Stanley R. Hesselberg

Stanley R. Hesselberg

Stanley R. Hesselberg, 92 of Onalaska, passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. He was born April 13, 1932, in Sparta, WI to Joseph and Ann (Heintz) Hesselberg and grew up on the family farm in Fish Creek Valley, WI.

On November 5, 1952, he married Lois Secord at First Ev. Lutheran Church in La Crosse; and she preceded him in death on December 31, 2015. Stanley had worked as a union master lather-plasterer for various contractors throughout the Tri-State region for over 40 years. He was a proud charter member and past president of the Holmen Athletic Booster Club.

In his early years Stanley, a lefty pitcher for Bangor area teams, briefly played professional baseball in the minor league system for the St. Louis Browns. He would jokingly mention that as a 9th grader he became Bangor School District’s first bus driver when the superintendent handed him the keys to a 1936 Dodge. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends and especially treasured his many camping and fishing trips to Canada with his sons. “Hessie” was an avid Wisconsin sports fan who enjoyed watching all Wisconsin college and professional sports. He was known for his hard work ethic, being able to fix anything, and lending a helping hand.

Stanley is survived by a daughter, Robin Melby of Onalaska; three sons: Jeff (Rhonda) Hesselberg of Holmen, Scott Hesselberg of New Richmond, WI and Mark (Catherine) Hesselberg of Rockville, MD; grandchildren: Erin (Clément) Melby-Leclerc, Shaun (Kate) Melby, Nathan (Caitlin) Melby, Taylor Hesselberg and Haley Jo Hesselberg; great-grandchildren:  Arthur, Monroe, Gabriel, Ford and Ronan; a brother, Dennis (Sue) Hesselberg; sisters: Joan Bjorkman, Jean (Jim) Flock and Mitzi Smith; sisters-in-law: Carol Hesselberg, Rita Hesselberg, Karen Hesselberg, Barbara Hesselberg and Bonnie Hesselberg-Howe; brother-in-law, Don Peters; and many, many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife Lois, he was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Steven; son-in-law, Bruce Melby; brothers and sisters: William (Lucille) Hesselberg, Lucille (Leroy) Severson, Hugh (Mildred) Hesselberg, Joe Hesselberg, Florence Peters, Donnie Hesselberg, Charles Hesselberg, Larry Hesselberg, Robert Hesselberg, Doug Hesselberg and James Hesselberg; brothers and sisters-in-law: Lester Bjorkman, Dave Smith, Donald (Betty) Secord, Robert (Marie) Secord, Delmer (Mary) Secord,  Raymond Secord, Lorraine (Joseph) Brieske, Lila Quall and Alice (William) Homstad; along with his father and mother-in-law, Lyle and Lillian (Stuckenschmidt) Secord.