Elden G. Rytilahti
 

Elden G. Rytilahti 82 of Prairie du Chien, WI, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather went home to the Lord on June 25, 2009 surrounded by his loving family at Gundersen-Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse, WI.
  Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday July 1, 2009 at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church with burial in Evergreen Cemetery, with military honors, both in Prairie du Chien.
  Friends may call on Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Thornburg-Hanson Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien and one hour prior to services at the church.
  Elden is survived by his wife Ann, children: Mark (Diann) Rytilahti of Green Bay, WI, Ray (Tammy) Rytilahti of Holmen, WI, Michael (Erica) Rytilahti of La Crescent, WI: grandchildren: Sharon, Stephanie, Eric, Nicholas, and Regan, and a great granddaughter Kailee.
  Memorial may be given to Gundersen-Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse, St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Prairie du Chien or the American Cancer Society.
  Elden was born April 13, 1927 in Republic, MI to Henrick and Hilma (Laurila) Rytilahti. He served in the US Navy during WW II and Korea as a machinist mate.
  He married Ann Piciarca on August 11, 1954 in Chicago, IL. He worked as a tool and die maker his entire life, retiring at the age of 72 from McGregor Loudspeaker.
  In his younger years he enjoyed riding motorcycles and playing baseball. During his entire life he loved hunting, fishing, camping, bowling, reading, and spending time with his family. Elden was a devoted Packer, Badger, and Brewer fan.
  He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Reino and Helmer, and sisters: Helen, Sylvia and Martha.

Curtis Piggott
 

Curtis Piggott, 90, of Waukon, IA, died Thursday, July 2, 2009, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.
  Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 7th, at 11:00 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Joseph Schneider officiating. Burial will be held in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.
  Friends may call from 4:00 - 8:00 pm Monday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon where there will be a 4:00 pm scripture service.
  James Curtis Piggott was born on May 7, 1919 in Waukon, IA, the son of James and Katherine (Waters) Piggott. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon and attended St. Patrick Catholic School and graduated from Waukon High School in 1937. Curtis farmed with his parents in Ludlow Township for several years. On March 9, 1943 he married Betty Jean Thomson at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. Curtis and Betty farmed in Ludlow Township for many years, operating a dairy herd and raising beef cattle, chickens, hogs, and grain. They moved to Waukon in 1982, and he continued later in life to help his son Greg with the farming operation. Curtis loved everything about the farming life and continued to “go out to the farm” up until just a few weeks before his death.
  Curtis was a lifetime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Farm Bureau and served on the Soil Conservation Board. He enjoyed spending time with his family and following his grandchildren’s activities. He also loved fishing, hunting, traveling, taking rides throughout the countryside and playing cards – especially euchre with his card club – and was an avid Hawkeye fan. Curtis never missed a good party and loved meeting new people and seeing new things in his trips and travels.
  Survivors include his wife, Betty of Waukon; his children, Peggy (Ron) Henning of Decorah, IA and Greg (Rosella) Piggott of Waukon, IA; 7 grandchildren, Devon (Rick) Wagner, James and Justin Piggott, Stacia (Mike) Sonderman, Beth (Dan) Knudsvig, Wade (Cathryn Meyer) Henning and Aryn (Benji) Nichols; and 6 great-grandchildren, Tanner Henning, Danielle Wagner, Henry and Wyatt Knudsvig and Thomas and Emma Sonderman. He is preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Catherine Jaquish.
  Honorary casketbearers are Wade and Cathryn Henning, Beth Knudsvig, Aryn Nichols, Stacia Sonderman, Devon and Rick Wagner. Casketbearers are James and Justin Piggott, Dan Knudsvig, Benji Nichols, Mike Sonderman, Tanner Henning.

Harold W. Fritz
 

Harold W. Fritz, 97, of Waukon, IA, died Friday, June 26, 2009, at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon.
  Funeral services will be held Monday, June 29th, at 10:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon, IA, with Pastor Tom Buresh officiating. Burial will be held in Lansing Ridge Cemetery, rural Waukon.
  Friends may call from one hour before services on Monday at the church. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family with arrangements.
  Harold William Fritz was born on December 10, 1911, on the rural Lansing, IA, farm of his parents, William and Matilda (Fetketter) Fritz. He was baptized and confirmed at French Creek United Methodist Church, attended Lansing Elementary School and graduated from Lansing High School in 1930, where he participated in basketball, baseball, track and band.
  After graduating he farmed with his twin brother Willard in rural Lansing. On March 26, 1941 he married Bernice Sommermeyer in Lansing. Harold continued to farm with his brother until the late 1970's. Harold and Willard also had a painting business and painted over 100 homes throughout the county. Bernice died in 1976.
  On August 11, 1979 he married Nadine Wenig Renk at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. He and Nadine enjoyed several trips throughout the US and a morning ritual of having coffee with friends.
  Harold was a member of First Presbyterian Church and the Farm Bureau. He played the saxophone in the Frank Bechtel Band for several years and later with the Twin Tones, giving many performances at area nursing homes. He loved music, was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed farming and taking care of his livestock, especially his Jersey cows.
  Survivors include a daughter, Mary (Tom) Strong of Cedar Rapids, IA; a daughter-in-law, Kathi Fritz of Hurst, TX; 6 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 3 step-children, Jerry (Colleen) Renk of Bismarck, ND, Sandra (Mike) Tierney of Middleton, WI and Jim (Cathy) Renk of Peru, IL; 9 step-grandchildren and several step-great-grandchildren.
  He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Bernice, his second wife, Nadine who died in 2006, a son, Bill who died in 2008 and his twin brother, Willard.
  Honorary casketbearers are Keith Hastings, Walter Johnson, Willard Kerndt, Harold Marti, Ralph Schellhammer, Delbert Timmerman. Casketbearers are Tom, Andy and Eric Strong, Tom Fritz, Ron Sommermeyer, Kenny Krambeer.

