All Obituaries

Donald Willis Ellingson of Buffalo Lake MN, formerly Mound, MN, passed away peacefully on September 25th 2021.Born December 7th 1925 in Milwaukee, WI, he was the son of the late Elmer Oliver and Jessie Roe Ellingson. An only child, at age 17 his parents gave Donald permission to join the Navy during WWII. He served primarily on Guam in the Pacific Theater. After discharge from the Navy, he attended St. Olaf college on the G.I. bill. Following graduation Donald led a nomadic life traveling...

Wilbur Merle Bergner (Willie), 90, of Durand, WI died Monday, October 11,2021 at Advent Health in Durand, WI. He was born October 1,1931 in Durand. WI; son of Gustav and Ruby (Longsdorf) Bergner. He attended Durand Schools. In 1950, he went into the Air Force and stationed in England. He was honorable discharged December 1953. Willie married Dorothy Lehman August 1956 in Durand.  They lived in Durand.  Dorothy passed away November 1959. On February 11, 1961 he married Shirley...

Louetta Louise Seyffer, 86, of rural Pepin, WI passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at the Plum City Care Center. Lou was born November 17, 1934 in Weston, WI to Grant and Edna Thompson. She attended Ellsworth High School and worked at Production Credit in River Falls after graduation.  She met a blue-eyed young man at the dance hall in Bay City and she and Vaughn Seyffer were married on May 7, 1957. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Mark and Dawn. They owned...

Loretta Joy Hillestad, 87, of Durand, WI died Saturday, October 9, 2021 at the Plum City Care Center. She was born April 13, 1934 in Durand, WI; daughter of Gustav and Ruby (Longsdorf) Bergner. She graduated from Durand High School. On July 23, 1955 she married Alroy Hillestad of Urne, WI in Mason City, IA. Loretta worked various jobs before staying home to raise her family. She loved taking care of people and spending time with family and friends. She is survived by her sons, Rodney...

Ronda Ray Hogan, 67, of Mondovi, WI died Sunday, September 19, 2021 at Mayo Health Systems in Eau Claire, WI. She was born August 28, 1954 in Waterloo, IA to Carl and Merlene (Hill) Levers. She grew up in Cedar Falls, IA. When Ronda was 16 her family moved to Stockholm, WI. She graduated from Pepin High School in 1973. On November 2, 1974 she married Ronald Hogan at the United Methodist Church in Durand. They lived in Texas for 21 years before moving back to the area 6 years ago. Ronda...

Ricky Whipple, 62, of Pepin, WI died Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at his home. He was born April 15, 1959 in Red Wing, MN; son of Laurel (Johnson)Whipple and Charles Whipple. He grew up in the Pepin area and graduated from Pepin High School in 1978. Ricky farmed most of his life. He loved farming, he was a hard worker, and loved tinkering with farm machinery. He is survived by his three daughters; four grandchildren; siblings, Randy, Scott, Rodney, Tammie and Faith; and many nieces and...

Alice May Girard, 88, of Durand, died Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at the Plum City Care Center. She was born January 20, 1933 in Durand, WI; daughter of George and Hazel (Cowell) Soden.  On October 15, 1950 she married Donald G. McRoberts Sr. They lived in Milwaukee where they raised their two sons, Donald and Robert. Donald and Alice later divorced. Alice married Bob Morey in Milwaukee, they retired and moved to Durand. He died April 7, 1989. On November 8, 1991 she married Merwyn Girard...

Benjamin David Lemke, 69, of Nelson, WI died Monday, August 30, 2021 at the Heritage of Elmwood Nursing Home. He was born July 1, 1952 in Menomonie, WI; son of John and Hazel (Link) Lemke. He graduated from Menomonie High School. Ben worked most of his life at Wayne’s Saw Mill in rural Nelson. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his children, Konya (Lyle) Bataglia and Dennis Lemke; grandchildren, Kayla (Alex) Szarke, Brittany, Alexus and...

Mark Lee Seifert passed away on August 21, 2021. Mark was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Wabasha MN on December 10, 1950. He was the third son of Gaylord and Margaret (Cline) Seifert. They brought him home to a small farm 2 miles North of Pepin, WI, where he grew up. Mark attended country school through the 4th grade and then went to Pepin Public School, where he graduated in 1969. He attended the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in...

Kathryn E. Larson, age 61, passed away peacefully on Sept 4, 2020 at her sister's home surrounded by family after a two year fight with cancer. She was born on August 8, 1959 in Ladysmith, WI to Everett and Rose (Jay) Larson. She grew up in the Rock Falls area and attended Grandview Elementary in rural Rock Falls and then Durand Middle and High School, graduating in 1978. After graduation she attended WITC in Eau Claire and earned a Health Unit Coordinator degree. After working at Luther...