Melvyn F. Carl

Melvyn “Mel” Carl, 88 of La Crosse passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

He was born September 19, 1937, in Prairie du Chien (PDC) to Edward (Roger) and Edna (Braudt) Carl. He graduated from PDC high school in 1955 where he was elected class president.

A bit of a daredevil in his younger days, you might find Mel and his friends jumping ramps on trick water skis in the Mississippi river or diving off the high dive into PDC’s pool. Mary JoAnne (Waller) Carl caught his eye while dancing to the jukebox at PDC’s hot spot, the Dairy Bar. Their shared love for dancing grew into a shared love for each other, and they married, November 7, 1959. They promptly started a family and eventually moved to La Crosse where Mel worked for Northern States Power Company (NSP) for over 30 years as a foreman gas fitter. He was a union steward, a member of the apprenticeship committee and sat on the NSP credit union board of directors.

Mel loved to make people laugh. He was known for always having a new joke to tell and no get together was the same without Mel. He enjoyed bowling, going to the races, watching his grandchildren at sporting events, the occasional hunting trip out west with his NSP buddies and hosting happy hours in the back yard for his Sherwood Manor neighbors. Gambling with Mary Jo at the Miss Marquette casino or at a local pub to play video poker or tip boards was probably his favorite past time. He didn’t win as often as Mary Jo but it was all the same to him because he treasured their time together. Everyone loved Mel…and Mary Jo.

Melvyn is survived by two brothers, Gerald Carl and Dennis (Betty) Carl; one brother-in-law, Dan Haas; three children, Lori (Carl) Manning, Todd (Marybeth) Carl, and Randy (Jackie) Carl; five grandchildren, Christopher Neely, Nicholas (Gianna) Neely, Dane Carl, Lexi (Carl) and Nick Gmiterko, and Tanner Rochelt; one great grandchild, Brody Gmiterko; and two honorary grandchildren, Trevor (Marisah) McDonald, and Nicole (Rochelt) Dolan.

Melvyn was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Jo; brother, Rodney Carl; sister, Connie (Carl) Haas; and son, Tim Carl.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse with a short service beginning at 11:30 a.m.