Obit: Cottrell, Reginald Frank (1921 – 2009)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Cottrell, Krantz, Evenson, Sanders, Wolf, Cavadini, Stingl, Waters, Rogers, Clark, Smith

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) April 22, 2009

Cottrell, Reginald “Reg” Frank (3 January 1921 – 15 April 2009) With Flag

Reginald “Reg” Frank Cottrell, 88, of Holmen went to his eternal rest Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital Hospice, La Crosse.

Reg was born Jan. 3, 1921, in Mount Clemens, MI, to Alfred and Hilda (Krantz) Cottrell. He married Constance “Connie” Evenson of Holmen May 8, 1943, in Mount Clemens, and she preceded him in death Dec. 4, 2003.

Reg served in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC’s) in Holmen before marriage. He joined the U. S. Army September 1942 in Mount Clemens and served as at T-4 Tech Sergeant with the 593rd Joint Assault Signal Corps (JASCO) as a radio operator. He served in four campaigns in the Pacific Front in World War II.

He moved permanently to Holmen in 1948 and began work at Trane Company in La Crosse, retiring in 1983 after 35 years.

Reg was active in the community, volunteering 39 years as a fireman. He was a scout leader about 15 years, making many trips to Canada with the scouts. He was a member of the Morris Snuggerud Post 284 American Legion in Holmen and was very involved in the annual Korn Fest. He served on the council of Holmen Lutheran Church and was a member of the Holmen Village Council and the Board of Appeals.

Reg loved to fish and shared his love of the outdoors with his family. Summers were spent camping throughout Wisconsin and in Ontario, Canada. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, hunting, gardening and playing cards. An excellent woodworker, family and friends have many of the shelves, clocks and gun cabinets he crafted. Most importantly, he was a friend to all who knew him. His honesty and integrity will long be remembered.

Reginald is survived by one daughter, Linda (Steven) Sanders of Hatfield; three sons, Kent (Marilyn) Cottrell of Holmen, Gene (Caryl) Cottrell of Mindoro and Robert of Onalaska; eight grandchildren, Deanna (Mike) Wold of La Crosse, Shari (Jack) Cavadini of Holmen, Bryan (Melissa) Cottrell of La Crosse, Amy (Scott) Stingl of Mindoro, Mark (Kelly) Cottrell of West Salem, Lance (Rochelle) Cottrell of West Salem, Jason Waters of Ettrick and Amanda Rogers of Madison; nine great-grandchildren and another one due in July; one sister, Fern Clark of Redding, CA; three brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; one aunt, Barbara Smith of Grand Blanc, MI, age 101; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Charles of Mount Clemens, MI, and three infants, Allen, Dennis and Archie; two sisters, June of Redding, CA, and infant sister Aledra; one grandson; two brothers-in-law; and one sister-in-law.

Funeral services wee held Monday, April 20, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the Holmen Lutheran Church (228 Morris St). Burial with full military honors was in the Greenmound Cemetery, rural Holmen. Family and friends called at the Dickinson Family Funeral Home (515 McHugh Road, Holmen) Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again at the church Monday from 10 a.m. until time of services.

Memorials may be given to the Holmen Lutheran Church or the charity of choice.