Gale H Engler

He was born in Minneapolis, Minn., on August 8, 1925, to Joseph and Marie (Hartman) Engler. He married the love of his life, Beverly J. (Owen) Beranek, on June 27, 1970, in La Crosse. She preceded him in death on May 8, 2010.

Gale served with the 23thrdth Infantry Division of the U.S. Army and was a member of French Island American Legion Post 417. He worked as a welder for the Trane Company for 37 years before retiring and was a member of the Trane Company 25 Year Club. He was a long-time active member of Olivet Lutheran Church on French Island.

Gale was a very loving, gracious and humble man. He and Beverly traveled extensively together to places like Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, Branson and New York. He was an accomplished bowler and enjoyed simple things like being outdoors in the sunshine grilling or fishing at his houseboat.

He is survived by a daughter, Trudy (Gene) Mason of Sarona, Wis.; a son, Steve Beranek of La Crosse; a daughter-in-law, Becky (Wapp) Sawyer and her husband, Tom Sawyer, of La Crescent; grandchildren, Tiffany (Rob) Bean of Holmen, Matt (Mel) Sawyer of La Crosse, and Nici Sawyer of La Crescent; and great grandchildren, Kallie and Mason Bean, and Phillip and Lauren Sawyer. He is also survived by three sisters, Ione Phillips of Hokah, Minn., Darlene Schafer of Elkhorn, Wis., and Sharon (Robert) Olson of Rosemount, Minn.; a sister-in-law, Gloria Engler living in Illinois; many nieces and nephews, including his godchild and favorite niece, Cheryl Collins, of La Crosse; and his best buddy, his dog, Rex. In addition to his wife, Beverly, Gale was also preceded in death by his parents; a son, David Wapp; one brother, Gene Engler on January 1, 2012; an infant brother, Neil; and two brothers in-law, Austin Phillips and La Vern Schafer.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 13th, at 11:00 a.m., at Olivet Lutheran Church. Rev. David Baldukas will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the French Island Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10:00a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be directed to Olivet Lutheran Church or the Coulee Region Humane Society.

Gales family would like to thank the staff of Prairie Home for their kindness and friendship, and also warmest thanks to Jay and Diane Fernholz for always being there for Rex.