Obituary
Norman R. “Bud” Von Haden
Norman R. “Bud” Von Haden, 87, of La Crosse, Wisconsin passed away Tuesday January 11, 2022. He was born June 28, 1934 in Sparta, Wisconsin to Delia (Sullivan) and Eary Von Haden. He grew up on the family farm in Ridgeville (Norwalk, Wisconsin), with his sister Geraldine and his brother Darrel.
Bud attended Tomah High School. He enjoyed reminiscing about his Sullivan cousins, the Summit gang, and playing baseball with his Ridgeville team. He enlisted in the U.S. Army with his buddy Jack Udulutch, and continued his military service for some years thereafter with the National Guard and the Army Reserve. In 1957, Bud took over his younger brother’s dairy farm after Darrel, at 19, was killed in a car accident.
On June 7, 1958, Bud married Dorothy Hutzenbuehler of La Crosse, Wisconsin at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, and they raised their five children in La Crosse. A master plumber, Bud spent most of his career in the plumbing and heating field. For a time, he also sold real estate in the area before he and Dorothy established Bud Von Haden Plumbing, which they operated until they retired the business in 1999. He could fix and maintain nearly anything, and loved using his considerable skills to help his family and others.
Bud and Dorothy loved to dance, and for many years they traveled together to ballrooms across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, making many friends along the way. When Dorothy played the piano, Bud would often pick up his guitar and sing along. He adored his family and treasured his friends. Known for his positive outlook on life, he was cherished by all who knew him. He always chose to see the best in everyone he met.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughter, Neva Von Haden; sons, Lance (Shannon), Anthony (Jane), James, and Daniel (Rita) Von Haden; grandchildren, Renee and John Glaunert, Zachary Rueckheim, Adriana and Noah Von Haden, Finnian, Shamus, and Aidan Von Haden, and Matthew and Michael Von Haden; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Norma and James Platz; and many nieces and nephews.
Bud was preceded in death by his sister Geraldine and brother-in-law Clarence Brieske, his brother Darrel Von Haden, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Virginia Weber, John Fritsch, George Weber, Edwin “Bud” and Elizabeth Hutzenbuhler, Ralph and Mary Hutzenbuhler, Joan and John Reese, and Jean and Earl Welch.
A private memorial service will be held for immediate family. Entombment will be in the St. Joseph Mausoleum, Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Condolences may be directed to: Dorothy Von Haden and Family, 3503 Park Lane Dr. #109, La Crosse WI 54601. A memorial video using this link: Norman R. “Bud” Von Haden
The Bridge Builder
An old man going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide.
Through which was flowing a sullen tide
The old man crossed in the twilight dim,
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.
“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting your strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day,
You never again will pass this way;
You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build this bridge at evening tide?”
The builder lifted his old gray head;
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followed after me to-day
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”
I am so sorry to hear the passing of our beloved Bud
Please know I sending my thought, prayers and support to you and your family during this difficult time and that I am sharing in your sorrow.
Let the memories of Bud provide comfort in your journey through this loss.
Across the years I will walk with you, in deep green forests, on shores of sand and when our time on earth is through, in heaven too, you will have my hand.” – Robert Sexton
In love and light.
Shanen
So sorry to hear of Bud’s passing. He was truly a gentleman.
My deepest sympathy to the Von Haden family. Bud was a wonderful guy. Always will be remembered my me as a very decent and caring person .Sending warm hugs and prayers to the family. I enjoyed the beautiful video of Bud’s life and memories.
so sorry with buds death we will miss him so much what a great guy and father
I loved Bud!!! What a great guy! My sympathy to the family!
So sorry to hear. Our sympathies to Mrs V, Neva, Lance, Rene and the whole family
Thinking of you and wishing you moments of peace and comfort as you remember someone who was so close to you.
My sympathy to all the family. I am sorry for your grief and loss of a great man, husband, father and plumber! I thought so much of Bud, his laugh and sarcasm and his help with me on so many projects over so many years. I missed working with him when he told me he was officially retiring as he had lots of things planned for supporting the family. He loved you all. We worked on my many house renovation disasters plenty of times and he made things work with a smile, a laugh and an even temperament that was always a stabilizing factor in the crisis of the day. I used to remind him to not sit too close to the open glue bottle every time he teased me about my finish work with the plumbing. He would be quick with a smart reply every time. A great guy in every way.
our sympathy we enjoyed video thank you al betty borsheim