William "Duke" Coughlin

William E. “Duke” Coughlin, 82, of La Crosse, passed away on Monday, February 12, 2018, at the Hillview Health Care Center.

He was born in La Crosse on August 11, 1935, to William A. and Ivadelle (Burnett) Coughlin. He was a 1953 graduate of Aquinas High School and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from U.W.-La Crosse. On June 13, 1959, Duke married Gretchen Thompson in Viroqua, Wis.

Duke worked at the Trane Company and G. Heileman Brewery for many years. He started The Pro Image in Rochester, Minn. and La Crosse in 1987, which he owned and operated for many years along with Image World in La Crosse, which he started several years later. Duke officiated football and basketball at the high school and college levels for 30 years and was a life-long Cubs fan.

He is survived by his wife, Gretchen; sons, Timothy (Kathy) and Scott, both of La Crosse; his grandchildren, Alyssa and Molly Coughlin of La Crosse, Rylan Coughlin of Madison, Wis., and Sean Coughlin of Newbury Park, Cal.; his sister, Joan Curti of Apple Valley, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, William Curti.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 16 ^th , at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, 2006 Weston St., La Crosse. Rev. Brian D. Konopa will officiate. Inurnment will follow in the St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum in the Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. So., La Crosse, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mary, Mother of the Church Parish or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Duke's family would like to thank the staff on the 700 Wing at Hillview Health Care Center for their wonderful care.