Archived Services - G

Rev. Benjamin C. Govier

     Rev. Benjamin C. Govier, age 47, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster, after a long, courageous battle with ALS.  He was born on June 29, 1960, in Prairie du Chien, the son of Vernon and Geraldine (Olson) Govier.  Ben graduated from Prairie du Chien High School in 1978.  He received his Bachelor of Arts in music from Oral Roberts University in 1982.  Ben pastored the Grant County Christian Center for nearly twenty years while also substitute teaching for the Lancaster School District.  He was an avid reader and historian, spending countless hours seeking his family’s roots and genealogy.  Ben also enjoyed running, weightlifting, and tennis.  He spoke French fluently and enjoyed traveling, especially his trip to London with his children.  Ben served the Lord with all his might and derived an extreme amount of enjoyment from preaching and teaching God’s word.

     Survivors include his children: Amanda, Andrea, and Nathaniel Govier, all of Lancaster; their mother, Sherry Govier, Lancaster; his mother, Geraldine Govier, Lancaster; one Grandson, Aiden, Lancaster; six brothers: Jim (Peggy) Govier, Madison; Gordon (Anne) Govier, Monona; Keith (Georgia) Govier, Wyalusing; Galen Govier, Prairie du Chien; Richard (Susie) Govier, Reedsburg; Bill (Lisa) Govier, Darlington; two half sisters: JoAnne (George) Sprenger, Las Vegas, NM; Marianne (David) Carrier, Pittsburg, PA; 18 nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

     He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon and a sister-in-law, Debra Govier.

     Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at the Lancaster Youth and Agriculture Building in Lancaster with Rev. Wayne Kennedy officiating.  Burial was in Mt. Zion Cemetery, North Lancaster Township.  Friends called on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Schwartz Funeral Home and from 1:00 p.m. until time of services on Wednesday.

Glenn A. Govier

     Glenn A. Govier, age 80, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at Grant Regional Health Center, Lancaster.  He was born in North Lancaster Township on February 27, 1928, the youngest of nine children born to Ora and Cora (Croft) Govier. Glenn attended Badger School and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1946. He served in the U. S. Army as a Private First Class, stationed in Japan.  On June 9, 1951, Glenn was united in marriage to Veda L. Landon at the Lancaster United Methodist Church.  Together they farmed in North Lancaster Township on the Govier family farm.  In 1997, they retired and moved to Lancaster.  Glenn was a member of the William Pollock VFW Post No. 2344 and the Richard Burns American Legion Post No. 109.  He served on the Peoples Community Oil board for 25 years.  Glenn was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Mississippi Valley Lodge No. 86.

     Glenn enjoyed playing cards with his many friends and following all Lancaster high school sports. He was an avid Green Bay Packer and Milwaukee Brewer fan. Glenn enjoyed spending his winters in Lady Lake, Fl.

     Glenn is survived by his wife, Veda, Lancaster; two sons, Randy (Linda) Govier, Franklin; Ricky (Lori) Govier, Oregon; a daughter-in-law, Karen Govier, Broken Arrow, OK; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; his sisters, Dorothy (Robert) Swenson, Fennimore, and Mary (Robert)Griswold, Lancaster and many nieces and nephews.  

     He was preceded in death by his son, Gregory and his brothers, Lyle, Ivan, Donald and Charlie Govier and sisters, Lela Stainhofer and Edna Crubaugh.

     Funeral services were held on Friday, June 20, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lancaster United Methodist Church.  Burial with military honors was in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster.  Friends called from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2008, at Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster where a 4:00 p.m. Odd Fellows Lodge service was held.  Friends also called on Friday, June 20, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church.  In lieu of plants and flowers, a Glenn A. Govier memorial fund has been established. 

Ray A. "Cracker" Graham

     Ray A. “Cracker” Graham, age 57, of Fennimore, died on Sunday, August 10, 2008, the Finely Hospital, Dubuque.  He was born on May 1, 1951, in Milwaukee, the son of Rosalie (Graham) Pierce.  Ray graduated from Lancaster High School in 1969.  Following graduation, he was employed with Rosing Construction in Fennimore and later Royal Parlor located in Boscobel.  Ray was also employed with logging companies and worked in the oil fields.  He loved spending time with friends and family.  Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing Euchre.  He had a wonderful sense of humor.

     Ray was preceded in death by a sister, Renee Pierce.

    Survivors include his mother, Rosalie Pierce, Fennimore; his brothers and sisters: Monica McCartney, Stitzer; Dennis Ashman, Boscobel; Charles Ashman, Minnesota; John Ashman, Arizona; Robin Gerhards, Cuba City; Scott (Annette) Pierce, Fennimore; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

     Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August, 13, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Lancaster with Pastor David Froemming officiating.  Burial will be at a later date.  Friends called on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services.

Jeffrey W. Greene

     Jeffrey Warren Greene, age 55, died on Monday, May 5, 2008, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison.  He was born on April 3, 1953, in Madison, the son of James L. and Dolores E. (Simms) Greene.  His early years were spent in Milwaukee and his high school years were in McFarland, where he excelled in athletic events, played in the band, sang in the choir, was a class officer and received special awards.  Jeffrey was raised in the AME Church.  After graduation, he attended Wartburg College in Iowa.  Jeffrey worked as a property manager, youth counselor, firefighter, baker and various other jobs until his health deteriorated.

     Survivors include his parents, James L. and Dolores E. (Simms) Greene of Oak Hammock at the University of Florida, Gainesville; his brothers, Gary A. (Theresa) Greene, Marietta, GA; David M. (Jocelyn) Greene, Madison; an aunt, Dr. Muriel Simms, many cousins including, Michael A. Simms, Madison and Claudia Latta, Palm Coast, FL; two nieces and many friends including, Stephanie Louise Shores who was by his bedside at his time of death.

     Graveside services were held at the Family Wisconsin Historical Society Cemetery Site at Pleasant Ridge at a later date. 

Ronald J. Gross

     Services were held in Mandan, ND at Weigel Funeral Home. 

Joseph A. Grosser

     Joseph A. Grosser, age 85, of Potosi, died on Monday, January 21, 2008, at Orchard Manor Nursing Home in Lancaster.  He was born on May 15, 1922, in Waterloo Township, the son of Arthur and Louise (Jaeger) Grosser.  Joe graduated from St. Andrew’s Catholic High School.  He farmed his entire life on the Grosser family farm in Waterloo Township.  Joseph was on the Board of Directors for the former Farmer’s Telephone Company and a supervisor for Waterloo Township.  He was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church and its Knights of Columbus.  Joe was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed deer hunting.

     Survivors include his sisters:  Lucille Gutenkauf, Des Moines, IA; Mary Louise Kowalski, Devils Lake, ND; his extended family: Mike (Kim) Baliff and their children, Joseph and Nathan of Potosi; two nephews and five nieces.

     Joe was preceded in death by his parents.

     Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 24, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Tennyson, with Father Richard Leffler officiating.  Burial was in St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Tennyson.  Friends called on Wednesday, January 23, 2008, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Martin Funeral Home in Potosi.  Friends also called on Thursday, January 24, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.