Louise "Lou" A. Gavin

Louise “Lou” A. Gavin, 93, of La Crosse, died Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Hillview Health Care Center. She was born on June 13, 1930, in La Crosse to John and Marie (Poellinger) Bechen. She married Harlan “Gabby” Gavin on September 9, 1950, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Lou worked at Century Telephone (formerly La Crosse Telephone) as a telephone operator for over 40 years until her retirement. She and Harlan spent their entire married life in La Crosse. She loved spending time with friends and family playing cards and camping at Lake Neshonoc. When not camping, you could find her planting and weeding in her beautiful backyard rock garden.

She is survived by her daughters Barb Wallace and Linda (Richard) Rhode, grandchildren Melissa (Josh) Leske, Rick (Elizabeth) Rhode, Christopher (Amy) Lawson, Andrea (Zach) Hauser, and Anthony (Shawntra) Lochson, great-grandchildren Shelby Leske, Caden, Chase and Aza Hauser, Gavin and Rosie Rhode and Raiden Lochson, brother Robert (Lorraine) Bechen, nephews Craig Forster and Steven Bechen, niece Janet Armstrong, great-niece Caitlin Crocker, and great-great-nephew Callum Crocker.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Harlan, daughter Kathy Lawson, brother John “Jack” Bechen, nephew John Bechen, son-in-law Mike Wallace, sisters-in-law Iris Forster and Geri Bechen, and brother-in-law Alban Forster.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Blessed Sacrament, 130 Losey Blvd. S, La Crosse, on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 10:30 AM. A visitation will be held at the church on the day of the funeral from 9:30 A.M. until the time of service.

The family wishes to thank the nursing staff of Hillview Health Care Center.

Those who wish to remember Louise with a memorial may direct them to Salvation Army.