Rosemary Anne Mooney
 

Rosemary A. Mooney 79 of Waukon, IA died Wednesday June 24, 2009 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA.
  Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday June 27, 2009 at Immaculate Conception Church-Wexford in rural Lansing, IA. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
  Friends may call on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Thornburg-Hanson Funeral Home in Lansing, IA.
  She is survived by four children: Tim Mooney of Cedar Rapids, IA, Terry (Julie) Mooney of Waukon, IA, Pat ( Chris) Mooney of Cedar Rapids, IA, Maureen (David) Hoch of San Diego, CA, 12 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and a brother Jim O'Brien of Frankfort, IL.
  Rosemary was born October 23, 1929 at Waukon, IA to Leonard and Agnes (Grady) O”Brien.
  She received her BS degree in Nursing from Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, IA. She worked for a time in Los Angeles, CA, Dallas, TX, and Cleveland, OH before her marriage to Vincent Mooney on September 22, 1956 in Waukon, IA. They farmed in the Wexford area and Rosemary worked as a nurse at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon for many years.
  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vincent on September 222, 1999, and a brother Tom O'Brien.

William L. Herreid
 

William L. Herreid 81, a prominent businessman of Prairie du Chien died Tuesday June 30, 2009 at Prairie Maison in Prairie du Chien, WI following a long illness.
  Services will be 11:00 AM Friday July 3, 2009 at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church with burial in Evergreen Cemetery both in Prairie du Chien, WI.
  Friends may call at the church beginning at 9:30 AM on Friday.
  He is survived by his wife Norma; children Joyce Hagen of Wauzeka, WI, William Jr. (Sandi) Herreid and Tom (Ginny) Herreid both of Prairie du Chien, WI; six grandchildren Matt (Bethany) Hagen, Amanda (Jeremy) Oldenburg, Ashley Herreid, Hannah, Brianna, and Tara Herreid; great grandchildren Makehnna Oldenburg and Mercedes Herreid.
  William was born June 25, 1928 in Prairie du Chien, WI to Theodore and Ethel (Swingle) Herreid. They later moved to Middleton, WI where Bill graduated from high school in 1946. While in school he played basketball and the clarinet. Following high school he attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison for two years, playing in the marching band.
  In 1948 he returned to Prairie du Chien and went to work for his uncle Lawrence Swingle at Prairie Tool Company, which he later bought in 1957. Bill married Norma Kurth on March 21, 1951.
  Being an entrepreneur, Bill also ventured into several other businesses: S & H Oil consisting of a truck stop, restaurant, and Kwiki Car Wash; The Homesteader Manufactured Home Community and Homesteader Homes, a Manufactured, Modular Home & Real Estate Company. Bill was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge and also a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, serving on the building committee for the new church. He was also an initial member of the United Way board, and involved with the Optimist club. Bill loved his family, his businesses and his cars. He will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
  He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter Barbara.
  In lieu of flowers memorials may be given.

Pamela S. Belflower
 

Pamela Susan (Anthony) Belflower, 45, of Soldiers Grove, passed away Fiday June 26 after a long courageous battle with cancer.
  Pam was born June 8, 1964 in Appleton, Wi. at St. Elizabeths Hospitol to Wayne M. Anthony (Jeannie) and Alice M. (O’Toole) Kroeple.
  She is preceded in death by a son Dustin Jacobs and grandparents. Pam was a graduate of Aplleton West High, 1981. She married David J. Belflower June 10, 2001.
  Pam had a love for all animals but a special one for her dogs.
  She is survived by her husband, parents and children, Richard Anthony, Zachary Jacobs and Autumn Jacobs, brothers and sisyers, Kathleen Anthony, Patricia Anthony, Scott Anthony and Jefferey Wilson (Kimmy) and her best friend Gina Mattson.
  Pam lived most of her life in Appleton except when she traveling with her husband around the country. Pam will be sadly missed by many.
  As requested there will be no service. Condolences may be sent to simefuneralforum.com.

