Obituary
Anthony “Tony” A. Fernholz
Anthony “Tony” A. Fernholz, 77, of Onalaska passed away peacefully on Friday, November 23, 2018, at Mayo Health System in La Crosse, surrounded by his family. He was born on October 8, 1941, to Lloyd and Delores (Hertzfeldt) Fernholz.
The second of eight children, Tony graduated from Arcadia High in 1959. He married Rose Marie Thomas on November 24, 1962, at St. Stanislaus church in Arcadia, WI. Tony graduated from UW-La Crosse and began his 35-year career as a claims manager for Heritage Mutual Insurance Company, retiring in 2000. He was a parishioner at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church; he was a regular usher and Eucharistic minister. An avid outdoorsman, he was a lifelong member, and also served as chair, of both the La Crosse and Onalaska chapters of Ducks Unlimited. He spent many happy hunting/fishing seasons at “the Shack,” a rustic cabin that he and 4 of his close friends lovingly built and treasured on a slough of the Mississippi River. Along with his son, Matt, they shared the spirit and the stories of the hunt—and often a cold beer or two. Spending time with family was a great joy. Tony and Rose loved vacationing at Deer Lake in northern WI, surrounded by their children, spouses, grandchildren and the great outdoors. He was a great sports fan. He faithfully attended his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting and school activities. He loved to golf, and along with his wife Rose, to follow the Packers, Brewers, Bucks, and Badgers. Tony was a soft-spoken man with a quick wit, an easy laugh, and a warm and generous heart. A devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and true friend, Tony will be remembered fondly by many and missed dearly by family for a life well lived.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rose; children, Ellen (Brandon) Holt, Sara (Tracy Thorsen), Amy (Bruce) Howard, Tracy (Tom) Ferris, Molly (Kevin McGrath), and Matt; grandchildren, Madeline (Andy) Bonifas, Meredith Holt, Andrew Howard, Tom and Bella Ferris, and Vika McGrath; step-granddaughter, Alexis Blom-Ferris; siblings, Sandy (Al) Janeczko, Mary Wojchik, Ann (Ted) Lisota, Paul (Karen) Fernholz, Kris (Mark) Van Acker, and Jennifer (Mark) Rayor; and other extended family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leon; brother-in-law, Ron Wojchik, and sister-in-law, Carol Fernholz.
The family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to the physicians and staff at Mayo Health System.
The family prefers any memorials be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or Ducks Unlimited in Tony’s honor.
A funeral mass will be held on Friday, November 30, at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1031 Main St., Onalaska with Msgr. Steven Kachel officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the mass, at 9:30 AM on Friday, November 30, at the church and also Thursday, November, 29 from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM with a Rosary Service beginning at 6:30 PM at Coulee Region Cremation Group, 133 Mason St., Onalaska. Interment will be at the Onalaska Cemetery.
To view the memorial video for Tony, please copy and paste the link below into your web browser:
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/H3GKXFYTKDLZRF4Q?e=1
A life well lived is the promise of wonderful memories. May all of you find peace in the sharing those memories between you. God Bless
Our sympathy to all! Hugs & prayers getting you thru these next days saying good bye to your loved one! Treasure the memories!
We are saddened to learn of Uncle Tony’s passing. Please know we are thinking of you all with love & sympathy. May God grant you peace & comfort in the days ahead.
Love, John & Tracy
So sorry, Sara and family. For your loss. I know how close you were to him. Prayers sent
I have happy childhood memories of Tony. He was always joking and full of fun. My condolences to Rose and his children and grandchildren, as well as my other Fernholz cousins.
My sincere condolences to your wife and family. I wish my dad, your uncle Dave, hadn’t left Wisconsin when I was young. All of us cousins could have known each other better. I do know that Harlan, Dave and Lloyd are waiting for you, to show you some good hunting place’s in heaven. May your soul rest in peace, say hello to our dads.
Tony was great classmate. He was a serious person but his humor came shining through to make a gathering enjoyable and productive.
Rose, I am so sorry, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
“Trust in God,He is always with you.”
Scherrie
Rose & family, so sorry for loss. Cherish your memories.
So sorry to hear of cousin Tony’s passing. You all will be in our hearts and prayers.
Kay and AJ Benway
Tony is in many of my childhood memories. A kind, fun neighbor to a whole crew of neighborhood kids. He fed us kohlrabi and tomatoes from his beautiful garden, taught me how to walk on stilts, and kept my Dad company on the back deck. He was important to me, my sisters, and my parents and he will be missed.
Tony was a great high school classmate! My sincere sympathy to Rose Marie and her family. May God bless all of you.
Our most sincere condolences go out to you, Rose, and to your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time.
My condolences to all of the family. Hickory Street was such a fun place to grow up, and the Fernholz clan next door made it even better. Tone and Harv were quite the pair – sitting on the deck with a beer in the summer (or around the grills for the epic block parties), a dog close at hand, just shooting the breeze. Such fond memoiries of that neighbourhood, and Tony played a big part.
My thoughts, prayers, and sympathy. May God’s presence bring peace.