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

Published - Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Obituaries for April 28

Robert “Bob” G. Hefner, Bernice May (Erdman) Johnson, Norah Evangelyne Paulsen, Leon Eugene 'Gene' Prescott

Robert “Bob” G. Hefner

Robert “Bob” G. Hefner, 75, of Oakdale, died Thursday, April 24, 2008, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, La Crosse. He was born Nov. 29, 1932, to Harry and Ione (Pitts) in Ohio.

He was united in marriage to Ann Shirley McCaskey on Sept. 6, 1954, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Indian Creek, by Father Wagner.

He worked for the Tomah Area School District driving school bus and later in maintenance; he also worked as an electric lineman, mink rancher and later operated a meat processing plant. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council #4125.

Bob’s favorite pastime was spending time at Jellystone Park in Warrens.

He enjoyed driving around the park in his golf cart visiting the campsites and meeting new people, many of whom became lifelong friends. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and watched every game. He loved raising and showing German Shepherds.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Shirley; two daughters, Tara (Curtis) Murray and Karen (Robert) Gnewikow, both of Oakdale, and a son, Brice, of Oakdale; six grandchildren, Sacia (Ted) Williams of Apple Valley, MN, Cerissa Murray (fiance’ Kevin) of St. Louis Park, MN, Kendl Gnewikow of Neenah, Kelsey Gnewikow, Nicolis and Alyson Hefner, all of Oakdale; a sister, Juanita (Art) Sarney, and a brother, Harold (Ruth) Hefner, both of Tomah.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, April 28, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 303 W. Monroe St., Tomah. The Very Rev. Steven J. Kachel will officiate. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, and at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of the Mass. A parish rosary will be recited by the Knights of Columbus at 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Bernice May (Erdman) Johnson

Bernice May (Erdman) Johnson, age 84, of Canoga Park, CA, and formerly of Tomah, WI, passed from this life to her new life in Heaven, on Feb. 4, 2008, in Canoga Park, CA.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Sharie Marie Jonsin, Ava Day, Diane (Jim) Walters, and granddaughter, Megan; her sister, Louella Griffith; nieces, Marrianne (Edward) Naber and Jeanine Tesch, and a nephew, Gary (Marilyn) Peterson; and her extended family members. She also leaves her longtime love, John Bibbey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Avold and Marie; her sister, Avis Stubley, and her brothers, Arthur and Laverne.

The world was a better place with her in it. She will be greatly missed, but her spirit will live on in those who loved her.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Tomah. Pastor Mark Benning will officiate.

The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Norah Evangelyne Paulsen

Norah Evangelyne Paulsen, beloved daughter, sister, angel, age 22 months, died suddenly on April 23, 2008. She is survived by her parents, Kristi and Andrew Paulsen, Vadnais Heights, MN; a brother, Ethan; maternal grandparents Carol Harmon and Tim Harmon of Tomah; paternal grandparents William and Marguritte Paulsen; great-grandmothers Ruth Eirschele and Fae Lewis; aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. today (Monday), April 28, at Calvary Church, 4604 Greenhaven Dr., White Bear Township, MN 55127, with visitation one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be sent to the church.

The Holcomb-Henry-Boom Funeral Home, 515 Hwy. 96, Shoreview, MN, 651-482-7606, www.holcombhenryboom.com, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Leon Eugene 'Gene' Prescott

Leon Eugene “Gene” Prescott, age 75, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2008, at the VA Hospital in Tomah. He was born on April 29, 1932, to Earl Robert and Dorothy Odetta (Wilhelmsen) Prescott. Gene graduated from Tomah High School in May of 1950 and subsequently pursued a successful career in the United States Air Force. While serving his country, he rose from the entry-level rank of Private to the rank of Major. Major Prescott's illustrious military career and his effective involvement in the security of the United States was recognized and rewarded with numerous medals, citations, awards and honors. He was most proud of receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross while serving in the Vietnam War. He retired from the United States Air Force on March 31, 1970 and moved back to his hometown of Tomah. With the help of his devoted wife, Jan, he worked to establish a small business called Easy Mail Tray. Together, Gene and Jan developed, manufactured and sold mail equipment to postal carriers nationwide. While operating this business he also worked as a rural post carrier. After twenty years with the United States Post Office, he retired from his second career on October 28, 1994. He then sold his small business and enjoyed life with his beloved wife, Jan, until her death on December 17, 2002.

Gene will be remembered, by those who loved him, as an honest, hard working, and smart businessman. He was an inventor and problem solver, continually thinking of ways to improve situations or to develop equipment that would simplify and better organize the work of the rural postal carrier. He had a clever sense of humor and enjoyed hearing and telling jokes. He enjoyed his family and especially loved to see his grandchildren as they grew into adulthood. They were a constant source of pride for him. His ability to persevere and his diligent effort to achieve will always be admired, respected and honored by his family. We, his loved ones, will remember him as one who provided well, loved much, enjoyed life and appreciated even the smallest of kindnesses shown to him.

He is survived by his two step-daughters, Lana (Bill) Boehme of Tomah, WI, and Nancy (Jim) Lyde of Austin, TX; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jan; two brothers, Richard Earl and Charles Bernard; and one sister, Loretha Marie.

Friends of Gene Prescott are invited for visitation with his family on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, from 5 until 6 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah, followed by a 6 p.m. service led by Chaplain Maynard Hofer. Funeral services will also be held at the on Friday, May 2, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at Clement-Keel Funeral Home in Gainesville, TX, with a visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Era Memorial Cemetery, in Era, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested and can be mailed to the Farmers and Merchants Bank, PO Box 409, Tomah, WI.

Thank You, Tomah Veterans Administration Medical Center

The daughters of Leon Eugene Prescott wish to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of the Tomah Veterans Medical Center for the excellent care and expert medical treatment given to their dad, Gene Prescott, during his four and one-half year stay at their fine facility. The doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplain, and custodial staff all worked together as a harmonious team to provide for his physical, emotional, and spiritual health. His last days were exceptional ones met with gentle, caring hands from those who attended him. We, his daughters, will be forever grateful.

Thank you, Lana Boehme and Nancy Lyde

A Poem from Major L.E. Prescott

To the V.A.M.C. Staff

A Sweet Adieu

Gentle, caring, well trained hands protect, comfort, and ensure;

Life’s unseen journey as I await my final distant tour.

Of all that life has dealt me, all the good, all the bad;

I now take rest, let softly go all in life I’ve had.

My mind is blesses with happy thoughts of goals that I have met;

With hopes and dreams accomplished, lessons learned through regret.

But now my earthly journey is coming to a close;

Thoughts filter inwardly finding comfort and repose.

I thank you for your loving care, those acts of kindness shown;

I thank you for your well trained hands that tended me so long.

Now I turn and bid you well, as I turn to go;

I wish for you life’s blessedness through all life’s ebb and flow.

God gave me a family and an extended family too;

May the grace of God be with us all as I bid you sweet adieu.

All stories copyright 2006 Tomah Journal and other attributed sources.