Roger Leithold

Roger H. Leithold, 89, of Holmen, is “incredible” in heaven as of Sunday, July 2, 2017.

Roger was born February 1, 1928, in La Crosse, to Harry and Ida (Hefti) Leithold. He grew up in La Crosse and graduated from Central High School in December of 1945. He served with the Naval Reserves and the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He met Teresa Ann Gritzner at First Presbyterian Church, and they were married August 9, 1958.

Roger attended La Crosse State Teacher’s College (UW-L) and was attending Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., until he was called back to La Crosse to take over the family business started by his grandfather in 1888, Leithold Music, because his father was having health problems. Roger was active in the family business for over 65 years and received national awards for his contributions to the music industry. He was a passionate advocate for music his whole life. He was a strong supporter of Downtown La Crosse and had served as President of the organization that would become the Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church for 76 years having been baptized there. He was head usher when he met Teresa and served as a Deacon and Elder.

Roger and Teresa purchased their farm outside of Holmen in Casberg Coulee in 1967. He loved working on his farm in addition to overseeing the daily operation of the music store. He enjoyed tending to his flowers and vegetable garden, and hiking and snowshoeing the coulees around his farm with his dog. He was also very proud to have reforested the farm, planting over 100,000 trees. After open heart surgery in 2004, he logged over 1,000 hours of exercise through the “Moving and Improving” cardiac rehab program at Gundersen. He maintained a very active, healthy lifestyle by working out at Be Fit gym and taking 3-4 mile hikes. Roger was a familiar sight to his wonderful, caring neighbors in the coulee as Dolly and he hiked with his walking sticks and fluorescent jacket. He loved having his family gather at the farm, especially at holidays. Family was always first with Roger. They made many memories of family vacations to Spooner, Hayward, Gulf Shores, and Destin.

Roger is survived by his loving wife, Teresa; his children, Susan (Ted) Bowcock of Owatonna, MN, Paul (Mary) Leithold of Onalaska, Ellen Leithold of Kalamazoo, MI, and Abbie (Dave) Gerzema of La Crosse; his grandchildren, Steven Leithold, Tessa Leithold, Taylor Hoeft, Madison Hoeft, Chloe Leithold, Faith Leithold, Mike Weekley, Camille Gerzema, and Audrey Gerzema; and his beloved collie, Dolly. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Lauren Leithold; and his brother, John Leithold.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 9 ^th , at First Presbyterian Church, 233 West Ave. So., La Crosse. Rev. Dr. J. Taylor Haley will officiate. Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service on Sunday at the church and at the gathering after worship. Memorials may be made to the Gundersen Foundation or First Presbyterian Church.