Gerald R. Sluga

Gerald R. Sluga, 85, of rural Independence, died Sunday, March 18, 2018 at his home. Gerald was born July 31, 1932 in Hale Township, Trempealeau County, to Edward T. and Mary A. (Parazinski) Sluga. He married Janet A. Semingson November 28,1958 in Milwaukee. Gerald was a concrete construction foreman working for Ebner Construction in La Crosse for many years. He retired due to rheumatoid arthritis. In later years, he drove as a courier for Independence State Bank. He celebrated two birthdays while serving in the US Army during the Korean War. He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and Sura-Wiersgalla American Legion Post 186. He was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping and gardening. He is survived by his beautiful, loving wife, Janet; six children, Tami (Gilbert) Eid of Whitehall, Jami Sluga of Nokomis, Fla., Gregory M. (Lisa Schultz) Sluga of Independence, Amy J. Roessel of Independence, Joni Sluga of Denver, Colo., and Matthew (Crystal) Sluga of Whitehall; a sister, Betty (Bob) Knudtson of Elk Creek eleven grandchildren, Erik and Alexander Eid, Kelly, Kyle and Gina Mary Rumpel, Joseph and Annah Sluga, Kait Macleod, Colton, Brock and Haili Belle Sluga; two great-grandchildren, Mabel Angela and Maverick Rumpel. Gerald was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph, George and Robert Sluga; two sisters, Romelle Slaby and Dolores Beyers. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2018 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence, with Rev. Woodrow Pace officiating. Burial, with military rites, will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., at Edison Funeral Home, Independence, and one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Friday. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald R. Sluga, please visit our flower store.