Albert "Al" Roellich

Albert “Al” Roellich, 99 of La Crosse passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at the Benedictine Manor. He was born September 30, 1915 in La Crosse to William and Mary (Hoelzel) Roellich. Al served in the United States Army during WWII where he fought in the European Theatre and participated in D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. He received the WWII Victory Medal, five battle stars, the Army Citation for Meritorious Service, the Distinguished Unit Citation and the Belgian Fourragere. He was honorably discharged in October of 1945 and returned to La Crosse where on June 22, 1957 he married Eleanor Louck at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman, she preceded him in death on October 1, 1980.
Al worked for the United States Postal Service as a postal clerk for 29 years and retired on January 10, 1981. He had served as the President of the Postal Union for six years. Al was also a member of Roy Vingers American Legion Post 52. He was a lifetime member of the Third Armored Spearhead Division. Since 1940 he served on the Graves Decoration Committee Memorial Day Association and for 61 years decorated veteran’s graves at Catholic Cemetery for Memorial Day. Al also belonged to the Knights of Columbus Council 839 in La Crosse and was a member of the 4th Degree since 1958. He served as Commander of the 4th Degree Honor Guard and as Chairman of the pallbearers group. Al served as the Assistant Marshall for the 1960 Memorial Day Parade and volunteered for over 30 years at St. Francis Hospital and St. Francis Nursing Home where he helped with the wheelchair project. He also had volunteered as a Eucharistic minister at St. Francis Nursing Home for many years. Al was a generous soul and had a special place in his heart for the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.
Al is survived by his nieces and nephews; Mary (Rudy) Clements of La Crosse, Therese (Randy Bartlett)Roellich of La Crosse, Howie (Pat) Erickson of Green Bay, Bill (Barb) Roellich of Bellevue, WA and Stan (Sandy) Roellich of Onalaska along with many grand nieces and nephews and friends. In addition to his wife Eleanor, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael in 1958; three sisters, Clara Roellich, Mildred Valiquette and Helen Erickson; two brothers, Leonard Roellich and Marcus Roellich; three nephews, Harold Erickson, Thomas Roellich and Dennis Roellich.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM Saturday, August 22nd at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman with Rev. Msgr. Charles Stoetzel as Celebrant. Burial with military honors by American Legion Post 52 will follow in Catholic Cemetery. Friends and family may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Friday from 4-7 PM where a rosary will be recited at 4:00 PM. Visitation will also be held at the church on Saturday from 9:30 AM until the time of services. Memorials are suggested to the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman. Al’s family would like to express their thanks to the entire staff at Benedictine Villa Assisted Living for their wonderful care and support.