakes port official from northern Wisconsin, died Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1998, at the Munroe Regional Medical Center, Ocala, Fla. Born Jan. 10, 1927 in Superior to Clarence and Marie Sauter, he had resided in Summerfield, Fla., for the past 13 years. Sauter was a Navy veteran of World War II, past president of the Superior Jaycees and his memberships included Superior Elks Lodge #403, VFW Post #8083, Moose Lodge #1014, the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He was also past president of the Ocala Central Good Sam's camping association and the Port of Duluth Propeller Club. He served as a director of the Superior-Douglas County Development Association for 10 years and the Superior Police and Fire Commission for 12 years. An Eagle Scout, Sauter remained active in the Boy Scouts of America for over 30 years. He spent the majority of his career involved in waterfront activities on the Great Lakes, including owning and operating a stevedoring contracting company in the Twin Ports and serving as port director for both Superior and in Ogdensburg, N.Y. After purchasing the Poplar Golf Course in 1964, he developed it into the area’s first complete camping and recreation area. Survivors include his wife, Marlene of Summerfield; sons, Tim (Nannette) Sauter, Superior, Jeff (Donna) Sauter, Eau Claire, and Mark (Cynthia) Sauter, Midland, Mich.: a daughter, Mary Kay, Superior; and stepchildren, Ken White, Anoka, Minn., and Jim White and Laurie (Paul) Tousignant, both of Superior; a brother, Thomas (Dolores) Sauter, Milwaukee; and 13 grandchildren. Visitation will be held Sunday from 5-7 p.m. at Downs Funeral Home, Superior, with a wake service at 6 p.m. to be conducted by Fr. James Tobolski of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. An Elks memorial service follows at 6:30 p.m. The family would appreciate any memorials being directed to United Cerebral Palsy (UCP).

Esther Knoll, 95, Lake Nebagamon, died Friday, Nov. 13, 1998, at Middle River Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Feb. 21, 1903, in Drummond, Norway, and moved to the United States in 1912, living in the Solon Springs and Lake Nebagamon areas since. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Lake Nebagamon, the Presbyterian Women, American Legion Auxiliary of Douglas County and the garden and homemakers clubs and PTA, all in Lake Nebagamon. Surviving are a son, Hans Knoll Jr., Lake Nebagamon; two daughters, Irene Wedan, Lake Nebagamon and Elaine Miller, Hawthorne; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hans Sr., in 1969, and two brothers, Trix and Harry Bravig. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Nebagamon. Pastor David Heyser will officiate, with interment to be in Lake Nebagamon Cemetery. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home and resumes Wednesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the service. Pallbearers will be grandchildren Jeff, Gary, Roger, Garett, Ryan, Jody, Greg, Kevin, Leonard, Lenny, Daniel, Brian, Jim, Tim, Matthew, Trevor and Jake. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Lake Nebagamon.

Leonard Wilbur Moyer, 71, of Solon Springs, died Friday, Nov. 13, 1998, in the town of Amnicon. He was born July 6, 1927, in Hayward, the son of Samuel and Nina (Roberts) Moyer. In 1944 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II until 1946. He was united in marriage to Betty McFarland in Pine City, Minn., on Oct. 23, 1953, and the couple lived in Superior. They then lived in St. Paul, South Dakota and California prior to returning to the Hayward area. Moyer was employed as a mechanic by Gillis Motors in Hayward. They then moved to Gordon where he was co-manager of a cranberry marsh, and moved to Solon Springs in 1987. He is survived by one son, Leonard, Solon Springs; five daughters, Sera (Ted) Brunberg, Lewis, Wis., Darlene Moyer, Hollywood, Calif., Lennette (Louie) Due, Hayward, Vicki (Steve) Lewandowski, Lindenhurst, Ill., and Carol (Cary) Strenke, Minong; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Leslie (Ellen) Moyer, Solon Springs; three sisters, Hazel (Roland) Nyhus, Mildred Tripp and Betty Love, all of Springbrook; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 1996; a daughter, Elaine; seven brothers, Frank, Charles, Clarence "Bill, " James Allen, Ernie, Hyle and Jay Moyer; and two sisters, Mary Peterson and Viola Crane. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Hayward Wesleyan Church. The Rev. Mark Wilson will officiate, with interment to be in Greenwood Cemetery, Hayward, with military rites accorded by the Hayward Veterans Council. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Monday at Koerpel Funeral Home in Hayward. Casket bearers will be Allen, Darren and Matt Moyer, special bearer Ronnie Moyer, and Jeff and Steve Tripp. Anderson-Nathan Funeral Home in Hayward is in charge of arrangements.

