Melvin L. Kuschel

Melvin Lynn Kuschel, 89, of West Salem, peacefully passed away on Friday October 28 ^th, 2022, at Mulders Health Care Center.

Melvin was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin on June 3 ^rd , 1933 to Walter and Gertrude (nee Hagel) Kuschel, the third of four children.  He attended Central High School in La Crosse.  He married Karen Larson (daughter of Palmer and Alma Larson) on August 27 ^th , 1955, at Mount Calvary Parsonage and together they raised eight children.  He lived most of his life in La Crosse and West Salem.

Mel served in the Army National Guard and Auxiliary Police and was honorably discharged having reached the level of Sergeant First Class.  He worked at Trane Company as a Quality Control Inspector for many years.  He also worked as a Special Deputy Sheriff for La Crosse County and as a constable for the Town of Hamilton.  He spent time working in transport for the railroad and a photo service and working at a Christmas tree farm.  He worked and volunteered for the Salvation Army and owned and ran Mel’s Running Inn in Melvina for a number of years.

Mel was very active in his church, Christ Lutheran of West Salem.  He was a leader of the Boy Pioneers for Mount Calvary in La Crosse and Christ Lutheran in West Salem.  He coached basketball at Mount Calvary as well.

Mel loved people and animals and was happiest with others or feeding wildlife.  He was extremely social and a great character.  One of his favorite sayings was “You gotta have fun.”  His last years were spent at Mulder Health Care Center where he spent most of his time out of his room and engaging with other residents and staff members.

Melvin is survived by his brother Glenn (Sharon) of South Dakota, his sister-in-law, Mary Larson; his brother-in-law, Palmer “Butch” (Ruth Ann) Larson; his children, Dave (Doreen) of La Crosse,  Sue (David) Friell of West Salem, Sally (Mark) Peterson of Stoddard, Jim (Anne) of La Crosse, Glen (Sue) of Melvina, Rich (Meg) of Springfield, IL, Sheryl (Shawn) Burns of Plymouth, MN, and John of Stoddard; his grandchildren, Greg (Karen) Peterson, Brett (Katerina) Friell, Matt Friell, Brandon Friell, Molly Vanderloop, A.J. (Ali) Kuschel, Zach (Emily) Kuschel, Carrie Kuschel, Emmy Kuschel, Katie Kuschel, Chris Burns, Katie Burns; and his great grandchildren, Abby Peterson, Eleanor Friell, Kaylee Kuschel, Noah Kuschel, Evee Kuschel, Elam Kuschel, Finn Kuschel, Aria Kuschel and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Karen, a stillborn son; his brother, Harold and Harold’s wife Therese; and his sister, Leoda “Jean” and her husband, Daniel Spensieri.  He was also preceded in death by his wife’s parents and stepmother, Irene Sedivy Larson; her sister, Bonnie Peaslee and Bonnie’s husband, Fay; her brother, Robert “Bob” Larson and his wife, Dorothy; her brother, James “Jim” Larson; and her sister, Ann Lemke and Ann’s husband, John.

Services for Melvin will be held 11:00 am, Monday December 5 ^th , 2022, at Christ Lutheran Church, 500 Park Street, West Salem, WI. Interment will follow in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorials to the church would be preferred or to Luther High School in Onalaska.

The family would like to thank the wonderful residents and staff of Mulders for giving Melvin such rich last years especially since the death of his wife.