Richard Herlitzka

Holmen, Wisconsin Richard Dick Herlitzka, 80 of Holmen passed away peacefully Thursday, April 17, 2014 at the Lakeview Healthcare Center in West Salem after a long and valiant battle with Alzheimers disease. Richard was born February 6, 1934 to Walter and Nona (Springer) Herlitzka and grew up in La Crosse. At an early age he was known to many fishermen as the boy who sold the best bait from his front steps. He graduated from Central High School in 1951 and received special permission to enter the Air Force at 17. He served as a cartographic draftsman in Massachusetts, South Dakota and Alaska during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1955. He returned to La Crosse and on July 30, 1955 was united in marriage to Jean Keily in St. Johns United Church and they began their life together. He chose to follow in his fathers footsteps as a plasterer and joined Poellinger Inc. where he enjoyed working for 20 years. After a successful career as a plasterer, Richard transitioned to the insurance industry. As an American Family Insurance agent for over 25 years, he assisted many La Crosse families. Throughout his career, he always looked for opportunities to serve and assist others less fortunate. He volunteered his time, talent and treasure to many organizations that included; Big Brothers/Big Sisters, La Crosse Little League, Masonic Temple, Chileda, Riverfront, The Salvation Army and the Eagles where he was a founding member of the Eagles Clown Club. Richard joyfully contributed to the delivery of the Lords message through his churchs choir and also served as a multi-term president of the churchs congregation at St. Johns Reformed United Church of Christ. He was a lifelong avid sportsman and enjoyed deer/duck hunting and fishing with his son, grandson and close buddies. Many of those he taught to hunt and fish have gone on to teach others the enjoyment of spending time with friends and nature. Between hunting and fishing seasons he found time with teammates to win back to back tri-state curling championships and multiple horseshoe pitching championships in Orangewood Park in Mesa, AZ. Richard is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Jean; two children; Scott (Michele) Herlitzka of Orlando, FL and Carrie (Paul Mortensen) Herlitzka of Holmen; two grandchildren, Adam Herlitzka and Alison Herlitzka both of Orlando and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marilyn Wittenberg and Shirley Lambert, brothers-in-law and his golfing buddy, Bob Hampton. A special thank you goes out to his caretakers at Lakeview Heathcare Center and to his breakfast buddies. Memorial services will be held at 11:30 A.M. Monday, April 21thstth at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 907 Sand Lake Road, Onalaska with Rev. Dan Henderson officiating. Interment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in La Crosse at a later date. Friends and family may call at the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Alzheimers Association, St. Judes Childrens Hospital or the La Crosse Humane Society.