Earl F. Roberts, 69, of 2014 Ogden Ave., died Sunday, Nov. 15, 1998, in the St. Mary’s Medical Center Hospice Unit in Duluth. He was born Nov. 6, 1929, in Superior and resided in the Superior area most of his life. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was employed by Harvest States Grain Elevator as a grain miller for over 40 years before his retirement. He was a member of Cathedral of Christ the King and the American Cribbage Congress. Surviving are two sons, Steven (Ruth) Roberts and Robbin Roberts, both of Plymouth, Minn.; a sister, Rose Gault, Superior; and two grandchildren, Ericka and Paul Roberts, both of Plymouth. He was preceded in death by his wife, Petra Roberts; a daughter, Marsha Kay Roberts; his parents, Edward and Laura Roberts; three brothers, Donald, Warren and William Roberts, and two sisters, Florence Oranger and Ruth Moyer. Visitation begins at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the William Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, where a Catholic vigil service will be conducted at 5 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Cathedral of Christ the King with Fr. Dan Dahlberg as celebrant. Chaplain Deb Cooper will present the eulogy. Interment icon will be in Riverside Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jim Card, Don Crist, John Wuori, Roland Crist, Don Roberts and Ray Tokarczyk. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Hospice Unit in Duluth.

Robert Alver Adamson, 86, formerly of Superior, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1998, in Oak Ridge, Tenn. He was born in Superior in 1912 and studied at Superior State College and the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He moved to Baltimore, Md., in 1939 to join the newly-established Social Security Administration, where he worked for 30 years as an analytical statistician. In 1971 he moved to Green Valley, Ariz., and later to Oak Ridge, Tenn., to be near his family. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen Adamson, originally Helen Beekman of Port Wing; two daughters, Dr. Jean Adamson Solomon and Verna Suit; twin grandsons, Charles and Robert Solomon; and two great-grandsons.

Charles Elmer Smith, 53, a resident of Franklin Park, Ill., died Monday, Nov. 16, 1998, at Elmhurst Hospital. He was born June 18, 1945 in Salem, N.J., to Elmer and Elsie (Lawler) Smith. He moved with his family to Solon Springs in 1947 and graduated from St. Croix High School in 1963. He worked in Racine, and then served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He returned to the Racine/Kenosha area, and had been employed as the manager of the parts department at Dan Wolf Pontiac in La Grange, Ill. He was a member of Grace Community Church in Schiller Park, Ill., and the John Deere Two Cylinder Club. Survivors include his wife, Mary (Isom) Smith, Franklin Park; a son, Travis Charles, and a daughter, Jamie Eileen, both of Franklin Park; a sister, Alice Smith Basoms, Wilmette, Ill.; a brother, Dan (Grace) Smith, Delano, Minn.; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Christopher. A visitation and funeral will be on Wednesday evening at Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home in Franklin Park. A second visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. Friday at Brown Funeral Home in Solon Springs, followed by a funeral at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Milton Holmquist, pastor of Northwoods Community Church, officiating. Interment icon will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Solon Springs. Military honors will be accorded by Lockman-Jensen American Legion Post #499.

June I. (Waggoner) Bjelland, 70, of Barron, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1998, at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire. She was born June 5, 1928, in the town of Frog Creek in Washburn County, Wisconsin, to Cyrus John and Alice (Rogers) Waggoner. She grew up in Minong and graduated from Minong High School. She worked in Minneapolis for a short time before moving to Barron in 1948. Her marriage to Conrad "Connie" Bjelland took place on May 28, 1949, in Pine City, Minn. She worked first for Swant Bros. Motors in Barron and then for the Barron Farmers Union Cooperative for many years as a bookkeeper. After her retirement she worked in the Pro Shop at the Rolling Oaks Golf Course in Barron. She was active with the Barron Election Board and was a member of the First Lutheran Church and the Ladies Group there. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary, hospital volunteer, ladies golf league and the Snow Bears Snowmobile Club. She organized the Forest Point Open Golf Tournament at Eau Claire Lakes and ran it for 26 years. She enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, gardening and playing cards. She was a supporter of the Barron Youth Golf Program. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church in Barron, with the Rev. Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Friends may call at Rausch-Rockman Funeral Home in Barron from 4-8 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be at Wayside Cemetery in Barron She is survived by a daughter, Vickie (Donald) Sydejko of Eau Claire; a son, Rick (Pat) Bjelland, Barron; one stepdaughter, Patricia (Joseph) Goetz, Cushing; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; five brothers, Michael (Marge) Waggoner, Minong, Cyrus "Pat" Waggoner, Joe Waggoner, Minong, Wayne (Joy) Waggoner, Cameron, and Steve (Kitty) Waggoner, Minong and four sisters, Kaye (Ken) McShane, Sue (Harold "Moose”) Sutherland and Jane (Leon) McDowell, all of Minong, and Deloris "Snooks" Craft of Virginia Beach, Va. She was preceded in death by her husband Connie in 1989, her parents, three brothers, Jack, Bill and Art, and two sisters, Nan Rydberg and Betty Prescott.

