Donald Logelin

Donald X. Logelin, 98, of La Crosse, WI, passed away on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at the VA Medical Center in Tomah, WI.

He was born in Minneapolis to Catherine and Joe Logelin on May 31, 1923.  The family moved to Winona, MN, when he was 5.  Donald left home at age 15. After doing a variety of work in Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Yakima, WA and other places, he wound up as a “Fuller Brush Man” in New York City at age 17.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps as soon as he could after Pearl Harbor and flew the Hump from India to China as a flight Radio Operator in a C-46 cargo plane. They carried a variety of cargo for 103 round trips and he accumulated 815 combat hours. Donald was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice and the Air Medal four times.

After his discharge, he went to school at Dunwoody Industrial Institute under the GI bill to learn Heating and Air Conditioning.  On May 20, 1948, he married Lois Butenhoff in Winona, MN. They moved to Reedsburg, WI and started a Heating, Air Conditioning and Fuel Oil business, which they operated for 39 years.  In 1989 they sold the business to begin a computer software business. With the help of their son, who is an Electrical Engineer, they designed a program for small businesses.  They worked selling and updating this program for eleven years. He resided in La Crosse for the past fourteen years. Donald described himself as a river rat and one of his favorite pastimes was sitting down by the Mississippi.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Lois, and all of his siblings. He is survived by five children: Mrs. Mary (Larry) Irish of Deerfield, MO; Donald M. Logelin of Divide, CO; Linda Cowing of La Crosse; Janice Logelin of South St. Paul, MN and Mrs. Joyce (Kurt) Ihde of rural La Valle, WI.  Four grandchildren also survive: Holly Irish of Clarendon, TX, Mrs. Tally (Tate) Watkins of Kim, CO, Neil Ihde and Jake Ihde of La Valle, WI; also two great-grandchildren, Tavin and Trotter Watkins of Kim, CO, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 10 AM until the funeral service at 11 AM on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 376 E. Sarnia St., Winona, MN.  Pastor Jacob Eichers of Faith Lutheran Church in La Crosse will officiate.  Donald will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona, where the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post 9 of Winona will provide military honors.  A luncheon and reception will be held at the funeral home following the burial.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Donald’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

Watkowski- Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.