Don R. Botcher

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 on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 12:30 pm. A Celebration of Life for Don is being planned and will also be announced at a later date.