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Charles G. Carmack, Lois A. Pingel, Virgie M. Verwiebe, Harley Glen Vinz

Charles G. Carmack

Charles George Carmack, 78, of Tunnel City, died Saturday, July 25, 2009, at Lakeview Health Care Center in West Salem. He was born on Nov. 11, 1930, to Charles and Irene (Duckett) in Bloom City, WI, spending the majority of his life living and working in the state. During his youth he spent summers in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming working cattle ranches. He was united in marriage to Eva Rockwell on Feb. 17, 1957, in Viola and had two children, Michael born in 1959, and Julie in 1963. Charles and Eva moved to Fort Atkinson for a short time before returning to Viola where they owned and operated Carmack’s Skelgas and Hardware Store until 1964. They then moved to La Crosse where he worked as an appliance salesman and repairman for Tru Gas. The family then moved to Tunnel City in 1969 and Charles went to work for Wick Building Systems as a salesman in their Agri-Buildings division. He also worked as a salesman at the Andres Hardware Store. He helped the Andres family clear the store after Frank Andres died. In the years leading up to his retirement he worked as an inspector for the Toro Company. He was a Korean War veteran and served in the 11th Army Airborne Division as a paratrooper. He was a member of the DAV and Viola American Legion Post #447. He enjoyed working with his hands and enthusiastically pursued his favorite outdoor activities of fishing, hunting and gardening.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Eva; a son, Michael of Shennington; a daughter, Julie (David) Towle of Bloomington, MN; a brother, Bob of Why, AZ; a sister, Ernabell Cina of Viroqua,; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by a sister Ruth, and a brother Willis.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, at noon at Viola American Legion Post #447.

The family requests that memorials be given to Viola American Legion Post #447 in memory of Charles.

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

Lois A. Pingel

Lois A. Pingel, 84, of Tomah, died Thursday, July 23, 2009, at Touch of Home Assisted Living in Tomah. She was born April 29, 1925, to Ralph and Lula (Damerow) Pingel on the home farm in the town of Tomah, Monroe County. She was baptized on April 29, 1925, and confirmed in the Lutheran faith on April 2, 1939, at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran School. She attended the Sunny Ridge Schoolhouse and was a member of the Tomah Senior High School Graduating Class of 1943. Shortly after graduating, she took a job at Van Pak, and worked there until her retirement. Lois enjoyed taking trips, she had many travel companions and traveled all across the United States, and overseas. While she was at home, she enjoyed spending her time taking long walks. She collected teddy bears and Beanie Bears. Lois was a faithful and devoted member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church. She loved spending time with her family, especially her nieces, nephews, her great-nieces and nephews, and her great-great-nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her brother Howard (Laurita) of Tomah and her sister Marie (Gene) Pedersen of Warrens, nieces and nephews: Debra (Jeff) Verkuilen of Appleton, Chris (Jay) Lewis of Tomah, Robert Pedersen of Rio and De Anna (Ed) Raiten of Tomah; 10 great-nieces and nephews: Jenna (Matt) Olson of Tomah, Ryan (Cathy) Brookman of Tomah, Courtney Pedersen of Owatonna, MN, Tracy (her fianceé Steve Fuerst) Verkuilen of Appleton, Jason (Heather) Verkuilen of Appleton, Sean Verkuilen of Appleton, Jamie (Joshua) Mitchell of Tomah, Heather Raiten of NC, Melanie Raiten of Tomah, and Jesse Raiten of Tomah, in addition to many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 27, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave., Tomah. Pastor David T. Brandt officiated. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah.

Relatives and friends called at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home on Sunday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. and at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

Virgie M. Verwiebe

Virgie M. Verwiebe, 97, of Kendall, died July 25, 2009, at the Heritage Manor in Elroy. She was born June 28, 1912, to James and Edith (Hancock) Wood in Cornell, WI. She was united in marriage to Harry Frank Verwiebe on Sept. 15, 1942. Harry and Virgie farmed on South Ridge for many years before moving to Kendall in 1982. Harry preceded her in death on Aug. 20, 1987. Virgie worked for the Tillman’s Chicken Factory for many years, then at Ray-O-Vac in Wonewoc until her retirement. She used to love dancing the polka, waltz, and also ballroom dances with the Howie Sturtz Orchestra and for many years could be seen at just about any dance with her friends from around Kendall. She enjoyed playing cards and visiting with her friends. She was a member of the Birthday Club in Kendall. She was a longtime member of St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Kendall.

She is survived by a daughter, Essem (William) Lane of Mauston; a son, Arlen (Marian) Verwiebe of Melrose; a son-in-law, Edward Melecek of Forrest Lake, MN; 12 grandchildren, Celene Daines of Las Vegas, NV, Thomas Johnson of Elroy, Gaylin (Mary) Johnson of Elroy, Willmas (Howard) Novy of Elroy, Steven Melecek of St. Paul, MN, Anthony (Barb) Melecek of St. Paul, MN, Patricia Melecek of St. Paul, MN, Sara McGarvey of Blaine, WA, Marci Verwiebe of Blaine, WA, Jason Verwiebe of La Crosse, Kristina (Bruce) Nuttlemen of St. Louis Park, MN, and Michael Kruese of La Crosse; 21 great-grandchildren, 19 great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Earl (Reba) Woods of Trenton, TX; a sister-in-law, Norma Loveless of Hayward, many other nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Harry Verwiebe and Harley Revels; a daughter, Geustina Melecek; three sisters and six brothers.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 29, at 11 a.m. at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Kendall. Pastor Fred Fedke officiated. Burial was in the South Ridge Cemetery.

Relatives and friends called at the Smith-Nelson Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4 until 8 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Harley Glen Vinz

Harley Glen Vinz was born Sept. 28, 1929, in Lynn Township, north of Tomah. He passed away Dec. 24, 2008. Also, a cute red-headed girl was born a few minutes before him. They named her Jeanne. Their parents were Harold and Gertrude (Hughart) Vinz.

They moved to Monroe County to run a farm. They started school at 6 years old - Stowell School, a mile and a quarter west of the farm. After eight years of good old country school, they hopped a bus and rode into the big city of Tomah for high school.

He was blessed to have met his true love there. She was from the Oakdale country area. Her name was Janice Bender. They were married for 54 beautiful and blessed years.

He joined the Army and was mostly in the Korean War, honorably discharged in 1951.

They spent most of their married life in Maxwell and Des Moines, IA. There they raised six beautiful daughters.

He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law: Cherie and Robert Shreck, Denise and James Myers, Renee and Bruce Kirk, Vicki Frazier, Michele Vinz and Julee Vinz; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a set of twin sisters, Gloria Vinz (Elmer) Jorgensen and Glenda Vinz Gaunt; nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in-law, Linda Vinz and Peggy Bender.

These are the loved ones who went before him: his mother and father, Harold Vinz and Gertrude (Hughart) Vinz; his twin sister, Jeanne; a brother, Larry; his father- and mother-in-law, John and Esther Bender; a brother-in-law, Kenneth Bender.

Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah. Pastor James Leston will officiate. Burial will be in the Oakdale Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Saturday from 3:30 p.m. until time of the service.