Richard F. “Dick” Biering, 78, of La Crosse died Friday, May 21, 2010, at the Gundersen Lutheran Hospital Hospice Center.
He was born Aug. 5, 1931, in Cashton to Alfred and Erma (Voelker) Biering. Dick served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, attending Leadership School, and then serving with the 40th Division in Korea.
He married Ruby Hoffman on March 24, 1956. Dick had worked at Allis Chalmers in Milwaukee until he was drafted into the Army. Upon his discharge, he worked for 40 years at Trane Company in La Crosse, retiring in 1994. He was proud of the 40 years he worked there. Before he became ill, he was an active member of First Congregational Church in La Crosse and a member of the Stoddard American Legion Post 315. Dick enjoyed traveling and spending time with relatives and friends. He was also an avid Logger fan.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby; a son, Paul (Dawn) Biering of La Crosse; a daughter, Jean (David) Drabek of Rockford, Ill.; three grandchildren, Christopher (Yanica) Kelly of Baraboo, Wis., and Joshua Kelly and Meagan (Tom) Blake, both of Reedsburg, Wis.; two great-grandchildren, Annashae and Gabrielle Blake; five step-grandchildren; two special foster children, John and Michael Geiwitz; brothers- and sisters-in-law who shared many vacations, holidays and special days, Bob and Judy Hoffman, Bonita and Harvey Weiland, Joyce and Dick Schreier, and Violet and Tony Capaul; and many special friends, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Erma Biering; and his father- and mother-in-law, Edwin and Ethel Hoffman.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, at First Congregational Church, 2503 Main St., La Crosse. Pastor Bill Hoglund will officiate. Burial with military honors will be in Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery, Norwalk.
Friends may call from 4–7 p.m. Monday at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 200 S. West Ave., La Crosse, and one hour prior to services Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be given to First Congregational Church of La Crosse or the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation. Online condolences may be sent to www.schumacher-kish.com.
