Mountain Funeral Homes

     Alice G. Lahti, age 90, formerly of Oulu, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, August 31, 2010, in Glendale, Arizona.
     Alice was born, on February 29, 1920, in Washburn, Wisconsin, the daughter of Hjalmar and Amelia (Boriin) Frostman. She and Oscar U. Lahti were united in marriage, in Duluth, Minnesota, on August 12, 1940. She worked at Midland Services, in Ashland, for many years; then, after moving to Glendale, she worked several years, at the Safeway stores. Alice always enjoyed baking, her beautiful flower gardens, and she thoroughly enjoyed her grandsons and great-grandchildren.
     Alice is survived by: her daughter, Kathleen (Thomas) Payne, of Glendale; a grandson, Steven (Michelle Lavin) Kane and their two children: Mylii and Denon; a grandson, Max (Laura) Kane and his four children: Tiffany, Allison, Madeline and Emily; one brother, Ted, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; one sister, Dorothy, of Iron River, Wisconsin, and numerous nieces and nephews.
     She was preceded in death by: her husband; her parents; six brothers: Francis, Fred, Ray, Vernon, Lloyd and Kenneth; two sisters, Amy and Violet.
     A visitation, for family and friends, will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, September 4, 2010, at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, in Iron River, and will continue until the hour of the service.
     Funeral services, for Alice, will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 4, 2010, at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, in Iron River. Reverend Kristina Jensen will officiate.
     Interment will be in the Pine Glade Cemetery, Oulu.
     Our Ashland Chapel will be assisting Alice’s family with her memorialization, although the details have not yet been finalized.
     Messages of condolence, for Alice‘s family, may be left at the ’Contact Us’ page of this web site. In your message, please include: Alice’s full name, so that we may accurately direct your message to her family; and your name, so that her family will know from whom it came.

     Jerome P. ‘Jerry’ Baron, age 73, of Ashland, Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, August 27, 2010, at the home of his brother, Bob, in Ashland.
     Jerry was born, on November 27, 1936, in the Town of Eileen, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, the son of Paul and Mary Ann (Pagac) Baron. He spent his early life in the Ino, Wisconsin, area and was a graduate of Ondossagon High School, class of 1954. He and Nancy A. Porvick were united in marriage, in Ashland, in 1959. After school he sailed on the Great Lakes for several years. He worked as a boilermaker in the construction trade for over 50 years, retiring in 1996. He enjoyed auto racing, hunting and fishing.
     Survivors include: his daughters: Barbara (Steve) Anderson, of Duluth, Minnesota; and Antoinette (Bob) Bernhardt, of Denver, Colorado; four grandchildren: Jolin (Jeffrey) Vargas, Brandon Anderson, Jennifer (Garret) Lord, and Krista Bernhardt; and two great-grandchildren: Katilyn and Ethan Lord. Jerome is also survived by: his sister, Lorraine Baron, of Ino; his brother, Robert (Betty) Baron, of Ashland; three nieces: Brenda (Joseph) Brennan, of Ashland; Belinda (Harlan) Miller, of Ashland; and Bobann (Darren) Smith, of Lindstrom, Minnesota; aunts and cousins; special friends: Harvey Leal, Larry Ward, Jim Howard and Sandy Skaggs and her sons.
     He was preceded in death by his parents.
     A private family memorial service for Jerry will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, September 3, 2010, at the Mountain Funeral Home, in Ashland. Father Paul Pare’, O.F.M., will officiate.
     Private interment will take place in Saint Florian Cemetery.
     Our Ashland Chapel will be assisting Jerry’s family with his memorialization.
     Messages of condolence, for Jerry ‘s family, may be left at the ’Contact Us’ page of this web site. In your message, please include: Jerry’s full name, so that we may accurately direct your message to his family; and your name, so that his family will know from whom it came.

