Dorothy J. Gabel

Dorothy J. Gabel, age 84, of Lancaster, died on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster. She was born May 17, 1924, in Paris Township, the daughter of Elmer and Ethel (Hamilton) Deiter. She attended school in Paris Township. On June 1, 1940, Dorothy was united in marriage to Donald L. Gabel in Dubuque. After their marriage, the couple farmed in Southwest Wisconsin until 1950, when they purchased Gabel’s Salvage. They operated Gabel’s Salvage until 1986. Dorothy began driving school bus in 1966, retiring in 1986, when she moved to Cassville and began to care for families in their home. Dorothy was an avid bowler, quilter, seamstress and enjoyed making crafts. She was known for her dolls, rugs and quilts. Dorothy also enjoyed canning and reading. She had a big heart and was a mother to many, not just her own children. Dorothy was fun-loving and shared that quality with everyone she met. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, the Forty & Eight, Lion’s Club, DAR, and Christ Lutheran Church.

Survivors include her eleven children: Deanna Udelhofen, Lancaster; Judy (Fred) Hutchcroft Moon, Poplar Grove, IL; Patricia Gestner, Milton; Sandra (Gary) Reed, Lansing, MI; Mitchell (Cindy) Gabel, Montezuma, IA; James (Shirley) Gabel, Ft. Collins, CO; Rita (David) Olson Buchholz, Cuba City; Dolly (Denny) Templeton Halvorson, New Glarus; Leane Gabel, Ft. Collins, CO; Tami Gabel, New Glarus; Tim Gabel, Washington, DC; daughter-in-law, Sara Gabel, Lancaster, OH; 41 grandchildren; numerous step-grandchildren; 74 great-grandchildren; three great great-grandchildren; her brothers and sisters: Dolores Ready, Rockford, IL; Daryl (Jo) Deiter, Lafaria, TX; Donna (George) Fair, Rockford, IL; Robert (Rosemary) Deiter, Rantoul, IL; other relatives and many friends.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her son, Bob, and a granddaughter, Marillee Olson.

Funeral services wer held on Saturday, May 9, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Lancaster with Pastor David Froemming officiating. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Friends called on Friday, May 8, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster and from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church.

Grace M. Gelbach, age 98, of Lancaster, died on Monday, January 18, 2010, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster. She was born on October 22, 1911, in Grant County, the daughter of William and Lavina (Wetmore) Garthwaite. Grace graduated from Lancaster High School and furthered her education at Platteville Teacher’s College. She taught country school in Little Grant Township. On March 21, 1940, Grace was united in marriage to Earl Gelbach at the United Methodist Church in Lancaster. After their marriage, the couple farmed in Liberty Township. Grace was employed with the Register of Deeds for eleven years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lancaster and enjoyed reading, quilting, and baking cookies.

Funeral services were held on Friday, January 22, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lancaster Care Center Chapel with Rev. Mary Ann Floerke officiating. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends called on Friday, January 22, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the Lancaster Care Center Chapel. Martin Funeral Home in Lancaster is assisting the family. In lieu of plants and flowers, the family suggests memorials may be given to the Lancaster Rescue Squad or Grant County Hospice.

Gerhardt G. “Gary” Gensmer, age 87, of Lancaster, died on Thursday, December 9, 2010. He was born on March 25, 1923, in Winona County, MN, the youngest and last survivor of eight children born to Anton and Emma (Keeter) Gensmer. On October 18, 1946, Gary was united in marriage to Janet A. Evanson at Central Lutheran Church in Winona, MN. He played the saxophone, clarinet and sang in a polka band, the Dutch Masters, for eighteen years. Gary was also employed as a district manager for Wayne Feeds. He enjoyed his hobby farm just west of Lancaster. Gary was especially known for his raspberry production. He loved fishing and golfing with his wife and best friend, Janet.

Virginia M. Genthe, age 82, of Platteville, died on Thursday, August 26, 2010, at Manor Care Nursing Home, Platteville. She was born on March 27, 1928, in rural Platteville, the daughter of Clarence and Viola (Boyd) Davies. Virginia graduated from Platteville High School. She was united in marriage to Roger Genthe, who preceded her in death on June 1, 1983. Virginia lived in rural Platteville most of her life and was employed at the Platteville Telephone Company, the Sears Store and Spurgeons. She liked to walk, knit, and enjoyed making crafts. Virginia was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Lutheran Church of Peace in Platteville.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 28, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of Peace in Platteville with Rev. Jeffrey Pederson officiating. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Platteville. Family and friends called on Saturday, August 28, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home in Platteville is assisting the family.

