Michael (Mike) "Bulldog" L. Raasch

Michael (Mike) "Bulldog" L. Raasch, 61, of Coon Valley, passed away Saturday January 27, 2018 at Mayo Health System in La Crosse surrounded by family and friends. He was born July 1 1956 in Milwaukee. He was the son of Ray and Janice Raasch. Mike graduated from Westby High School in 1974 and went on to attend UW-Richland and graduated with an Associate's degree. He married Ella Henry on December 12, 1987 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Viroqua and together they had five sons.

For 28 years Mike served as the police chief for the Village of Coon Valley. He was on the fire department for 19 years, served on the village board, the Coon Valley Baseball Association, Law Enforcement Association and a lifetime member of the Coon Valley Conservation Club. Those that knew Mike, knew he was an avid story teller and sports enthusiast. He was a fan of the Brewers, Packers, Badgers and CCV Blues. During the summer, you could find Mike at the baseball field parked in his Mule in left field cheering on the Blues. He also loved spending time at the hunting land and sharing hunting stories with his boys.

Mike enjoyed playing card and cribbage with Bob Pederson, Mike Fencl, Mike McQuinn and the Stockyard group. It was a good day when he made a quarter. "Fifteen two fifteen four and a pair of six".

Mike is survived by his five sons, Bobby (Angie) of La Crosse, Tommy (Lindsey) of Coon Valley, Jeffrey (Courtney) of Westby, Jason (Hannah) of La Crosse and Bradley of Westby; five grandchildren, Sienna, Easton, Emma, Paisley and Henry; a sister Patty (Lawrence) Maestas of Onalaska and his former wife, Ella as well as many relatives and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday February 3, 2018 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Donald Fox will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley and at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, the family will donate memorials to several organizations that were near and dear to Mike.