     Myrtle E. Scofield, age 93, of Ashland, Wisconsin, went to the Lord, on Saturday, August 28, 2010, at the Golden Living Center - Court Manor, in Ashland. Myrtle was born, on November 25, 1916, the daughter of John E. and Amanda I. (Ottow) Kreitzman.
     Myrtle is survived by: her son, Dennis Scofield; her daughter, Karryn Weaver; and grandsons: Jamie and Rick Weaver. Also surviving are three great-grandchildren: Kassandra, Jory and Donovan Weaver.
     Honoring Myrtle’s wishes, no formal funeral service or visitation will take place at this time.
     Our Ashland Chapel will be assisting Myrtle’s family with her memorialization.
     Messages of condolence, for Myrtle‘s family, may be left at the ’Contact Us’ page of this web site. In your message, please include: Myrtle’s full name, so that we may accurately direct your message to her family; and your name, so that her family will know from whom it came.

     Laura M. ‘Dolly’ Sobotka, age 90, of Mason, Wisconsin, passed away on Sunday, August 29, 2010, at the Memorial Medical Center, in Ashland, Wisconsin.
     Dolly was born, on April 18, 1920, in Oakland, California, the daughter of Richard and Lila O. (Heffner) Grange. She and Dominic Donald Sobotka were united in marriage, in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1978.
     Dolly enjoyed working in her gardening and just being in the outdoors.
     Survivors include her four children: Robert J. Ritchie, of Iron River, Wisconsin; James R. (Barbara) Ritchie, of Phoenix, Arizona; Randy R. Ritchie, of Phoenix; and Barbara Jean Ritchie, of Phoenix. Dolly is also survived by four grandchildren: Bobby Ritchie, Danny Ritchie, Sharon Robinson, and Dawn Ritchie; two great grandchildren: Amber Robinson and Jim Robinson; a great great granddaughter, Adison Robinson; and special friends Kitty and Ron Walusiak.
     Dolly was preceded in death by her second husband, Don; and her parents, Richard and Lila Grange.
     A gathering, for family and friends, will be held at the Mountain Funeral Home, in Ashland, beginning at 1 p.m., Friday, September 3, 2010, and continuing until the hour of the service.
     A memorial service, for Dolly, will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, September 3, 2010, at the Mountain Funeral Home, in Ashland. Father Paul Pare’, O. F. M., will officiate. Interment, in the Saint Agnes Cemetery, Ashland, will follow the service.
     Our Ashland Chapel will be assisting Dolly’s family with her memorialization, although the details have not yet been finalized.
     Messages of condolence, for Dolly‘s family, may be left at the ’Contact Us’ page of this web site. In your message, please include: Laura’s full name, so that we may accurately direct your message to her family; and your name, so that her family will know from whom it came.

     Mary Carol ‘Tootie’ Kapusta, age 77, of Ashland, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 28, 2010, at the Golden Living Center - Court Manor, in Ashland.
     Mary was born, on July 13, 1933, in Mellen, Wisconsin, the daughter of Michael and Mary (Lucas) Fisher. She and Frank Kapusta were united in marriage, in Mellen, on July 28, 1951. She was a homemaker who enjoyed: gardening, fishing, baking and cooking her specialty ham and rollie pollie dinners. For many years, Mary’s greatest fulfillment was being a loving nanny for the children of relatives and friends, whom she thought of as her own. 
     Surviving Mary are: her son, Michael ‘Dixie; D. Kapusta, of Ashland; sisters: Agnes (John) Duesing, of Cedarburg, Wisconsin; Hattie Stricker, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; and Nancy Fisher, of Seymour, Wisconsin; her brother, James (Kathy) Fisher, of St. George, Utah; a special niece, Debbie Bertelson, of Iron River, Wisconsin; her close friend, Melanie Jacobs, of Ashland; many special nieces and nephews that she loved very much.
     Mary was preceded in death by: her husband, Frank, on January 23, 1984; one infant daughter, Marilyn K. Kapusta, in 1953; her parents; two sisters, Donna Hockmeyer and Betty Hein; and two brothers, William ’Bill’ and John ‘Huntz’ and a brother-in-law, Fred Stricker.
     A visitation, for family and friends, will begin at 10a.m. Thursday, September 2, 2010, at the Mountain Funeral Home, in Ashland and continue until the hour of service.
     A funeral service, for Mary, will take place at 11 a.m., Thursday, September 2, 2010, at the Mountain Funeral Home, in Ashland. Father Paul Pare’, O.F.M., will officiate. Special music will include: ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Whispering Hope’. The casket bearers will include: Barry Jacobs, Sam Jacobs, Dick Swanson, Bob Swanson, Vallis Fischer, and Ricky Kapusta.
     Interment will take place in Mellen Union Cemetery, Mellen.
     Our Ashland Chapel will be assisting Mary’s family with her memorialization.
     Messages of condolence, for Mary‘s family, may be left at the ’Contact Us’ page of this web site. In your message, please include: Mary’s full name, so that we may accurately direct your message to her family; and your name, so that her family will know from whom it came.

