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Mildred H. Bartlett, Donn E. Baumgarten, Ann Potter, Loren L. Weiss, Ruby M. Zimmerman,

Mildred H. Bartlett

Mildred H. Bartlett, 86, of Sparta, died Sunday afternoon, July 12, 2009, in her home with her family by her side. She was born on June 1, 1923, to Esler and Susan (Heineck) Jackson.

The family moved to Little Falls and then to Sparta. She graduated from Sparta High School in 1940. She married H.M. “Mike” Bartlett at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Feb. 14, 1942. They raised their five daughters in Sparta.

Millie worked at the Fort McCoy switchboard for several years. She later worked for what is now CenturyTel.

Millie enjoyed traveling, anywhere a car was going and being with her loyal Yorkie, Toby.

She is survived by five daughters, Jeanne Kavanagh of Key Largo, FL, Sally (Tony) Krzmarzick of Coon Rapids, MN, Mary (Gary) Friedl of Tomah, Barbara Olson of Sparta, Alice (Steve) Hagen of Sparta; her grandchildren, Kathy (Mike) Daloia of Chicago, Brent (Jen) Olson of Moscow, ID, Kurt Friedl of Tomah, Chad (Eryn) Krzmarzick of Minneapolis, MN, Tia (Doug) Kryzer of Blaine, MN, Brandon (Carrie) Shea of La Crosse, and Jaime (fiance Ryan Muller) Shea of Sparta; great-grandchildren, Nick and Haley Daloia and Jaydon Shea; two brothers, LeRoy (June) Jackson of Sparta and Bill (Nadine) Jackson of Onalaska; sister-in-law, Lorraine Jackson of Madison.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike, on Oct. 22, 1991; her parents; two brothers, Donald and Robert Jackson; a sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Alan Cochran, and a son-in-law, Dermott Kavanagh.

Memorial services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, with Father James Leary O.F.M. Cap. officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta.

Friends may call at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Online condolences may be offered at www.lanham-miller.com

Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society.

The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Donn E. Baumgarten

Donn Earl Baumgarten, age 49, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2009, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. He was born on June 16, 1960, to Gale and Helen Baumgarten. He was a 1978 graduate of Tomah High School.

Donn worked for eight years on the Gary Jensen Cranberry Marsh. He then took over the family farm, which he ran for three years. He then worked for Toro for a few years before purchasing Bunk’s Meat Market in Kendall in 1998. In 1999 he renamed the business, Don’s Quality Meats, where he was still currently operating.

He was united in marriage to Karen Olson on Feb. 8, 2003. Donn loved the outdoors, especially, turkey and deer hunting, camping, four wheeling and fishing. He enjoyed sitting around campfires, telling stories and talking smart. He loved spending time with his family and loved ones more than anything.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Baumgarten of Tomah; his mother, Helen Baumgarten of Tomah; his children, Kristi Baumgarten and Michael (Lara) Baumgarten, all of Kendall; stepchildren, Jenny Lein of Ripon, Kyra Lein of Camp Douglas, and James Lein of Camp Douglas; grandchildren, Kaden Baumgarten of Kendall, Reed and Raiden Lein of Ripon, and one expected granddaughter; brothers, Dave (Helen) Baumgarten of Springbrook, WI, Dean (Priscilla) Baumgarten of Tomah, Dennis Baumgarten of Tomah, Dan (Bernise) Baumgarten of Tomah; his mother-in-law, Beverly Olson of Cashton a special aunt, Jeanette Baumgarten of La Crosse; special high school friends, Mike Stump, Frank Stump and Lee Jaromin; special neighbors, Bob and Linda Stump and LaVern Bernhardt.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gale; and his father-in-law, LeRoy Olson.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 15, at 11 a.m. at The First United Methodist Church in Tomah. Pastor William Swan officiated. Family and friends called on Tuesday, July 14, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah assisted the family with arrangements.

Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Melvin Pederson

Melvin Pederson, age 94, of La Crosse, WI, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2009, at the Tomah VA Hospital. He was born May 27, 1915, to Martin and Clara (Anderson) Pederson in Rockland, WI, on the family farm.

In 1951, he was married to LuElla Josephine. Melvin served in the 94th Division of the United States Army, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and Normandy during WWII. Following the war he moved to La Crosse, where he worked at Allis Chalmers and later for La Crosse Footwear. Melvin enjoyed woodworking, gardening, splitting firewood and fishing. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion of Bangor and the DAV in La Crosse. Melvin was a good father and a loving husband.

He is survived by his wife, LuElla of La Crosse; his son, Dale Pederson of La Crosse; two daughters, Carol (Bruce) Pederson Waters of Tomah and Marci Pederson of La Crosse; two grandchildren, Shawn and Jesse Pederson of Las Vegas, NV; a brother, Leif (Eleanor) Pederson of Rockland, and sister, Mildred Filter of Bangor; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Clara; and two sisters, Ida and Louise; and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Filter.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 18, at 11 a.m. at Fish Creek Lutheran Church in Rockland. Pastor John Stennes-Spidahl will officiate. Burial with full military honors will follow in Fish Creek Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited for visitation Friday, July 17, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church in Rockland. The Torkelson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Ann Potter

Ann Potter, age 99, of Warrens, WI, passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at Agape Acres in Warrens. Ann Potter was born on Nov. 26, 1909, to Soren and Mary (Larsen) Olsen. Her early years were spent on the family farm near Wyeville. In 1926, she was Valedictorian of her Tomah High School class. She graduated from Milwaukee Teachers Training in 1932 with a BA in music. While teaching in Warrens, she met Russell Potter, and they were united in marriage on May 21, 1938. She lived her faith and taught the Word of God so others could experience the saving Grace of her Heavenly Father. Bible study and Prayer at Ann’s became the highlight of the week for many ladies of the area. She played the piano for Mather Union Church services, directed the Sunday School program, and organized the VBS each summer. Ann was organist for many of the area’s weddings and funerals throughout the years. She delighted in her granddaughter Ann’s flute and piano music.

