Steven L. Hall

La Crosse – Steven (Steve) Lee Hall, 65, of La Crosse passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at his home.

Steve was born Oct. 8, 1951, to Dave and Joyce (Schwertfeger) Hall in La Crosse.

He graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1970. In 1971 Steve was drafted by the United States Army, serving in the Viet Nam War. After the war he was stationed in the Pacific on Johnson Island where he developed his love for scuba diving and spear fishing. He served in the US Army for 14 years receiving an honorable discharge in 1985. He was very proud to be a veteran serving his country.

Throughout high school Steve enjoyed speed skating and spent most of his winter nights and weekends at the Lagoon skating rink in Pettibone Park. As a member of the Speed Skating Club of La Crosse he captured both the intermediates and men’s titles and went on to win the prestigious Kaufman Mile race. Steve also enjoyed playing pool and was in many local leagues. Growing up on Pettibone Island and living next to the back waters of the Mississippi River he developed his love for fishing and hunting at a very young age. He purchased a flat bottom fishing boat at age 14 and spent all his free time fishing for Bass, Northerns and Walleye. In addition, he loved trapping muskrats and beavers. Steve had one of the largest worm beds in the area and sold the vast majority to local bait shops. He enjoyed both bow and gun hunting for small game and deer. He caught many trophy fish and deer throughout his life.

Steve was a cook/chef at numerous restaurants in the area. Cooking was his passion.

He was an avid fan of the Central Red Raiders, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Bucks, Green Bay Packers and New York Yankees.

Steve is preceded in death by his mother and father, grandparents Bill and Geneva Hall and Theodore and Norma Schwertfeger.

Steve is survived by four children, Kenny Hall, Steven Bluske, Ernie Cook and Autumn Boothe, 4 grandchildren, Noah, Jackson, Lydia and Kelby. He is also survived by brother Scott (Carol) Hall

and sister Diane (Jay) Lyons, 2 nephews, Todd (Heidi) Hall and Heath Duxbury, 1 niece, Jennifer Hall.

Steve was a great friend to many and will be missed by his special longtime friend Sharon Fox.

Steve had a heart of gold and donated to many charities.

Steve’s family would like to offer a special thank you to Dr. Kyla Lee, Marsha Kendall, Rebecca Blank and other care givers at Gundersen Health System as well as Liza Collins and others from the Gundersen Hospice program. In addition we’d like to thank the staff and care givers at Eitsert Family Home. Their compassionate care and devotion was truly a blessing.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials may be sent to Freedom Honor Flight, PO Box 505, La Crosse, WI 54602-0505. Although Steve did not have the opportunity to go on an Honor Flight, he would like others to have the opportunity to experience such a wonderful trip.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at English Lutheran Church, 1509 King St., La Crosse. Pastor Roger Grow will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 AM until the time of service at the church. The Schumacher – Kish Funeral & Cremation Services, La Crosse Chapel is assisting the family.