Lavern Arden Lewison
Lavern Arden Lewison, First Sergeant Texas ARNG (Ret.), age 73, died suddenly on Thursday, October 2, 2008, at his home of an apparent heart attack.
He was born on October 14, 1934, in Viroqua, to Melvin C. “Jake” and Fern (Tryggestad) Lewison. He graduated from Viroqua High School in 1952, where he was active in football, basketball, boxing and baseball. He attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Institute of Technology. In April 1957, he enlisted in the Army National Guard and served as an aircraft electronics mechanic until 1994, when he was honorably discharged after 37 ˝ years of service. During his career, he received several medals for outstanding service, most notably the Meritorious Service Medal. He remained active during his retirement years by spending time with family, continuing his love for bowling and golf. He enjoyed watching sports—especially his favorite teams, the Chicago Cubs and the Green Bay Packers.
Lavern is survived by his children, Karen Lewison of Friendswood, Texas, Brian and Renae Lewison of 526 Castle Lake, Friendswood, TX 77546, Doug and Trina (Lewison) Grieco of New Braunfels, Texas; four grandchildren, Kristyna Lewison, Cole Steingraber, Erin Lewison and Jake Lewison; two brothers. Melvin “Mel” (Karen) Lewison of Hartford, Wisconsin and Donald (Gladys) Lewison of Louisville, Kentucky; and other relatives and many friends.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, October 11, 2008, at the Jeter Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Friendswood, Texas with Pastor Steve O’Donohoe officiating. Interment was at the Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas.
Because of Lavern’s participation in athletics while attending Viroqua High School and also his brothers’ Mel and Don participation in athletics at Viroqua High School and their fondness for their home community, the family is directing memorials to the Viroqua Area Foundation at P.O. Box 351, Viroqua, WI 54665, for the new Viroqua School and Community Sports Facility, which includes new rubberized track, football field, tennis courts, concession stand, press box and bleachers.
Online condolences may be made at http://www.jeter funeralhome.com/cur rentservices.php.
Lindahl Luckasson
Lindahl Luckasson, age 85, of Albuquerque, New Mexico and formerly of Cashton, passed away on Friday, August 15, 2008.
He was born on June 11, 1923, to William and Olga (Bertling) Luckasson. He married Virginia Brudos on October 2, 1948. Lindahl was a lifetime farmer and also hauled milk in the Cashton area. After retiring from farming in the early 1980s, Lindahl and Virginia moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lindahl was a loved family member, friend and neighbor.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Virginia; two children, Lynn (Nancy) Luckasson of Cashton and Ruth (Larry Davis) Luckasson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; grandchildren, Lance (Chantell) Luckasson of Anchorage, Alaska, Rebecca (Tucker) Gretebeck of Cashton, Lyndon (Kim) Luckasson of La Crescent, Minnesota, Ashley (Joe) Gierczak of Cashton and Charles Ellis Luckasson of Denver, Colorado; great-grandchildren, Brock, Bren, and Hattie Luckasson of Anchorage, Alaska and Lana Gretebeck and Jace Gierczak of Cashton; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Immanuel (Moen) Lutheran Church, rural Cashton. Visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the church. Lunch will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, should you wish, memorials in Lindahl’s name may be sent to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cashton, to Sugar Creek Bible Camp for the Brudos Building Fund or the charity of your choice.
Rueben “Ben” Simonson
Rueben “Ben” Simonson, age 77, of Bradenton, Florida, formerly of Sarasota, Florida, died October 7, 2008.
He was born in Viroqua, October 2, 1931. He moved to Sarasota in 1960, from Kenosha, Wisconsin. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was a Lutheran and a member of the American Legion Post 24 in Bradenton. Ben spent years in professional photograph finishing and retired from Danka Industries.
Survivors include partner, Loretta Garber of Sarasota; a daughter, Cheryl; a son, Shane; a sister, Beverly of Wisconsin; and four grandchildren, Danny, Jaleigh, Steven and Lucas, and by his daughter-in-law, Sandi.
Ben was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian Jean (Scott) Simonson; a son, Scott; and a grandson, Scott Jr.
Funeral services were held Monday, October 13, 2008, at Toale Brothers Funeral Homes, Gulf Gate Chapel in Sarasota, Florida. A visitation preceded the services. A private burial was at Sarasota Memorial Park.
Leonard G. "Pete" Kruk
Leonard G. "Pete" Kruk, age 79, of Alma Center, Wisconsin, died Friday, October 3, 2008, in the Family Heritage Care Center in Black River Falls.
Pete was born in Norwalk, on August 16, 1929, to John and Kathryn (Weidl) Kruk. He was raised in Norwalk and he attended school there. In 1969, he completed a fireman's course. He worked at Schendel Brothers Construction in Norwalk. In 1959, he drove produce to Chicago. From 1957 through 1984, he drove a gravel, dump truck for Kramer Construction. He was recognized for 27 years of safe driving. Pete moved to Alma Center and built his own home. He enjoyed sports and he played baseball in Norwalk in 1948. He was an avid Packers fan. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Alma Center.
Surviving are his sister Edith R. Bingham of Edinburg, Texas; and nieces and nephews, Susan (Robert) Kostick of Coral Springs, Florida, Michael (Gladys) Dwyer of Romeoville, Illinois, Linda (Donald) Fisher of Viroqua, Roger Kruk of Westby and John Clarke of Downers Grove, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by four brothers, Walter, Joseph, Frederick and Gerald Kruk; and three sisters, Berniece Clark, Janet Moore and Geraldine Kruk.
Leonard will be cremated and burial will be at a later date in the Norwalk Cemetery.
Torgerson's Funeral Service of Black River Falls is assisting the family with arrangements.
Howard R. “Hubby” Steenberg
Howard R. “Hubby” Steenberg, age 80 of Westby, died Tuesday, October 7, 2008, at Gundersen-Lutheran in La Crosse.
He was born on October 2, 1928, to Sverre and Thelma (Bergum) Steenberg. In 1947, he graduated from Westby High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On January 24, 1953, he was united in marriage to Elaine Blihovde. She preceded him in death on May 30, 2006. He worked as a buttermaker at the Westby Co-op Creamery for more than 25 years and then worked at Norplex in La Crosse for several years prior to his retirement. He was a member of Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church and the Syverson-Funk American Legion Post No. 155. He had also been a member of the Snowflake Ski Club for more than 50 years and had worked on the “chain gang” for Westby High School football games for 25 years. Hubby was an avid sports fan and served as an umpire for the American Legion baseball team, and he loved attending and watching the Westby football team, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers.
He is survived by one son, Kevin Steenberg of Westby; two daughters, Julie (David) Koch of Minnetonka, Minnesota and Jan Steenberg of Westby; three grandchildren, Mitchell and Natalie Koch and Dylan Steenberg; one sister, Ione (“Bud”) Hauser of Cashton; his brother-in-law, Harold Hagen of Westby; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Ada Hagen and Lillian Hagen; and four brothers, Clifford, Milton, Kenneth and Roy.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 11, 2008, at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church with Pastor Dennis Hallemeier officiating. Burial with military rites was in the Coon Prairie Cemetery. Friends called on Friday afternoon at the Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby. Friends also called at the church on Saturday before the time of the services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneral homes .com
The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby served the family.
