Ronald "Ronnie" Joseph Phelps

Ronald Joseph “Ronnie” Phelps, 94, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, at the Tomah VA Medical Center, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. We would like to thank the staff at the Memory Care Unit at Tomah VA for the loving care they gave Ron.

Born December 7, 1931, in La Crosse, Ron was the son of Ward and Margaret Phelps. He attended Aquinas High School graduating in 1950. Ron joined the Army in 1952 serving for close to 2 years, which included the Korean War. He was a proud veteran. He married Charlotte Weiking on August 24, 1957, and worked for Trane Company for 45 years, retiring in 1995.

Ron helped raise a family of four. Loved his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and God. He was a member of Mary, Mother of the Church, since 1961. Ron enjoyed playing cards with friends and family, all sports. He coached little league baseball and football. Ron also played on the Trane fastpitch team for many years. He was known as a grill master to his family and to some in his inner circle as Kingfish or The Demon! He had a great sense of humor and in his spare time he camped, hunted, read, educated himself about the stock market, built and repaired clocks, and was always there to lend a hand or advise when asked. He was an all-around good guy.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Ward and Margaret Phelps, His brother Tom Phelps and his wife Marilyn, and infant brother Wayne, Brother-in-Law William Jahn.

He is survived by his wife Charlotte of 68 years, his four children, Jayne (Rick) Sauerman, Patricia (Mark) Thomas, Timothy (Brenda) Phelps, Barbara (Scott) Besl, grandchildren, Adam Flint, Kristofer (Angelina Berreau) Wolfe, Alexandra (Ryan) Bauer, Mitchell (Rubi) Thomas, Andrew Phelps, James Phelps, Grant Birnbaum, Jack Birnbaum, Jordan Besl, Taylor (Ryan Sprengeler) Besl, and Jacody Besl, great grandchildren, Perry and Beau Bauer, Sebastian and Leo Thomas, Lila and Vayda Besl, and baby Sprengeler expected in May. Further survivors are Sisters-in-Law and Brother-in-Law, Lavonne Jahn, Jackie and Warren Witzman, and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish. Rev. Brian D. Konopa will officiate. Entombment with military honors will be in the Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9:00 AM until the time of services. Livestream will be available at www.schumacher-kish.com