Lucy Jane Tooke, 75, of La Crosse, WI passed away July 25, 2011 at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.

 Lucy was born March 26, 1936 in Burr Oak, Winneshiek, Co., IA to Paul Francis and Myrtle Genevieve (Roche) Whalen both of Burr Oak. She married Bruce Willford of Canton, MN at St. Agnes Parish, Winneshiek Co., IA on June 19, 1954. She remarried Larry Tooke of La Crosse, on Feb. 2, 1990 in Key West, FL.

 

She graduated from Canton High School in 1954 and remained close to many of her classmates throughout the years. Lucy was an avid gardener and enjoyed bird watching.

 

Lucy was an active member in the community, volunteering for a number of organizations in the 25 years she lived in La Crosse. She was a member of the local realtors’ association and the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers and was the owner and operator of Willford Appraisal Service of La Crosse, WI.

 

She is survived by her children, daughters Michelle and son-in-law Gary Adler of Lake City, MN; Laurie Rand of La Crosse; Kelley Mitchell of Gulf Shores, AL; and sons Mike Willford and daughter-in-law Cindy Willford of Rock Springs, WY; Steve Tooke of Colorado Springs, CO; Tom Tooke and Greg Tooke, both of La Crosse, and Mike Tooke of Tuscon, AZ; brother Eddie Whalen and sister-in-law Sandy of Canton, MN; brother Larry Whalen and sister-in-law Shirley of Rochester, MN; brother La Verne and sister-in-law Nelda of Rochester, MN; grandchildren, Leigh Rand of Minneapolis, MN; Jovan Willford of New York City; Jesseca Ferrigno and husband Richard of San Diego, CA; Mattie Adams and husband Reece of Tallahassee, FL; Jerad Willford of Mankato, MN; Jake Rand and wife Daisha of Holmen, WI; Nathan Mitchell of Orlando, FL; Quentin Willford of Rock Springs, WY; Alex Woodhull of Lake City, MN; 8 great-grandchildren and innumerable nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

 

Lucy is preceded in death by her parents Myrtle and Paul; husbands Bruce and Larry; brothers Harold, of Dubuque, IA; Quentin of Burr Oak, IA; Paul and Joe, both of Harmony, MN; Louis of Canton, MN and her sister Delone, of La Crescent, MN.

 

In lieu of flowers, Lucy requested donations be made to Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice in her name. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at Oak Grove Chapel from 2:00PM to 4:00PM. A private family burial will be held with short committal at Oak Grove Cemetery.  Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.