Howard "Howie" Mahlum

Howard L. “Howie” Mahlum, 85, of Onalaska, passed away at his home on Friday, November 17, 2017 surrounded by his family.

Howie was born September 23, 1932, in Ettrick, Wis., to Henry L. and Hazel (Amoth) Mahlum and was a 1951 graduate of Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School.  He then worked briefly for the Trane Company before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1952-1955 during the Korean War.  Following his service, he continued to work for Trane Company until 1965 when he joined the La Crosse Fire Department.  He served with the department and earned the rank of Captain prior to his retirement in 1992.  Howie also worked part-time for 10 years as a drapery installer for various La Crosse businesses before forming his own business, Howie’s Draperies, which he organized and operated out of his home on a part-time basis for 5 years. Toward the end of his career, Howie taught fire science at W.W.T.C.  He was also instrumental in designing an extrication tool that is used by fire departments today.

Howie married Trudy Manns and they later divorced.  He then married Marilyn (Hauser) Genz on November 26, 1991, at Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse.  In his free time, Howie enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping, reading and doing puzzles.  He was also an avid Packer and Badger fan.  In retirement, Howie and Marilyn lived a very active life, enjoying time with their many friends playing cards, going on casino trips or boating. He and Marilyn served as escorts for Here We Go Tours for several years that included many memorable trips. Howie also managed the Coulee Region Acres mobile home court after retiring. Family was always the top priority and they rarely missed attending important events in their children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s lives. They were inseparable as a couple and Marilyn never left Howie’s side through his recent battle with cancer.

Howie is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his children, Diana (Jeffrey) Rademacher of Rochester, Minn., Denise (Christopher) Boeding of Ely, Iowa, David (Debra) Mahlum of Germantown, Wis., Sally (David) Meyer of Holmen, Sharon (Kermit) Thoftne of La Crosse, and Sandy Schlicher of Sparta, Wis.; his grandchildren and great grandchildren, Diana (Joshua) Clark and their children, Kaylie and Mya, Stephanie Johnson and her children, Caitlyn and Makenzie, Joseph (Grace) Skiles and their children, Benjamin and Avery, Daniel (Nadea) Hefti and their children, Kathryn, Kallen, Phoebe and Remy, Brian (Jamie) Skiles and their son, Henry, Paul Rademacher, Jaimie Schlicher, Nicole Schlicher, Steven Rademacher, Joshua Boeding, Jessica Boeding and her daughter, Leah, Cristal Boeding, Bobbi Jo (A.J.) Worden and their daughter, Ellery, and Amanda and Samantha Mahlum. He is further survived by a brother, Donald Mahlum; a nephew, Glen (Kim) Mahlum; and a brother-in-law, Jim (Pam) Hauser. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Gerald Mahlum; and a sister, Pernelle “Penny” New.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 22 ^nd , at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2135 Weston St., La Crosse.  Rev. Ted Dewald will officiate.  Military honors will commence immediately following the services at the church with inurnment in the Oak Grove Garden Mausoleum taking place at a later date.  Family and friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to any hospice program of the donor’s choice.  Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse is assisting the family.  Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com .

The family would like to thank the staff at SpringBrook Assisted Living and the staff at Gundersen Health System Hospice for their wonderful care.