Archived Services - E

Virginia Eastman

     Virginia M. Eastman, age 94, died on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at Orchard Manor Nursing Home, rural Lancaster.  She was born on March 14, 1915, in Neillsville, the daughter of Frank and Velda (Heyder) Anderson.  She moved to River Falls as a child and later, in 1928, moved to Hammond where she graduated from high school in 1932.  Virginia graduated from River Falls State Teachers College, now known as University of Wisconsin River Falls.  Upon receiving her Bachelors of Education degree in 1936, she accepted a position in the public schools of Mellen, to teach English and History.  In 1938, she moved to Lancaster and taught Junior High School English.  In 1940, she was united in marriage to LeRoy Eastman and they were married for twenty-nine years.  Mr. Eastman died in 1969.  Music was her passion and she pursued voice and piano throughout her life.  She studied piano with Sister Anna Rose of St. Clement’s for nine years, graduating from the course accredited by Alverno College of Milwaukee.  Virginia then continued her music education with Dr. Leo Steffens at the UW Madison.  She led the Congregational Church Choir for thirty-seven years and taught voice and piano in her home for over fifty years.  She also directed music festivals for the Lancaster Lucky Clovers 4-H group.  Virginia had been a member of PEO for over sixty years and enjoyed participating in community volunteerism.

       Virginia leaves the following to mourn her loss:  a son, Dr. Michael (Carol) Eastman, El Paso, TX and Flagstaff, AZ; a daughter, Nancy Eastman, Lenox, MA; three grandsons: Rev. Brian (Amelia) Eastman, Dayton, OH; Dr. Nathaniel (Kristine) Eastman, Anchorage, Alaska; Dr. Michael (Michelle Manning) Elihu Eastman, Madison; two step grandsons: Kirk Oden, San Antonio, TX; Cameron Oden, Plantation, FL and two great-grandchildren:  Erica and Kevin Eastman.

       In addition to her parents and her husband, Virginia was preceded in death by one son, Rev. Charles Eastman and a brother, Douglas Anderson.

       Memorial services were held on Friday, May 22, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at the Congregational Church in Lancaster with Rev. Mark Dieter officiating.  Private Family Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster.  Friends called on Friday, May 22, 2009, from 12:00 p.m. until time of services at the church.  In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials may be sent to: University of Wisconsin – River Falls Foundation, % Kimberly Gould Speckman, 410 S. 3^rd Street, River Falls, WI, 54022 for the Virginia M Eastman Music Scholarship Fund.  Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster is assisting the family.

Virgil W. Eck

     Virgil W. Eck, age 75, of Potosi died Saturday, June 28, 2008 at his home surrounded by his family.  He was born on February 27, 1933 in Ellenboro Township, the son of Raymond and Bernice (Hall) Eck.  Virgil attended Elmdale School, Waterloo Township.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951 and was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict.  Virgil married Karen Kay Schramm on January 9, 1965 in Platteville. 

      Virgil worked at John Deere for 30 years, retiring in 1985.  He also farmed in rural Potosi.  Virgil enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.

      Virgil is survived by his wife, Kay, Potosi; eight children:  Troy (Barbara) Eck, Mentone, CA; Tom Eck, Slinger; Missy (Dan) Kliebenstein, Potosi; Steven (Rebecca) Eck, Boscobel; Daniel Eck, San Diego, CA; Doug Eck, Platteville; Linda (Paul) Hrupka, Union Grove and Laurie (Fernando) Zapata, Boca Raton, FL; 21 grandchildren and one great-grandson; six brothers and sisters:  Vivian Alcott, Fennimore; Roger (Shirley) Eck, Tomah; Robert (Phyllis) Eck, Lancaster; Clayton (Doris) Eck, Richland Center; Lavon (Al) Miller, Madison and Betty (Paul) Pluemer, Platteville; five sisters-in-law and six brothers-in-law; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

     He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jackie and Stanley Eck; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Eck; a brother-in-law, Keith Irish; three nephews and one niece.

     Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at the Davies Memorial United Church of Christ in Potosi with Teri Hanson officiating.  Burial with Military Honors was accorded by the Berg Averkamp VFW Post #5276 and the American Legion Post #473, both from Potosi at British Hollow Cemetery, Town of Potosi.  Family and friends were welcomed from 4 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, July 1 at the Martin Funeral Home in Potosi and from 9:30 a.m. until time of services Wednesday at the church.  

Darlene M. Ellis, age 71, of Potosi, WI, passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at Orchard Manor Nursing Home. Her long endurance with Alzheimer’s has come to rest.

