Lillian (Lil) Malzacher

Lillian (Lil) Malzacher (Knudtson), 94, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully in hospice care on July 25th.

Lil was born on September 11th, 1931 in Bangor, WI. She was the third-born of 8 daughters of Lester and Cora (Weinke) Knudtson.

Lil was a quintessential dairy farmer’s daughter. She recalled milking cows by hand, hauling hay, growing and canning fruits & vegetables from her mom’s garden, and walking three miles a day to her one-room school house where she received perfect attendance every year. In her own words, “I am a strong person today because of how I grew up, and I thank my mom for that. She always worked right along with us.”

Lil married Norman Malzacher on November 14, 1950. They were married for 71 years before his death in 2021. Together, they had 5 children, 17 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren (so far).

Lil worked as a nurse’s aide in the postpartum unit at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital for 42 years where she provided care to thousands of new moms and newborn babies. She was incredibly passionate about her work, and her patients certainly noticed. One later wrote, “If I could have always had Lil on my care team, I would have had 10 children.” It was also at Gundersen Lutheran where Lil met many coworkers who became life-long friends. She retired in 2015 at 84 years old.

Lil volunteered with Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and the Children’s Miracle Network. She was also a member of Sons of Norway and involved in the board of her bowling league. Later in life, Lil was very involved at the Harry J. Olson Senior Center, where she served on the board for 10 years. She was also a long-time season ticket holder of the La Crosse Loggers and a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers. As an avid country music fan, she often attended the concerts of Bill Anderson, Loretta Lynne & Conway Twitty (among others) and frequented Country Jam. She was a social butterfly, and to know her was to love her.

Lil will be remembered as a dedicated mother and grandmother, never missing the opportunity to support her family at special milestones & sporting events, and always full of sound advice & witty one-liners. She lived for her family, and her family is so proud to carry on her legacy.

Lil is survived by her sisters: Joyce Falkowski (Hemlock, NY), Doris Miller (Sussex, WI), and Sherry (Rod) Pederson (Hudson, FL); her children: Patti Malzacher (Bayport, MN), Mike (Anna) Malzacher (Onalaska, WI), Sheryl (Jerry) Benish (La Crescent, MN), and Jim (Csilla Kelemen) Malzacher (Elk Grove Village, IL); her grandchildren: Dennis (Becca) Malzacher Jr., Joe (Jennifer) Malzacher, Craig (Nicole) Malzacher, Nick (Michelle) Zachery, Michael (Tricia) Malzacher, Jodeeann Malzacher, Stephen Malzacher, Jan-Michael Malzacher, Rozina Malzacher, David (Heather) Malzacher, Nina (Rick) Thiesse, Shane (Carla) Lawrence, Jenna (Luke) Sovell, Jacob Malzacher, Allison Benish (Anthony Wiltinger), Kirstin Benish (Jaime Macedo), Audra Lillian Benish (Jake Stuhr); and many great grandchildren, nieces & nephews.

Surviving cherished friends include Marilyn Rudser, Donna Wavra, Bernice Arentz, her former coworkers at Gundersen Lutheran (you know who you are!), and life-long friend Liz Karbula.

Preceding Lil in death are her son, Dennis Malzacher Sr, husband, Norman Malzacher, sisters and brothers-in-law: Lucille (Bill) Hesselberg, Mae (Harvey) Langrehr, Carol (Ken) Huber, Millie (Andy) Clark; brothers-in-law: Roger Falkowski & David Miller; and friend & Country Jam buddy, Dorothy Wedwick.

Lil lived at Hillview Terrace Assisted Living for 8 years where she thrived because of the love and support she was given there.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the staff of Aspen Place in Viroqua where she was given amazing care. And to the staff and nurses at Agrace Hospice and who treated Lil with incredible skill, care, and respect.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home on Monday, August 3rd. Visitation will begin at 10:30am, and a short service will follow at 11am with her grandson Craig Malzacher officiating. Lunch will be served at the Radisson in the Wisconsin Room after the service.

Memorial donations in Lil’s memory may be directed to Harry J. Olson Senior Center.