Story originally printed in the Tomah Journal or online at www.tomahjournal.com

Published - Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Obituaries for March 24

Ruth Ann Brabant, Helen M. Sullivan, Dorothy M. Worchel

Ruth Ann Brabant

Ruth Ann Brabant, age 70, of Sparta, WI, passed away at her home in Sparta, WI, on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, surrounded by her loving family.

Ruth was born on Aug. 2, 1937, to John Benjamin Franklin and Delores Mae (Bradford), in Madison, WI. She attended Tuttle School in Mather. Ruth was married to Frank Brabant in 1955 in Sparta. For 20 years they traveled throughout the country in the Navy.

Ruth was compassionate to everyone she met. She helped many people through difficult times in their lives. Ruth touched many hearts and many hearts will miss Ruth dearly.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Frank; her children, Gehl (Mary) Brabant of Tomah, Frank Brabant of Madison, Dixie (Darren) Fries of Tomah, Chuck Brabant of Sparta, John (Laurie) Brabant of Oakdale, Dawn (Larry) Handschy of Wilton, Deana (Ken) Brabant of Oakdale, and William Brabant of Sparta; 26 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; her canine baby, Saddi Lyn; brothers and sisters, Betty (Jerry) Meacham, Bill (Donna) Franklin, Georgia (Speedy) Desilva, Delores Cefalu and Dick (Sandy) Franklin; along with many other relatives and dear friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her mother and father; her brother, Doad Franklin; two grandchildren, Bobby Brabant and Bobby Heser; and a nephew, Richard “Dickie” Franklin Jr.

Funeral services were held today (Monday), March 24, at 11 a.m. at the Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home in Sparta. Rev. David Carlson officiated. Family and friends called from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial was in the Farmer’s Valley Cemetery, Sparta.

The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home of Sparta is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Helen M. Sullivan

Helen Mae (Resch) Sullivan, age 88, of Tomah, WI, passed away on March 13, 2008. She was born on July 31, 1919, to Joseph S. and Barbara (Jiracek) Resch in Ontario, WI. She was united in marriage to Tom Sullivan on Nov. 19, 1941, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cashton. Helen was employed at the Tomah VA Hospital in food service for several years before her retirement.

She is survived by her children, Patty (Bob) O’Brien of Tempe, AZ, Brother Tom Sullivan of Nairobi, Kenya, Mark (Kathy) Sullivan of Springville, UT, Kathy Rech of Loveland, CO, and Randy (Betty) Sullivan of Fort Collins, CO; 16 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren; a special niece, Maureen Gamerdinger of Oakdale, along with many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Sullivan, in 2000; her parents, Joseph and Barbara Resch; brothers, Joe and Paul Skarda and George Resch, and sisters, Fran Johnstone and Irene Barry.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on March 29 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cashton at 10:30 a.m. preceded by visitation in the church starting at 9:30 a.m. The Rev. John Steiner will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hilltop Rest Cemetery, Ontario, WI, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband. Relatives and friends are also invited to the visitation held the evening of March 28 at the Torkelson Funeral Home, 2224 S. Superior Ave. in Tomah, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Christian Brothers of the Midwest designated for Brother Tom’s mission work in Kenya, Africa.

Dorothy M. Worchel

Dorothy M. Worchel, age 81, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2008, at the Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center in Sparta, WI. She was born on Oct. 3, 1926, to William and Marie Martin in Evanston, IL. She attended high school in Evanston, IL.

In her earlier years she worked for Washington National Insurance in Evanston. She was united in marriage to Calvin Worchel on Nov. 2, 1963, in Evanston, IL at Grace Lutheran Church. Together they lived in Glenview and Springfield before moving to Wisconsin. Dorothy and Calvin ran the Kamp Dakota campground in Oakdale from 1983n1992. In 1992, they moved to Tomah where they have resided since. Dorothy loved doing crafts, especially crocheting and embroidery. She was able to turn her hobby into a business, which she truly enjoyed. Dorothy was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Tomah and enjoyed singing in her church choirs over the years.

She is survived by her husband, Calvin of Tomah; her god-children, Leigh Allen Lamarr, Audra Koth and Gerri Deerfield, along with cousins, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Marie.

Funeral services were held today (Monday), March 24, at 10 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Tomah. Pastor Mark Benning officiated. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements

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