     John P. Ochsner, age 69, of Ashland, Wisconsin, passed away on Monday, August 16, 2010, at the Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center, in Ashland.
     John was born, on June 16, 1941, in Syracuse, New York, the son of Philip O. and F. Esther (Myers) Ochsher. He and Rosella Z. Claypool were united in marriage, in Denver, Colorado, on June 4, 1966.
     John was the manager of Woolworth’s, in Ashland, for over 18 years; the circulation director, at the Ashland Daily Press, for over six years; and an MSI insurance agent, in Ashland, for over 15 years. He was named “Keeper of the Light” for the Ashland County Republican Party, for his work as their secretary, since he moved to Ashland, in 1975. He was an active member of the Ashland Kiwanis Club and a 30 year member of Girl Scouts of America. John could name the third string of the Green Bay Packers, thought it important to express ideas on the editorial page and cherished sharing in the lives of his wife, their three daughters, their husbands and all of his grandchildren. He was especially concerned with the direction of this country.
     Survivors include: Rosi, his wife of 44 years, of Ashland; their daughters: Major Barbara (Marc Abel) Ochsner, of Dayton, Ohio; Carol Ochsner, of Monroe, Wisconsin; and Deborah (Gene) Brinker, of Ashland; and six grandchildren: Malakai Gruenhagen, Isabel Gruenhagen, Jackson Brinker, Elena Brinker, Mayella Brinker and Glenn Ochsner. He is also survived by: two brothers: Timothy (Helene) Ochsner, of Chula Vista, California; and Mark Ochsner, of Escondido, CA; one sister, Christine (John) Johnson, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; many nieces and nephews.
     He was preceded in death by: his parents, Philip O. and F. Esther Ochsher; and one grandson, Matthew A. Brinker.
     A gathering of family and friends will begin at 10 a.m., Friday, August 20, 2010, at the Mountain Funeral Home in Ashland, and continue until noon.
     Private interment will take place at a later date. 
     Memorials may be directed to the Chequamegon Area Kiwanis Club or The Friends of Camp Roundelay.
     Our Ashland Chapel will be assisting John’s family with his memorialization.
     Messages of condolence, for John‘s family, may be left at the ’Contact Us’ page of this web site. In your message, please include: John’s full name, so that we may accurately direct your message to his family; and your name, so that his family will know from whom it came.