Francis D. Derrickson
 

Blue River/Boscobel
Veteran
Francis D. Derrickson, age 90 of Boscobel and formerly of Blue River, passed away on Wendsday June 24 2009 at the Boscobel Area Health Care in Boscobel.
  He was born on March 14 1919 in Sylvin Township Richland County Wisconsin. The son of Thomas and Maude (Watson) Derrickson. He married Ruby Couey on October 21 1941 in Dubuque Iowa.
  Francis was a WWII Army Veteran. He was a rural mail carrier for several years in Blue River.
  He is survived by his wife of 67 years Ruby of Boscobel. A son Donald (Janeth) Derrickson of Magnolia Ark. 3 Daughters: Sandra (Mark) Lester of Gays Mills, Shirley (Howard) Drake of Boscobel, Nancy Stetler of Pearl City Illinois. 9 Grandchildren 10 Great-Grandchildren.
  He was preceded in death by 4 Brothers 3 Sisters.
  Funeral Services will be held on Saturday June 27 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at the Kendall Funeral Home in Boscobel. Pastor Duane Andrus officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Blue River Cemetery.
  Friends may call on Friday June 26 2009 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the Kendall Funeral Home in Boscobel. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Grant County Hospice or the Boscobel Rescue Squad. Military Honors will be accorded by the Robert R. Shattuck American Legion Post #443 of Blue River Wisconsin.

Genevieve Rita Wild
 

Genevieve R. Wild 91 of Lansing, IA died Wednesday June 24, 2009 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA.
  Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Monday June 29, 2009 at Immaculate Conception Church with burial at Gethsemane Cemetery both in Lansing, IA.
  Friends may call on Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Thornburg-Hanson Funeral Home in Lansing, IA.
  Genevieve is survived by two daughters: Connie (Bob) Gallagher of Waukon, IA, Patti Wild Strobel (Joe Strobel) of Lansing, grandchildren: Shawn (Tina) Gallagher, Craig (Annette) Gallagher, Michelle Bakke (Mike Hansmeier), Lisa Guider, and 9 great grandchildren.
  Genevieve was born March 27, 1918 at Wexford, IA to Matt and Margaret (Thornton) Guider. She married Milton Wild on August 8, 1938.
  She was an elementary school teacher for 35 years, teaching at Mays Prairie, New Albin, Harpers Ferry, and Lansing. Her hobbies included crocheting and doing crafts. Genevieve also enjoyed the river, sitting on the deck, and being will all her friends.
  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Milton on September 5, 1999, siblings: Lucille Brazell, Catherine Betthauser, Marge Bigelow, Ann Thomson, and three infant brothers.

Rita A. Whalen
 

Rita A. Whalen, 57, of Waukon, IA, died Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at her home in Waukon.
  Funeral services will be held Friday, July 3rd, at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Joseph Schneider officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Lycurgus Cemetery, rural Waukon.
  Friends may call from 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:00 pm scripture service. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Lycurgus Cemetery, St. Patrick Catholic School, or St. Mary's Hanover Catholic Church.
  Rita Ann Whalen was born on June 6, 1952 in Waukon, Iowa, the daughter of Donald Aloysious and Bernadette Margaret (Larkin) Whalen. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Lycurgus Catholic Church. Rita attended Lycurgus rural elementary school and graduated from St. Patrick High School in Waukon in 1970. She went on to study accounting at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar, IA.
  After schooling Rita worked first at Veterans Memorial Hospital and then for Mark Mauss Motors and Pladsen Motors, all in Waukon. The past 27 years she has been the secretary and bookkeeper at Torkelson Motors in Waukon.
  Rita was a very active member at her church. She was involved with the CEW program, was a recent president of ACCW through the Decorah Deanery, taught CCD classes at St. Mary's Lycurgus and St. Patrick Catholic Churches, and worked with the music programs at St. Mary's Lycurgus, St. Mary's Hanover, and St. Patrick Catholic Churches. In addition to her music involvement at churches, Rita taught guitar lessons, sang at many weddings, funerals and special occasions throughout the area, and was a member of the Great River Chapter of Sweet Adelines.
  Rita liked to travel, taking trips to visit relatives as well as tours to different parts of the country, including an annual visit for the past 15 years to Grand Marias Resort near Duluth, MN. Rita loved spending time with children, and they loved spending time with her, especially her nieces and nephews who enjoyed yearly visits to pick strawberries and adventures in the backyard raspberry patch with their Aunt Rita. She also enjoyed collecting spoons, dolls, and coins. Her dog Buddy was a constant companion at the house and often went with Rita on errands and walks around town.
  Survivors include her mother, Bernadette Whalen of Waukon; 5 brothers, Patrick (Karen) Whalen of Lansing, IA, Thomas (Laurie) Whalen of Dawsonville, GA, Joseph (Tina) Whalen of Crawfordsville, IA, Jerry (Kris) Whalen of Eugene, OR, and Dennis Whalen of Iowa City, IA; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and cousins.