Tomah Journal - Printable Version

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

Published - Thursday, July 03, 2008

Obituaries for July 2

Josephine R. Balthis, Frederick J. Behrens, Ann Marie “Annie” Schroeder

Josephine R. Balthis

Madison/Tomah n Josephine Rose Balthis, age 94, died on Sunday, June 29, 2008, and is now at peace having ended her long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Jo was born on March 16, 1914, in Monroe County, the seventh of 10 children to the late Theodore and Frieda (Banzhoff) Schleicher.

Jo was married to August Rentz in 1936 and later was remarried to Lester Balthis in 1951. She was twice widowed. She worked for many years as an accounts manager at Oakdale REC. While in her 50’s, Jo went back to school to complete her GED. She retired in 1979, when she moved to Madison. She was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church and assisted as a Eucharistic Minister to homebound seniors. She was a member of BPW, volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital and helped with happy flowers, mail and teddy bear delivery. Jo also enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking and doing crafts, especially egg decorating.

Survivors include her one daughter, Carol (Loyal) Grovesteen; two granddaughters, Stephanie Jo and Christine (Peter) Hansen; one sister-in-law, Lenora Schleicher, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by one son, Richard Rentz in 2006; six brothers, George, John, Art, Ted, Louis and Frank; three sisters, Mary, Mathilda and Edythe; several nephews and many other family members.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2438 Atwood Ave., Madison, on Wednesday, July 2, at 6 p.m. Msgr. Hippee celebrated. Visitation was also held at the church on Wednesday from 5 p.m. until the time of Mass. Burial concluded at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Tomah today (Thursday), July 3, at noon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 517 N. Segoe Road, #301, Madison WI 53705, or to the charity of your choice.

Words cannot adequately express our gratitude for the wonderful care, love and compassion shown to Jo and her family by each member of the “Coletta’s House” family. Thank you especially to Coletta Gomes and Kelly Marsden.

Frederick J. Behrens

Frederick J. Behrens, age 84, of Onalaska, WI, and formerly of Tomah, passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2008, at the Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse. He was born Aug. 3, 1923, in the Township of Tomah, Monroe County, WI, to Fred and Anna (Cramer) Behrens. Frederick was baptized Oct. 3, 1923, and confirmed April 5, 1936, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tomah. He was united in marriage to Inez Woodliff of Kendall on Nov. 20, 1946.

Frederick worked as a contract carrier for the Milwaukee Journal company for many years. In later years he worked for the Toro Company in Tomah.

He is survived by his wife, Inez, of Onalaska; their daughter, Rhonda Behrens, of Onalaska; two nieces and two nephews; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother and one nephew.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 1, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tomah. Pastor Donald Buch officiated. Burial followed in Oak Grove Cemetery in Tomah. Family and friends called on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Ann Marie “Annie” Schroeder

Ann Marie “Annie” Schroeder, 48, of Warrens, died Sunday, June 29, 2008, at the Serenity House in Tomah. She was born June 24, 1960, to Ed and Virginia (Zimmerman) Christen in Black River Falls. She was united in marriage to Daniel Schroeder July 20, 1996 on the family farm at Warrens. She was a member of the 1978 graduating class of Black River Falls High School and later completed her Associate Degree at WWTC.

She worked at Danmark Plumbing in Black River Falls. Ann enjoyed decorating her home, “Cranfesting” at the Warrens Cranfest and collecting antiques. She especially liked spending time with and taking care of her beloved pets.

She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, daughter, aunt and friend and will be sadly missed by those who loved her.

She is survived by her husband, Daniel; a daughter, Rebecca (Scott) DeGroot of Brooklyn Center, MN; a grandson, Ethan of Brooklyn Center, MN; her father and step-mother, Ed and Ruth Christen of Tomah; her mother-in-law, Darlene Schroeder of Tomah, and her father-in-law Miles Schroeder of Tomah; two brothers-in-law, Dallas (Bonnie) Wilhite of Black River Falls and Kent Wilhite of Tomah; two sisters-in-law, Jane (Chris) Powless of Oneida and Tracey (Dennis) McGinnis of Warrens; four nieces and one nephew; a step-brother, Brian Atkinson of Black River Falls, and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia, and two brothers, Scott and Gene Christen.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 5, at 11 a.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah. Pastor William L. Rice will officiate. Burial will be in the Warren Mills Cemetery.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Ann may be given to the Jackson County Animal Shelter, 403 Pine View Road, Black River Falls, WI 54615, and the Serenity House/Hospice Touch, 321 Butts Ave., Tomah WI 54660.