     Rose M. Vranes, age 93, of Ashland, Wisconsin, formerly of Iron River, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, August 12, 2010, at the Golden Living Center - Court Manor, in Ashland.
     Rose was born, on November 17, 1916, in Iron River, the daughter of George and Blanche (Coats) Armbruster. She graduated from Iron River High School and moved to Duluth, Minnesota, where she worked. During World War II, she was employed at the Boeing Aircraft Plant, in Seattle, Washington. After the War, she returned to Duluth, where she worked, for many years, at the Marshall Wells Department Store and the Spaulding Hotel.
     In 1967, she and Nick Vranes were united in marriage, in Duluth. They made their home in Iron River and wintered in Zephyrhills, Florida.
     Rose was a member of the Saint Michael Catholic Church, in Iron River, and the Church Altar Society.
     Rose is survived by her sister, Karen Wicklund, of Iron River; nieces and nephews.
     She was preceded in death by: her husband, Nick, on February 24, 1992; her parents, George and Blanche Armbruster; four brothers: Thomas Armbruster, George R. Armbruster, Jr., Alva ‘Bud’ Armbruster, and Robert Armbruster; and four sisters: Ahlene Connors, Delphine LaCrosse, Audrey Granlund, and Darlene Lundeen.
     A visitation, for family and friends, will be held at the Saint Michael Catholic Church, in Iron River, beginning at 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 18, 2010, and continuing until the hour of the service.
     A Mass of Christian Burial, for Rose, will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at the Saint Michael Catholic Church, in Iron River. Father Michael Crisp will be the Celebrant. Casket bearers will include: Lee Ruska, John LaGesse, Peter Granlund, and Bruce Granlund. Interment, in the Iron River Cemetery, Iron River, will follow the Mass.
     Our Ashland Chapel will be assisting Rose’s family with her memorialization.
     Messages of condolence, for Rose‘s family, may be left at the ’Contact Us’ page of this web site. In your message, please include: Rose’s full name, so that we may accurately direct your message to her family; and your name, so that her family will know from whom it came.

     Clayton Andrew Wallin Jr., age 63, of Altoona, Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, August 6, 2010, at Luther Hospital, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He was born, on March 12, 1947, in Ashland, Wisconsin, the son of Clayton Wallin and Frances (Prestil) Sharron.
     Clayton was raised in Ashland, graduating from DePadua High School in 1965, and received his bachelor’s degree, in business administration, from the University of Wisconsin-Superior, in 1971. He was employed in various banking and lending positions throughout his life.
     Clayton lived most of his life in Altoona, where he loved playing softball, for many years, as well as watching his sons grow up playing sports, especially baseball and hockey. He was an avid Packers and Brewers fan and enjoyed beating anyone he could at cribbage. He also enjoyed being an active member of the Altoona Lions Club. He is survived by: his mother, Frances Sharron, of Ashland; two sons: Brian (Michele) Wallin, of Moorpark, California; and Andrew Wallin, of Altoona; and his son, Landon Wallin; two sisters: MaryKaye (Jim) Sergent, of Eagle River, Wisconsin; and Barbara (Gary) Johnson, of Wausau, Wisconsin; many aunts, nieces, nephews, and other relatives; the mother of his children, Nancy Wallin, of Altoona; and many longtime friends.
     Clayton was preceded in death by: his father, Clayton Wallin, Sr.; his stepfather, Kenneth Sharron; and a son, Adam Wallin.
     A memorial gathering was held Monday, Aug. 9, at Stokes, Prock and Mundt Funeral Chapel in Altoona, officiated by Father Joseph Redfern.
     A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 14, 2010, at the Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, in Ashland. Fr. Paul Pare, O.F.M., will be the Celebrant. Interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, in Ashland. Friends may call, one hour prior to the Mass, at the Church.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church or Our Lady of the Lake School, Ashland.
     Our Ashland Chapel will be assisting Clayton’s family with his memorialization.
     Messages of condolence, for Clayton‘s family, may be left at the ’Contact Us’ page of this web site. In your message, please include: Clayton’s full name, so that we may accurately direct your message to his family; and your name, so that his family will know from whom it came.

     Violet Levandoski, age 79, of Drummond, Wisconsin, passed away on Monday, August 9, 2010, at the Memorial Medical Center in Ashland, Wisconsin.
     Violet was born, on May 19, 1931, in Mason, Wisconsin, the daughter of Fred and Alma (Carlson) Nelson. She and Philip Levandoski, Jr, were united in marriage on March 17, 1947. She was a homemaker.
     At Vi’s request, there will be no formal funeral or visitation. She would rather her family and friends try to remember her as she lived the quiet country life in her home in rural Drummond. A private family burial will take place on a later date.
     Our Ashland Chapel will be assisting Violet’s family with her memorialization.
     Messages of condolence, for Violet‘s family, may be left at the ’Contact Us’ page of this web site. In your message, please include: Violet’s full name, so that we may accurately direct your message to her family; and your name, so that her family will know from whom it came.

