Ervin Francis Dwyer

Ervin Francis Dwyer passed away peacefully on February 28th at Springbrook Assisted Living in Onalaska. He was born on November 7th, 1928, to Lydia (Silha) and Ervin Dwyer, in Middle Ridge, Wisconsin.

Ervin is survived by one sister, Rose Basham, of Boulder, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his wife of seventy years, Betty Jean (Knudtson), his parents, siblings Kenneth, Edith, Duane, Alden, Norman, Kathleen, Venita, Jackie, and son-in-law Otis Schilling.

Ervin and Betty raised three children, Randy (married to Sharon), Candy Schilling, and Kim Larson (married to James Larson). He and Betty have two grandchildren, Austin Dwyer, and Abigail McGlinchey (married to Patrick McGlinchey).

Ervin was quick to smile and joke with everyone around him. He loved kids--playing with his grandchildren when they were little and enjoying spending time with them as adults. There is nothing Erv would not do to help someone, and he always thought of others before himself. He was a patient man and never spoke a bad word about anyone. Everyone loved and respected Erv, from his devoted family and long-time friends to his caregivers and friends at Springbrook Assisted Living Center. He will be deeply missed.

Erv was a true outdoorsman, no matter what the season. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer. He was an enthusiastic member of the La Crosse Curling Club for over thirty years (with wife Betty) making life-long friends there. As a couple, they traveled throughout Wisconsin on many canoeing adventures with this same group of friends. They fell in love with Tucson, Arizona and wintered there in retirement for over 20 years, golfing, hiking, identifying cactus and picnicking in the desert with friends, both established and newly met snowbirds.

Ervin graduated from Aquinas High School in La Crosse, Wisconsin and soon followed that with an apprenticeship program to become a tool and die maker. He got a job at Trane Heating and Air Conditioning Company in La Crosse and concluded his 35-year career there as a tool and die inspector. Erv helped his kids with many a project over the years using his experience and skills as a manager and tool and die maker.

A visitation and funeral mass are planned for Ervin F. Dwyer on June 29th, 2024. Visitation will be at ten am before an eleven am funeral mass at St. Patrick's Church in Onalaska, WI. A celebration reception luncheon will follow from noon to three pm at the American Legion, Post 336, 731 Sand Lake Road, Onalaska, WI 54650. All friends and family are invited.

A private burial will be held at the Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum in LaCrosse.

All donations in honor of Erv go to the American Legion Post #336 in Onalaska.