Linda J. Italiano

Linda Josephine Italiano passed away surrounded by family, on June 11, 2025 at the age of 78 years. She was born to Maynard and Helen Spah Hemker on May 22, 1947 in La Crosse, WI and graduated from Logan High School in 1966. She married George Italiano on August 14, 1966. Linda had various employers including La Crosse County, Southside Country Kitchen and the Midway Motor Lodge. She worked for 30 years in housekeeping at Gundersen Hospital. 

Linda enjoyed singing in her church choir and along with her husband, George, loved to dress in Victorian clothes to greet the riverboats at Riverside Park. Linda received the Great American Main Street award in 2001, the Tourism Volunteer of the Year Award in 2003, and served on the Steamboat Task Force from 1997 - 2024. 

Linda is survived by her husband of 58 years, George Italiano, daughter Maria Italiano (Tari), son Anthony Italiano (Dawn), sister Cheryl Melde (Oz), brother Bryan Brown, sister-in-law Judith Pynn, brother-in-law Paul Italiano (Susan), brother in-law Dan Italiano (Carolyn), sister-in-law Ruth McCabe (Mike), sisterin-law Kathy Boarman, brother-in-law Frank Italiano, Jr. (Gretchen) and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

Linda was preceded in death by her parents Helen Spah Brown and Maynard Hemker, her in-laws Frank and Lenore Italiano, and sister-in-law Vicki Italiano Crum (Ron Reed). 

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 19 at Grace Lutheran Church, 2720 26th Street S, La Crosse. Visitation will be at the church 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, service at 11:00 AM with lunch to follow.