Paul L. Krachey

Paul L. Krachey, 78, of Wauzeka, passed away on Wednesday, April 25, at the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. 

Paul was the son of Walter and Erma (Sutton) Krachey, born on Aug. 14, 1939, in Wauzeka. Paul was the eighth child born to this union of 11 children. He married the love of his life, Judy Atkinson, on Dec. 5, 1959, in Wauzeka. To this union they had two sons, Todd and Troy. Paul was in the Navy 1964-66, in active duty and from 1967-1970 in the Navy Reserves. 

Paul started working at 3M in 1967 until retirement in 1996. After retiring from 3M, Paul did Meals on Wheels for 19 years for Crawford County. For many years Paul refereed basketball, and umpired baseball and softball all over Wisconsin. Another part-time favorite of his was going to pick up motor homes in Forest City, Iowa, and delivering them all over the USA. Paul enjoyed mowing for numerous people including Wauzeka Cemeteries. 

Paul was always seen in the gym, bottom row, cheering on his grandchildren playing ball And, when he saw a call he didn’t like you always knew grandpa was there because “GEEEZZZ!” would come out of his mouth. Grandpa Paul was always at his grandchildren’s events from sporting to musicals; anything they were involved in he was there supporting them 100 percent. 

Paul is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judy Krachey; son Troy (Kathleen) Krachey; daughter-in-law Crystal Krachey; grandchildren Lindsey Krachey, of Wauzeka, and Paul Krachey, of Wauzeka, Steven (Ashley) McKillip, of Boscobel, Brady Krachey, of Wauzeka, and Dayne Krachey, of Wauzeka; along with his two great grandsons Jason and Carter McKillip, of Boscobel. Paul is further survived by his sister Loretta Burgus of Seneca; brothers LaVern “Bud” (Rose) Krachey, of Eastman, and Larry (Mary) Krachey, of Wauzeka; many nieces, nephews and a host of friends. 

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his son Todd; and seven siblings.

Funeral services will be Monday, April 30, at 1 p.m., at the Garrity Funeral Home Chapel, in Prairie du Chien, Rev. Lynn Schreck officiating, with burial in the Wauzeka Cemetery in Wauzeka. Military honors will be accorded graveside by Seeley-Onstine Post 458. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family for a scholarship fund that has been established in Paul’s name. The Garrity Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien is assisting the family.