Obit: Heasley, Frank Andrew (1941 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Heasley, Kramas, Wilhelm, Bjorkman, Goetz, Beuning, Wright, Franklin, Clayton, Rasool, Kelly, Groshek, Kachel

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 6/13/2012

Heasley, Frank Andrew (10 May 1941 - 9 June 2012) With Flag

Frank Andrew Heasley, 71, of Onalaska, WI, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family in Mayo Health System, La Crosse, WI, on Saturday, June 9, 2012.

Frank was born in Thorp, WI, on May 10, 1941, to Dale and Helen (Kramas) Heasley. After losing his parents at a young age, he was then raised by Eugene and Stella Wilhelm on their farm in Thorp, WI. He attended St. Bernard’s Catholic Grade School and graduated from Thorp High School in 1959. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in math and physics from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Frank proudly served in the U. S. Army as a Lieutenant First Class and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany.

Frank married “his first wife,” Anne Bjorkman, December 20, 1975, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Onalaska, WI. He was employed as a systems analyst at The Insurance Center in Onalaska for 25 years. Frank enjoyed golfing, hunting, watching Packer football, celebrating his Irish heritage, carpentry and story telling. If you had an hour, he could tell you a great 5-minute story. He represented La Crosse as an Oktoberfest grenadier for five years and participated as a member of the Mardi Gras Board. As a member of the La Crosse Kiwanis Club for 15 years, he especially enjoyed Special Days for Special Kids and setting up tents at the Girl Scout Camp.

He loved laughing with friends and especially enjoyed getting together monthly with their dinner club of 31 years. He was an active member of St. James Parish for 25 years and more recently was a proud member of St. Patrick Church. Frank felt his great contribution to this world was his daughter, Holly, and son, Corey. He was extremely proud of their accomplishments.

He is survived by his wife, Anne, of 37 years; one daughter, Holly (Joel) Goetz, of Altoona, WI; one son, Corey (Haley Beuning), of Champlain, MN; grandchildren: Hunter, Annabelle, Asher, Lilli, and baby Heasley on the way! He is further survived by Stella Wilhelm; two sisters: Rita Wright of Elk Grove Village, IL, and Kathleen Heasley of Dahlonega, GA; Elizabeth Wilhelm; Ann Wilhelm Franklin; and Gene Wilhelm; as well as many other close family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Helen and Dale Heasley; Eugene Wilhelm; and one brother, William.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2012, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. Father Steven Kachel will officiate with burial and Military Rites by the Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52 to be held in the Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Mayo Health System in La Crosse for their excellent care and compassion, and in particular, doctors Daniel Clayton and Haleem Rasool, physician assistants Parker Kelly and Dale Groshek, and all of the staff of the Mayo Hospice team. Frank had a special place in his heart for Catholic education. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Aquinas Catholic Schools or Thorp Catholic School.

The Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.blaschkeschneider.com.