Mount Pleasant – Allen James LaFave, age 76, passed away peacefully at Aurora-St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee, on Friday, September 29, 2023, surrounded with the love of family.

Allen was born in Prairie du Chien, WI on August 11, 1947 to Alfred and Rozella (nee: Dobbs) LaFave. He attended William Horlick High School until enlisting with the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Vietnam War, where he was injured and awarded The Purple Heart. Al did earn his GED in Okinawa, Japan while in the military. On December 20, 1980, Al was united in marriage with the love of his life, Colleen M. (nee: DeGarmo) LaFave.

Al had been employed with Young Radiator, Kranz Inc and Consolidated Freightways, from where he retired as a truck driver. Among many of his interests, Al enjoyed golfing (member of Ives Grove Monday Senior Men's League), hunting, fishing, horse racing (#241), and socializing with friends especially weekday mornings at the lakefront. Above all, Al loved and cherished spending time with all of his family.

Surviving are his loving wife, Colleen; children, Travis (Janie) LaFave, Amy (Earl) Ball and Andrew (Jayme Bergsrud) LaFave; grandchildren, Jade (Conner Johnson), Caleb (Lauren) and Madison LaFave; Lydia Ball; Andrew & Kaylee LaFave; great-granddaughter, Aurora Johnson; sister, Joyce (Richard) Bonini; brothers-in-law, Gary & William DeGarmo; sisters-in-law, Beatrice LaFave, and Mina DeGarmo; many beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.

In addition to his parents, Al was preceded in death by brothers, Edward & Gary LaFave; Colleen's parents, Kenneth and Margaret DeGarmo; sisters-in-law, Harriet LaFave and Marlene Hintz; and brothers-in-law, John & Timothy DeGarmo.

Services celebrating Al's life will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 12 noon. Visitation will be in the funeral home from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. Military honors and a memorial luncheon will follow. Private interment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

A heartfelt note of thanks to the wonderful staff at Aurora – St. Luke's Medical Center ICU for the compassionate care and support given in Al's time of need. May God bless all of you!