Bill Lenerz Death, Obituary – William “Bill” G. Lenerz, age 66, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in La Crosse, where he and his beautiful wife were celebrating 46 years of marriage. He was born on Nov. 17, 1955, to the late Howard J. and Florina M. (Maier) Lenerz. Bill graduated from Sauk Prairie High School; class of 1973. After high school, Bill began his lifelong career as a carpenter working with his dad and brothers at H.J. Lenerz and Sons. Bill was united in marriage to the love of his life, Donna J. Roelke, on Sept. 25, 1976, at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church in Roxbury. Together, they opened Donna’s Flooring and Interiors in 1985. Years later, Bill started his own business, Bill Lenerz Construction, working alongside his favorite son, Zach, where they were known for their quality of work and attention to detail.
Bill’s first love was playing fastpitch softball where he’d spend his summers on the pitcher’s mound perfecting his fastball. He continued that love by starting the Sauk Prairie Girls Summer Softball Program and then went on to become the Assistant Varsity Coach. Bill loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and wife boating in the summer, going to apple orchards and pumpkin patches in the fall, and visiting La Crosse for the rotary lights in December. But most of all, he enjoyed hosting his family for special occasions and spending holidays around the kitchen island reminiscing with drinks and his famous “bunny hoppers.” He and Donna enjoyed warm weather vacations, weekends away, scenic drives, card club, and spending time with friends. Anywhere he went, Bill could strike up a conversation and quickly turn a stranger into a friend. Bill will always be known for his loving personality, infectious smile, sense of humor, and willingness to lend a helping hand. “Bill, Dad, Papa, you will be greatly missed by all of us.”
Bill is survived by his wife, Donna; children, Crystal (Brent) Lautenbach and their daughters, Courtney and McKenzie, Abby (Chad) Breunig and their children, Brody and Chloe, Kim (Clint) Williams and their children, Mason, Haylee, and Paige, Zach (Katie) Lenerz and their children, Aubrey and Liam; siblings, Howie (Joan), Peg (Les) Ballweg, Pat (Tom) Wanek, Barb Raymond, John (Casey), Jim (Terri), Lori Beaudet (Gary VandeHey), Nancy (Jeff) Herbrand, Rhonda (Chris), sister-in-law, Cheryl Lenerz, late brother Doug’s fiancé, Leah Linnihan; mother-in-law, Irene (Cyril) Ripp, sisters and brothers-in-law, Bonnie Beckwith, Dianne (Mark) Maier, Ken Roelke, Jolene (Jim) Meicher, Jeannie (Rich) Wipperfurth, Randy (Diane) Roelke. He is further survived by countless nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many lifelong friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Larry and Doug, nephews, Jamie and Travis, nieces, Tara and Aimee; father-in-law, Alfred Roelke, sister-in-law, Denise Roelke, and brother-in-law, Jerry Beckwith.
A visitation will be held on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Hooverson Funeral Home, 251 Water St., Sauk City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 115 Madison St., Sauk City. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 9:30 am until 10:45 am at the funeral home. Interment will be held in the St. Aloysius Cemetery. Following the interment, Bill’s family invites family and friends in Celebrating his Life at the Dorf Haus in Roxbury.
Leave a Reply