SPARTA - John J. Lasko, 83 of Sparta, died Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Gundersen Tri county Hospital in Whitehall, WI. He was born on August 20, 1940 to Michael M. (Sr.) and Alice C. Lasko on Losey Blvd. in La Crosse. Being that his dad was an Ironworker and worked on various construction projects in the upper Midwest, John attended many schools and eventually graduated from Bangor High School with the Class of ‘58. On October 13, 1959 he and his brother Lyle volunteered to serve in the U.S Navy. For about two years they both were stationed out of San Diego, CA. John made two WestPac deployments to Japan, the South China Sea and Hong Kong. He made passage through the Panama Canal. He had deployments to the Mediterranean Sea (during the Cuban Crisis) and North African region – visiting many countries located there. He served as personal ‘Yeoman’ to the Captains of the various ships he served aboard. John served a full four-year tour of duty and was honorably discharged on October 12, 1965.
In 1968, he married Judy M. Bjorkman of Bangor and to this union was born two sons, Timothy John and Gregory John. His sons were the highlight of his life and they brought him immense joy, love and happiness. He and Judy were grateful and extremely proud of the boys and their families. As a family unit the four of them worked hard together on their farm on St. Mary’s Ridge for many years – ending up with one of the highest producing herds of registered Holsteins cattle in Monroe County. He and Judy later divorced. She passed away in 2018. John sold the farm and moved on to pursue selling real estate and started, owned and managed an auction company. This he did with the help of his close friend and business partner, Vernon H. Rediske.
John is survived by his son, Timothy (Heidi) Lasko and Greg (Sherry Harris) Lasko and five beautiful grandchildren: Brittany, Casie, Tucker, Kali, & Zach. Having grown up with 10 siblings, he is now survived by one brother Richard R. Lasko Bangor, WI, plus many nieces and nephews and a super bunch of friends, colleagues and acquaintances.
He is preceded in death by his parents and the following siblings: Evelyn, Michael, Donald, Betty, Arlene, Karen, Lyle, Sandra and Jerry – plus some nieces and nephews.
A remembrance celebration of John’s life for family and friends will be held from 3:00 PM to 5 PM on Sunday, January 7th at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St., Onalaska. Internment will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Bangor at a later date, with full military honors provided by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard of La Crosse. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.
Coulee Region Cremation Group
