Evelyne C. Gallagher

Evelyne C. Gallagher, age 99 died on Thursday, May 13, 2021. She was born on September 10, 1921 to Lawrence and Kathryn (Rippel) Schmidt on their family ranch in Mandan, North Dakota. She married Thomas B. Gallagher on February 23, 1946 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Tom preceded Evelyne in death on September 14, 2010.

She was the eldest of three daughters. After her father’s death, at the age of 12, her mother moved the family to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There she graduated from Oshkosh High School and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. She was then certified in Public Health Nursing at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

She served in the US Nurses Corp for one year. She married Thomas Gallagher after both were discharged from military service in 1946. Together they raised four children.

Her nursing career had many interruptions because of child care and Thomas’s Coca Cola career which involved many promotions and transfers. Her nursing career included Visiting Nurses in Milwaukee, Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse.

She was active in her church and in her community in La Crosse. She enjoyed traveling, winter vacations in Florida, gardening, and reading. She belonged to several bridge clubs and enjoyed Mah Jong and poker as well. She was a member Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, the American Legion, Moose, Red Hat, and Catholic Daughters.

Preceding her in death are her husband, Thomas Gallagher, her parents, her special step father, Milton Radig, her sister Elaine Neubauer, son in law, Bob Morris, her daughter in law Dianne Gallagher,and several brothers and sisters in law.

She is survived by her four children, Mary (Patrick) Murphy, Patti Morris, Joe Gallagher, John (Monica) Gallagher, 4 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren

She leaves a most sincere thank-you to Gunderson Hospital and Clinic, the Veteran’s Administration, her many caregivers from Bright Star, Hospice, Hillview Health Care Center, and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. She appreciated Father Peter Raj for his spiritual guidance and many home visits. She also sends thanks to many old friends, especially Nancy Meyer and Aubrey Kroner for their love and support. She also thanks her precious family for their endless care and love. God bless.

A funeral mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church, 130 Losey Blvd. S, La Crosse on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 10:30 am. Rev. Peter Raj will officiate with entombment to be held in Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends may visit from 9:30 AM until the time of Mass at Church on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Parish, Blessed Sacrament Women’s Club, or Aquinas Catholic Schools.