Leo A Balachowski

Leo Anthony Balachowski, 82 of Onalaska, passed away peacefully Friday, January 25, 2013 at his daughters home in Onalaska surrounded by his family.

Leo was born at home on December 30, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to Leo and Anna (Bobrowski) Balachowski. He was the youngest of seven children. He attended Kelly High School where he was an All-Conference basketball player and captain of the basketball team his senior year. After high school, he attended business school before proudly serving in the United States Army. He served abroad in the Korean War as a medic. Upon returning stateside, he started a career in the moving industry. The majority of his career was spent at Allied Van Lines in Broadview, Illinois where he worked as director of revenue accounting. While working at Allied, his friends bet that he could not win a date with the beautiful Geraldine Coglianese. He won that bet and subsequently married the love of his life. They spent 41 years together until her death in 1995.

Leo married Gerrie on May 29, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois. Together, they had four children: Deborah (John) Morrissey, Onalaska, Wis.; Laura Kuzniar, LaGrange, Ind.; Doreen (Larry) Lackey, Scottsdale, AZ; David (Kelly) Balachowski, who died June 10, 2010. He was the proud Papa to: Katie (fianc, Jacob Hansen); Bethany, Joanna, Meredith, Angela, and Lucas Morrissey; Rachel and Ryan (Justine) Kuzniar; Ashley (Chris) Salvador, Jeremy and Clayton Lackey; and great-grandchildren, Elijah and Hayley Morrissey, and Zoey Kuzniar. He is additionally survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and Joyce Coglianese, daughter in law Kelly Balachowski and several nieces and nephews and cousins.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Gerrie; his son, David; his brother, Edward Balachowski; and his sisters, Agnes Balachowski, Mae Daudelin, Helen Stankevich, Ann Balachowski, and Frances Savant.

Leo became a friend to all he met. He was instantly likeable and loved to engage in conversation and storytelling. He was a jokester, easy to talk to, and generally loved life. Prior to moving to Wisconsin, he spent many happy years at his cottage in Indiana with his wife and family. He loved fishing, feeding his birds and watching the bald eagles, playing cards; and in his younger days, bowling and golfing. In his later years, he enjoyed watching his grandson Lucas play basketball and his grandsons Jeremy and Clayton play hockey. He was a lifelong White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks and Bears fan. For the past several years, he thoroughly enjoyed working at the Franciscan Auxiliary Geranium Sale. He could sell a plant to anyone. He loved his condo on the Black River and cherished the friendships he forged with his neighbors. As his health deteriorated, he gained strength from the support of those that loved him, especially, his immediate family; his nephew, Thom Daudelin; his niece, Mary Ellen Loewe; Paul & Linda Dunham; Kay Mazza; Nancy Sagen; and Msgr. Steve Kachel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Onalaska. Monsignor Steven Kachel will officiate. Burial in Chicago, Ill, will take place at a later date. Visitation will be held at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services Onalaska chapel located at 907 Sand Lake Road, on Tuesday, evening from 5:00 pm 7:00 pm. with a prayer service to be held at 5:00 P.M. Visitation will also be held at the church on Wednesday morning at the church from 9:30 A.M. until the time of Mass.

Leos family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Mayo Clinic Health System, Franciscan Healthcare, especially the Outpatient Dialysis Center, 3thrdth Floor, Emergency Room, Home Medical and the Hospice Team. Special thanks to Dr. Rasool, Dr. Molling, Dr. Iyer, Doug Miller, Dr. White, Dr. Quinn, and Dr. Wiersma. The support and love from family and friends, near and far, has been very comforting during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Franciscan Healthcare Auxiliary.