Willard E. Tronick

Willard E. Tronick, 95, of La Crosse, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2016, at the Bethany-Riverside Nursing Facility.

Willard was born in La Crosse on October 6, 1921, to Thomas and Helen (Bluske) Tronick. He attended La Crosse schools and was a 1941 graduate of La Crosse Central High School where he played football and baseball. He attended La Crosse Normal School (UW-L) for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Willard served in the U.S. Army Tank Core of the 84 ^th Infantry Division, the “Railsplitters”, during World War II. He landed at Utah Beach during the Allied invasion of German-occupied France and also served in the Battle of the Bulge.

Willard married his high school sweetheart, Muriel Lieder, on August 8, 1945. Muriel preceded Willard in death on Thanksgiving Day, 1999, after 46 years of marriage.

Following his service, Willard worked as a locomotive engineer for over 40 years with the Burlington Railroad, with his usual run being between Chicago and Minneapolis. The locomotive and train that sits in Copeland Park today was pushed all the way from Chicago by Willard.

Willard was constantly active in various organizations and as a volunteer.   As a young man, he served as a Troop Leader for the Boy Scouts for 10 years. He served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Railroad Engineers for 18 years, and also served on the Advisory Committee for Senior Preferred at Gundersen-Lutheran as well as volunteering at Gundersen Lutheran for over 25 years. He participated in the UW-La Crosse Exercise and Health Program for 35 years, was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church for 72 years, and was a member of American Legion Post 52 of La Crosse and a charter member of the UW-L Quarterback Club. He was an active member of Coulee Region RSVP and was once honored as “Volunteer of the Year” by the organization.

Willard enjoyed being around people as well as meeting new ones. He had an effervescent personality that was contagious to those around him. It was nearly impossible to go out with him in La Crosse without running into someone he knew. He was very proud of his La Crosse neighborhood where he was affectionately known as the “Mayor of the Alley”.

Willard had a wonderful sense of humor. His laugh was unmistakable and his warm smile was welcoming and genuine.

He is survived by a son, Thomas M. (Jean) Tronick of Boone, Iowa; a daughter, Mary L. Tronick of La Crosse; grandson, Andrew Tronick of Omaha, Neb.; sisters-in-law, Verlyn Lieder, Mary Tronick and Janice Tronick; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Muriel, Willard was also preceded in death by twin brothers, Arland and Arrvid.

A memorial service celebrating Willard’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 5 ^th , at Wesley United Methodist Church, 721 King St., La Crosse. Rev. Anna-Lisa Hunter will officiate. A reception will follow immediately after the service. Private family burial will take place in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service on Friday at the church. Memorials may be given in Willard’s name to the Gundersen Medical Foundation.

The family would like to thank the staff at Bethany Riverside for the kindness and care given to Willard.