Ervina Spika

Ervina Beneva Spika, 100, of La Crosse, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at the Benedictine Manor in La Crosse.
She was born on March 19, 1916, in Mt. Sterling, Wis.; the youngest of ten children born to Edward and Betsy (Berg) Halverson. She went to grade school and parochial school in Mt. Sterling and was baptized and confirmed in Utica Lutheran Church, Ferryville, Wis. She graduated from Viroqua High School in 1934 and later graduated from Wisconsin Business University in La Crosse.
Ervina was a Certified Dental Assistant in the office of Dr. Joseph Spika from 1936 until her retirement in 1979. She was the first Certified Dental Assistant in the state of Wisconsin and had the privilege of capping a number of girls at the Wisconsin State Conventions in Milwaukee. She served as President of the Wisconsin Dental Assistants Association from 1950-51. She also achieved Life Membership of the A.D.D. A. in 1962, in Las Vegas. Ervina was instrumental in organizing the La Crosse Dental Assistant Society and received the Wisconsin Dental Assistant Association loyalty award in 1973. She also presented a number of clinics at the Wisconsin State meetings.
Ervina was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in La Crosse, Women of the ELCA, and the Ruth Circle. She was a member of the “Sprig and Twig” garden club for many years. She was also a member of the American Legion, Eagle’s Club, and Moose Lodge auxiliaries.
Ervina’s husband, Dr. Joseph M. Spika, preceded her in death in 1988. She is survived by eight nieces, Ruth Erickson of Gays Mills, Wis., Caryl (Myron) Moak of Whispering Pines, N. Car., Marlene (John) Rosbach of Oklahoma City, Okla., Betsy (Andy) Larson of Gig Nabor, Wash., Leota Olson of Onalaska, Linda Murphy of Madison, Wis., Berniece Brockway of Kenosha, Wis., and Diane Kuhnke of Soldiers Grove, Wis.; five nephews, Gary (Janet) Halverson of Soldiers Grove, Ronnie (Mary) Halverson of Stoughton, Wis., Terry (Janice) Halverson of Soldiers Grove, LeRoy Halverson of Gays Mills, and Frederick (Deanna) Brockway of Ferryville; and many great nephews and nieces and their families. She was preceded in death by six brothers, Chris, Bahart, Gerald, Edwin, Mallory, and Alfred Halverson; three sisters, Grace (Mrs. Charles) Sutton, Agnes (Mrs. Walter) Aron, and Pearl (Mrs. Fred) Brockway; four nephews, Ervin (Myrtle) Halverson, Everett (Joanne) Halverson, David Halverson, and Harley Sutton; three nieces, Beneva (Andy) Hasting, Clarabelle (Paul) Fisher, and Lavina Sutter.
Blessed be her memory.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 11th, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 612 Division St., La Crosse. Rev. Dr. Mark Jolivette will officiate. Burial will take place at Utica Lutheran Church Cemetery in Mt. Sterling later that afternoon at approximately 2:30 P.M. Family and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be given to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or Utica Lutheran Church.