TOMAH - Wade Edward Lasister, 76, of Tomah, Wisconsin, passed peacefully on Feb 9, 2024 in Leesville, LA following a brief illness.
He was born to William and Elizabeth (Ford) Lasister, September 18, 1947 in Independence, Missouri, but was raised by his father and step mother, Charlene.
After high school in 1964, he enlisted in the Army and trained as a medic. He was stationed in Germany before being transferred to the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam. During his year in Vietnam he was awarded the Bronze Star and received a Purple heart. Other assignments included Walter Reed General Hospital, Washington, DC where he met and married his wife, Deanna “Dee” in 1969. Together they served two more tours in Germany before his retirement from active duty in 1985 at Ft Polk (now Ft Johnson) Louisiana.
Post retirement, he accepted an instructor/trainer position at Ft McCoy, WI that dealt with the training of personnel in the use and operation required for a field hospital; thus it found the family moving from Louisiana to Wisconsin. Later his job required him to split time between Ft McCoy, WI and Ft Polk, LA until his second retirement 22 years later.
He enjoyed sharing his knowledge, opinions, or even a beer with friends while playing darts. As much as he enjoyed a day on a lake fishing, sitting in a deer stand hunting ranked higher, especially if it ended with getting a deer for making his favorite venison breakfast sausage. Being an amazing story teller, his grand kids were often left wondering if the story they were told was real or if he had made it up just for them.
Wade was a holder of many titles – son, brother, husband, father and a friend of many, but the title he enjoyed the most was “grandpa or papaw”. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, and 3 children, daughters Samantha Dilts and Tammy McClenton and a son, Wade Edward Lasister Jr all of Tomah, WI, 3 siblings- sisters, Rhonda Tucker of St. Charles, MO, Tonya Bruce of Blue Springs, MO and brother Robert (Stephanie) Lasister of Kansas City MO along with 9 grandchildren, 4 great-grand children, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother, 2 brothers, 2 brother-in-laws and a niece.
Respecting Wade’s final wishes, no visitation or funeral service were held. A private interment of ashes will occur at a later date in Wisconsin,
The family requests that in lieu of flowers or memorials, consider a donation to a veteran organization of your choice or to your local American Legion in his memory.
The Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville, LA assisted with arrangements.
Labby Memorial Funeral Home
