Caledonia Argus

Posted: 1/7/03

Bernard Bissen

Bernard ìBuckî F. Bissen, 80, of La Crosse, WI, died Sunday, December 29, 2002 in his home. Buck was born on April 7, 1922 in La Crosse to Frank and Alice (McCann) Bissen. He lived his first 18 years in Brownsville and graduated from Caledonia High School in 1940. He married Delores Knappe on December 31, 1941. She preceded him in death in 1977. Buck served in the U.S. Navy in 1942 to December 1945 and was aboard a minesweeper for one and a half years in the Pacific Theater.

Buck was a charter member of VFW Post 6801 of Brownsville and a charter member of Homer Hall American Legion Post 417 French Island. Buck was in the grocery business for 32 years, working his own store on French Island for 22 years. From 1972 until the time of his death, he operated Buckís Handyman Service in La Crosse.

He is survived by his children: Ruth (Dan) Kapanke, La Crosse, Sara (Larry) Rugotzke, Daytona Beach, FL, Joe (Sheila) Bissen, Madison, WI, Ann (John) Clark, La Crosse, Frank (Jayne) Bissen, La Crosse, Becky (Don) Roell, Watertown, WI, Bette Torres, Houston, TX, and Brian (Joyce) Bissen, De Soto, WI; 27 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Calvin, one sister Beulah and one son-in-law Emilio Torres.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, January 3, in St. James the Less Catholic Church, La Crosse, with Rev. Roger Scheckel officiating. Military rites were by VFW Post 6801 of Brownsville and Homer Hall American Legion Post 417 in Veteranís Cemetery, Brownsville. Friends and family called from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, in the Blaschke Funeral Home-Nelson Chapel, La Crosse, with a Scripture Service to be held at 7:30 p.m. Friends and family also called from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church on Friday.

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