Marla L.H. Withey

Marla Lea Hammond Withey, 72 of La Crosse passed away on Monday May 25, 2026 at Riverside Transitional Care in La Crosse.

She was born March 30, 1954, in Viroqua, WI to Iva Lea (Worman) and Cecil Hammond. She graduated in 1972 from De Soto High School and continued her education at Viterbo University graduating with honors cum laude in 1976 with a bachelor’s in science in dietetics. She was united in marriage to Kevin Withey on November 7, 1987 at Asbury United Methodist Church in La Crosse.

Marla began her Registered Dietician career in Wabasha, MN and shortly thereafter dedicated herself to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center and their patients until her retirement in 2019. She was a passionate mentor who found deep purpose in sharing knowledge and helping others grow. Dedicated to fostering education, she brought enthusiasm, patience, and encouragement into her work every day. Her passion came not only from what she accomplished herself, but from seeing others learn, succeed, and reach their potential.

Marla was active with the Retreat Methodist Church and her faith was very important to her. She was an avid volunteer at the Hillview Auxiliary, Friends of the Library, Gundersen Medical Center, as well as countless other organizations. In addition to her volunteer work, she also devoted much of her time singing and playing the organ and piano at church. Marla loved being outside in nature, gardening, watching her grandchildren’s activities in addition to traveling with friends and family. She enjoyed all sports but in particular baseball. It was fitting that she and Kevin met at a ballpark in 1981. They spent many of their years enjoying Jay Buckley Baseball Tours visiting cities and major and minor-league ballparks from coast to coast.

There are selfless and devout people whose faith and devotion guide the way they treat others. This was Marla. Deeply philanthropic and always willing to say yes when someone needed help, she consistently put others before herself and would do anything for family, friends or a stranger. Her kindness, loyalty and generosity made her someone people could truly rely on.

She is survived by a special sister, Carol and Deldon Hanson; her chosen children, Danielle and Steve Hancock (children, Finnian and Madelyn); nephews, Jon and Cheryl Hammond, Frank and Sheri Hammond (goddaughters, Hannah and Elizabeth), Ron and Lisa Hammond, Corey Hammond; and niece, Abby and Lane Jacobs; sister-in-law, Sandra Hammond; many cousins, great nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother, Ronald L. Hammond; sister-in-law, Judy Hammond; nephew, Skylar Hammond; and aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday June 5, 2026 at Retreat Methodist Church, De Soto, WI. Pastor Sandy Conrad will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Walnut Mound Cemetery, De Soto, WI. Friends may call from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday June 4, 2026 at Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. S, La Crosse and again from 10:00 AM until the time of service Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Gundersen Medical Foundation for Cancer Research, New Hope Food Panty or an organization of donor’s choice.

A special thank you to Margie and Tom Ley, Robin and Tom Fedie, Diane Midland and Michelle Sedlacek. Thank you to the staff at Gundersen Health System, especially Dr. Oettel and Dr. Driscoll for their years of care, compassion and guidance as well as the staff at The Willows Assisted Living, Riverside Transitional Care and Gundersen Hospice.