In loving memory of

Floyd James Kriesel
April 29, 2017

Floyd James Kriesel of Fountain City, Wisconsin, died on Saturday, April 29, 2017.  He was born on July 8, 1920 in the La Crosse Hospital to Frederick and Della (Marcou) Kriesel.  Floyd was one of nine children born to Fred and Della. They lived on Brice Prairie and he attended school in Holmen, Wisconsin, graduating in 1937.

Floyd enlisted in the United States Marine in June 1944 and was honorably discharged in August 1946.  As a member of the 7th Marine Division, he participated in action at Iwo Jima, Volcano Island and the occupation of Japan.  One of the highlights of his life was traveling to Washington, D.C. on an Honor Flight on October 10, 2009.

He was united in marriage to Delores M. Baures on July 29, 1947 in Fountain City, and they had seven children.

Floyd was employed by the Chicago-Northwestern Railroad, where he labored to build the tunnels between Sparta and Tomah, Wisconsin.  He also worked as a laborer in St. Marie and Avery, Idaho.  He received training in signal work for the railroad and loyally worked for 40 years as a signal maintainer in Winona, Minnesota, retiring in 1981.

Floyd played Legion baseball in Kellogg, Minnesota, prior to relocating his family to Fountain City in 1962.  Not quite ready to give up the game, he coached the Fountain City Little League team for about 13 years.  Floyd was elected to the Fountain City Council, was a member of the Lions Club and was on the board of St. Michaels Nursing Home.  He was a member of Whitetails Unlimited and enjoyed hunting with his five sons.  He delivered meals to senior citizens for many years (even when he was one) and was a member of the Hiawatha Valley Marines. 

Floyd loved to bowl and participated in leagues and tournaments.  Always a competitor, he didn't retire from bowling until he was in his mid-80's.  He was dedicated to the Red Cross blood drives, donating more than ten gallons over the course of his lifetime.  As a sports fanatic, Floyd was an avid Packer Backer, Badgers and Cubs fan, and after patiently waiting 96 years, was deliriously happy to witness the Cubs win the World Series, finally!

He is survived by his seven children: Jacquelyn Lettner of Fountain City, John (Betty) of Buffalo City, David (Katie) of Fountain City, Terrance (D'Anne) of Eagan, MN, William (Kellie) of Cochrane, Lori (Les Neu) of Iowa City, IA, and Robert (Gena) of Rochester, MN; 14 grandchildren: Missy (Chris) Hamsund, Lucas Lettner, Matthew Kriesel, Jennifer (Michael) Lauritsen, B.J. Kriesel (Jen), Jesse (Jeannine) Kriesel, Andrew Kriesel (Mercedes), Tanya (Josh) Rye, Toni Kriesel, Paige Kriesel (Troy), Alaina (Alex) Hanson, Abby Neu, Meghan Kriesel, Molly Kriesel; eight great grandchildren: Grant and Ava Hamsund, Morgan and Sydney Rye, Allison and Austin Lauritsen, Lawson Dolan, and Parker Hanson; and two siblings, Bernard Kriesel and Phyllis Hazler.  He is preceded in death by his wife Delores, his parents and siblings Herbert (LaVonne), Irvin (Lillian), Irene (Robert) Schaller, Roland (Pat), Dory (Corky) Shilling, and Lois (Wayne) Hagman.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 4 from 4-7 p.m. at Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home, 307 S. Main Street, Fountain City, Wisconsin.  Funeral services will be held at Saint Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 38 Hill Street, Fountain City, Wisconsin, on Friday, May 5 at 10 a.m. with visitation at 9 a.m. at the church.  Military burial honors will be held at the church after the service and will be provided by Cochrane Fountain City American Legion Post 56.  Interment will be at Fountain City Public Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Pall Bearers will be his grandchildren, Matt Kriesel, B.J. Kriesel, Jesse Kriesel, Andrew Kriesel, Lucas Lettner and his great-grandchild, Grant Hamsund.

Services entrusted to Fawcett Junker Funeral Home and Crematory, Fountain City, WI and Winona, MN.  Words of sympathy and remembrance can be given at www.fawcett-junkerfuneralhome.com

 



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