Adam Kendhammer

Adam G. Kendhammer passed away unexpectedly on July 13, 2017, as the result of injuries sustained in a car crash. He was born September 25, 1984, in La Crosse, Wis., to Jeannie (Derouin) and Tom Kendhammer. Adam was the fifth of five children, born 12 years after his closest sibling. As a child, he was bright, curious, friendly, and Mom and Dad’s favorite. He carried all those attributes into adulthood, but added the spirit of an adventurer. He spent 2 summers in Antarctica working for the US Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station. While at McMurdo, he developed a passion for the sport of Rugby, which he brought back to Minnesota. Rugby bulked up his frame, sharpened his competitiveness and toughened his body, but his warm heart never changed. Later he traveled to New Zealand, England, and Ireland, making friends all along the way. Back in Minnesota, he worked with his brothers in a family business where he tackled a wide variety of projects and eventually took on the role of Department Manager and Head of Marketing. At 31, he bought a house, the first place he could truly call his own, and turned it into a beautiful home. Adam loved being the fun uncle. When he showed up, it was time to wrestle. He was generous with gifts and with his time, rarely missing a birthday party, holiday, or other special event, always making sure to leave just before the kids got crabby.

Adam was not career driven, which is not to say he was lazy, but he did not live to work. He lived to live. He liked dark beer and spicy food. He liked trying new restaurants, new recipes, new places, and hanging out with old friends. He had an absolutely infectious laugh, the kind that makes others laugh even when they don’t get the joke, and he laughed a lot. If you asked him to do you a favor he said “yes” and then he did it because he was somebody you could count on. And because of who he was he had friends, friends from all over the place, whom he loved and who loved him. In fact, when he died, he was with his soulmate and another good friend on their way to another adventure.

Adam was united forever in death with his soulmate and best friend, Bryan Rudell. He is survived by parents Tom and Jean Kendhammer; sisters, Lisa (Tim)Servais and Lana (Craig) Tunks; brothers, Tom (Sharon) and Clay (Deanne) Kendhammer; grandmother, Lorraine Derouin; twelve nieces and nephews; three aunts; four cousins; his beloved cat, Daylen; and many friends. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Herman and Ruth Kendhammer; grandfather, Joseph Derouin; and uncles, Peter Kendhammer and Ronald Faas.

In Rugby, players call out “with you” so that the ball carrier knows that if he gets in trouble and has to get rid of the ball, somebody will be there. Adam, we will miss your smile, we will miss your laugh, but we will always be- with you.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 20 ^th , at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, 2006 Weston St., La Crosse. Rev. Brian A. Konopa will officiate. Family and friends may call from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. So., La Crosse, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass on Thursday at the church.