Darlene M. Vesperman was born March 18, 1940, in Lancaster, the daughter of Glen and Margaret (Kelly) Vesperman. She graduated from Platteville High School. Darlene worked for Eastman Cartwright lumber, Grant County social services and twenty-two years as a teacher assistant at the Potosi Grade School. She married Larry L. Ellis in 1961. They both retired in 1992 and traveled to Florida for many years. She loved to walk and dance. Her love for her grandchildren will live on.

She is survived by her husband, Larry, Potosi; son, Jeff (Michelle) Gerow-Ellis, Duluth, MN; daughter, Cheryl (Steve) Van Dyle, Cuba City; three sisters: Goldie Yager, Beetown; Dorothy (Monroe) Haas, Lancaster; Hila Johnson, Sarasota, FL; four granddaughters, Meghan (Jeff) Skemp, Platteville; Kayla (Scott) Furlong and great-granddaughter, Khiley, Galena, IL; Katie Ellis, Springfield, MO; and Chelsea Statton, Cuba City; as well as one step-granddaughter and two step-grandsons.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Margaret Vesperman; two brothers: Maynard Vesperman, Delbert Vesperman, and one sister, Hazel Schmitz.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October, 22, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends called on Friday, October 21, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Schwartz Funeral Home and from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home on Saturday.

Leona E. Engelke, age 90, of Belmont, died on Friday, October 22, 2010 at Upland Hills Health in Dodgeville.  She was born January 7, 1920 in rural Platteville, the daughter of Ernest and Emma (Maahs) DeBuhr.  On September 21, 1946, Leona was united in marriage to Leo H. Engelke at Peace Lutheran Church in Belmont.  She assisted and enjoyed all aspects of farming up until her last few days.  Leona also loved being with her family.

Leona is survived by two children:  Ronald Engelke, Belmont and Karen (Jeff) Grefe, New London, MN; three grandchildren:  Linda Miller and her daughter, Lynell Elizabeth, Lancaster; Laura (Mark) Repstad and their daughter, Juliet, San Marino, CA and Brian (Jenny) Grefe and their son, Jack, Duluth, MN; her sister, Helen Edebohls, Platteville; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leo on July 9, 2006; three brothers and one sister:  Fritz, Clarence, Melvin and Dorothy.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Belmont with Reverend Connie Matye officiating.  Burial was held in the Belmont Cemetery.  Family and friends were welcome from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 26 at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home in Platteville and on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church.

     Maurice A. Enke, age 82, of Patch Grove, died on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at the Lancaster Care Center.  He was born on June 30, 1926, in Patch Grove, WI, the son of Alvin and Sadie (Wilkenson) Enke.  He attended school in Patch Grove.  He married Genevieve Deakins and she preceded him in death in January of 1999.  Maurice farmed in the Patch Grove area all his life.  His farm was a 3-H farm – Hereford, Holsteins, and horses.  Maurice milked cows until 1989 and raised beef cattle until a few years ago.  Horses were a big part of his life.  He brought the cows in by riding horseback.  He enjoyed teams of horses, rodeo, breaking horses, and often had his horse and buggy in parades.  He was a big supporter of the Blakes Prairie parades.  Maurice enjoyed his family and especially loved his great-granddaughter, Taylor.

     He is survived by his stepson, Gary (Becky) Wilkinson, Belmont; his brother, Charles (Phyllis) Enke, Prairie du Chien; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

     In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; his stepdaughter, Tonya Vogel; and his sister-in-law, Irene Enke.

     Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2008 at the Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington with Pastor Mark Hoehne officiating.  Burial was in Union Nagle Cemetery, Patch Grove Township.  Visitation was held from 12:00 noon until the time of services at the funeral home on Thursday. 

      Irene M. Erickson, age 84 of Lancaster, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2009, at Orchard Manor in Lancaster, WI following a brief illness.  Irene was born on January 6, 1925, the oldest of seven children born to Leo and Margaret (Flesch) Duve.  She married Robert J. “Bob” Erickson on August 6, 1949, and together, they raised five children.  He preceded her in death on December 26, 1986.  Irene worked as a waitress in many local restaurants, and she worked in the Purity Bakery.  She retired in 1980.  Irene’s favorite pastimes were Bingo, playing cards, fishing, embroidery, and making crafts from plastic canvas.    She enjoyed cooking, and very seldom followed a recipe.  Irene enjoyed spending time with her family, and visiting on the telephone.

