Peter F. Schaettle

Peter Francis Schaettle, 92, of LaCrosse, passed away peacefully in the early morning on May 10, 2025 at his home.

Peter was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, April 15, 1933 the second of Karl A. & Harriett (O'Connor) Schaettle's four children. Peter was a life-long resident of the La Crosse area, having attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School, Aquinas High School, and Wisconsin State College, now the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he graduated in 1958. It was here that he met his first wife Mary Gilfillan on the set of a theater production. They married in 1956 and had four children: Bob (Dorothy Mansheim) Schaettle of Houston, TX, Betsy (Scott) Olson of Onalaska, WI, Susan (Steve) Clay of Grand Rapids, MI, and Jim Schaettle of Madison, WI. Peter had 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren ages 1 through 17 at the time of his death.

From 1955 to 1957 Peter served in the US Army. He was stationed primarily at Fort Benning, Georgia, serving in the Special Troops Command Headquarters. After the army, Peter returned to La Crosse where he worked for the La Crosse Rubber Mills before retiring in 1992. He knew the entire operation and worked in many capacities including production manager and purchasing agent. Peter was devoted to his family and enjoyed taking the family on epic camping trips and endless sunny days boating on the Mississippi River. During his retirement, he went on dozens of sailing vacations on the Schooner Heritage off coastal Maine.

Peter's wife Mary passed away in 1990. In 1993, Peter married Barbara Ann Dillon, and they lived for most of their 27 years of marriage in Onalaska. They made many friends through their travels and enjoyed taking cruise vacations.

Throughout his life, Peter was active in the community and always got out to vote. He was active in the Jaycees, United Way campaigns, The La Crosse County Taxpayers Association, Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, MOAA (Military Officers Association of America), Friends of the La Crosse River Trail, The La Crosse Skyrockers, and was an enthusiastic ham radio operator and a private pilot.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife of 33 years, Mary Gilfillan, his second wife, Barbara Dillon, his brother Karl Thomas Schaettle, and his sister Betsy Fridl Krickhan. He is survived by his younger sister, Jane Schaettle, of Phoenix, AZ, and all of his children and grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, June 2, 2025 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1031 Main St., Onalaska, Wisconsin, followed by burial at the Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse. Friends may visit with the family from 9:00 am until the time of services Monday.

Peter's family would like to thank the staff at Eagle Crest South for the wonderful care of Peter and friendship to the family over the past few years.