Richard A. Manske

Richard A. Manske, 64, of Chaseburg died peacefully Friday November 11, 2011 at Vernon Memorial Hospital in Viroqua after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born November 20, 1946 on the family farm near Chaseburg the youngest son of Walter and Selma (Manske) Manske. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chaseburg. Richard was united in marriage to Elaine Francis Pedretti on July 2, 1965 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They farmed at rural Chaseburg until 1985. They then moved the family to Janesville where Richard hauled cars over the road for several years. He returned his family to the Chaseburg area in 1990 after losing his wife suddenly after 24 years of marriage. Richard continued to farm and drive truck and later was employed at Chart Industries in La Crosse. Richard's passions were family and farming. He was a hard working man dedicated to caring for his family.

Survivors include two sons Michael (Beth) and Larry (Tracey) of Chaseburg; three daughters, Lisa Manske of Edgerton, Kimberly Manske of Westby and Tara (Mark) Lewis of Sparta; 11 grandchildren Kassie and TJ Manske of Lavonia, Georgia, Lainey and Logan Manske of Chaseburg, Emily, Kyara and McKenna Manske of Chaseburg, Tyler Sanden and Ellie Orvis of Edgerton and Trevor and Brady Manske of Westby; one great grandchild Abigail Manske of Lavonia, Georgia; one brother Arnold (Clarice) Manske of Viroqua; two sisters Arlene (Herbert) Wehling of Chaseburg and Sally (Don) Bay of La Crosse; his mother-in-law Mary Pedretti; sisters-in-law Juna Manske, Janet Murphey, Kathy (Ray) Faust and Mary Jo Pedretti, brothers-in-law Butch (Mary) Pedretti and Dale Pedretti; his girlfriend of many years Donna Vietch; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends and his great companion, his dog Misty.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elaine; two brothers Ronald and Walter "Stub" Manske; a sister Joyce Lainberger and two brothers-in-law Ed Lainberger and Richard Pedretti

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday November 16, 2011 at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chaseburg. Rev. Steven Oldre will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until service time.

A special thank you to the Vernon Memorial Hospice staff for their excellent care.