Ronald J. Wall

Ronald J. Wall, 70, died Friday, July 25, 2025, at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center, Sparta, as a result of complications from Frontotemporal Dementia.

He was born May 30, 1955 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Sparta to John and Doris (Richards) Wall.

Ron grew up in Sparta and graduated from Sparta High School in 1973.  He attended the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse and earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration in 1977.  He went on to complete a Certified Financial Planner license and attended the Financial Planning Residency Program through the University of California-Irvine.  He also served as an adjunct instructor for Western Technical College- Viroqua Campus.

He was united in marriage to Karen (Wold) Wall on September 8, 1984 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sparta. Two children were born to this union, Shelley and Kristine.  His daughters were his pride and joy.  He never missed the girls’ figure skating and dance team competitions, piano recitals and music competitions, or swim meets.  

Ron was employed at Union National Bank and Trust Company from 1977 until 1999. He was a licensed investment advisor and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) from 1999 until 2011.  He was then employed at the Newport Group in La Crosse, WI until his retirement in 2016. 

He was active in the La Crosse Kiwanis Club, where he served as President and received the Kiwanian of the Year Award in 2004 and the Distinguished President Award in 2010.  Ron served on numerous community organizations/committees:  Board of Directors at Union National Bank, City of Sparta Board of Review, La Crosse Chamber of Commerce government Action Committee, Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bike Museum-Finance Committee, Sparta Boy’s and Girl’s Club Board, Morrow Memorial Home Finance Committee, Rolling Hills Committee on Patient Advocacy Rights, United Way, President of Sparta Alumni Association, and the Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Committee.  Ron believed in service to his community and cherished the relationships he made throughout his life.   

Ron enjoyed music from the 70’s (NO disco), golf, biking the Sparta-Elroy bike trail, trips up north with his close friends, refinishing woodwork, long walks and snowshoeing with his faithful canine companion. As a diehard Brewer and Packer fan, he was able to site statistics from games played many decades ago. 

Ron is survived by his wife, Karen, of Sparta; his daughters, Shelley (Fiancé Alex Enyi) Wall of Minneapolis, and Kristine Wall of Chicago.  He is further survived by his siblings: Katherine Baird of Sparta, Mark (Connie) Wall of La Crosse, sister-in-law Pat Wall of Sparta, Aunt Jan Wall of Cashton, along with numerous nieces and nephews and cousins, as well as his beloved pets, Marley and Richard. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Doris Wall, his brother, Karl, brother-in-law, Ron Baird, and his nephew, Mark Wall. 

Ron’s family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude for the compassionate care he received while a resident at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center for the past three years. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to Rolling Hills Activity Fund, Chasing Daylight Animal Shelter, Monroe County Dog Shelter, or Trinity Lutheran Church.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sparta, with Reverend Josh Buzbee officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta.

Family and friends are invited for visitation from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, and from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements. 

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