Edward Watson

Edward 'Ed' Watson, 70, of La Crosse passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, July 17, 2025, after a three-year battle with metastatic prostate cancer. Ed was born in La Crosse on October 13, 1954 at St. Ann's Hospital to Gregory and Marjorie (Rezac) Watson.

Ed graduated from Aquinas High School in 1972. He went on to graduate from Western Wisconsin Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He began his air conditioning career at Trane Company in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1980 and retired from Multistack in Sparta, Wisconsin, in 2022, where he made life-long friendships.

In 1976, he married his high school sweetheart, Patty Banasik. They were married for 49 years. He often let her drag him to the casino as long as it did not interfere with him watching Jeopardy. Ed was a very kind and mild-mannered gentleman with a fast wit and a love for reading. Family was always Ed's priority. He enjoyed hosting Thanksgiving for all of our relatives and whipping up a mean Old Fashion.

Ed is survived by his wife, Patty; daughter Catherine 'Katie' Pedretti and son Michael (Emilie) Watson. He is survived by five grandchildren Caleb Pedretti (Alina Cozy), Elijah Pedretti, Zanna Alexander, Andrew Watson, Gregory Watson, and one great granddaughter, Anila Pedretti. He is further survived by brothers Phillip (Connie) Watson and Peter Watson (Sue Harper), sister Jane Watson, and sister-in-law Mary Boardman, nephew Matt Watson (Carolyn Joseph), nieces Jen Watson, Jess (Dustin) Pfaff, and Taylor (Dan) Bagniefski.

He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents, his parents Gregory and Marjorie Watson, his brother Paul Watson, his mother and father-in-law Marlin and Catherine Banasik, brothers-in-law Dennis Boardman, Thomas Banasik, and Kenneth Banasik.

Our family would like to thank the Oncology, Radiation, Scheduling, and Hospice Staff at Emplify Health for providing unending support for Ed. He looked forward to his appointments with Kelly and Dr. Aquino Williams and the bantering that ensued. Ed so appreciated driveway nights with our neighbors and Thursday nights at Rocky's Super Club for fun conversations and cocktails.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Mary Mother of the Church Parish, 2006 Weston Street, La Crosse. Rev. Brian D. Konopa will officiate with burial to be held in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse. Family and Friends may visit from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025, with a Rosary to be held at 6:30 p.m. at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Avenue South, La Crosse. Family and Friends may also visit from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at Church on Friday.