Knute Aakre

Knute Aakre, 97, of La Crosse, died Saturday, July 7, 2001, at the Bethany-Riverside Nursing Facility. He was born in Decorah, Iowa, Jan. 5, 1904, to Endre and Ella (Severson)Aakre. He married the former Hildegard Lenser in 1928, and she preceded him in death March 4, 1984. Knute was employed by the La Crosse Rubber Mills during the 1920s and 1930s and worked in the Naval shipyards in California during World War II. After the war, he farmed near Blair and worked for Allis Chalmers in La Crosse during that same period of time. He retired from both farming and Allis Chalmersin 1970. Knute was a past member of Eagles Aerie 1254 and the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1920, both of La Crosse, and was a proud member of his labor union. He also was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse. He is survived by one daughter, Karen (Raymond) King of rural Coon Valley; . four grandchildren, Todd (Fawn) King and Terry King, both of Coon Valley, Shelley Mickelson of Westby, and Stacie (Doug) Moretz of Medford; six great-grandchildren, Lindsay Mickelson, Cutter King, Cody King, Jessica King and Kurt and Kaleb Chaput; two sisters, Inez Essery of Sun City, Ariz., and Eleanor Wilkes of Anderson Calif.; two brothers, Lawrence Aakre of Marion, Iowa, and Ray Aakre of Rushford, Minn.; and nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Knute was preceded in death by a brother, William, and another brother who died in infancy. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 11, at 11 a.m., at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse. The Rev. Roger Sachs will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in La Crosse at a later date. Friends may call at the church Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. The Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse is in charge of arrangements. La Crosse Tribune; Jul 9 2001 Contributor: CurtB (48355951)