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Clarence J. Baldwin, Margaret M. McKnight, Susan I. Pierce

Clarence J. Baldwin

Clarence J. Baldwin, 57, of Tomah, died suddenly Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, at Tomah Memorial Hospital. He was born on March 2, 1952, to Harold and Rosena (Cox) Baldwin in Sparta. He was a member of the Tomah Senior High School Graduating Class of 1970. He was united in marriage to Betty Welch on May 8, 1971, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was later united in marriage to Julie Calkins on Oct. 12, 1996, at Fireman’s Park in Tomah. They moved to northeastern Texas for many years, and he worked as a carpenter for Cornerstone Custom Builders. In October of 2008 he moved back to Tomah to be closer to his family. He was a carpenter by trade and loved to work with his hands; he would drive down just about any street in Tomah and be able to tell you which house he worked on and what he did. He was currently working as a forklift driver for RP Logistics. Clarence was a big warm gentleman who would play Santa around Christmastime for many children. He enjoyed anything outdoors, whether it be camping, fishing, snowmobiling, hunting, or just being outside. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.

He is survived by his loving wife Julie; three daughters, Dawn (Willie) Baldwin of Warrens, Pattie (Doug) Hartley of Warrens and Nicole (Nick) Raabe of Tomah; a son, Larry (Mistie) Baldwin of Tomah; 12 grandchildren, Brandon Waddell, Brandon Bergstrom, Brett Bergstrom, Brandy Bergstrom, Brooke Baldwin, Samantha Stevens, Cole Hartley, Wyatt Hartley, Ethan Raabe, Hannah Raabe, Chandler Turner, and an expected grandchild Baby Baldwin; three sisters, Laura (Ed) Chambers of Tomah, Wanda (Lance) Knight of Tomah and Emogene (Duane) Root of Halifax, VA; a sister-in-law, Vicki Baldwin of Tomah; his mother-in-law, Beatrice Calkins of Tomah; an aunt, Agnes Baldwin of Tomah; many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Kenneth and an infant brother, Joseph; two infant sisters, Alice and Catherine, and his father-in-law, Rodney Calkins.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church. Pastor Thomas Baker and Pastor Dominic Crescimanno will officiate. Burial will be in the Wood Cemetery.

Relatives and friends are invited to call today (Thursday) from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E Monowau St., Tomah, and at the church on Friday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.

Margaret M. McKnight

Margaret M. McKnight, age 86, of Tomah, WI, passed away Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, at the Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse. She was born to Conrad and Marie (Leuck) Hansen on April 27, 1923, in Cashton. She graduated from Cashton High School in 1941 and received her RN degree from St. Francis School of Nursing in 1944.

Margaret was a member of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, which was attached to the Air Force, and served for 15 months during WW II.

She worked at the Rhode Clinic in Galesville for seven years and at the Trane Co. in La Crosse for two years. She retired in 1983 after working as an RN for 28 years at the Tomah Veterans Hospital.

Margaret married Fred J. Stellpflug in 1946. He preceded her in death in 1970. She then was united in marriage in 1976 to Robert McKnight, who passed away in 1991.

Margaret was an avid golfer and enjoyed bowling; she loved to watch any sports on television, especially the Packers and Tiger Woods. She also had a very special spot in her heart for her pets.

Margaret is survived by five sisters, Elaine (James) Schleichert of St. Paul, MN, Ruth (Donald) Dolan of La Crosse, Jeanne (Dennis) Goody of Coon Valley, Judith Riggins of Stevens Point, Mary (Gary) Weber of Rockland; one sister-in-law, Delores (Jerome) Hansen; four step-children: Robert, Mark, Kimberly and Daniel McKnight; seven step-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Donald (Kathryn) Hansen and Jerome Hansen.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held today (Thursday), Dec. 3, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomah. The Very Rev. Steven J. Kachel officiated. Burial followed in Pine Cliff Cemetery in Galesville. Family and friends called Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Clare Health Mission, 916 Ferry St., La Crosse, WI, or to a charity of choice in Margaret’s name. The Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah assisted the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Susan I. Pierce

Susan I. Pierce, 61, of Warrens, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, surrounded by her loving family at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. She was born on June 3, 1948, to Robert and Irene (Riemann) Bussinger in Blue Earth, MN. She was a member of the Hastings High School Graduating Class of 1966. After meeting Loren “Lorney” Pierce, Jr., she moved to Tomah and they were united in marriage on Aug. 14, 1971, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tomah. He preceded her in death on Feb. 7, 2005. She farmed with her husband in the Town of Greenfield for many years. After her family was grown, Sue took a job at the Tomah Wal-Mart in the fabrics and crafts department. She was known for expert advice and vast knowledge of quilting and sewing. She was a faithful and devoted member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, and a member of the Lydia Circle. She volunteered for the American Cancer Society and helped start the Daffodil Days. She loved baking, and her specialty was making delicious cakes for her family and friends. Sue was a kind and gentle lady who enjoyed visiting with friends, family and Wal-Mart customers. She was very proud of all her children and grandchildren and would do anything for them. She had two special companions, her schnauzer dogs Bobby and Mickey.

She is survived by three sons, David (Teresa), Larry (Dawn), and Dennis, all of Tomah; two daughters, Rhonda of Verona and Cynthia (Christopher) Kortbein of Eleva; 10 grandchildren, Kristine (Peter) Andrastek of Wauwatosa, Kelly Pierce, Katie Pierce, Samuel Pierce, David Pierce, Jr., Lee Pierce and Scott Pierce, all of Tomah, and Cullen, Camryn and Cierra Kortbein, all of Eleva; three great-grandchildren, John Paul, Joseph, and Maria Andrastek; her father, Robert Bussinger of Virginia, MN; a brother, Larry (Velma) Bussinger of Bloomington, MN, and a sister, Karen Bussinger of Eveleth, MN; a special aunt, Agnes Hulke of St. Paul, MN; three brothers-in-law, Charles “Chuck” of Tomah, Norman “Woody” (Lorraine) of Warrens, Eugene “Buck” (Mary) of Tomah; three sisters-in-law, Grace Pierce of Tomah, Arliss (Kjell) Oliversen of San Antonio, TX, and MaryEtta Pierce of Tomah; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Loren E. Pierce, Jr., and her mother, Irene; a son, Joey; and two brothers-in-law, Duaine “Black” Pierce and Ronald “Whitey” Pierce.

A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave., Tomah. Pastor Donald R. Buch officiated. Burial was in Mount Vernon Cemetery.