Fred Constalie

Fred Constalie, 76, of Westby, died July 13, 2016 at the Bland Bekkedal Center for Hospice Care. He was born June 8, 1940 to Stanley and Pauline (Oium) Constalie. After graduating from Westby High School, where he participated in sports and music, he joined the family plumbing company working with his grandfather, father, uncle, and cousin. He eventually became a master plumber. In 1961 he married Mary Ann Opsahl. Fred was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fly fish at his grandpas farm in Timber Coulee. He enjoyed hunting upland game and waterfowl with his family and friends on the Mississippi River and in North Dakota. He was a member of the Westby Rod and Gun and served on the Wisconsin Conservation Congress for many years. He spent years as a hunter safety instructor and as a part of the WHS football "chain gang". He instilled his respect for nature in his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the Snowflake Ski Club and its president twice. Over the years Fred and Mary hosted many Norwegian skiers who became life long friends. He travelled to Norway several times including a trip to the Holmenkollen Ski Festival and the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. On one of his trips he skied to the top of the Birkebiener trail at Sjusjen,a real treat! He skied the first 20 American Birkebieners, making him a member of the Founders Club. Together he and Mary toured Norway, England, Scotland, Greece, Spain, and Turkey. They made many golfing excursions to Louisiana and Mississippi and family fishing trips to Canada. Some of the best times were spent at their Reed Lake cabin near Hayward where they fished the Chippewa Flowage. Family was most important to Fred, be it hunting or fishing with Mary or the guys, going for walks with Mary and the dog, watching his grandkids participate in sports, watching his kids coach, or discussing news around the table. He was quick to find humor in any situation. He was fair and kind, a good man loved by many. He brought out the best in everyone. A man who always saw the positive things in life, Fred was always asked to give the toast at family gatherings and meals with friends. Fred is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Bob (Ingrid); daughter, Jenny (Mark) Luebke; grandchildren: Kyle and Kate Constalie, Erik and Elsa Luebke; his black lab, Mette; his cats: Bert and Ernie; and many many friends. "A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again." ~ Maya Angelou A memorial visitation will be held at the Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby from 2-5 pm on Saturday, July 16, 2016. In lieu of plants or flowers, memorials are preferred. Online Condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.