Obituary
Cinda M. Todd
Cinda M. Todd, age 77, passed away on Friday, August 1, 2025, in her home. She was born December 4, 1947, in La Crosse, WI, to Joseph M. and Charlene (Taylor) Dingeldein. A 1966 graduate of La Crosse Central High School, Cinda earned a bachelor’s degree in education and worked for several years in a childcare center in the 1970s and 1980s. She married in 1971 and cherished her two children, Scott and Kristen, who were a constant source of joy.
Cinda spent most of her childhood in Chipmunk Coulee, where she enjoyed sitting under a tree in the countryside reading books. She fondly recalled other memories of growing up there, including attending the single-room school, her first pet Penny, and the wonderful people she grew up with. She later dedicated much of her life to service through her career at The Salvation Army in La Crosse, where she led and helped initiate programs that continue to benefit the community. Among these were the Caring Tree, Coats for Kids, Feed the Kids summer lunch program, Back to School supplies and clothing for children, and a cooperative effort with the La Crosse Health Department and Viterbo University nursing students that brought nursing care to Salvation Army shelter residents and other community members.
Music and family were at the heart of Cinda’s life. She shared songs and stories from her childcare days with her children and grandchildren, who fondly remember singing along to silly songs during their childhood. Her love of life and music, especially playing the piano, enriched the worship services at The Salvation Army over the years. She showed great compassion, including caring for her mother after Charlene’s stroke in 2020, and Charlene remains a cherished presence in their lives. Cinda had a strong spiritual relationship with God, which guided her kindness, generosity, and service.
Cinda was a devoted Packers fan and enjoyed many trips to Packer’s training camps with family and friends. She also loved visiting flea markets with her best friend Shelly. One of her most adventurous moments was a cross-country motorcycle ride with her friend John, a testament to her spirit of adventure. She enjoyed being with her grandchildren and dedicated herself to them, cherishing the time spent teaching and sharing with them.
She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph, and her sister Karen. She is survived by her mother Charlene Dingeldein, children Scott Todd and Kristen (Colin) Finn, brothers James (Doris) Dingeldein and Joseph A. Dingeldein, her sisters Lynda (David) Meyer and Laurie (Joseph) Duncan, ten grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Family, friends, and others whose lives Cinda touched are invited to remember her at a visitation followed by a memorial service on September 6, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St, Onalaska, WI 54650, with the memorial service to follow. After the service, a fellowship with sandwiches will be provided at the La Crosse American Legion, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Memorials can be made to the family.
Cinda gave me my first opportunity to volunteer at the Salvation Army for that I will always be grateful to her to Laurie and Joe Duncan and the rest of her family my condolences for your loss