Margaret "Jean" Slaback

Margaret “Jean” Slaback passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025, at the Onalaska Care Center. She was born on August 10, 1927, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Walter and Mary (Tegeder) Shuda.

On March 5, 1946, Jean married Looy Slaback. Together they raised one daughter, Rosemarie Stelzig. Jean worked for 32 years at the La Crosse Garment Company (now The Company Store) before retiring; only to decide she wasn’t quite ready. She then worked an additional 10 years at Festival Foods, where she officially (and finally) retired.

Jean was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and enjoyed knitting, a good fish fry, and a lively game of bingo. Above all, Jean cherished time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the most fun grandmother anyone could hope for: known for her silliness, laughter, cooking favorite foods, and curling her granddaughter’s hair in the style of Shirley Temple, one of her favorites. Her home was filled with giggles, warmth, and love.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Rosemarie (Gary) Stelzig; her siblings, William Shuda of La Crosse and Donna Stanles of Waupaca; her grandchildren, Carrie Stelzig of California and Peggy (Kevin) Miller of Onalaska; and her great-grandchildren, Vanessa and Alexis Miller.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Onalaska Care Center for the compassionate and excellent care they provided to Jean over the past several years, especially during her final days. Their kindness will always be remembered with gratitude.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 26, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Onalaska. Msgr. Steven Kachel will officiate. Burial will be in the Onalaska City Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Onalaska Care Center or St. Patrick’s Church.