Fred Ahlstrom

1948 - 2025

Fred Ahlstrom

September 25, 1948 - October 21, 2025

Fred W. Ahlstrom, age 77, of Onalaska, died Tuesday morning, October 21st, at his home. He was born on September 25, 1948, in Streator, Ill., the son of Norman and Kathryn (Molberg) Ahlstrom.

Fred was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during Vietnam. On August 16, 1975, he was married to the former Anitra Wilcox. Fred was a graduate of UW-Madison, with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering - Mechanical and worked as a Senior Test Engineer at Trane Technologies Corporate Laboratory, retiring in 2011 after a 35-year career.

He enjoyed reading science and science fiction, subscribing to Scientific American and Analog for 50+ years, as well as fishing, gardening, golf, bowling, and playing duplicate bridge.

Fred was a member of the American Contract Bridge League and La Crosse Duplicate Bridge Club, winning player of the year in 2021 and gaining his lifetime master award in 2023.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Anitra (Wilcox) Ahlstrom; child, Ben Ahlstrom; parents, Norman and Kathryn Ahlstrom; and parents-in-law, Glenn and Vi Wilcox; brothers-in-law, Chuck Wright, Jim Frank, and Ron Hasse.

Fred is survived by two children, Jennifer Ahlstrom of Madison, and Elizabeth Ahlstrom of Milwaukee; one grandchild, M. Ahlstrom of Onalaska; four siblings, Carol Wright of Irving, Texas, Mark (Mary) Ahlstrom of Reedsburg, Wis., Frank Ahlstrom of Adams, Wis., and Mary Hasse of Hillpoint, Wis.; numerous nieces; nephews; cousins; and other relatives; and friends.

A memorial gathering will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a remembrance service at 11:30 a.m., on Wednesday, October 29th, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of Onalaska.

Military honors will be provided by the Onalaska American Legion Post 336 immediately following the memorial gathering.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Coulee Region Humane Society and Human Rights Campaign would be appreciated. Online condolences can be given at www.schumacher-kish.com.