Donald “Don” C. Giesen, age 79, of Cassville, died on Monday, October 10, 2011, in the presence of family at UW Hospital in Madison. He was born on January 29, 1932, in Cassville Township, the son of Philip and Sarah (Rogers) Giesen. Don graduated from Cassville High School in 1949. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1953 to 1954. On May 19, 1953, Don was united in marriage with Darlene Christensen at the Lancaster Congregational Church. After their marriage the couple began their life-long careers in dairy farming and raising a large, close-knit family. They rented a farm in Liberty Township until 1958, when Don and Darlene moved to the Williams farm, again renting the dairy farm. In 1970, the couple purchased a dairy farm in Little Grant Township near Bloomington, where they farmed until 1984. They sold the farm in December 1984 and moved to the farm near Beetown where Darlene had been born and which they had purchased in 1978 from Darlene’s mother. In addition to farming, he was employed at Orchard Manor Nursing Home in maintenance, at Chaffie Hollow Repair, and at the Prairie du Chien Courier Press. Don was an amazing man with many interests and an intense love of and dedication to family. He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to shoot prairie dogs in South Dakota and hunt deer. Don was an excellent shot and once took two deer with a single shot. He enjoyed cutting wood, fixing anything, tinkering in the shop and inventing. Don also enjoyed traveling with his wife, riding his motorcycle, shooting pool and telling jokes. He was a loyal Ford Mercury customer and treasured his John Deere tractors and equipment. He was a devoted husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother.

Funeral services with military honors were held on Friday, October 14, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Lancaster with Pastor Mike Christensen officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Family and friends called on Thursday, October 13, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.

Grace Elaine (Christensen) Giesen, age75, of Cassville, passed away Friday, March 12, 2010 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born April 19, 1934 in Beetown, the daughter of Neal and Cecelia (Wade) Christensen. Grace graduated from Lancaster High School in 1952. She married the love of her life, Thomas P. Giesen, on February 15, 1960. She and Tom farmed outside Cassville and between his, mine and ours she mothered eleven lucky children and various strays that her children brought home. She was a lifelong learner, a voracious reader and the person to call if you had questions about anything from history to bird watching. She enjoyed watching her hummingbirds in the summer and the birds at her feeder all winter. In 1948, at the age of 14, she was crowned Miss Beetown during it’s centennial celebration. (Back then Beetown was a big lead mining town.) After high school she spent several years living in Chicago where she married her first husband (Donald Manning) and had the first three of her six children. Grace made the long drive to Dodgeville to work at Lands’ End for many years. She had a generous heart and her children and grandchildren were gifted with Lands’ End items for all of those years.

John K. Gifford

John Keith Gifford, 54, Bagley, WI, died unexpectedly from an accident at his home Saturday, January 2, 2010. John was born November 14, 1955, in Aurora, IL, and was raised on the family farm near Plano, IL. He followed his sisters and brother through Plano grade school and high school, graduating in 1973.. As the fine farm land was being swallowed up by suburban development, his dad decided time for a fresh start – cattle ranching in Southwest Wisconsin. Gradually each child migrated north to rejoin the Gifford Clan. John met his future wife, Linda, in Plano and they married in 1980 in Yorkville, IL. The couple then moved onto the ranch near Bagley where John has lived and worked ever since. They added three daughters to the clan, raising them on the family ranch. In 1993, John’s in-laws also joined the family when the suburban sprawl engulfed their home, and they made the move to Wisconsin to join their family.

John’s favorite pastimes were enjoying the ranch and the outdoors, enduring shopping trips with his wife, and shooting pool with his buddies on the Luck of the Irish pool team.

Survivors include John’s wife, Linda, their three daughters, Loralei, Sarah Anne and Allyson, and his treasured granddaughter, Lillian. He is further survived by his mother, Frances Gifford of Bagley, WI, two sisters, Patricia (Mike) Casey of Bloomington, WI, Karlen (Lenny) Heisz of Wisconsin Dells, WI, one brother, Howard of Richland Center, WI, and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, his in-laws, Bill and Carol Batson of Bridgeport, WI, and many, many good friends.

John was predeceased by his father, Keith, Christmas 1989.

Our consolation is they are chuckling together in heaven!

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 8, 2010 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington with Father Bart Timmerman officiating. Burial was held in Hazelton-Flint Cemetery, Wyalusing Township. Family and friends were welcome from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 7 at Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington and from 9:00 a.m. until time of services Friday at the church.