George E. "Shorty" Ready

George E. “Shorty” Ready, 88 of La Crescent, MN, passed away at his home on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 while surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was born in Dresbach Township, Winona Co, on April 23, 1927 to Joseph and Mary (Buehler) Ready. Shorty was a lifetime member of the Church of The Crucifixion in La Crescent and it was there on March 26, 1951 that he married Donna Gittens . He had worked as a foreman for Peter Nelson and Sons Construction for many years and was the oldest living member of the Iron Workers Union Local 383 with 61 years of membership. Shorty’s passions in life were the special times he spent with his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren, trout fishing and hunting.
In addition to his wife Donna of La Crescent, he is survived by his two sons Steve (Sherry) Ready of La Crescent, Rob (Kim) Ready of New Glarus, WI, four grandchildren Chad, Heather, Karly and Ty Ready; two great grandchildren Erin and Cameron Ready. He is further survived by two brothers Joe (Arlene) Ready of La Crescent, LeRoy Ready of La Crescent, sister Mary Ann (Marty) Luedtke of Mukwonago, WI, his special nephew Kevin (Annette) Gittens and their children, sisters-in-law, Carole Ready and Jean Ready, and a special family friend, Betty Baier. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Pearl Sorenson and three brothers Lawrence, Robert and Ronald Ready.
The family would like to thank Dr. Scott Chapman and Dr. Peter Franta, the nursing staff at Mayo Clinic Heath System, the Hospice staff at Gundersen Health System and Shorty’s special nurse Natalie Ready.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Monday, March 7, 2016 at the Church of The Crucifixion in La Crescent. Rev. Gregory Havel will officiate. Burial with military rites by the Gittens- Leidel American Legion Post 595 will follow in the Crucifixion cemetery. Friends may call on the family at the church on Monday morning from 10am until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either the La Crescent First Responders or ABLE Inc. of La Crescent.