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Coon Valley WI News

Jan 8, 2016

Doug J. Sebranek

COON VALLEY — Doug J. Sebranek, 52, of Coon Valley died suddenly Thursday evening Dec. 31, 2015. He was born July 10, 1963, in La Crosse, to Virgil and Joyce (Dorschied) Sebranek. He graduated in 1981, from Onalaska High School. Doug was passionate about music and he was instrumental in bringing exceptional musicians to the Driftless region. He was a creator and promoter of Larryfest Music Festival in La Farge, and Leo and Leona’s Tavern in Newburg Corners. He was also an avid Green Bay Packer fan. Survivors include his siblings, Arnie (Shirley) Sebranek of Onalaska, Larry (Mary) Sebranek of La Crosse, Donna (Ron) Johnson of La Farge, Jim Sebranek (special friend Pat Nestor) of West Salem, and Dan (Mary) Sebranek of Coon Valley; aunts, Becky Winters of La Farge, Evelyn Erlandson of Hillsboro, and Esther Sebranek of La Crosse; an uncle, John Pesik of Viroqua; and lifetime friend, Mark Grade. He will also be missed by his cousins, nieces, nephews, great-niece and nephews and a host of fr... (La Crosse Tribune)

Dec 30, 2015

Merill Otto Herder

Central and Modena, Mondovi, Wis., 1982-91; Good Shepherd (visitation pastor) La Crosse, 1991-97; Bethel (interim pastor) La Crosse, 1997-98; Middle Coon Valley (interim pastor) Chaseburg, Wis., 2003-04. From 1974 to 1987, Merill participated enthusiastically on the national board of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, serving three years as its chairman and nine years as its secretary. He also served on the board of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, for six years, one year as its chairman. On June 2, 1953, Merill and Irma Kessler were married at St. John Lutheran Church, Belle Plaine, Minn. This marriage ended in divorce in 1988. On June 29, 1991, Merill was united in marriage to Lilly Kvam Dahlberg at Central Lutheran Church, Mondovi. Lilly died April 17, 1997. On Oct. 14, 2000, Merill and Bernice Fortney Crook Berg were married at Trinity Lutheran Church, La Crosse. In retirement, Bernice and Merill have made their home in Onalaska and have been members of Bethel Lutheran Church, La Crosse, and First Lutheran Church, Onalaska. In addition to his wife, Bernice, Merill is survived by four sons and their wives, John (Jeanne) of Stevens Point, Wis., Paul (Joan) of Spencer, Wis., Mark (Jody) of Lannon, Wis., David (Ellen) of Rochester, Minn.; 12 grandchildren, Rachel, Elizabeth (Brent) Tice, Laura, Emily (Justin) Hagen, Samuel (Kendra), Daniel, Amanda (Evan) Petrie, Luke, Joshua, Juliane (fiance Michael Winters), Andrew (fiance Kalyn Jacobsen) and Philip; two great-granddaughters, Megan Ticeand Sylvia Petrie; three stepchildren and their spouses; seven stepgrandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Bishop Emeritus Robert (Mildred) Herder; a sister, Mary Ann (John) Mantey; a stepbrother, Raymond Fortney; stepsisters, Sandra Fortney and Carroll (Doyle) Lombard; a sister-in-law, Shirley Fortney; and a brother-in-law, Arne (Ruth) Kvam. He was preceded in death by his parents; his two former wives; a sister-in-law and her husband, Myrtle (George) ... (La Crosse Tribune)