William G. Bantle

William G. "Bill" Bantle, 91, died on Monday, January 8, 2017 surrounded by his loving family at Benedictine Manor in La Crosse.

Bill was born on May 23, 1926 in La Crosse to Ambrose and Emma (Miller) Bantle. He attended Holy Trinity grade school and Aquinas High School, graduating in 1943. He married Mary Ann Kottmer on February 1, 1954.

Bill was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He lived his entire life in La Crosse and never cared to be too far from home. Bill worked in the bottle house at G. Heileman Brewery, retiring in 1976 and also worked on the Mississippi River as a commercial fisherman and trapper. He instilled an appreciation and love of the outdoors in his children, who all helped with the fishing, some more willingly than others. Per Bill, “The river was a blessing.” The family spent summers in the 1960’s at the boathouse on Dresbach Island. Bill will no longer be working any 3 ^rd shifts, setting lines or running traps ‘round these parts.

In his later years, Bill was a caring son for his father Ambrose and helped many elderly neighbors and friends. He was a warm hearted and spirited father and grandfather. He had a quick wit and was good at giving advice. He was an avid reader and loved crossword puzzles. He was a skilled vegetable and flower gardener. He was an active ice fisherman, but enjoyed telling stories on the ice as much as catching fish. He loved chocolate. He was a vigilant companion for Mary after she suffered a stroke more than 11 years prior to her death.

Bill is survived by three sons, Jim (Paula) of Onalaska, John (Rose) of La Crosse and Charlie (Trish) of Durand, WI; one daughter, Julie (Doug) Fiers of Waunakee,WI; one son in law, Ken Greene of La Crosse; twelve grandchildren, Rusty (Sandra) Bantle, Jenifer (Greg) Bantle-Felt, Melissa (Brian) Summerfield, Amy Bantle, Robert Bantle, Katie Bantle, Nick Bantle, Emily Greene, Elena Bantle, Ian Bantle, Will (Yang Li) Fiers and Elise Fiers; ten great-grandchildren,  Kyla, Carson, Jaymeson, Ayden, Nola, Devan, Lukas, Lily, Payton and River ; a brother in law, Paul Kottmer and sister in laws, Cecelie (Peter) Kottmer and Teresa (James) Kottmer.

Bill was preceded in death by Mary, his "red headed woman" and wife of 63 years in June 2017, daughter Kathleen Greene in 2011, parents Ambrose and Emma Bantle, brother Father Charles Bantle, a sister in law, Mildred Marsh and brother in laws, James, Thomas, Robert, John, Richard, Charles, Peter, Jerome and Max  Kottmer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 20, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1333 13th St. S., La Crosse . Father Rick Roberts will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mayo Clinic-Franciscan Healthcare or to UW Kids Cancer Fund.

Bill's family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Brookdale Sterling House and Benedictine Manor and to Dr. Stephen Pavela for the loving care provided over the last several years.