Earl William Carney

Earl William Carney, 80, of Buffalo City, WI passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on February 23, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Earl was born in 1945 in Winona, MN to Floyd and Jeannette Carney. He met the love of his life, Julie Severson of Arcadia, WI in 1980, and they were married in Winthrop, MN in 1986. In 1992,   they moved back to Winona and in 2004 they moved to Buffalo City, WI.

As a young man, Earl worked for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, Interstate Beverage, Carney Heating (a family business), Arcadia Co-op, and Midland/Land O’ Lakes Propane delivery. He then relocated and went on to manage the Winthrop Propane Plant. After moving back to Winona in 1992, he worked for Signet, Winona Knitting Mills, Bob’s Home Heating and Air Conditioning and Hartert’s Hardware in Kellogg, MN.

Earl was a kind and patient man who loved his friends and family deeply. He enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids and especially loved taking them on boat rides on the river. He was always willing to help anyone and took great pride in what he did. He was well-liked by all who knew him. He enjoyed boating on the Mississippi, gardening, and biking on his e-bike with his wife and friends. Earl was a true jack-of-all trades and could fix anything.

He is survived by his wife, Julie, his sons Greg (Evie) Carney and Tim (Kim) Carney, and daughter Emily (John) Dawson, six grandchildren Cassy, Jace, Kaelyn, Reegan and Timmy Carney, and Evelyn Dawson, his siblings, Deanna Baertsch, Glenn (Janet) Carney, Lynda Albert, brother-in-law Clarence Chuchna, many nieces and nephews, and the entire Severson family: Steve (Becky) Severson, Jean Andow & Keith Halverson, Rusty (Sheila) Severson and Sam Severson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jean Chuchna, brother Russell Carney and brothers-in-law Ron Baertsch and Lee Albert, former wife Diana (Farr) Ross, mother of his two sons, and beloved in-laws Russ and Virgie Severson.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Winona Area Hospice for their wonderful care and support in his final days. We would also like to thank Gundersen Emplify Oncology, Radiology, and Neurology doctors, nurses and staff in La Crosse for their exceptional care.

Earl’s wish was to donate his body to the UW-Madison Donor Program for medical research.

A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.

We also thank Talbot Family Funeral Home, Alma, WI for their compassion and support.

Those wishing to express sympathy may consider making a donation to “Friends of the Mississippi” in Earl’s memory. https://fmr.org/