Vernon Broadcaster - Printable Version

Story originally printed in the Vernon Broadcaster or online at www.vernonbroadcaster.com

Published - Friday, May 09, 2008

Obituaries for week of May 8, 2008

By publication staff

John Wayne Crawford

John Wayne Crawford was born April 12, 1918, on the Crawford family farm near Waterloo, Iowa, the son of John Glen Crawford and Edith Lohberger Crawford.

He attended local schools graduating from St. Mary High School in Waterloo with the class of 1935. Wayne was united in marriage to Mary Catherine Hagarty on April 2, 1940, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greene, Iowa. To this union were born 17 children. Throughout their lives, farming and raising livestock and children was their focus. They began farming on the Crawford family farm and in 1946 moved to the Reis family farm in Floyd County, farming for nine years. On March 4, 1954, they purchased and moved to their present farm southwest of Winthrop, Iowa. Wayne also worked as a psychiatric aide in the Cromwell unit at the Mental Health Institute in Independence for 21 years, from 1961 until 1982. Wayne and Catherine were honored as Iowa State University Parents of the Year in 1978 for having 12 children attend and 10 children graduate from the university. They held the distinction of being the only honored couple not to be ISU alumni. Catherine entered into her eternal rest on March 24, 2001, after 61 years of marriage. Wayne lived his faith and was a longtime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Winthrop. He dearly loved farming, tending to his livestock's daily feeding and his black lab dogs. He cared for his cows, calves, lambs and pigs, giving names to many. He enjoyed gardening and growing wild flowers, especially hollyhocks. He drove his restored first tractor, a 1937 Oliver, in the 2007 Winthrop and Independence parades. It is permanently stored at Heartland Acres in Independence.

Wayne entered into his eternal rest on Friday, May 2, 2008, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, following a brief illness at the age of 90.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Cyril and Myron; his wife, Catherine; his son-in-law, Dan Osterhaus; his grandson, Isaac Crawford; and his great-grandsons, Marty Falkers and Tim Martens.

Survivors include his 12 sons and five daughters, Robert of Winthrop, Iowa, Mary (Mario) Compean of San Antonio, Texas, Jane (Bill) Falkers of Genoa, John (Kathy) of Independence; Dan (Ruth) of Independence; Ron (Dianne) of Independence; Rose (Jeff) Grover of Independence; Margaret (Lyle) Hosch of Independence; Larry (Sarah) of Independence; Russell of Exira; Pete (Jolene) of Red Oak; Kenny (Lila) of Vail; Terry (Connie) of Denison; Mike (Page) of Nevada; Steve (Audrey) of Nevada; Dennis (Renny) of Grinnell; and Patricia (Mike) Buscher of Mundelein, Illinois; 47 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Winthrop, Iowa, with Father Aloysius Vorwald officiating. Casketbearers were Wayne's 12 sons. Honorary bearers were Dean and Barb Gritton and Robert Burns. Interment was in St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Cemetery at Eagle Center. Friends called on Monday afternoon and evening, May 5, 2008, at the Fawcett Funeral Home in Winthrop, Iowa, with a rosary and a Scripture Service.

The Fawcett Funeral Home of Winthrop assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fawcettsfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Dareld Hanson

Dareld Hanson, age 82, of Viroqua, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2008, at the Bethel Home in Viroqua.

He was born June 9, 1925, in Crawford County to Andrew and Mary (Towers) Hanson. He married Loretta Chroninger on June 22, 1945. After their marriage, he drove a moving van and they lived in various places. For a while he worked at Badger Ordnance Works in Baraboo. They later farmed and he raised mink and bees. He owned and operated Hanson Honey Farm. He belonged to the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association and the Viroqua Eagles Club.

He is survived by his wife, Loretta of Viroqua; three sons, Marlin (Pat) of Bergland, Michigan, Dennis (Jean) of Viroqua and Duane (Carolyn) of Stoddard; one daughter, Elaine (Dale) Haugrud of Viroqua; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren and four stepgreat-grandchildren; and two brothers, Orie Hanson of Viroqua and Reuben (Emma) Hanson of Red Mound.

He was preceded in death by one infant son; eight sisters, Myrtle, Lena, Sena, Josie, Agnes, Eldora and two infant sisters; and three brothers, John, Andrew and an infant brother.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, May 4, 2008, at Peace Lutheran Church in Readstown. Pastor Ron Doll officiated and burial was in the Viola Cemetery. Friends called at the Sime Funeral Home in Readstown on Saturday evening and on Sunday at the church before the time of services. Memorials may be given to St. Judes Hospital and the Vernon County Aging Unit. Condolences may be sent to simefuneralforum.com.

Clarence A. Hauge

Clarence A. Hauge, age 85 of Vernon Manor Nursing Home, and formerly of De Soto, died Thursday, May 1, 2008.

Clarence was born December 8, 1922, in the town of Franklin to Alfred and Mabel (Olson) Hauge. He was a member of the Freeman Lutheran Church, rural Ferryville. Clarence worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad from August 1949 n June 1984. He lived in Ferryville most of his life and following his marriage to Mabel Gee on July 5, 1968, they moved to De Soto.

