William H. “Bill” Hamann, age 93 of Prairie du Chien, passed away Thursday, October 8, 2026, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on November 24, 1932, to Herman and Anna (McCarthy) Hamann. Bill served in the U.S. Navy for four years in the early 1950’s. He met the love of his life, Rita Klema, at The Checkerboard dance hall in Prairie du Chien. They were married on June 17, 1959, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wauzeka, WI. Together, they raised 6 children in rural Prairie du Chien. Bill was a talented carpenter and woodworker, building 3 different homes for his family, as well as much of the furniture within. He taught Industrial Arts and Technical Education at Prairie du Chien High School for 26 years. Postretirement, he applied his woodworking skills refacing kitchen and bathroom cabinets and countertops. Other pastimes included building horse carriages, raising horses, and tending to his property. Although he eventually acknowledged that he was “too old to drive”, apparently that did not apply to his little blue tractor, and he continued to enjoy taking it for a spin around the pastures.
He loved spending time with his grandchildren, and a visit to Grandma and Grandpa’s often involved pony rides, or Grandpa towing a gang of grandchildren on a thrilling tractor ride through the woods. Bill was a devoted father, grandfather, and husband as shown by his loving care and devotion to his wife, especially during her final years of life. His family will remember him for his strength, sense of humor, and fine Christian qualities.
Bill was a lifetime active member of St. Gabriel’s Church of the Holy Family Parish in Prairie du Chien. Bill’s wife Rita preceded him in death on December 14, 2023, after 64 years of marriage. He is survived by 6 children Jeffrey (Pamela), Mark, and Gary (Kelly) Hamann, Barbara (James) Welsch, Dianne (Kevin) Bay, and Thomas (Nicole) Hamann; 19 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 2 great great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Jean Hamann.
The family would like to thank Crossing Rivers Health, Gundersen Health, and Agrace Hospice for their compassionate care and support.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Gabriel’s Church of the Holy Family Parish, Fr. Brandon Guenther officiating, with interment in the Calvary Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien.
Military Honors will be accorded by the Prairie du Chien Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Prairie Catholic School in Prairie du Chien. www.garrityfuneralhome.com (http://www.garrityfuneralhome.com/)