Darlene Mary Philipich, 62, Iron River, died Thursday, Nov. 12, 1998, in St. Mary’s Hospital Hospice Center in Superior following a lengthy battle with cancer. She was born Aug. 21, 1936, in Duluth, and graduated from Duluth Central High School. She enjoyed taking care of the many flower beds at her home overlooking Iron Lake, was an avid cribbage player and loved playing many other card games. Two of her many favorite pastimes were reading and watching the Minnesota Vikings. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Mildred Cameron; a brother, James Cameron; and a sister, Lorraine Macrae. Surviving are her husband, James Philipich, Iron River; a daughter, Lynette Broadwell, Superior; two sons, Kevin (Sue) Anderson, Superior, and Corey Philipich, Aurora, Colo.; a sister, Nancy (David) Coleman, Duluth; a brother, Gerald (Rosemary) Cameron, Saginaw, Mich.; two grandsons, Michael Broadwell and Devin Anderson, both of Superior; her special friends, Tom and Sandy Martineau, Iron River; many nephews and nieces; and several other special friends. A memorial service will be at Iron River VFW Post No. 10197 on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Julia P. Shook, 94, of Banks Avenue, died on Saturday, Nov. 14, 1998, in St. Mary's Hospital of Superior. She was born in Oulu on Feb. 12, 1904, to Alexander and Anna Lisa Salo, and had lived in Superior for most of her life. She was a lifetime member of the Superior-Douglas County Senior Center, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees affiliated with AFL-CIO, and was a cook at the Patzau grade school. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Francis Noyes, in 1948; second husband, Archie Shook, in 1968; brothers Andrew, Richard and Reino Salo, Victor, William and Walter Halonen; sisters Marion Walcome, Rose Nipper and Anne Moorey; one son, Wallace Noyes; and a daughter, Dorothy McGuire. Surviving are a brother, Wallace Halonen in Superior; grandsons, William (Debra) Noyes in Anaheim Hills, Calif., and Steve (Terry) Noyes in Pewaukee; granddaughters Patti (Ken) Albert in Independence, Iowa, Rhonda L. Riche in Kansas City, Mo.; one step-daughter, Evelyn Durgy in Danbury, Conn.; numerous nieces and nephews; four great-granddaughters; and one great-great-granddaughter. A private family service will be at Thompson-Hegstrom Funeral Home, with the Rev. Waldo Johnson officiating. Interment icon will be at Greenwood Cemetery.

Charles B. Persons, 89, Brainerd, Minn., died Sunday, Nov. 15, 1998, at his home. He was born to Gustav and Lottie Persons of Onamia, Minn., on April 26, 1909. During World War II he served as a major in the Signal Corps at the Pentagon and helped develop radar technology. He married his wife June on Aug. 30, 1945. He was a pioneer broadcaster who built dozens of radio stations for the Arrowhead Network in Minnesota for 28 years. He built WELY radio in Ely in 1954, and also built a TV cable system in Ely, one of the first in Minnesota. He was president of Marshfield Valtronics cable systems in Marshfield and Merrill, Wis., in the 1960s. He started KVBR radio in Brainerd in 1964 and operated it with his wife June for 29 years. He was most remembered for his Sunday radio chat, "Little Cafe Down the Street", and live reports from the KVBR airplane. He wrote many articles for flying magazines in his 30 career as a private pilot. Since retiring from KVBR in 1993, he published four books on radio broadcasting and flying. In 1980, he was presented the "Minnesota Pioneer Broadcaster Award, " the highest award given by the Minnesota Broadcasters Association. He was a longtime member of the Brainerd Rotary Club and was a well-known speaker at area clubs. He was an avid ham radio operator, amateur photographer and computer enthusiast. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Brainerd. Survivors include his wife; six sons, Roger, Wheaton, III., Richard, Aurora, Ill., Garry, Edina, Minn., Mark and Scott of Brainerd, and Robert, Eden Prairie, Minn; nine grandchildren, including Paul and Tabatha of Brainerd; and a sister, Alice Duncan, Napa, Calif. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Brainerd with the Rev. Ronald Green officiating. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Duluth. Friends may call at the Halverson-Johnson Funeral Home in Brainerd from 4-7:30 p.m. Friday and at the church one hour prior to the service.

