Walter C. Hadley

Walter C. Hadley, 84, of La Crosse, passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at the Hillview Health Care Center. He was born on September 17, 1930 in Winona, Minnesota to Walter and Helen (Eischen) Hadley. He attended Aquinas High School and graduated from Central High School in 1948. He married Esther Berekvam on May 30, 1952 after a three week courtship, which resulted in sixty years of a loving and happy marriage. Walter worked as a welder at Allis-Chalmers and Paper, Calmenson & Co. After a back injury he sold real estate for Bob Deal Realty for eight years. He then worked at Altec for many years before retiring. Together Walter and Esther enjoyed the outdoors camping, hunting, fishing and Morel mushroom picking. They also enjoyed spending time with their family.
He was a 46 year member of French Island American Legion Post 417, a 42 year member of La Crosse County Voiture 830 40 et 8, a member of Local Union 383 and a 48 year ‘Golden Eagle’ member of Eagles Aerie 1254 of La Crosse.
He is survived by two daughters Kathryn (Patrick) Roesler of Buford, GA and Patricia (Bradford) Kauffman of Onalaska, WI, five grandchildren Tanya (Chad) Heyroth, Ryan (Kelly) Roesler, Brenda (Darin) Henning, Rodney Roesler and Kris (Matthew) Walter, eleven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, sisters-in-law Alice Lea and Evie Korsten, brothers-in-law Jimmy Berekvam and Doug Berekvam, who was like a son to Walter, caring for his needs. He was preceded in death by his wife Esther on March 14, 2013.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at St. James the Less Catholic Church, 1102 Caledonia St., La Crosse. Rev. Robert Schaller will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the Schumacher – Kish Funeral & Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse on Tuesday from 5-7 PM and again at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 AM until the time of service.