Keith B. Straight

Keith B. Straight, 99 of La Crosse passed away in his home on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. Old soldiers never die, they just fade away and that’s the way Keith’s life ended. He was an Army veteran of World War II having served as a surgical technician in a hospital in Calcutta, India for three years.
Keith was born November 20, 1914 to Bernard and Vera (Barnes) Straight in Richland Center, WI. He attended schools there, first grade thru teachers college. Keith had worked in a men’s clothing store prior to his military service.
He married Marjorie Shields and the couple shared 72 years together. Keith worked for the State of Wisconsin for 34 ½ years in the unemployment compensation department as a district manager. He and Marjorie had an enjoyable retirement spending many years traveling to Europe, going on a Caribbean cruise and in the states. Keith wanted to have a reunion with the fellows and nurses he worked with in the service, so he spent many hours at the library looking up addresses and phone numbers. They had twenty some reunions going to a different place each year.
Keith was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 52 in La Crosse and the VFW. He enjoyed his annual fishing trips to Canada with his Lancaster buddies. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Bowling League for many years and enjoyed attending Packers, Badgers, Braves and Brewers games.
In addition to his wife Marjorie, he is survived by a daughter, Vicki Moss; three granddaughters who affectionately called him “Grandpa Bah”; Cristi (Jeff) DiCianni, Lori (Jay) Biondo and Kari (Brian) Savel; four great-grandsons, A.J. and Jake Biondo, Nicolas DiCianni and Gunner Savel; along with many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Wanda Hobbs and Marilyn Smith.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 Noon, Friday, October 24th at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Rev. Peter Raj officiating. Burial with military honors will be held in the Richland Center Cemetery. Friends and family may call at the church on Friday from11:00 A.M. until the time of services. Memorials are suggested to the Mayo Clinic Heath System Cancer Center or Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
Keith’s family would like to express their sincere thanks to Homestead Caregivers, Lori and Eric, and the Mayo Hospice Team for their loving care and compassion.