Richard E. Otier (Col.-U.S.A.F.-retired), Tacoma, Wash., formerly of Superior, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1998, at his home. Born Oct. 23, 1921, in Superior, he graduated from Superior Cathedral High School in 1939 and attended Wisconsin State University in 1940. In 1940 he joined the Wisconsin National Guard and was called to active duty with the Medical Detachment, 32nd lnfantry Division. He piloted 43 bombing missions in a B-24 in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. He was pilot rated on B-25, B-29, B-47 bombers and C-47, C-124, and C-133 transports. He retired on Feb. 3, 1973. He was awarded the Bronze Star in 1972 for action in Vietnam and received the “Secretary Scroll of Appreciation” in 1998 for his work with the Retiree Activities Program at McChord Air Base. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dorothea; two sons, Richard and Michael; grandchildren Alexander and Rachel; and sisters Mary and Margaret. A memorial Mass and reception will be at St. John Basco Catholic Church, 10508 112th St. S.W., Tacoma, on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Military burial services will be at 1:15 p.m. that day at Tacoma Cemetery, 9221 Chambers Creek Rd. W., Tacoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the cancer, lung or heart associations. Richard E. Otier (Col.-U.S.A.F.-retired), Tacoma, Wash., formerly of Superior, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1998, at his home; a memorial Mass and reception will be held at St. John Basco Catholic Church, 10508 112th St. S.W., Tacoma, on Tuesday at 11 a.m.; military burial services will be held at 1:15 p.m. that day at Tacoma Cemetery, 9221 Chambers Creek Rd. W., Tacoma.

Doris E. (Hooker) Byorni, 89, of 2008 N. 58th St., died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998, at St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior’s Hospice Unit. She was born Oct. 22, 1909, in Trade Lake, Wis., to John and Ella (Melin) Olson, and resided in Trade Lake until moving to Superior in 1929. A longtime member of the former Trinity United Methodist Church and its Joy Circle, she was a current member of Faith United Methodist Church. Surviving are her husband, William, whom she married July 27, 1970; two sons, Gary (Judy) Hooker, Superior, and John (Jean) Hooker, South Range; a daughter, Gloria (Tom) Simonson, Cambridge, Minn.; two stepsons, John (Elfie) Byorni, South Bend, Ind., and Tim (Darlene) Byorni, Superior; 18 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Edson F. Hooker, on Oct. 23, 1964, an infant daughter, Gail Hooker, her parents and a brother, Lester Olson. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. Friday in Downs Funeral Home, where the funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday. Pastor Joan E. Goebel of Faith United Methodist Church will officiate, with the eulogy to be given by Mrs. Byorni’s granddaughter, Holly Levy. Interment icon will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tom and Gary Simonson, Jay Overbee, Bob Levy, Jim Smokrovich and Chris Manderfeld. Honorary pallbearers will be David Hooker and John Gilmore.

Roselyn Janigo
Roselyn Janigo, 80, of Iron River, died Friday, Nov. 20, 1998, at the Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Dec. 15, 1917, in Marshfield, the daughter of John and Catherine (Strieff) Schneider. She married Thomas Y. Janigo on Feb. 18, 1936. She was a homemaker, farmer, was employed by Munsingwear and a member of the Iron River Rebekah Lodge. She enjoyed homemaking, church activities, doing crafts, and in her later years, playing cards, solving "Find A Word" puzzles and polka dancing. Surviving are two daughters, Patricia (David) Taylor of Hot Springs, Ark., and Kathleen (Mike) Kelly of Conway, Ark.; one son, Robert (Rosemary) Janigo of Iron River; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and special friend and polka partner, Mervin Lindelof of Iron River. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Thomas; her brothers Al, Joe (Helen), and Herb (Norma) Schneider; and sisters Irene (John) Berweger, Maire (Ed) Berweger, Cecelia (John) Petrack and Agnes (Frank) Zifko. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Ashland. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the church prior to the service. The Rev. Alois Gabrus, OFM, will officiate. BuriaI will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery. Schafer-Mountain Funeral Homes of Ashland and Bayfield is handling arrangements.

