Fred Kerska

Fred Kerska, 70 of La Crosse passed away Thursday, April 26, 2012 in his home surrounded by his family following a difficult battle with cancer. He was born September 4, 1941 in La Crosse to Arthur and Agnes (Kirschner) Kerska and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1959. Fred had worked as a sales engineer at Trane Co. for over 35 years until his retirement in 2007.

In 1980 he married Darlene Reinhart. Fred enjoyed golfing, spending time at the cabin, bar bingo, playing his guitar and making people laugh. He especially loved visiting the casino with his buddies and spending time with his grandchildren.

In addition to his wife Darlene, he is survived by three daughters; Stephanie (Danny) Drenth of Chippewa Falls, WI, Jessica (Frank) Lipa of Minneapolis and Robyn Luther Marcou of La Crosse; two sons, Marc (Elizabeth) Kerska of La Crescent and Col. Eric (Tina) Kerska of Rochester, MN; 9 grandchildren; his mother and father-in-law, Dale and Priscilla Reinhart; three brothers-in-law, John (Debbie) Reinhart, Jeff (Sandy) Reinhart and Mike (Carol) Reinhart; a sister-in-law, Diane (Greg) Frick and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, April 30th at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Onalaska with Rev. Steven Kachel officiating. Burial will follow in Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends and family may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Avenue S., La Crosse on Sunday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM and again on Monday at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of services. A rosary will be recited at 4:00 PM on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Mayo Clinic Health System Cancer Care