Clarence is survived by a brother, Oscar Hauge at Vernon Manor in Viroqua; sisters, Marlene Swiggum of Viroqua, Mary (John) Sutton of Westby and Janet Munson of Maplewood, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mabel; two sisters, Priscilla Moore and Pearl Beaston; seven brothers, Kermit, Arthur, Thomas, Rueben, Chester, Alvin and Odean.

Clarence liked to visit and have coffee with people. He was a kind and gentle man.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 5, 2008, at the Freeman Lutheran Church, rural Ferryville. Pastor Libby Howe officiated with burial in the Freeman Church Cemetery. Friends called on Sunday afternoon at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua. Friends also called at the church on Monday before the time of services. Online condolences may be offered at www.vos seteigfuneral homes.com.

The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral of Viroqua served the family.

Earl Ralph Ghelf

Earl Ralph Ghelf, age 83 of E888 Ghelf Rd., De Soto, died Sunday, May 4, 2008, surrounded by his family.

Earl was born September 16, 1924, in Iowa, to John B. and Jenny (Curti) Ghelf. Earl was a World War II veteran serving in Europe. Earl was united in marriage to Doris Hertzfeldt on October 25, 1947, and they owned and operated Mississippi Sports and Recreation (formerly Earl’s Sport Shop). Over the years, Earl worked at De Soto Bank, ran an excavating business and prepared income taxes. He also worked at Metropolitan Insurance, Cabela’s and served on the De Soto School Board. Earl enjoyed playing baseball. He played while in the service and in the minor leagues. He also played softball and pumpkin ball until age 62. He was an excellent bowler and was on many leagues over the years earning many honors.

Earl is survived by his two sons, Ralph “Butch” (Linda) Ghelf and their children Jennifer, Heather, Amber, Nicole (Kevin Hanson), Adam (fiancé Megan Bergen) and Ben; Tom Ghelf and his children, Brittany and Connie, his new wife Tricia and their son Lane; three daughters, Maureen (Curt) Sommerfeld, Kathleen (Charles) Sanborn and their children Stacie, Scott (Heather Brown) and his son Gaven, and Dianne (Terry) Fruth and their children Jon (Jenny) Fruth, children Matthew and Emily and Bambi (Jason) Crager and their children Adrian, Peyton and Kyrie. Earl is also survived by one sister, Mabel Laylan of La Crosse; and one sister-in-law, Beverly Antoniak of Jeannette, Pennsylvania; many other friends and relatives; and Ron the dog.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and two sisters, Gertie and Delia.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2008, from 5-8 p.m. at Mississippi Sports & Recreation (Earl’s Sport Shop), Hwy. 35, De Soto, followed by a luncheon after the service. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhom es.com.

The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of De Soto is serving the family.

Robert Lee Brown

Robert Lee Brown, age 81 of Readstown and formerly of Viola, died Friday, May 2, 2008, at the Wisconsin Home for Veterans in King, Wisconsin.

He was born July 31, 1926, to Guy and Leona Brown of Viola. Bob graduated from Viola High School in 1944, while he served in World War II with a Navy Construction Battalion. He also served as a Seaman 1-E for 19 months in the Pacific Theatre with engagements in Okinawa. He was a cheese grader for many years at John Kirkpatrick Cheese Warehouse in Viola, and then as a welder at Nelson Muffler in Viroqua. Bob served as fire chief for the Viola Volunteer Fire Department from 1959 to 1962 and again from 1975 thru 1978. On March 15, 1995, Bob celebrated 50 years as a charter member of the Viola American Legion Post #447. He was also active in several civic and environmental organizations.

He is survived by his sister, Linda (Ken) Baker of Niagara, Wisconsin; two nieces, Tina (Bill) Straitt of Kenosha, Wisconsin and Beth Ann Baker of Waukesha, Wisconsin; two nephews, Justin (Sara) Baker of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Joshua (Alisha) Baker of Broadhead, Wisconsin; aunt, Margaret Eames; and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Bill Brown.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at the Vosseteig Funeral Home’s Henthorn Memorial Center in Viola. Pastor Laverne Larson officiated. Burial with military rites by Viola American Legion Post #447 was in the Viola Cemetery. Friends called on Tuesday before the time of services. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfu nera lhomes.com.

The Vosseteig Funeral Home’s Henthorn Memorial Center in Viola served the family.

Deloris (Larson) Wilshire

Deloris (Larson) Wilshire, age 83, died April 11, 2008, at her home in Ft. Lauderdale. Florida.

She was born October 31, 1925, in Viroqua, to Alma (Peterson) and I.B. Larson. She married John Wilshire.

Dee is survived by two daughters, Pam and Diane, two grandchildren, John and Chrisy and one great-grandson, all of Florida; one sister, Lois Olson of Westby; and many nieces and nephews.

Burial of the cremains will be in Maine with her husband.