Colleen Margaret Anne Hoeth

Colleen Margaret Anne (Meier) Hoeth, 89, of La Crosse, WI passed away peacefully on Monday, April 21st, 2025. She was born February 19th, 1936 to Robert & Lila Meier in La Crosse, WI.

Rusty attended Central High School, Class of 1954. She and Merlin were married on May 16th, 1959 and lived in South Carolina during the time when Merlin was stationed at Ft. Bragg. She attended Viterbo University. Rusty worked at The Trane company for over 46 years with her last position being a technical writer. She also assisted Merlin in running Hoeth Excavating by helping with the accounting and even driving one of the dump trucks, if needed. She volunteered in the La Crosse community with the Junior Achievement, the Red Cross, American Businesswomen Association, Mobile Meals and the La Crosse Community Theater. She participated for many years as a performer in Gundersen Lutheran’s “Rhythms” fundraising show. She also was a clothing model for Valley View Mall and Z-93’s Wedding World. Rusty and Merlin were long time patrons of Viterbo University Fine Arts Center. She was the ultimate dance and show choir mom to Crystal, even following the UW-La Crosse Collegiates to a performance in Madrid, Spain. They also had the opportunity to travel the world with some of their favorite places being Australia, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Japan, and Ireland among other places. Because of her red hair, it was assumed she was a local lass in Ireland, that is, until she revealed her American accent. She loved animals, especially her cats. She was a life-long Chicago Cubs fan with many spirited debates over the Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers. She will be thrilled to know, at the time of this writing, the Cubs are predicted to be the better team this 2025 season! Please remember her as the smart, beautiful and talented woman that she was.

Colleen is survived by Merlin Hoeth, her husband of almost 66 years; daughter Crystal (Michael) Luehne; grandson, Alexander Luehne; brothers-in-law Don Zietlow and Michael Brye; niece Vicki (Dan) Kunz, and nephews Scott Zietlow (Jill), Todd Brye and Tom Brye.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, Robert & Lila (Hillyer) Meier, both of La Crosse; sisters-in-law LaVonne Zietlow and Shirley Brye and nephew Steve (Amy) Zietlow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Special thanks to Mike & Alex Luehne; Barb (Tom) Luehne, Karen (Luehne) and Steve Multer, Julia and Avery Multer; Don (LaVonne) Zietlow; Bonnie (Roger) Winter; all the Mormon Coulee Millstream Addition neighbors; Phillis & Merle Hoeth; Sheri & Jeff Laufle and “The Feathers” (Crystal’s dearest friends).

More special thanks to Dr. James Mannion, Mayo Health System, Caretta Senior Living especially, Amy, Randy, Janna, Jada, Nikki, Debbi, Heather, Becky, Lee and Alyssa (and other amazing caregivers we may have missed).

Sincerely,

Merlin Hoeth & Crystal (Hoeth) Luehne