Carleton ‘Pat’ Papenfuss

Carleton “Pat” J. Papenfuss, 92, of rural La Crescent, passed away on Friday, April 9, 2021, at the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

He was born in Winona, Minn., on October 13, 1928, to William and Bernice (Clow) Papenfuss. He married Carol M. Dobrunz on June 14, 1953, in Waukon, Iowa.

Pat served in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War and was a member of American Legion Post 595 of La Crescent and V.F.W. Post 1287 of Winona. He and Carol owned and operated Papenfuss General Store in Dakota from 1957 until their retirement. He also farmed part-time at their home on Apple Blossom Drive. In their retirement years, Pat and Carol enjoyed many winters in Texas.

Pat is survived by his wife, Carol; two sons, Curtiss (Venetta) Papenfuss of Dakota and Mark (Mary) Papenfuss of La Crescent; grandchildren, Felicia (Scott) Olson, Jesse (Kayla) Papenfuss and Chad Papenfuss (Sarah McElroy), as well as nine great grandchildren. He is further survived by a sister-in-law, Donna Papenfuss, and many nieces, nephews and extended family members from the Dobrunz family.

Pat was preceded in death by brothers, James, Marion “Tiny,” Allyn “Mike,” and Lawrence “Oscar”; sisters, Alicia, Annabelle, Eunice and Rachel; and extended family members from both the Papenfuss and Dobrunz families.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 13th, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 111 South Oak St., La Crescent. Rev. Dianne Ciesluk will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Hiler Cemetery in rural Dakota. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Monday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., and again on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. An online guest book is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.

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