Courier Press

Madonna M. “Donna” Kapinus, 78, of Prairie du Chien passed away unexpectedly Monday, June 25, at the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse following a brief illness. 

She was born March 29, 1940, in Steuben, the daughter of Forrest and Anna (Messling) Picha. She married Larry Kapinus on Aug. 6, 1960, at St. John’s Church in Prairie du Chien. She and her husband farmed most of their lives in rural Prairie du Chien. She was a great cook and talented baker. Donna was an active member of St. John’s Parish. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother who will be sadly missed by all. 

Loretta M. Hamilton, 86, of Waterloo, and formerly of Fennimore, died on Friday, June 15, 2018, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. 

Loretta was born on May 21, 1932, in Prairie du Chien, the daughter of James and Gladys (Zabel) Lechnir. She was united in marriage to Willis P. Hamilton on Aug. 20, 1953. They spent 30 years together before Willis’ death in 1983. Loretta spent just shy of 50 years in Fennimore before moving to Waterloo last year to be closer to her children.

Michael E. DeMuth, 79, of Prairie du Chien, passed away Tuesday, June 19, at his home. 

He was born Dec. 17, 1938, in Prairie du Chien, the son of Raymond and Martha (Weber) DeMuth. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He married Patricia Harris on June 22, 1963. Mike worked as a mechanic for Lloyd Schneider and later for Lochner’s Service Station in Prairie du Chien. 

Jennifer A. Cull Lewis, 46, of Crystal Lake, Ill., and formerly of Prairie du Chien, died unexpectedly Tuesday, June 19, at her home following a brief illness.

She was born Aug. 25, 1971, in Madison, the daughter of Bernard and Edith (North) Cull. She married Richard Lewis on May 4, 2003, in Scottsdale, Ariz. Jennifer worked at a veterinary hospital and was an animal activist. She especially loved dogs. She enjoyed her visits to Disneyland and Disney World.