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Don R. Botcher
1947 - 2025
BORN
1947
DIED
2025
FUNERAL HOME
Don Botcher Obituary
January 27, 1947 - October 17, 2025
Don R. Botcher, 78, of La Crosse, died on Friday, October 17, 2025 at Riverside Transitional Care. He was born on January 27, 1947 in Caledonia, MN. Don grew up in Hokah, MN with his mother and stepfather, Ruth and Fred Melcher, and attended school in Houston, MN. He married Lola Ann Lindner on April 25, 1974 in Milwaukee and they were married for 44 years, 4 months, and 4 days. Don served with the US Navy for 23 years as a Boilerman. He retired from Gundersen Health after a long career and then volunteered after his retirement. Don was also a charter member of the Brownsville Lions Club.
Don taught everyone the love for the outdoors and his passion for fishing. He always had a pocket full of jokes, and he loved handing them out. He enjoyed being with people and the friendships he continually made. Don enjoyed spending time at the Sheldon farm with his cousins and kept in touch with his Navy pals.
He is survived by a sister, Dolly Ruth (Botcher) Collar, a niece April Marie Freeman and her children, Daniel (Michelle) Freeman and their children Andrew James (AJ) and Ophelia, Christopher Freeman and Brittany Germanson, and his good friend Patty. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Fred Melcher, a niece Mary Freeman, his father and mother-in-law, Herb and Gladys Lindner, and a brother and sister-in-law Lee and Carol Lindner.
A graveside service will be held at the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Milwaukee and will be announced. A Celebration of Life for Don is being planned and will also be announced at a later date. Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.
Memories and Condolences
for Don Botcher
Sponsored by Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services - La Crosse.
6 Entries
Carlotta B. Callahan
October 22, 2025
First we send our deepest sympathy to Don's family, may his rest in God's loving arms. Don was our neighbor on 6th and Cedar in Hokah and was our dear friend. He was patient, respectful and fun. He'd make homemade toys for us: like stilts, and a stick that we had to try and negotiate a metal 12" ring down the street. When we went to the creek Don was always watchful of us younger kids too. I remember his mom and us would make a small fire in a homemade brick pit to roast marshmallows...us kids thought that was so fun too. I wrote to him while he was in the Navy and when he got back, he made sure to thank us for the letters too. Don made a point also to come over to Hokah and wish our mother a Happy 90th BD, that was Don, so thoughtful. Was so sad to hear of Don's passing and will keep this gentle kind man in our prayers. May he rest in Peace.
Linda Barclay
October 22, 2025
Wonderful cousin. Loved when he visited Grandma´s.
Joan Reining
October 21, 2025
Don was a kind and nice man. He went above and beyond to help anyone! He shared many stories about his life and experiences, all so interesting! I will miss his sense of humor & his short visits at work. You Will Be Missed! RIP Don
Debi Shuda
October 21, 2025
I truly enjoyed times with Donny at our Lions meetings and events. He always had stories and jokes to share. He was one of a kind and he will be greatly missed! Condolences to all of his loved ones.
Jeffrey LeJeune
October 21, 2025
I knew Don through the Brownsville Lions Club. Don was our last remaining active charter member. And Don was active! Although living in La Crosse, he was a staple at all our events. Don had a love for working in the kitchen for chicken Q's and making sandwiches for our gun raffles. Donny also enjoyed the highway cleanups, walking those miles from Brownsville south to the Shellhorn. Also, Donny always was ready to go to a Zone Meeting and see other Lions. Donny also always had printouts of cartoon jokes, which he passed out before our meetings. Donny, you will be missed!
Jeff LeJeune
Jim & Maureen Hanifl
October 21, 2025
Don was our neighbor just down the street. We met Don just after Lola had passed. He became a great friend & we saw him or talked with him almost daily.
He was a "giver" of his time & resources, & you could not out-give him! He would
always say, "Aren't you glad you got to see me "!! We will miss him dearly & there will be a huge void in our neighborhood ! RIP Don.
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