Third Generation

21. LaVern O. "Vern" GILNER was born on 16 April 1905 in Greenfield Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁹ He appeared in the census in 1910 in Greenfield Township, Monroe County, WI.⁸ He appeared in the census in 1920 in Greenfield Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁰ Vern appeared in the census in 1930 in Greenfield Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁶ He was living with his parents and his occupation was "Laborer, General Farm." He died on 18 July 1964 at the age of 59 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁹ He was buried in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁴ in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

LaVern O. "Vern" GILNER and Amelia Emma SONNENBURG were married on 28 June 1941.^50,51 Amelia Emma SONNENBURG, daughter of Frederick Paul SONNENBURG and Emma A. BOETTCHER, was born on 7 December 1917 in Tunnel City, Greenfield Township, Monroe County, WI.^23,51 She appeared in the census in 1920 in Greenfield Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁰ She appeared in the census in 1930 in Greenfield Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁶ Amelia graduated in 1936 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^50,51 from Tomah High School. Between 1938 and 1982 she was a school teacher in Monroe County, WI.^50,51 She died on 23 April 2013 at the age of 95 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵¹

Obituary Notes: "Amelia E. Gilner, 95, of Tomah, died Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at Touch of Home. She was born on Dec. 7, 1917, to Fred and Emma (Boettcher) Sonnenburg at Tunnel City. She was baptized into the Christian faith on Jan. 6, 1918, and confirmed on June 4, 1933, at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church.

Amelia was united in marriage to La Vern Gilner June 28, 1941. He preceded her in death in 1964. She attended elementary school in Tunnel City. Amelia was a member of the Tomah Senior High School Graduating Class of 1936. After graduation she went on to Teachers Training School in 1937. She later received a Teaching Degree at the UW- La Crosse in 1959, and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education on Aug. 8, 1969. She taught school in Monroe Co., for 27 years, the last nine years were at the Wyeville School. She retired from teaching on June 1, 1982.

She frequently visited ‘shut-ins’ and helped with the special ministries committee at the church. She helped start the first Sunday school classes at St. Paul’s and taught Sunday school for many years. She was a member of the Mission Circle and Ladies Aid, and served as secretary of the Library Committee and Grace Mission Circle. She belonged to the Wisconsin Retired Teachers Association, the Cherry Valley Sunshine Club and the Tomah Parkway Garden Club. She also volunteered at the Lil’ Red School House. Amelia devoted her life to the education of children. She was also a student herself. She was a faithful and devoted member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church. She will be remembered for her avid reading. She enjoyed traveling to historic sites around Wisconsin, and learning about the history. She enjoyed crocheting for her children and grandchildren. Amelia was a loving and caring mother and will be rememberd as being a sweet grandmother who always had a smile for her grandchildren.

She is survived by two children, John (Betsy) Gilner of Crystal Falls, Mich., and Sharon (Terry) Tillman of Eagle River; six grandchildren, Terri Lynn (Tony) Lorbetske, Angela (Jason) Schneider, Craig Tillman, Joshua Gilner, Jessica (Rhett) Graham, Luke (Amy) Gilner; 11 great-grandchildren; and an expected great-granddaughter; a brother, Arnold Sonnenburg of Waukesha; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Dela Nauman and Dorothy Wagner; a brother, Leo; a sister-in-law, Martha Sonnenburg; two brothers-in-law, Arnold Nauman and Myron Wagner.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, April 29, 2013, at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Tomah. Pastor Donald R. Buch will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday at the church."

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LaVern O. "Vern" GILNER and Amelia Emma SONNENBURG had the following children: