Fourth Generation

23. Bernice Marion WAEGE was born on 16 March 1919 in Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^11,26,42 She appeared in the census in 1920 in Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹³ She appeared in the census in 1930 in Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁴ Bernice graduated in 1937 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴³ from Tomah High School. She appeared in the census in 1940 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁵ She was living with her parents and her occupation was "Servant, Private Family." She died on 1 December 2017 at the age of 98.^9,33 Obituary Notes: "Bernice M. Laudon, age 98, formerly of Tomah, died December 1, 2017, at the Morrow Home in Sparta, WI. She was born on March 16, 1919, to Ferdinand and Anna (Degler) Waege. Bernice attended the rural one-room school near the Waege farm, south of Tomah, and graduated from Tomah High School in 1937.

Bernice then did housekeeping and child care in the Kendall area before moving to Milwaukee, where she was employed as a bookkeeper.

On March 2, 1946, Bernice married Alfred “Dutch” Laudon. He preceded her in death in 1989. They were blessed with two children, Carol and John.

Bernice was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Tomah. She and Dutch were faithful members of St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Shennington, until its closure. They then joined St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Tomah. Bernice was active in the Ladies Aid, the Rebecca Mission Circle, and the Seniors group. As a member of Tomah Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Bernice with her sister, Arlene Betthauser, volunteered for many years at the Auxiliary Bargain Center. She was also employed at the former “Holiday” store.

Bernice enjoyed a large garden, advertising her dill on “Time for Listening.” After leaving her Saratoga St. residence, she lived at The Tomah Manor for nearly 20 years; then moved to Sparta’s Mary Crest Assisted Living and finally to the Morrow Nursing Home.

She is survived by her children, Carol (Dale) Hoefner of Milwaukee, WI, and John (Dawn) Laudon of rural Black River Falls, WI; grandchildren Jeffrey (Joanne) Hoefner of Sun Prairie, WI, Sarah (Nick) Derouin of Mukwonago, WI, Amanda (David) Chao of Waukesha, WI, Tyler (Heather) Laudon of Tomah, and Jared Laudon of Black River Falls; great-grandchildren Madyson, Reagan, and Ryder Derouin, Tana Hoefner, Parker and Paxton Chao, Owen and Caleb Laudon; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Fritz (Lori) Waege, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and, as the last of fourteen children, by eight brothers and five sisters and their spouses, Alvin (Jean), Ed, Vere, William (Eleanor), Lyle (Lucille), Harold “Buck” (Doris), Fritz (Lori), and Bob (Arlene) Waege, Leone Waege, Veina (Henry) Zellmer, June (Louis) Thom, Arlene (Allan) Betthauser, and Don Elaine (Augie) Zimmerman.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 7, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, located at 525 Superior Ave in Tomah. The pastors of St. Paul will officiate. Burial will be at the Oak Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. If desired, Memorials to St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church or St. Paul Ev. Lutheran School. Blessed are those who die in the Lord. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com."

Bernice was buried in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁹ in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Bernice Marion WAEGE and Alfred Christian "Dutch" LAUDON were married on 2 March 1946 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹² Alfred Christian "Dutch" LAUDON, son of Frederick Carl LAUDON and Minnie Mathilda "Tillie" NELSON, was born on 6 October 1911 in Shennington, Byron Township, Monroe County, WI.^12,42 He died on 3 January 1989 at the age of 77 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^12,42 He was buried in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴² in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Bernice Marion WAEGE and Alfred Christian "Dutch" LAUDON had the following children: