Francis "Frank" Breidel

Francis “Frank” Breidel, 87, of La Crosse quietly passed away Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center surrounded by family members. He had been a resident there for slightly more than two years, following a severe stroke he suffered while at his job bagging groceries at Festival Foods in Onalaska.
Frank was born July 17, 1929 in La Crosse to Emil and Anna (Potarake) Breidel. He was the oldest of nine children. Frank grew up in La Crosse and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1947. He was an excellent violin/fiddle player and won many awards at competitions while in high school.
On August 26, 1950, Frank married Ann Marie Lamarr. They raised their family of seven children in La Crosse. Frank was an extremely hard working man, putting in long hours at a variety of jobs to provide for his large family. He spent time on the railroad, Trane Company, Dolly Madison Dairies and finally finding his niche making a career in the meat business. He had his own truck route selling beef and other meat products for Dubuque Packing Company. Frank then became a meat broker for a few years until he went to work for Gateway Foods and later Fleming Foods in the meat sales department. When Frank retired, which lasted one week, he decided he needed a part-time job. A week later he was working for Festival Foods in Onalaska. He really enjoyed all the people he worked with and the customers he met over the years.
Frank could tell many great stories about his youth and the many years he played in the family polka band at area taverns, barn dances and dance halls. He would also take his fiddle and play at some weddings and many times throughout the years at Schmidty’s Bar and Restaurant. He was also an avid Packer fan and enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years. Frank thoroughly enjoyed his numerous gambling trips over the years with his family and friends. He also enjoyed the many people he met and the meals he regularly shared at the Maid-Rite restaurant and the A&W on South Avenue.
Frank is survived by his wife, Ann; daughters, Cathy (Doug) Johnson, Nancy (Charlie) Gregg, Sue (Harry) Garvin, Becky (Paul) Bjorndahl, Mari (Tom) Friemel; sons, John (Jodie) Breidel and Kevin (Heidi) Breidel. He is further survived by 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren along with his brothers and sisters.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM, Thursday, November 17th at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Avenue South, La Crosse. A prayer service will be held Thursday at 6:30 PM with Msgr. Charles Stoetzel officiating. A private family entombment will follow at a later date in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the entire staff at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center for the wonderful care Frank received during his stay. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center, St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral or the organization of their choice.