     Helen C. Hnath, age 102, of Ashland, Wisconsin, passed away on Sunday, August 8, 2010, at the Memorial Medical Center, in Ashland.
     Helen was born, on May 12, 1908, in Banning, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Stefan and Anna (Lazorchak) Hnath. She came to the Town of Eileen, in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, with her parents and siblings in 1911. She attended the first Eileen Grade School and Ondossagon High School, graduating from the latter in 1924. Helen then attended, and graduated from, Ashland County Normal, and taught in area one room schools. Later, she taught in other schools down state including Greendale, where she worked for thirty years. During that time she also obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from UW-Superior. She also spent the school years 1958-59 and 1962-63 in Germany, teaching children of the American Armed Forces. She retired in 1973, after 46 years of teaching.
     Helen was member of Saint Peter Catholic Church, in Dauby, where she was a part of the choir. She was a charter member of the Eileen Area Historical Society and was a member and officer of numerous professional educational organizations. Her hobbies included photography and Hawaiian dancing, performing in a dance group for seventeen years. She was an avid traveler, visiting most of the states in the union and thirty foreign countries, including Russia and China. After living in Greendale, West Allis and Janesville for many years, although a regular summertime visitor to the Ashland area, she moved back to Ashland, in 2006, and became a first time homeowner.
     Helen is survived by her nephews and nieces: Donald, David and Paul, of Ashland; Kathleen, of Hayward, Wisconsin; Bernard (Judy), of Duluth, Minnesota; Dorothy (Ivan) Bichanich, of Janesville, Wisconsin; Ellen Jean (Jim) Gagliardi, of Southfield, Michigan; Barbara (Lowell) Sykes, of Mill Valley, California; Olga Wojtasek, of Fair Lawn, New Jersey; Anna May (Ed) Wozny, of Clifton, New Jersey; Patrick (Jaculin) Dorman, of Cave Creek, Arizona; Michael (Sandy) Dorman, of Sugerland, Texas; and Richard Hnath. She is also survived by grand nieces and nephews: Susan (Bill) Erickson, of Ashland; Julie (Tom) Benson, of Duluth, Minnesota; Jay (Chiaki) Bichanich, of Torrance, California; Judy (Tom) Eldridge, of Milton, Wisconsin; Michael Bichanich, of Palm Springs, California; Becky (Ralph) Holder, of Janesville, Wisconisn; and Peter (Kelli) Hnath, of Groton, Massachusetts; and by numerous great-grandnieces and nephews and by a special friend, Ione Pliss, of Egan, Minnesota.
     Helen was preceded in death by: her parents; all her siblings: Stephen, John, Michael, Nicholas, Peter, Mary and Anna; and by her nephews: John J. Hnath and Richard Dorman.
     A Mass of Christian Burial, for Helen, will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 12, 2010, at the Saint Peter Catholic Church, in Dauby, Wisconsin. Father Michael Crisp will be the celebrant. The casket bearers will include: Paul Hnath, David Hnath, Ivan Bichanich, Bill Erickson, John Budiash and Tom Stenman.
     Interment will take place in the Saint Peter Cemetery, in Dauby.
     A visitation, for family and friends, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, August 11, 2010, at the Mountain Funeral Home in Ashland, and will feature a 7:30 prayer service.
     Our Ashland Chapel will be assisting Helen’s family with her memorialization.
     Messages of condolence, for Helen‘s family, may be left at the ’Contact Us’ page of this web site. In your message, please include: Helen’s full name, so that we may accurately direct your message to her family; and your name, so that her family will know from whom it came.