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

Published - Friday, April 18, 2008

Obituaries for April 17

Gary D. Aller, Edward J. Crowley, Sr., Dennis D. Denter, Gordon J. Granger, Virginia R. Rasmussen, Patricia A. Schmig, Earl E. Schultz

Gary D. Aller

Gary D. Aller, age 66, of Tomah, died Tuesday, April 15, 2008, with his wife and son at his side after waging a long and courageous battle with cancer.

He was born July 31, 1941, in Tomah to Richard “Dick” and Helen (Burrows) Aller. Gary grew up in Tomah and was a 1959 graduate of Tomah High School. His summers were spent working as a lifeguard at the Tomah Municipal Pool. He did a “short” stint at “Party U” in Madison. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1963 to 1967. He then spent many years in the vending machine business in Tomah. In the 1970s he was a member of “The Wheel McCoy Jeep Club.” He worked at the Norris-Vernier Dealership from July 1996 until his retirement in 2006.

He was united in marriage to Jill Machnowski at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tomah on Jan. 27, 1979.

Gary was a devoted husband and a loving father, son and nephew.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Jill; a son, Darren R. Aller of Tomah; and his mother, Helen Aller of Tomah. He is also survived by his uncle, “Bob” Aller of Tomah; three aunts, Harriet Butterfuss and Charlotte Quackenbush, both of Tomah, and Lucille Schultz, of DeForest; two brothers-in-law, Gregory Machnowski of Tomah and Gary Machnowski of NY; and a sister-in-law, Shelley (Bill) Townsend of Lumberton, NC; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard “Dick“ Aller; a brother, Dennis Aller; his maternal and paternal grandparents; his father and mother-in-law, Jerry and Anne Machnowski, and a sister-in-law, Lisa Moreno.

Memorial services will be held Sunday, April 27, at 1:30 p.m. at St Mary‘s Episcopal Church, 1001 McLean Ave., Tomah. Deacon Linda Frye will officiate. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah, and at the church on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service. There will be a celebration of his life at Kelsey’s following the memorial service.

Memorials in Gary’s name may be given to the Tomah Special Olympics.

Edward J. Crowley, Sr.

TOMAH - PHILADELPHIA, PA - Edward Joseph Crowley, Sr., 72, of Philadelphia, PA, died March 26, 2008, in Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, after a long illness.

He was born July 7, 1935, in Strongs Prairie, WI, the son of Edward J. and Ella L. (Jensen) Crowley. Edward served two tours in the U.S. Navy. He worked at the Tomah VA Hospital after the first tour until he was recalled for active duty for the second tour. While his ship was in dry dock at the Philadelphia Naval Station, he met and married Rose Gormley. He worked at the Philadelphia VA Hospital after he left the Navy, until his retirement.

Edward is survived by his wife, Rose; one son, Edward Jr.; two stepsons, William Gormley and Timothy Gormley, all of Philadelphia; three sisters, Mary Griffin of Tomah, Nancy Goodwin of Modesto, CA, and Shirley Mills of Belvidere, IL.

He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Patricia Schmig.

Graveside services were held March 31 at 1:30 p.m. at Indian Town Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA.

Dennis D. Denter

Dennis Douglas Denter “Denny”, 60, of Tomah, WI, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died April 15, 2008. Dennis died suddenly at Fort McCoy after suffering a massive heart attack. He was born May 13, 1947, in Sparta to Corwin and Wilma (Thurow). Dennis grew up in Wilton on the family farm in Kinney Valley outside of Wilton. He graduated from Royall High School in Elroy in 1965. Dennis continued his education and graduated from WWTC in La Crosse in 1967. Dennis proudly and with great honor served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967-1975. He was united into marriage with Donna Moomey on Sept. 12, 1969, in Dixon, CA. He returned to the family farm in Ontario in 1976 and continued the family operation until 1990. He had a distinguished and enjoyable career at Fort McCoy with the federal government as a civilian worker and with VT Griffin Services where he worked as a sheet metal mechanic from 1988-2008. He was a member of the International Association of Machinists, District 66. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, a member of American Legion Post #508 and the La Societe’ Des 40 Hommes Et 8 Voiture 804. He enjoyed spending time golfing, bowling and playing cards.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Donna Denter; a daughter, Teresa Denter, and a son, Darin Denter, both of Tomah; a grandson, Blake Denter of Gas City, IN; two sisters, Janice (Al) Blaney of Greenfield and Verna (David) Carlson of Madison, many other dear friends and family members.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Wilma and Corwin Denter. The family would like to give thanks for the extraordinary care given to Dennis.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, April 20, at 2 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah. Pastor William Rice will officiate. Burial will be in the South Ridge Cemetery.

Relatives and friends are invited call on Saturday, April 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home and on Sunday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.

Gordon J. Granger

Gordon J. Granger, 68, of Kendall, died Sunday, at St. Joseph’s Memorial Hospital, Hillsboro. He was born Aug. 25, 1939, to Willard and Charlotte (Dorn) Granger at Kendall. He was a member of the last graduating class in Kendall in 1958. He was united in marriage to Dianna Krause Aug. 8, 1959, at Elgin, IL. He retired after 30 years with AT&T and moved back to Kendall in 1989. He was a member of the AT&T Pioneer Club and the NRA.

