Marilyn J Wigdahl
December 16, 1931
October 25, 2021

Marilyn worked tirelessly on behalf of the union movement for decades. She was a President of AFSCME 1449 and Vice President of the WWAFL-CIO, & she served her community as a La Crosse City Councilwoman. Her daughter (Sue Beil) is one of only two females to hold the office of president of the WWAFLCIO, and her son-in-law (Marty Beil) rose to prominence as a state and national leader in the public employee union movement. Marilyn was first a delegate to the council, later she was one of the original six who were bestowed the title of “Honorary Delete” to the WWAFLCIO.

Dan Hanson
September 16, 1951
October 31, 2022

Daniel P. Hanson, 71, passed away on Monday October 31, 2022, after losing a courageous battle with cancer. Dan was retired from BCT & GM Local 22 (Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International Union) and served on the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO E-Board for more than a decade.
Dan worked tirelessly for many years as the Community Services Labor Liaison to the Great Rivers United Way, serving both his community and the local labor council with zeal.

Mike Koziara
February 28, 1960
June 11, 2024

Mike Koziara, vice president emeritus of the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO, passed away at the age of 64 on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. He was a lifelong railroad employee with plenty of stories to tell. He served as vice president of the WWAFLCIO for more than a decade under the leadership of then-President Terry Hicks. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance and Way Engineers 509 (Teamsters) and was a member of the board for the La Crosse, Burlington Credit Union. He also organized the front-end of the La Crosse Labor Day parade for over twenty years. Michael enjoyed tinkering in his shed, hunting, fishing and spending time with his dog Sam. He was a really good speaker and knew how to work a room with using his gift for gab.

Vicki Ash
November 18, 2024

Vicki Ash, 75, passed away Monday, November 18, 2024. She retired from AFGE 1346, she was a former WWAFLCIO Executive Board, former WWAFLCIO Guide, and dedicated
many years of service to the labor movement.

Vicki was predeceased by her parents, Richard C. Ash and Mavis J. Ash (Johnson). She is survived by her brothers, Gerald Ash of La Crosse and David Ash of Rice Lake; her daughter Dawna Svacina of Clearwater, FL; her nephews, Ryan and Joshua Ash of Rice Lake; and her cousins, Karen, Rod and Penny. She is also survived by four grandnephews and two grandnieces.