32nd Generation

332. Elva Marguerite GRIGGS (~) was born on 29 April 1914 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.^322,333 at 3:00 A.M. (In the birth registration, her middle name is listed as "Margaurite.") She appeared in the census in 1920 in Byron Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁹⁰ She was living with her parents. She appeared in the census in 1930 in Adams, Adams Township, Adams County, WI.³³⁵ Elva appeared in the census in 1940 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁹⁸ She appeared in the census in 1950 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁹⁹ Her occupation was "Cashier, Variety Store." She died on 30 March 2009 at the age of 94 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁹⁵ Elva was buried in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁹⁵ in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Elva Marguerite GRIGGS (~) and Emil August "Doc" PRISE were married on 25 February 1939 in Cascade County, MT.^70,496 Emil August "Doc" PRISE, son of Wilhelm Frederick PREUSS and Ida Wilhelmine Augustine WESTPHAL, was born on 12 August 1909 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^333,395 (His surname was spelled "Prise" on his birth certificate and "Preuss" in the 1928 Hamot.") (He may have been named after a brother of his mother.) He appeared in the census in 1920 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁹⁰ He graduated in 1928 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁹⁵ from Tomah High School. Doc appeared in the census in 1930 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁹¹ He was living with his parents and his occupation was listed as "laborer, railroad yard."

. He appeared in the census in 1940 in Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁹⁸ His household was at 523 West Jackson Street and his occupation was "Common Labor, Laborer." He appeared in the census in 1950 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁹⁹ His household was at 310 Kilbourn Avenue and his occupation was "Machinist Helper, Railroad Shop." Doc died on 12 February 2005 at the age of 95 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁰³

Obituary Notes: "Emil A. Prise, age 95, of Tomah, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, at Tomah Memorial Hospital. He was born Aug. 12, 1909, to William and Ida (Westphal) Prise in Tomah. Emil graduated from Tomah High School in 1928 and started working for The Milwaukee Railroad retiring in 1974. Prior to retiring, he worked as a mechanic at the Tomah Shop.

He was united in marriage to Elva M. Griggs on Feb. 25, 1939, in Power, Mont. Emil was an avid fisherman, as a boy he fished Lake Tomah, he loved to fly fish and tied his own fly's and made jigs for ice fishing. It was often said that Emil had his name on the trout before the streams were stocked. He taught himself how to play the button accordion as a young man.

Although Elva and Emil had no children of their own, he loved children and sharing his enjoyment of out activities with young people. He enjoyed playing cards, especially cribbage with friends and family. He was a wood craftsman and made stylized crosses for many of his friends. He was a "Horseshoe Ace." While working at the Tomah Shops, he would hurry home to have lunch and return to the shops to take part in the noon hour horseshoe pitching with his fellow workers. His faith and spiritual life was a large part of his personality; he was patient and kind. He had a great sense of humor as we remember the goofy hats he would wear. Emil enjoyed their trips to the trailer at New Lisbon each summer, his boat and time spent at the lake. For the past 21 years they would travel to Mesa, AZ, and had a plethora of friends they associated with, taking short day trips and playing cards and socializing. He was an active member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife Elva of Tomah; three sisters-in-law, Beverly (Ollie) Drew of Tomah, Carol (Arlan) Roeske of Sparta and Lucille Prise of Tomah; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Tomah. Pastor Donald R. Buch officiated. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery in Tomah.

Relatives and friends called at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, assisted the family with arrangements. Memorials may be given to St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in memory of Emil A. Prise."
He was buried on 16 February 2005 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁰³ in the Oak Grove Cemetery.