Obituaries
Suzann "Sue" Balduzzi
Mar 15, 2025
Suzann “Sue” Balduzzi, 88, of Onalaska passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Onalaska Care Center.
Sue was born in La Crosse to Marie (Lehen) and William Kane on September 27, 1936. She graduated from Aquinas High School, received her nursing degree from Viterbo College, and a Master of Education from UW-L in Professional Development. She married Robert “Bob” Balduzzi...
Gary W. Mracek
Mar 14, 2025
A full obituary will be available soon.
Funeral mass will be held at 10:30AM, Friday, March 28th at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Onalaska with visitation beginning at 9:30AM. A celebration of life will follow the Mass at 12:00PM Friday at the Cedar Creek Banquet Center. The family will be wearing shades of purple in memory of Gary. Burial will take...
Margaret M. Herbeck
Mar 14, 2025
Margaret M. Herbeck, 70, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025. She was born to Wilbur and Audrey (Duggan) Davies on December 9, 1954, in Minneapolis, MN. When she was nine years old the family moved to La Crosse. She attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary and Aquinas High School before earning her bachelor’s degree in social work from Viterbo University.
Margaret married...
Jimmy Elmer Melcher
Mar 14, 2025
Jimmy Elmer Melcher, 91, of Onalaska, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Jimmy was born on January 13, 1934, to Harvey and Ruth (Anderson) Melcher in La Crosse, WI. He was the middle child, having five older and five younger siblings. He graduated from Central High School, La Crosse, in 1953.
He married his high school sweetheart, Doris Helen Fillner, on...
Kathleen A. Vehrenkamp
Mar 14, 2025
Kathleen A. “Kathy” Vehrenkamp, 75 of La Crosse, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025, at her home. Kathy was born on September 23, 1949 to Dr. George “Bud” and Janet Frost. She and her husband, Dave Vehrenkamp married September 11, 1971. Dave started his own business, Dave’s Sheet Metal, Inc., in 1989 with Kathy serving as bookkeeper.
Kathy retired May...
Dretha Mae Richards
Mar 13, 2025
Dretha Mae Richards (82) was called home to heaven on Thursday, March 13, 2025, to be at peace with her Savior, joining her beloved husband, Gary Richards (04/29/2017), her great-grandson, Arthur Heyer (02/18/2025), her parents, Frank (03/14/1989) and Vera (07/11/2006) Gaddy, and all of the other family members who have gone before her.
Dretha was born March 11, 1943, in San...
Lynda M. Gerken
Mar 11, 2025
Lynda M. Gerken, a loving wife of over 60 years, proud mother to 3, grandmother to 4, and great grandmother to 5, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse. She was born in La Crosse on June 14, 1944, to Clifford and Rose Marie (Norby) Ristow. Lynda was incredibly generous, loving, and...
Joanne Koeller
Mar 9, 2025
Joanne Koeller, 90, of La Crescent, MN passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at SpringBrook Village in La Crescent, MN. Joanne was born on March 7, 1935 in La Crosse, WI to Joseph and Violet (Hanson) Nagle. Joanne married Charles Koeller in 1960 in Pickwick, MN. She attended Winona State University graduating with a master’s degree in special education...
Gaytha J. Anderson
Mar 8, 2025
Gaytha J. Anderson, 72, of Onalaska, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at her home. She was born to Delmer and Velma (Ash) Applegarth in Broken Bow, NE on July 5, 1952. Throughout her working career, Gaytha worked as a housekeeper, clerk, and sales representative.
Gaytha was a strong Christian person who was patient and kind. She loved spending time...
Gerald Lee Soffa
Mar 8, 2025
Gerald “Jerry” Soffa (91) died on March 8th, 2025, at Springbrook Assisted Living of Onalaska, WI. He was born to Elias “Leo” & Carole (Pitcher) Soffa on May 3rd, 1933. He attended Central High School and La Crosse State Teacher’s College before being drafted by the U.S. Army. He entered the Army in 1953 and was part of the 3rd...