     Irene is survived by five children: Gary (Lana) Erickson, Lancaster; Tom (Marita) Erickson, Tacoma, WA; Connie (Steve) Reinsbach and Pat (Graydon) Hall all of Lancaster; and Julie (Kevin) Atkinson, Cuba City; ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.  She is also survived by her three sisters: Mary Luella Place, Lancaster;  Evelyn (Philip)Peterson, Lindsberg, KS;  Jane Duve, Grand Blanc, MI; and two brothers: Ivan (Jean Ann) Duve, Shelby, MT; and Eugene “Red” (Marilyn) Duve, Independence, MO. 

     She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother Clement Duve and a great-grandson, Kyle Miller.

     Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 10, 2009, at 11:30 a.m. at Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster.  Burial was in St. Clement Cemetery, Lancaster.  Friends called on Saturday, January 10, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.

     Alma D. Esser, age 85, of Lancaster, died on Sunday, January 3, 2010, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster.  She was born on March 19, 1924, in Bloomington, the daughter of Emil and Catherine (Crubel) Meyer.  On May 4, 1943, Alma was united in marriage to John P. Esser at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington.  Together they farmed in Grant County for almost thirty years.  Alma volunteered at Orchard Manor Nursing Home and at Grant Regional Health Center.  She enjoyed embroidery, sewing, baking, and playing cards, especially euchre.  Alma also liked to listen to polka music and Daniel O’Donnell.  She was a loving mother and grandmother and took great pride in spending time with her daughter, LouAnn.

       Survivors include her seven children:  Jerry (JoAnne) Esser, Fort Wayne, IN; Delores (Richard) Wagner, Potosi; Leland (Nancy) Esser, Glen Haven; Leonard (Dr. Judy Lambert) Esser, Oshkosh; Diane (Tom) Wagner, McFarland; LouAnn Esser, Lancaster; and Allen (Tami) Esser, Monroe; 16 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; her siblings: Lorraine (Jerry) Roling, Dubuque, IA; Rosie (John) Errthum, Lancaster; Alvina (Cyril) Mumm, Cassville; Arlene (Wayne) Junk, Cassville; and Pat (Bernard) Mumm, Cassville; her sister-in-law, Marge Herbers, Bloomington; a brother-in-law, Don Burke, Platteville; other relatives and many friends. 

       In addition to her parents, Alma was preceded in death by her husband, a sister in infancy, a brother, Walter (Joyce) Meyer and a granddaughter, Cathy Hermes.

       Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 7, 2010, at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster at 10:00 a.m. with Father William Seipp officiating.  Burial was in St. Mary’s Settlement Cemetery, Cassville.  Family and Friends called on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster and from 9:00 a.m. until time of services on Thursday at the church.  Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster is assisting the family.

Charles F. Esser, age 80, of Cassville, died on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, at the Lancaster Care Center. He was born on July 28, 1931, in Cassville, the son of Nick and Rose (Brinkman) Esser. Charles graduated from Cassville High School in 1950. He then entered the United States Army where he served his country during the Korean War. Charles drove truck for FS following his honorable discharge. In 1961, he began farming on the family farm and later purchased the farm with his brother. Charles was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, Holy Name Society, and the American Legion Post No. 352 of Cassville.

Survivors include his brother and sisters: Florence Ley, Dolores (Larry) Houghton, Gerry (Ambrose) Mumm, Donald (Barb) Esser, and Darlene (Mike) Schauff, all of Cassville; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by a sister, Bernice Vogt.

Funeral services were held on Monday, August 29, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cassville with Father John Meinholz officiating. Burial with military honors was held in St. Charles Cemetery. Family and friends called on Sunday, August 28, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Cassville, where a 3:45 p.m. scripture service was held. Friends also called on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.

     Kathleen A. Esser, age 75, of Glen Haven, died on Friday, April 24, 2009, at the Lancaster Care Center, Lancaster.  She was born on March 19, 1934, in Grant County, the daughter of Joe and Clara (Hoffman) Esser.  Kathleen graduated from Bloomington High School.  She was employed with Ed Walz Lumber and later was employed with People’s State Bank in Glen Haven for over fifty-two years.  Kathleen also worked for the Township for fifty years.  She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Glen Haven.  She enjoyed her pet cats, fancy work and her trips to the casinos.

       Kathleen is survived by her sister, Bernice Cathman, Prairie du Chien and her niece, Kay (Richard) Tesar, Prairie du Chien; and four great nephews.

       In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother who died in infancy.

       Funeral services were held on Monday, April 27, 2009, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Glen Haven at 11:00 a.m. with Father Bart Timmerman officiating.  Burial was in Gockel Cemetery, Glen Haven.  Friends called on Sunday, April 26, 2009, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington and from 10:00 a.m. until time of services on Monday at the church.  Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington assisted the family.