V. S. “Syd” Skamser
V. S. “Syd” Skamser, 96, La Mesa, Calif., formerly of Superior, died Saturday, Nov. 21, 1998, after a short illness. He was born in Superior and grew up in Billings Park. He was employed here by the Superior Water, Light and Power Co. as a meter reader prior to moving to Los Angeles when a young man. He was also a meter reader there and later went into business for himself. He invented a tool called the Spindriver and was involved in its manufacture. He was also an accomplished musician, specializing in the violin. He served as concertmaster of several Los Angeles symphonies, developed a teaching program called Violin Science, taught the violin and studied in Germany. He was also conversant in several foreign languages including German, Spanish and Japanese. He and his wife of over 50 years, the former Edith Henderson, resided in Los Angeles for many years prior to moving to the San Diego area about 15 years ago. He is survived by his wife, Edith; two nephews, Gordon of Henderson, Nev., and Paul of Superior; two nieces, Elizabeth and Helen, both of the Los Angeles area; a cousin, Harold, Walnut Creek, Calif., as well as numerous grandnephews, grandnieces, great-grandnephews and great-grandnieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Tilla Skamser; three brothers, Paul, Clarence and Morgan, and a sister, Gertrude Person. Services and cremation are in California.

Mary E. Lent
Mary E. Lent, 97, of 2415 E. 5th St., died Saturday, Nov. 21, 1998, at Villa-Marina Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born June 9, 1901, in Superior, and resided here all of her life. A homemaker, she was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and its Altar Society. She had previously worked for priests in Webster for over 14 years and more recently worked at St. Francis Xavier Church in Superior. She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew; a son, Donald; her parents, Margaret and John Bennett; and eight brothers and sisters. Surviving are two daughters, Mary Berchild, Superior, and Betty Holmquist, Little Canada, Minn.; one son, Richard Lent, Madison; 30 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Visitation begins at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, where a Rosary service will be conducted at 5:30 p.m. by the St. Francis Altar Society, followed by a Catholic vigil service at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with the Rev. James Tobolski as celebrant. Interment icon will be at St. Francis Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bob, Jeff and Greg Lent and Andy, Toni and Riki Ronchak.

Sigfred Swanson
Sigfred Swanson, 90, 1800 New York Ave., formerly of the Poplar and Cloverland areas, died Sunday, Nov. 22, 1998, at St. Francis Home in the Park. He was born Feb. 8, 1908, in Colon, Neb., and had owned and operated a dairy farm in Cloverland. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Poplar, the Maple Cooperative Association and served as a town board member for the town of Cloverland. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nels and Matilda Swanson; a brother, Leonard Swanson; and a sister, Olga Holmes. Surviving are a nephew, Jerald (Georgia) Swanson, Poplar; four nieces, Sharon (Jim) Bortnem, Hawley, Minn., Beth (Jerry) Culhane, Port Angeles, Wash., and Carole (Bob) Laswell, Park City, Utah, and Fern Miller, Wahoo, Neb.; and a sister-in-law, Betty Swanson, Sequim, Wash. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:30 a.m. funeral Wednesday at Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Day of Peace Lutheran Church in Poplar officiating. Interment icon will be in the Poplar Cemetery.

Arthur I. Rautio
Arthur I. Rautio, 79, died Saturday, Nov. 21, 1998, at Villa-Marina Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born in Wentworth on June 14, 1919, to Jacob and Sofie (Hendrickson) Rautio and grew up in the town of Lakeside. He graduated from high school while attending a Civilian Conservation Corps camp at Pattison Park. He started working for the Douglas County Highway Department on June 6, 1944, as a patrolman and retired on Jan. 3, 1986, as the Douglas County highway commissioner. He was a member of Bayside Baptist Church, United Commercial Travelers #333 and the National Association of the Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and two sisters. Survivors include his wife, Nancy; a sister Helene Lawson of Louisville, Ky.; nephews Lannie Haglund of Greenfield, Wis., Craig Haglund of Rochester, Minn., Robert Haglund of St. Paul, and Larry and David Weisenthal of California; and nieces Janeen Nelson of Duluth, Sheila Nelson of Apple Valley, Minn., and Jackie Phillips of Wausau. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Bayside Baptist Church with the Rev. Leonard Carlson officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Thompson-Hegstrom Funeral Home and continues one hour prior to the service in the church. Interment icon will be in the family lot in Lakeside Cemetery.