He is survived by his wife, Dianna; two sons, Jeff (Linda) of Elgin, IL, and Darron (Beth) of Tomah; his stepmother, Phyllis Granger of Hillsboro; his grandchildren, Tiffany (Jason) Schumann of South Elgin, IL, Jeremy of Elgin, IL, Jeffrey, Nicolle and Brittany Granger, all of Tomah; three brothers, Franklin W. (Winnie) of Algonquin, IL, LaMont (Denise) of Rochester, MN, and Wilbert of Nekoosa; a brother-in-law, Roger Zinke of Robinson, IL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Darlene Zinke; an infant brother, Ronald, and a grandaughter, Meggan.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church, South Ridge. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of the service.

The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Kendall, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Virginia R. Rasmussen

Virginia R. Rasmussen, 87, of Tomah, died Sunday, April 13, 2008, at Touch of Home. She was born Aug. 15, 1920, to Alfred and Rachel (Woodworth) Johnson in Cataract, WI. She was a member of the graduating Class of 1938 from Sparta High School. She attended Vernon County Normal School in Viroqua. She first taught elementary education at a country school west of Sparta. She also taught during World War II at the school at Fort McCoy. She was united in marriage to Howard Rasmussen on June 3, 1943, in Tomah. He preceded her in death on Jan. 10, 2007.

She was a faithful member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for over 30 years. Howard and Virginia were active in Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s support groups in both Wisconsin and Arizona. She lived her Christian faith with vigor and shared her beliefs with thousands. She enjoyed playing games such as dominos, bingo and Royal Rummy. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking and entertaining. She will always be remembered for her famous Bohemian rye bread. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

She is survived by her children, Robert (Sheri) of Amery, William (Barbara) of River Falls, Bruce of Fairbanks, AK, Ann (John) Roselle of Broken Arrow, OK, and Brian (Michelle) of Tomah; 14 grandchildren, Erik (Lindsay), T.J. (Amy) and Dirk; Karn; Kirk and Carl; John, Maria, Christina, and Rebecca Rosselle; Jacob, Levi, Allison, and Rachel; two great-grandsons, Blake and Finnley; two daughters-in-law, Linda Rasmussen of Traverse City, MI, and Nancy Rasmussen of St. Croix Falls; two brothers, Phil (Holly) of Wisconsin Rapids and Chuck (Patricia) of Phoenix, AZ; two sisters, Suzanne (Bill) Compton of Bayfield and Carol of Lancaster; a brother-in-law, Harry (Helene) of Greeley, CO, and three sisters-in-law, Gayle, Dorothy and Doris. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and her husband Howard, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Robert (Lillian), Allyn, James and Warren, and a sister, Jayne (Jerry) Foss.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 18, at 11 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 310 W. Elizabeth St., Tomah. Pastor William L. Rice will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to call at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

The family requests memorials in memory of Virginia be given to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church or to the American Cancer Society.

The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Patricia A. Schmig

TOMAH - BELVIDERE, IL - Patricia Anne Schmig, 77, of Belvidere, IL, died Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, in Swedish American Hospital after a long illness. She was born Aug. 14, 1930, in Strongs Prairie, WI, the daughter of Edward J. and Ella L. (Jensen) Crowley. She was married to Gale Schmig on Aug. 21, 1948, in Monroe Center, WI.

She worked as a secretary all her working life until her retirement due to ill health. She worked for Atty. Lawrence Clark while in Tomah. She was very involved in Scouting, both for boys and girls. She held many different offices over the years in the Scouting organizations.

She is survived by daughters Anne Bauer of Huntsville, AL, Linda (Terry) Mohaupt of Rockford, IL; sons Richard (Julie) Schmig of Thiensville, WI, and Mark Schmig of Belvidere; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters Mary Griffin of Tomah, Nancy Goodwin of Modesto, CA, and Shirley Mills of Belvidere and a brother, Edward (Rose) Crowley of Philadelphia. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband and a son, Paul.

Services were at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, in Whitbeck Chapel of First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Robert Koop officiating. Burial was in Belvidere Cemetery.

Earl E. Schultz

Earl E. Schultz 79, of Tomah, died Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse. He was born Dec. 16, 1928, to Robert and Vera (Kuehl) Schultz at Tomah. He was united in marriage to Alta Zielsdorf Oct. 15, 1960, in Augusta, WI. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church. He attended St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Elementary School and graduated from Tomah High School. He worked at Union Camp as an estimator until his retirement. Earl farmed on many farms in the Tomah area. He was an avid horse lover and a member of the Tomah Saddle Club. He was a faithful member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church. Earl was a proud uncle and enjoyed spending time with this family.

He is survived by a sister Betty (Norman) Martin of Tomah; two sisters-in-law, Lucille Schultz of DeForest and Joanne (George) Robison of Iowa; his nieces and nephews, Nancy (Tom) Bowers of Poynette, Larry (Sue) Schultz of DeForest, Ron (Debbie) Schultz of Lodi, Judy (Bill) Hippe of Rio, Curt (Jenny) Schultz of Portage, Wendy (Mark) Buchanan of Poynette, Christine (Kevin) Mueller of DeForest, Dale (Barbara) Martin, Scott Martin, Rebecca (Darrel) Kirschner and Kathy (Jim) Gabower, all of Tomah, Cindy Schultz of Des Moines, IA, Jon (Krista) Schultz of Adel, IA, Dianne Martin of Tomah; many great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; special friends Dani, Colt and Gage Sullivan, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Alta; two brothers, Robert and Galen; two nephews, Dennis Martin and David Schultz.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 18, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave. Pastor Curtis Backhaus will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday at the church from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service.

The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

All stories copyright 2006 Tomah Journal and other attributed sources.