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Mary Patricia “Pat” Crean, Robert R. Jerdee, Merle G. Pergande, Stephany M. Scott,

Mary Patricia “Pat” Crean

MADISON - Mary Patricia “Pat” Crean died on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, surrounded by her children and grandchildren at St. Mary’s Care Center where she bravely battled Alzheimer’s disease with heart, good humor and the deep faith that sustained her for 85 years. Pat was born in Janesville, MN, on May 26, 1924, into the Irish-Catholic-Democratic Hogan family. She grew up on the family farm where hilarious stories of her childhood in the gregarious Hogan clan entertained children and grandchildren for years to come. As a youth in Janesville, Pat was a majorette and multi-sport athlete who formed friendships that lasted a lifetime. As a young woman she attended business school and later worked in the Twin Cities where she met her husband of 41 years, Edward Thomas Crean. Ed, by his own account, fell immediately in love with Pat’s fun loving nature, her warmth and her natural beauty. She raised four children while honing her bridge skills, making new friends in every community she moved into, continually updating her home with great style and a fast, furious paintbrush and entertaining friends with seeming effortlessness. Pat loved to cook, bake and make candy, especially for her family on holidays and special occasions. She took great pride in being Irish.

Her love will continue but her laughter will be missed by her daughters, Michelle Crean Stellner and Shannon Crean Connell; sons, Edward Crean and Patrick Crean; daughter-in-law, Linda DiRaimondo, and sons-in-law, James Stellner and John Connell. Her comforting arms and ability to overrule their parents will be missed by her grandchildren, Matthew Crean Stellner, Joseph Crean Stellner, Katherine Crean, Elizabeth Crean, Martha Crean and Angelita Crean Connell. Pat is survived by her younger brother, John Hogan, and his wife, Edith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Thomas Crean.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., on Friday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. with Monsignor Michael Hippee officiating. A visitation will be held at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave. today (Thursday), Aug. 13, from 5-7 p.m. and then again on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass.

Memorials may be made to the family or to the St. Mary’s Foundation, 700 S. Park St., Madison, WI 53715 or at www.stmarysfoundation.org.

Robert R. Jerdee

Robert R. Jerdee, 76, of Tomah, died Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, at his home. He was born Aug. 19, 1932, to Reuben and Hazel (Merchant) Jerdee in Tomah. He was baptized Nov. 27, 1932, and confirmed in the Lutheran faith on March 30, 1947, at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Tomah Senior High School Graduating Class of 1950. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and served during the Korean War. He was united in marriage to Ruby Day on Dec. 1, 1956, at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church. He went to work for the Milwaukee Road Railroad and worked as a machinist in the Tomah Shop until his retirement in September of 1992. He was a member of the Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201, and a member of the DAV. He was a faithful member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church for his entire life. After his retirement, he enjoyed working on his farm, and in his shop. He enjoyed working with his hands, and was meticulous when it came to caring for vehicles. He was known for always having them finely polished. Most important to Robert was spending time with his family whether it was on a family camping trip or around the farm. He was a devoted husband, and a loving son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ruby; his children, Kathy (Chris) Martinson of Weirdale, FL, Teresa (Glen) Hanson of Camp Douglas, Brian (Michelle) Jerdee of Tomah, Kenneth (his friend Deanne) Jerdee of Tomah; nine grandchildren, U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Robert Martinson of Travis Air Force Base, CA, Amy (fiancé Michael Galbusieri) of Ocala, FL, Kristine (Nathan) Knight of Black River Falls, Angela (Paul) Brohmer of Tomah, Glen Hanson of Santa Cruz, CA, Quinton Hanson of Camp Douglas, Justin (Amber) Jerdee of Camp Douglas, Brooke (Kevin) Neitzel of Camp Douglas, Nicole (special friend Dustin Turner) Jerdee of Eau Claire; nine great-grandchildren, Lance, Eryn, Alana, Joel, Tiffany, Gunner, Tyler, Brielle, and Bryce; his mother, Hazel of Tomah; a sister, Judy (Robert) Helming of Tomah; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Reuben.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave, Tomah. Pastor Donald R. Buch will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery with military honors by Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of the service.

Merle G. Pergande

Merle G. Pergande, 88, of Tomah, passed away peacefully Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare at Sparta. He was born March 27, 1921, to George and Elda (Marten) Pergande in the Town of Wilton. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Ridgeville. He was united in marriage to Helen L. Schaefer on Oct. 10, 1942. They lived in the Ridgeville area for most of their lives. She preceded him in death on Feb. 9, 1982. Merle was a truck driver at Concrete Products for many years. He loved to fish, garden and spend time with his friends and family. He loved watching his great-grandchildren run and play, especially his great-granddaughter Mackenzie, “My Little Dolly”. Merle was a faithful member of St. John Ev. Lutheran Church. He will sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his children, Richard (Judy) of Dubuque, IA, Eileen (Ralph) White of Potosi, Merle Jr. of Platteville, Judy (Bob) Johnson, Dan (Doris) and Ronald (Wanda), all of Dubuque, IA, Deb (Everett) Wallace of Tomah; a daughter-in-law, Sue Pergande of Hazel Green; 32 grandchildren, 86 great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren, many other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife Helen and his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Herman, and Robert; a daughter, Mary Jo, and two infant twins; a daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Pergande; two granddaughters, Tammy and Jennifer; a grandson, Timothy; a great-granddaughter, Chelsie; three great-grandsons, Kaden, Ryan, and Reggie, and three brothers, Lloyd, Ray and Myron.

Funeral services were held today (Thursday), Aug. 13, at 11 a.m. at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Town of Ridgeville. Pastor Matthew Minzlaff officiated. Burial was in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in the Town of Ridgeville with military honors by the Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201.

Relatives and friends called at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and at the church today from 10 a.m. until time of the services.

Stephany M. Scott

Stephany Mary Scott, age 75, of Warrens, WI, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, at the Franciscan Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. She was born on April 28, 1934, to Victor and Delia (Goethe) Cremer. Stephany was raised in Tomah and was a 1952 graduate of Tomah High School. She then graduated from St. Catherine’s College in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She was united in marriage to Craige Scott on Oct. 26, 1957.

Mama was the light we saw in people’s eyes when she walked into a room. She practiced the art of providing comfort for others while making her family her most central concern. She was dedicated to the support of the cranberry marsh that she and her husband Craige own and operate. She will be remembered as a lady, and as the wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who wouldn’t hesitate to share her time and her vitality by all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, Craige of Warrens; her children, Colleen Scott, Craige (Beth) Scott, Shaun (Geoffrey) Schwark and Meg (Doug) York; grandchildren, Ariel and Sydney Scott and Stephany and Christopher Schwark; a brother, John Cremer; a niece, Darcy Douglas, and a nephew, Curt Cremer.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a son-in-law, Ritseart ten Cate.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Aug. 14, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Very Rev. Steven J. Kachel will officiate. A private family interment will take place at a later date in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Mather.

Family and friends are invited for visitation today (Thursday), Aug. 13, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a 4 p.m. rosary by the P.C.C.W. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Tomah Hospice Touch. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.