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Clarence E. Brieske, Hazel L. Jerdee, Robert W. Lemon,

Clarence E. Brieske

Clarence E. Brieske, age 85, of Wilton, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, at the Tomah Memorial Hospital. He was born Dec. 8, 1923, to John and Lydia (Purpus) Brieske. Clarence served in the United States Army in WWII.

He was united in marriage to Geraldine Von Haden on Aug. 5, 1950, in Sparta. Together they farmed for 20 years outside of Wilton. Clarence then went to work at Volk Field for a few years before going to work at the Armory in Tomah. Clarence was a member of the Wilton American Legion Post #508. He enjoyed bowling, playing pool and playing cards, especially euchre. He was an avid sports fan, whether it was watching the Packers or attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. More than anything he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine; his sons, Ron (Barb) Brieske of Tomah, and Steve Brieske of Chicago, IL; four grandchildren, Jeff (Mandy) Brieske of Tomah, Jen (Sean) Kowalski of Ringle, Joel (fiancé Heather) Brieske of Tomah, and Jamie (Charles) Thibodeaux of Menomonie; 6 great grandchildren, Carson and Addison Brieske, Cole and Kaya Kowalski, Jackson Steffel and Jaylyn Thibodeaux; sisters-in-law, Maryann Brieske of Springfield, VA and Coryl Brieske of Wilton; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Louise; and brothers, Linus, Edwin, Verland.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, 11 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Pastor William Rice will officiate. Burial with full military honors by the Wilton American Legion Post #508 will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Monday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com

Hazel L. Jerdee

Hazel L. Jerdee, 96, of Tomah, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, at the Tomah Health Care Center. She was born Sept. 29, 1913, to John and Fern (Wells) Merchant at Ontario. She was confirmed June 1, 1924, in Ontario. She attended grade school in Norwalk. She was united in marriage to Reuben Jerdee Dec. 15, 1931. He preceded her in death April 2, 1988. She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed baking and canning and was known for having the best dill pickles in Monroe County. No one ever left Hazel’s house with an empty stomach or without extras to take home. She also had a great love and passion for horses, riding most of her young life.

Hazel is survived by a daughter, Judy (Robert) Helming of Tomah; a daughter-in-law, Ruby Jerdee of Tomah; five grandchildren, Debra (Michael) Pergande of Tomah, Kathy (Chris) Martinson of Weirsdale, FL, Teresa (Glen) Hanson of Camp Douglas, Brian (Michelle) Jerdee of Tomah, and Kenneth (his friend Deanne) Jerdee of Tomah; 14 great-grandchildren, Jason, Ryan and Chad Pergande, all of Tomah, Tammy (friend Julie) Pergande of Warrens, Melissa Pergande of Milwaukee, 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-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Betty Merchant and Flo Merchant, both of Tomah; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Reuben, her son Robert and five brothers, Glen, Harold, Earl, Leo and Boyd.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave, Tomah. Pastor David T. Brandt will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery in the Town of Tomah. Relatives and friends are invited to call at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of the service.

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

Robert W. Lemon

April 12, 1927-Sept. 18, 2009

Robert W. Lemon, 82, of Bellevue, WA, passed away Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. Robert was born April 12, 1927, in Tomah, son of the late Dorothy and Claude Lemon, both of Tomah, and brother of the late Hazel Lemon Hahn of Wausau. He married his wife of 61 years, Lois Giraud Lemon, on May 1, 1948.

Robert graduated from Tomah High School in 1945 and served as part of the Occupation Army in Germany 1946-1947. Robert earned his private pilot’s license while working with his uncle Vic Bloyer at Bloyer Airfield in Tomah, which started his lifelong interest and love for aviation. He earned his BS in Aeronautical Engineering in 1952. He worked for Cessna Aircraft, North American Aviation and Boeing Aviation where he retired after 33 years. He loved to spend time with his family, taking photographs and during his retirement traveling with his wife Lois around the United States to visit family and being a “Snow Bird” in Arizona during the winter.

He is survived by his wife, Lois; daughters Arlys Lemon, Bellevue, WA, and Cathy (Jeff) Knapp, Wilsonville, OR; a son, Bruce (Marion) Lemon, Lacey, WA; six grandchildren, Katrina (Casey) Blakslee, Jessi and Mandy Knapp, and Matt, Stephanie and Brett Lemon; three great-grandchildren, MaKayla, Cole and Brooke Blakslee; three nieces, Sandra (Wayne) Flanagan of Wausau, Susan (Kendall) Kubasch of Howard Lake, MN, and Julie Hahn of Apple Valley, MN, and numerous cousins in the Tomah area.

Robert’s children, Arlys, Cathy and Bruce, will host a gathering for friends and relatives at the Tee Pee Supper Club in Tomah from 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, to celebrate Robert’s life.