Howard G. Sackmaster

Howard (Sackie) George Sackmaster Sr., 85, of La Crosse, WI passed away peacefully at the Tomah VA Medical Center on Saturday, May 31, 2014.

He was born January 14, 1929 in La Crosse, WI to Laura (Ogen Jenks) and Joseph Sackmaster.

Howard attended school until the 8^th grade. In those days, boys left school early to enter the workforce. After working a variety of jobs, he joined the Merchant Marines during World War II, and then enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from February 12, 1946-December 1, 1949. Two of the ships he was on were the USS Abnaki and USS Hector.

After completing his military service, Howard was united in marriage to Betty Jerome on January 14, 1950. They had seven children.

Howard was especially fond of traveling. He enjoyed taking “the scenic route” to every destination point. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, poker, and his morning coffee group at Margies and the Family Restaurants. Howard retired from the Street Department of the City of La Crosse after 32 years of service and also from truck driving with SouthWest Beer Distributers of Crestwood, Illinois.

Howard is survived by his two sons, David (Nancy) and Howard (Sharon) Sackmaster; and five daughters, Diane (Rick) Peaslee, Joan (Dennis) Duenkel, Judy Dayton, Kathryn and Melissa Sackmaster. He is further survived by 18 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Betty in 1975; brothers: Lester, Frederick, and George Jenks; sisters: Ada Bauch and Lorraine Oelschlager, and son-in-law Gerald Dayton.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Ojelabi and Eileen Williams of Gundersen Health System and the staff of the Hospice unit of Tomah VA Medical Center for their compassion and excellent care that was provided to our father.

A prayer service will be held at 12:00 (Noon), Friday, June 6, 2014, at the Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home-Nelson Chapel, 1007 Caledonia St., La Crosse, Wis. Rev. Ted Dewald will officiate with burial to be held with military rites by the US Navy and the Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52, in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Family and friends may call from 10:00 AM until the time of services at the Nelson Chapel on Friday.