Franklin John Pabst, of Onalaska, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on March 9, 2023 and is now reunited with his beloved wife, Lois. Born November 8, 1932 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the late Edwin and Marguerita (Goll) Pabst, he stayed in the Milwaukee area until his retirement in 1994. 

Frank married his sweetheart, Lois Buntman on February 12, 1955 and was married for 66 years until her passing in 2021. They were quite an active couple enjoying life with their children, Mike and Sue, and a large circle of family and friends. Camping trips, including numerous memorable father-son trips on the Mississippi, pulling the kids around Wisconsin lakes and rivers on anything that floats, golfing, bowling, card playing (Sheepshead) with his buddies, dancing with Lois, enjoying a good Manhattan, getting into mischief with his buddies and brother-in-law (Dick), and riding roller coasters with his grandkids, filled his years with fun.  Upon retirement, Frank and Lois moved to Florida and he continued these activities with a new group of friends.  At the age of 80 they gave up the Florida sunshine and relocated to Onalaska to be closer to family. Back in Wisconsin, he became a diehard Brewers fan and watched them faithfully from spring training to the last game of the season.

Frank received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Marquette University. He began his career in engineering design work at Ward & Allen. He then became a design engineer for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. In 1967, he transferred to their maintenance department over-seeing the state highways throughout Milwaukee County. A fun memory is that Frank was the highway department representative during the filming of the famous Blues Brothers car chase scene over the (incomplete) Milwaukee Harbour Bridge.

Frank is survived by his loving children Michael (Maureen Pintozzi) Pabst, Susan (Pabst) Weirather; grandchildren Jaclyn (Dave) Tyler, Brian (Raquel) Weirather, Tom (Abbey) Pabst, and Dan (Becky) Pabst; great-grandchildren Ryder, James, Teddy, Noa, Eric, Leo, Evan, Hanna, Cameron, and Audrey. 

Frank is preceded in death by Lois; their infant daughters, Jean Marie and Catherine Mary; his parents; siblings, Don, Bob, and Audrey; and son-in-law Ted Weirather.

Frank’s life will be celebrated with a funeral Mass on Saturday, March 18, 11:00 am at St. Patrick Church, 1031 Main Street, Onalaska, Wisconsin. Interment at the Diocese of La Crosse Catholic Cemetery. To live stream the service, go to https://vimeo.com/stpatsona. The live stream will start at 10:45 a.m. with eulogy preceding the Mass. 

Frank’s family is most grateful to the staff of Eagle Crest North and the Mayo Clinic Hospice team who so lovingly cared for him and supported our family these last 2 years. 

Memorial donations may be made to Mayo Clinic Hospice. Please designate “La Crosse” on your donation. Gifts may be made online at philanthropy.mayoclinic.org. You also may mail a check made payable to Mayo Clinic to:

Mayo Clinic

Department of Development

200 First St. SW

Rochester, MN 55905