Donna M. Dahlberg
Donna M. Dahlberg, 56, of Gordon, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1998, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Duluth. She was born Jan. 5, 1942, in Bruno, Minn., and graduated from the former Superior Central High School. She was employed for many years as a telephone operator by Wisconsin Bell Telephone Co. before her retirement. She was a former member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Superior, the Women of the Moose in Superior, the Wisconsin Telephone Pioneers and the American Association of Retired Persons. Surviving are her husband of 25 years, Donald, of Gordon; one son, Todd Wangerin, Steger, Ill.; a daughter, Traci (Scott) Roske, South Range; a stepson, Bradley (Lauri) Dahlberg, Minneapolis; one stepdaughter, Lori (Aleksei) Gershun, Southberry, Conn.; two brothers, Kenneth (Lois) Peterson, St. Paul, and Leonard (Patricia) Peterson, of Gordon; three sisters, Marie (Wesley) Strom, of Gordon, Arlene (Skip) Jacobson, Sun Prairie, Wis., and Gloria (Donald) Snow, Watertown; and five grandchildren, Ashley, Shawn and Samantha Roske, all of South Range, and Josef and Alix Gershun, both of Southberry. She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Myrtle Peterson, and a stepson, Denton “Denny” Dahlberg. A private family service will be Saturday at William Downs-LeSage Funeral Home. The Rev. Scott Ludford of Concordia Lutheran Church will officiate, with interment to be in the Gordon Cemetery.

George M. Okash
George M. Okash, 83, of 303 East 3rd St. died Friday, Nov. 20, 1998, at St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior following a lengthy illness. He was born Oct. 19, 1915, in Gary, New Duluth and had been a resident of Superior since childhood. Okash was employed by Burlington Northern Railroad, Superior/Duluth. He also was a charter member of the International Longshoremen’s Union since the 1930s. He retired in 1980. He was a member of St. George Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church in Gary. He was a member of the Superior Elks, the Eagles Club and the Democratic party. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a life member of the Henry S. Blomberg VFW Post No. 847 in Superior. He is survived by one daughter, Patrica, Superior; two sons, Nicholas, Superior, and Michael (Kathy), Tampa, Fla.; six grandchildren, Abby, Todd, Michelle, Scott, Kristine and Toni-lisa; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Michael and Alex; four sisters, Molly Spaun, Dorthy Gamsa, Mary Campbell and Lorraine (Cookie) Panyon, all of the Superior area. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nickola and Pearl; one brother, Danny; and three sisters, Millie, Daisy and Sophia. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at St. George Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church in Gary with the Rev. Milan Zbiljich officiating. Internment will be in Greenwood Cemetery with a full military salute from the Henry S. Blomberg VFW Post #847. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. Monday at William Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, where a Pomen service will be at 6 p.m. by the Rev. Zbiljich. An Elks memorial service will be at 6:30 p.m., which will be conducted by the Past Exalted Rulers Association of Superior’s Elks Lodge #403. Pallbearers will be James Beckwell, Royce McKinnon, Jerry Avery, Jim Fredrickson, James D. Lancour and Robert Reed. Honorary pallbearers are Don Lancour, Pat Ward, Ed Wiss, John White, Sam Goldberg, Don Jasper and Tom Fisher.

