Friends and Family Sing Farewell to Zach Sobiech

“He had a knack for making the person he was with feel like they were the most important person in the world to him," Sammy Brown said. "The crazy thing about that is that, in that moment, they probably were."

Blue balloons with the words “Up, Up, Up” lined the sidewalk in front of St. Michael’s Church Thursday morning alongside paper chains with personalized messages, some of which read: "Find a cure for osteosarcoma." The messages greeted more than 1,200 people who gathered to say farewell to their beloved friend, classmate and family member, Zach Sobiech. Sobiech, a senior at Stillwater Area High School, died Monday morning at his Lakeland home after a battle with Osteocarcoma. Through music—specifically the hit song “Clouds” Sobiech wrote to say goodbye to friends and family—Miller said the teen was able to "touch people who were in a very dark place." “He did it by giving them hope," Miller said. "He let them see a little bit of the power …

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Obit: Alysa Jeneá Ivy, 21, of Hudson

A Gathering of Friends and Family will be held from 3-6 p.m., with a 6 p.m. Service of Remembrance on Friday, May 24 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home

Alysa Jeneá Ivy, age 21 of Hudson WI, died sudden and unexpectedly on Saturday, May 18, 2013. Alysa was born on May 8, 1992 in Plano TX to parents Jerry D. and Karen J. (Foldi) Ivy. During her sophomore year of high school, Alysa moved with her family to Hudson, where she would graduate with the Hudson High School Class of 2010. Alysa was a wonderful spirit, who loved her family, and cherished her friends. She had a beautiful smile and contagious laugh that lit up any room. Alysa was a kind soul, who embodied the expressions “artistic”, and “creative”. She also had a caring heart coupled with a “green” conscience with regards to the environment. Though not known as a gifted vocalist, the spirit that was Alysa could usually be found singing…

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OBIT: Todd A. Fisher, 50, of Hudson, WI

Funeral Services for Todd Fisher will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2013 at Bethel Highlands Lutheran Church, 504 Frontage Rd., Hudson, with a visitation starting at 4 p.m. at church.

Obit: Toni Halverson, 70, of Hudson

A memorial celebration of Toni’s life will be held at 6pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Faith Community Church in Hudson, WI. Visitation will be held from 4pm until time of service.

Obit: Marlene L Hilden, 78, North Hudson

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 10, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hudson. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to services at the church as well as from 4-7p.m. Thursday, May 9 at O’Connell Family Funeral Home.

OBIT: Bonnie Raymond, 75, of Hudson

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 at the First Presbyterian Church, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at church. Memorials are preferred to the St. Croix Animal Friends.

OBIT: Kristin M. Zappa, 29, formerly of Hudson

Services will be held at 1:30p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the O’Connell Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St., Hudson with a visitation from 11a.m.-1:30p.m. at the funeral home.

Obituary: William J. 'Bill' Hartfield, 79, of Hudson

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 4pm on Wednesday, April 17 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home – Hudson chapel.

Obit: Andrew C. Chmieleski, 80, Lake St. Croix Beach, Minn.

A celebration of life gathering will be at Woodbury Lutheran Church on Saturday April 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. Service is at 11 a.m.

Obit: Chester 'Chet' Bahneman, 84, Retired Hudson Police Sergeant

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4PM to 7Pm at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson and one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday.