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Phyllis Mae Myer

Phyllis Mae Myer, age 88, of Tomah, WI, passed from this life peacefully in the morning hours of Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, after courageous battles with her health. She faced her health challenges as she did all things in life, with unfailing strength.

A daughter of the late Glen and Edna (Neumann) Schroeder, Phyllis was born May 24, 1921, in Kilbourn, WI. At the age of 13 she moved to Tomah, where she graduated from Tomah High School in 1939. She married Clyde E. Myer on July 4, 1943, and they enjoyed 58 years of marriage until Clyde’s death on Feb. 14, 2002.

After graduating from high school, Phyllis worked for Janke Motors. She later accepted a position as a bank teller at the Farmers and Merchants Bank, retiring in 1972.

Phyllis was a charter member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority where she remained a loyal member for 67 years. She was also a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Tomah.

Phyllis had a generous heart and volunteered for many different organizations, including the Tomah Army Wife’s Club, Easter Seals, and the Senior Center. She enjoyed bowling, baking for her family, and making beautiful pictures come together through jigsaw puzzles, painting and latch hook.

Phyllis is survived by her son, David (Sandra) Myer of La Crosse; her daughters, Barbara (John) Cram of Tomah and Edna (David) Sprehn of Rome, WI; seven grandchildren, Keri Durkin of Algonquin, IL, Kelly (Matthew) Brauns of Anthem, AZ, Hedy (Lonny) Shore of Tomah, Sara (Jason) Schweitzer of Rochester, MN, Roberta Myer of Minneapolis, MN, Tim (Jamie) Cram of Tomah, and Jeff (Nicole) Cram of Tomah; eight great-grandchildren, Karyn, Kailey, Claire, Nicholas, Jordyn, Gregory, Emily and Silas; a brother, Phillip (Beverly) Schroeder of Scottsdale, AZ; a sister, Jean (Albert) Robarge of Tomah; a sister-in-law, Garnet Schroeder of Tomah; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four brothers, two brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law and a great-granddaughter, Gabriella Schweitzer.

Heartfelt gratitude is extended to Dr. Deming and the Hospice staff for their care and services provided to Phyllis and her family, as well as the staff of A Touch of Home, who cared for Phyllis over the last 1½ years.

The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home of Tomah will be announcing a celebration of Phyllis’ life to be held this spring. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. She will always be on our minds and forever in our hearts.

Verna I. Purpus

Verna Irene Purpus, 80, of Tomah, died Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, at the Tomah Health Care Center. She was born May 4, 1929, to Oliver and Valda (Goodenough) Smith in Black River Falls, WI. She was united in marriage to Elmer Purpus on Nov. 22, 1947, in Wilton. Elmer and Verna farmed in the Wilton area until 1957. They then moved to Tomah and farmed here until 1983. She was a hard working farmer’s wife, working beside Elmer for many years on the farms. Verna worked for Tillman Produce in Wilton, for many years as a cook for the Interstate Restaurant and Mr. D’s restaurant in Tomah. She was a member of the Ladies Aid at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wilton and the Cherry Valley Homemakers. She enjoyed cooking for family and friends and was an avid reader. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend.

She survived by her husband of 62 years, Elmer; three sons, Donald and Dennis (Mary), both of Tomah, and Terry of Mauston; grandchildren Heather Wiehert and Haley Purpus of Mauston, Scott (Jen) Purpus of Elm Grove, Bradley Purpus of West Allis, Kristin Purpus of Mankato, MN; great-grandchildren Sabrina Wiehert of Mauston, Richard Wiehert of Mauston and Lindon Purpus of Elm Grove; a brother, Milo Smith of Janesville, and a sister, Phyllis Roach of Black River Falls; a brother-in-law, Ferris Tande of Black River Falls; a sister-in-law, Edna Eckelberg of Tomah; and an aunt, Neoma Goodenough of Warrens; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by five brothers, Lloyd, Oliver “Scotty”, Willard, Francis and Chester; three sisters, Valda Tande, Margaret Homme and Rose Dearwester, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

A funeral service was held today (Thursday), Jan. 28, at 2:30 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah. Pastor Franklin Ross officiated. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Relatives and friends called on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and on Thursday from 1:30 p.m. until time of the service.

James L. “Jimmy”

Smith, Jr.

Mr. James Lloyd “Jimmy” Smith, Jr., 75, former resident of Tomah, passed away at 2:35 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, in the Forrest Manor Nursing Center, Dewey, Okla.

Funeral services for Mr. Smith were held at 10 a.m. today (Thursday), January 28, 2010, in the Memory Chapel of the Arnold Moore Funeral Residence, Bartlesville, Okla. Rev. Michael Diggs was the officiant. Full military rites with burial were in the Ft. Gibson National Cemetery in Ft. Gibson, Okla., and were directed by The Arnold Moore Funeral Service.

A native of Kansas, James Lloyd Smith, Jr. was born July 7, 1934, at Bouge. He was the son of the late James L. Smith, Sr. and Edith M. (Sayers) Smith. He was reared and received his education in Kansas, graduated from Junction City High School, Junction City, Ks., in 1954 and then attended Kansas Technical Institute, Topeka, Ks. He and the former Miss Vlessie Lee Gwyn were united in marriage on Oct. 2, 1955, at Kansas City. They established their first home in Junction City, K. He was enlisted in the United States Army on Jan. 15, 1957. He served in the Berlin Crisis, Korean War and the Viet Nam War. Sgt. James L. Smith, Jr. was honorably discharged from the United States Army following 20 years of service on Jan. 31, 1977. He moved to Tomah, Wis., and was employed in maintenance in the Tomah Veterans Hospital. Jimmy returned to Bartlesville in 2005 and had continued his home there living in retirement.

Survivors include his two daughters, Michele Renee Beavers and husband Ralph, of Bartlesville, and Yvette Irene Brown, Atlanta, Ga.; three sons, Lloyd Charles Smith, Bernard Adrian Smith, and Theodore Willie Smith, all of Chattanooga, Tenn.; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Florine McClain, Kansas City, Mo.; and his former wife, Vlessie Lee (Gwyn) Smith of Bartlesville. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, a sister and by two sons, James Lee and Jerome William Smith.

Ann Winter

Ann C. Winter, 75, of Tomah, and formerly of Rockford, Ohio, died Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, at the Tomah Health Care Center. She was born on Feb. 16, 1934, to William and Alice (Deitsch) Hoehamer in Rockford, Ohio. She was united in marriage to Richard Winter on Sept. 9, 1957, at the Rockford Methodist Church. She worked many years for the Fremont Kraut Company in Rockford, Ohio, first as a bookkeeper and later on the plant line. Ann enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She always enjoyed a good joke.

She is survived by her husband, Richard; a step-son, Dan (Edna) Winter of Tomah; three grandchildren and a sister.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and an infant sister.

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

Death

Loretta R. Worthington

Loretta Rae Worthington, 75, of Mauston, died peacefully on Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, with her loving husband and good friend Jeanne Patrick by her side.

A funeral service was held today (Thursday), Jan. 28, at 11 a.m. at the Hillsboro Wesleyan Church, 1020 High Ave., Hillsboro. Pastor Roger Miller officiated. Burial was in the Mount Tabor Cemetery.

Relatives and friends called today (Thursday) at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

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