Helen M. Ivey
Helen M. Ivey, 97, of 2320 Tower Ave., died Saturday, Oct. 24, 1998, in her home. She was born June 4, 1901, in Superior, graduated from the former Superior Central High School and the former Superior State Teachers College. A longtime educator having taught in Dorchester, Wis., and more recently with the Pattison and Franklin Elementary schools in Superior before retiring in approximately 1960 after many years of service. She was a member of Hope Congregational Church in Superior, the Wisconsin Retired Educators Association and the former Superior Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, having volunteered her time in the hospital gift shop. Surviving are her sister, Grace Erlanson, Superior; three nephews, Harris “Bill” Erlanson, Vero Beach, Fla., James Ivey, Deer Park, Wis., and Daniel Ivey, Webster, Fla.; a niece, Virginia DiGuiseppe, Annandale, Va.; and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Dorothy Ivey, two brothers, Fred and John Ivey, and a sister, Emma Ivey. Visitation begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday and continues until the 2 p.m. memorial service in the William Downs-LeSage Funeral Home. Interment icon will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Constance Northam Strang
Constance Northam Strang, 96, formerly of Superior, died Monday, Nov. 23, 1998, in Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. She was born Feb. 23, 1902, in Superior. She was the first president of the Owl and Serpent Honorary Club of the Superior Normal School and a member of the Eastern Star in Frederic. She was the widow of Attorney Clive Strang. She is survived by a son, Dr. David Strang, Drum, Pa.; two sisters, Mae Anderson, Virginia Beach, Va., and Gladys Chellman, Eau Claire; two daughters-in-law, Jean Strang, Barron, and Caroline Brandstad, Richmond, Va.; six grandchildren, Kate, Wendy, Mark, Kirk, Clive and John Strang; nieces, Constance Pedersen and Nancy Sanvideo; and several nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Andrea Northam, sisters, Nora Pink and Helen Northam, and brothers, Emil, Adolph, Andrew, Oscar and Owen Northam. Memorials may be given to the Grantsburg Methodist Church or the Wisconsin State University Foundation- Superior. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Grantsburg Methodist Church.

Woodroe W. “Woody” Worsley
Woodroe W. “Woody” Worsley, 75, 2852 S. County Road E, South Range, died Thursday, Nov. 26, 1998, in St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior. He was born June 24, 1923, in Superior and was a lifelong area resident. He formerly owned and operated the Nakoma and Rainbow Mobile Home Parks and also the Log Cabin Bar. He was also employed as a carpenter by Jacques Construction and Carl Nelson Contracting. A World War II veteran, serving as a lieutenant junior grade in the Merchant Marines, he was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Superior, AMVETS and was a former longtime member OF the local Carpenters and Teamsters unions. Surviving are his wife, Audrey; one daughter, Candy (Curt) Julson, South Haven, Minn.; three sons, Phillip (Betsy) Worsley, Louisville, Ky., Scott (Mary) Worsley, Bloomer, Wis., and James Worsley, Comstock, Wis.; a brother, William Worsley, South Range; two sisters, Bernice Baldwin and Lorna Mae (Spencer) Sanders, both of Hibbing, Minn.; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Superior with Fr. Leon Flaherty as celebrant. Friends may call at Downs Funeral Home after 5 p.m. Friday, and on Saturday in the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service.

Mary Louise Larson
Mary Louise Larson, 74, formerly of 5201 S. Swamp Road, South Range, died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1998, at St. Mary’s Hospital of Superior’s Hospice Unit. She was born May 16, 1924, in New Lisbon, Wis., and had resided in South Range since moving from Milwaukee in 1943. She had been a patient at Middle River Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hawthorne for the past two and one-half years. She was a graduate of Mauston High School, a member of the South Range Presbyterian Church and its Presbyterian Women and was a member of the Douglas County Foster Parent Program. She and her husband also acted as a host family for high school exchange students. She was actively involved in the community as a volunteer, whether it be helping out neighbors or community charities. She and her husband, George Alvin Larson, who died Nov. 6, 1998, were married June 9, 1943. Surviving are two daughters, Marian (Merton) Lendborg, Deerfield, Wis., and Kerry (Jim) Rusk, Keller, Texas; three sons, Richard (Jennifer) Larson, Poplar, David (Leona) Larson, South Range, and Gaynor (Diana) Larson, Littleton, Colo.; 11 grandchildren, Joshua, Kristi and Brian Rusk, Craig, Marie, Phillip, Matthew and Michelle Larson and Robin, Brian and Timothy Piper; four great-grandchildren, Samantha Hall and Natasha, Mark and Jessica Piper; a sister, Jeanette (Maurice) Walsh, Carmichael, Calif.; a brother, Kenneth Wells, Elkhorn, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth and Reskcome Wells. Visitation in the Downs Funeral Home will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, with prayer service at 6:30 p.m. conducted by Rev. Amy Hunt of Presbyterian Pioneer Parish. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home with Rev. H. Duane Aslyn of the Presbyterian Pioneer Parish officiating. Interment icon will be in the Parkview Cemetery, Hawthorne. Grandchildren will serve as active and honorary pallbearers.


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