Katherine R. Littlejohn
Mar 7, 2025
Sii'aas- "Sweet feet coming from honey on the paws"
Katherine “Kathy” R. Littlejohn, 58, of Black River Falls, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones at Gundersen Health System on March 7, 2025. She lived in Hokah, grew up in La Crosse, and resided in Black River Falls later in life.
A cheerful person, she loved to joke around, had a...
Dolores "Dolly" J. Strittmater
Mar 6, 2025
Dolores “Dolly” Josephine (Simons) Strittmater, 91, of La Crosse passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Onalaska Care Center.
Dolly was born in La Crosse, WI on August 22, 1933 to John and Josephine (Trussoni) Simons. She grew up on a farm in rural Genoa and attended a one room school house in Romance until 8th grade. She attended Aquinas High...
Rita Lou Hutzenbuehler
Mar 5, 2025
Rita Lou Hutzenbuehler 93 passed away on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 in her home of 65 years surrounded by her children. Rita was born on September 18, 1931 in La Crosse to William and Louise (Harder) Kabat. Rita graduated from Central High School.
Mom was a dedicated and loving homemaker, and her children were her number one priority. Mom enjoyed many...
Russell "Russ" W. Rankin
Mar 5, 2025
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Russell “Russ” W. Rankin, who died at the age of 102 on March 5th, 2025 (He passed away 34 hours before his 103rd birthday). He was born March 7, 1922, in Virden, IL.
He graduated from Virden Community High School Class of 1941.
A World War II veteran, he served his duty in the...
Sharon Rose Kasha
Mar 5, 2025
Sharon Rose Kasha, 90, of La Crescent, MN, former long-time resident of Crystal Lake, IL died Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Sharon was born on November 28, 1934 in Chicago, IL to Lawrence and Katherine (Dorgan) Howley. She graduated from Mercy High School in 1952 and then attended St. Xavier College for Women. During that time, Sharon met the love of...
David E. Dwyer
Mar 4, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of David E. Dwyer, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and brother. He was 74 years old. Dave was born to Eugene and Janet (Satek) Dwyer in La Crosse on January 13, 1951. He was a 1969 graduate of Central High School. In 1970, Dave married his high school...
Christine Portzen Metzler
Mar 4, 2025
Christine Portzen Metzler, 68, of Onalaska, went to Heaven on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Christine was born on December 17, 1956, to Joseph & Dorothy (Lowe) Portzen in Manitowoc, WI. After graduating from Flambeau Lincoln High School in Manitowoc in 1974, she went on to study Music Performance and Education, earning her degree from...
David K. Leuck
Mar 3, 2025
David K. Leuck, age 82 of Onalaska, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Monday, March 3, 2025, after a brief illness. He was born on January 30, 1943, in La Crosse, WI, to the late Carl Joseph and Calverna (Schams) Leuck.
Those who knew David will remember him for his zest for everything he did, and larger than life presence. He was...
David E. Breyer
Mar 2, 2025
David Breyer, 63, of La Crescent, Minnesota, passed away on March 2nd, 2025.
David was known for the many roles he carried in life—husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and a successful small engine business owner. He was a man whose presence was felt in the best way, always bringing warmth, laughter, and genuine connection to those around him.
As a husband,...
Joyce E. Benusa
Mar 1, 2025
Joyce Elaine Benusa, 89, of Onalaska, WI, a beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 1, 2025 surrounded by family. She was born on July 24, 1935 in Whitehall, WI to the late Bernice (Scow) and Harry Meistad.
While in high school in Arcadia, she met her future husband, Bill Benusa. They were...
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This is a collection of obituaries for La Crosse and Onalaska, WI, and La Crescent, MN, with services throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota that are updated regularly. Find local Wisconsin and Minnesota obituaries and join us in celebrating memories and honoring lives and legacies.
SUPPORT AFTER A LOSS
Circle of Friends+ provides you with resources on grief support and settling affairs, sent to you via text and email.