Imelda H. Stokes Konetchy, 80, of La Crosse, Wis., died Feb. 29, 2008, at the Bethany Riverside Nursing Facility. She was born in Cashton, Wis., to Gust and Clara (Silha) Bushek on July 31, 1927. She married John E. Stokes, Jr., on Aug. 21, 1948, in La Crosse and he preceded her in death on May 8, 1982. Imelda married George Konetchy in La Crosse on April 30, 1995. They lived in Oak Harbor until their recent move to La Crosse.

Imelda is fondly remembered for her 26 years of service providing homemade hot lunches as head cook at Blessed Sacrament Parish School, Baus Catering and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She touched many lives with her talent for baking and her kindness of sharing her delicious dishes with her family and friends. Mom loved her family and friends and was very dedicated. She had a great appreciation of music and loved to dance.

In addition to her husband, George, she is survived by her daughter, Patricia (Allan) Lesky of La Crosse; three sons, John E. (Leanne) Stokes III, of Onalaska, Wis.; David M. (Mary Jo) Stokes of La Crosse and Thomas J. (Lea) Stokes of DeForest, Wis.; one stepdaughter, Denise (Dennis Rovetto) Konetchy of Troy, Idaho; two stepsons, Steven (Nina) Konetchy of Cedar Park, Texas and Kenneth (Sonya) Konetchy of Arlington, Wash. Ten grandchildren, many step grandchildren and six great grandchildren and one sister, Leona Elsen, also survives.

In addition to her parents and first husband John, a great grandchild, one sister, two brothers and two stepdaughters preceded her in death. She was a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church of Oak Harbor before moving to Wisconsin.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, La Crosse, on March 4 with Interment following at the Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements under the direction of Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, La Crosse.