She was very active in the Cranberry Homemakers holding various offices. During her children’s 4-H Club days, Ann was actively involved as a club leader. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting and tatting. Many cherish her labor of love in afghans, sweaters, and handkerchiefs. She was always looking for a unique creative project to make and give. Ann “Let her light shine before men that they may see her good deeds and praise her Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16. Her quiet spirit and radiance for her Heavenly Father will live on in the hearts of the many she touched through the years. “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24

She is survived by a son, Keith (Dr. Judy Lottmann) of Warrens, and children Alan (Julie) Potter and daughters, Megan and Nicole of Warrens and Paul (Michelle) Potter and son Jeremy and daughter Morgan Elizabeth of Tomah, and Matt Lindborg; a daughter, Mary (Dave) Grade of Wausau and children, Ann (Will) Nygaard and daughters, Hannah and Naomi of Wausau, Tim (Susie) Grade of Denver, CO, Dano Grade and daughter, Brenna of Wausau; sisters-in-law June Jensen and Leita Potter of Warrens; brother-in-law Clint Potter of Black River Falls; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Pete, Chris, Lars, Nels, Antone, Ted, and Bill; sister, Hannah Robertson; and two younger siblings.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Pastor Tim Grade will officiate. Burial will follow in Warren Mills Cemetery, Warrens, WI. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Monday, July 20, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and again on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Memorials may be given to Tomah Hospice Touch or CEF Child Evangelism Fellowship of Western Wisconsin. Online condolences are available www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Loren L. Weiss

Loren L. “The Barber” Weiss, 69, of Tomah and Sun Prairie, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 13, 2009, after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. He was born on Oct. 17, 1939, to Al and Edith (Ederer) Weiss in Richland Center. Loren was raised in Portage and was a member of the Portage High School graduating class of 1957. He was united in marriage on May 28, 1960, to Mary Betthauser in Tomah. Loren and Mary settled in Sun Prairie where he barbered for 40 years before retiring in 2000 to their cabin in rural Tomah for summers. They spent the winters in the warmth of the south. He was an avid motorcyclist. Together, he and Mary traveled many, many scenic roads all over the United States. For the past 40 years he most enjoyed the Black Hills during the first week of August. He will be remembered most for his tall tales and his ability to strike up a conversation and make forever-friends with anyone he met. Ride with the wind, Dad.

Loren is survived by his loving wife and caregiver, Mary; four daughters, Joanne (Jeff) Kozloski of Polk City, FL, Corky (Dan) Oradei of Sun Prairie, Julie (Mike) O’Dair of Belleville and Lori (Bob) Braam of De Forest. He will forever be seen in the eyes of his six grandchildren, Ryan Kozloski of Gainesville, FL, Kelli Kozloski of Jacksonville, FL, Katrina Oradei of Green Bay, Karali Oradei of Sun Prairie and Olivia Braam and Emma Braam of De Forest; three step-grandchildren, Cheri (Michael) Ish of West Bend, Michael (Katie) O’Dair and Christopher O’Dair, both of Belleville; a great-granddaughter, Cecilia Kozoloski; a brother, Lyle Weiss of Portage, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Edith.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 17, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church at Indian Creek. The Rev. John Ofori-Domah will officiate.

Relatives and friends are invited to call today (Thursday) from 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah, and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

“God looked around his garden and found an empty space. He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest, God’s garden must be beautiful he always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain, he knew that you would never get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb, so he closed your weary eyelids and whispered “peace be thine”. It breaks our hearts to lose you but you did not go alone, for part of us went with you the day God called you home.”

Memorials in Loren’s memory may be given to the Hospice Touch, 321 Butts Ave., Tomah, WI 54660, or Tomah Area Cancer Support, 509 Lori Ave., Tomah, WI, 54660

Ruby M. Zimmerman

Ruby M. Zimmerman, nee Ludeking, 98, was born Jan. 17, 1911, on her parents’ farm in Wilton Township, WI, and passed away peacefully at her home in Lombard, IL, on July 13, 2009. She was the only child of the late Frederic August and the late Martha Ludeking. She married the late George W. Zimmerman on her parents’ farm.

She was the devoted mother of Richard (Brenda Kirby and the late Doris) Zimmerman and Ann (Ronald) Roth; loving grandmother of Richard (Lynn Carlson), David Zimmerman, Raymond and Phillip (Ashley) Roth, and cherished friend of many.

She was a 74-year faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest; a 50-year member of U of I Extension; and a 62-year resident of York Center.

Memorial visitation will be Friday from 3 to 9 p.m. at Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Road (3 blks. S. of Roosevelt) Lombard, IL, and a Memorial Service Saturday 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., River Forest. In lieu of flowers, memorials made to Grace Lutheran Church are appreciated. Info: (630) 932-1500, Knollcrest Funeral Home.