Donald Alfred Hutzenbuehler

Donald A. “Hutz” Hutzenbuehler, 87, of La Crosse, passed away on Monday, April 24, 2017 at the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse surrounded by his family. He was born on September 5, 1929 in La Crosse to Alfred and Verna (Von Arx) Hutzenbuehler.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rita Lou Kabat, six children, Tonya (Michael) McCabe, Douglas Hutzenbuehler, Susan (Steve) Lee, Pattie (Steven) Meixelsperger, Michael (Shelly) Hutzenbuehler, and Jodi Hutzenbuehler, seven grandchildren, Chelsea and Riley Hutzenbuehler, Abbey and Hans Meixelsperger, Dylan and Max Lee, and Douglas Hutzenbuehler, two sisters, Arlene Kaufman and Rita Pfaff, and a brother Eugene (Jan) Hutzenbuehler, and many nieces, nephews and good friends. He was preceded in death by a son Donald, his parents, and two brothers, Robert and Richard.

Don attended Aquinas High School and served with the US Army in the Korean War. Don had worked as an electrician at Wettsteins and Stanek Electric. Don loved God’s Country in La Crosse and enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating on the river in his pontoon, and sand bars. After his retirement, he built a log cabin and volunteered at Lutheran Hospital for 10 years. He was an avid walker, biker, and gardener, enjoyed politics, and loved the Packers. Don was known for his sarcastic humor, and enjoyed spending time with family and good friends, and vacations with his wife Rita. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52, Legion Color Guard, and the Thomas Rooney VFW Post 1530.