Patrick Valiquette

Patrick “Pat/OJ” G. Valiquette, 65, of La Crosse died on Monday, May 29, 2017.

He was born March 10, 1952, to James and Bernice (Haumschild) Valiquette. He attended La Crosse schools and was a 1972 graduate of Logan High School.

Through the years, Pat was a truck driver, painter, worked for the Ledcor Railroad Group following his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps, and for the past several years, his true passion was working and volunteering for the Warming Center and the Franciscan Hospitality House.

Coming from a large close family, family and friends were very important to Pat, especially his son, Cory, and granddaughter, Aidyn. He was always ready to give a helping hand to whomever needed help. Growing up on a farm in Smith Valley, Pat loved the outdoors, hunting, trapping, fishing and hiking. He will be sadly missed and forever in our hearts.

Pat is survived by his son, Cory Kjos of Mentor, Ohio; granddaughter, Aidyn Kjos of Mentor, Ohio; brother, Michael Valiquette of Holmen; and sisters, Bibionne (Fredrick) Puent of Holmen, Antoinette Gelbeck of Onalaska, Roberta Keener of Onalaska, Colleen Haskins of Hillsboro, Ore., Mary Brickl (Michael Belling) of Onalaska, Judith deBack (Gary Ingvalson) of Henderson, Nev., and Christine (Patrick) Remis of Buffalo City, Wis. He is also survived by nephews and nieces, Brian (Tracy) Puent of Trempealeau, Julie (Gorden) Nelson of Holmen, Alan (Marie) Puent of Holmen, Eric (April) Puent of Holmen, Brett (Barb Trussoni) Valiquette of Holmen, Guy (Michelle) Valiquette of Cameron, N. Car., Dean Gelbeck of La Crosse, Christopher Haskins of Coos Bay, Ore., Shane (Kyungmi) deBack, living in South Korean, Jessica (Bruce) Moser of Lakeville, Minn., and Nicole (Derrick) Sailer of Holmen; sixteen great nephews and nieces; one great, great niece; and his many friends, especially his co-workers and guests at the Franciscan Hospitality House and the Warming Center. Pat was preceded in death by his parents, James and Bernice; nephew, Timothy Gelbeck; great nephew, Zachery Puent; brothers-in-law, Lee Keener and Karl Brickl; and his special Aunt, Dorothy Valiquette.

A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 5 ^th , at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. So., La Crosse. A prayer service will begin at 1:30 p.m. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.