Gertraude E. Stanek

Gertraude E. Stanek, age 78 years, of LaCrosse, passed away on Monday, January 23, 2012 at her home in LaCrosse, with her loving family.

She was born on August 14, 1933 to Hermann and Hedwig (Neidle) Kappler in Koln, Germany.  Gertraude was united in marriage to Francis E. Stanek of Hillsboro on August 16, 1954 in Vilseck, Germany.  They lived in Hillsboro, Monroe and La Crosse, Wisconsin, she worked in the nursery at the hospital in Monroe and later at LaCrosse in retail sales in a department store.

She was a member of the St. John’s Catholic Church near Hillsboro and St. Joseph Cathedral in LaCrosse, she enjoyed reading the Bible and visiting with her family and grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Francis E. Stanek of LaCrosse; daughter, Joan (Rick) Benson of Trempealeau; and grandchildren, Bryan Benson of Winona, MN, Jonathan Benson of Holmen and Sarah Benson of Trempealeau.  She was preceded in death by her Parents; sister, Edith Willis; brother, Joachim Kappler and grandson, Daniel Benson.