Donald Joseph Gallagher

Donald Joseph Gallagher, 86, passed away on May 2, 2018. Don was born in La Crosse, WI on April 26, 1932 to Sylvester and Blanche (Bissen) Gallagher.

Don attended Holy Trinity Grade School and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1950. He graduated from St. Mary’s College, MN in 1954 with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Mathematics. Don served in the United States Army from 1954 – 1956. Don married Erna Kelzer on November 12, 1960. Don worked at Trane Company for over 37 years. He was transferred to Epinal, France by Trane in June, 1966 to November, 1967. “My family moved and lived there with me. You all know the rest from marriage until death. My family is wonderful.”

Don was a long time member of Blessed Sacrament parish where he served as an usher, money counter, and SCRIP volunteer. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus Council 839. Don also volunteered over 1000 hours at Mayo Franciscan Skemp Healthcare. These activities “have always been enjoyable and rewarding”.

Don was Knight of Columbus Man of the Year in 2001; along with Erna, was Knight of Columbus Family of the Year in 2004; and received the Aquinas Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2005.

Don is survived by his wife of 57 years, Erna; sons Michael (Christine), and Steven; daughters Jane, and Patricia (Greg Kosmatka), and granddaughters Gretchen and Regina. He is further survived by his sisters Elaine (Henry) Becker, and Colleen (Tony, deceased) Balsamo; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 9 ^th at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Rev. Peter Raj officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4-7 P.M. at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Avenue South, La Crosse with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M. Visitation will continue on Wednesday at the church from 10:30 A.M. until the time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Don and Erna Gallagher Family Scholarship Fund with the Aquinas Foundation ( www.aquinasschools.org ), Blessed Sacrament Parish ( www.bsplacrosse.org ), or the charity of your choice are preferred.

Don was a man filled with love for his faith, his family, and his friends. He was a wonderful and loyal husband, father, grandfather, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.