Jandt Fredrickson Funeral Home & Crematory | Condolences for William "Bill" Coleman

I just stumbled upon this on Christmas Day 2023. My late sincere condolences to the family. Mr. Coleman was most admired middle school teacher back in the early 80s. I will always remember his humbleness and kindness not to mention great talents. I was fortunate to play middle school basketball for him not to mention take several art classes with Mr. Coleman. He gave me the love for remote controlled vehicles of all kinds. I still remember to this day his RC grasshopper car that he would show his students during recess. He will truly be missed and I want to say he impacted my life and my life has been touched by his. What a great educator.

From Kao Vang

My sincerest condolences to Sarah, his wife,& to his precious & I'm sure heart broken children. I was telling my daughter,who is in her 30's & a good friend of mine about how I had this awesome art teacher in middle sch.at Logan & how he wld bring snakes to class & wld let us walk around with them wrapped around us. And anytime I had any kind of problem, no matter what it was he and I wld take a walk thru the hallways while I talked & he listened so we cld figure it all out. I don't think my daughter truly believed me about this greater then life man. But then my good friend who was also listening spoke up & broke my heart by confirming that he did exist,that he's heard about him from alot of people over the yrs.& how they just had some form of celebration of life at Lincoln middle & that he was no longer with us. I just broke down. Such a wonderful man God took him way to soon. My thoughts & prayers are with u all. GOD BLESS. A.EDBERG

From

Thanks Bill, I remember Him motioning a group of dirtballs across the street on the church steps to get over here, and they did! And the big snakes he would show in art class!

From paul h brugger

Fondly remembering Bill and the years working at Lincoln Middle School. We almost always arrived at the same time in the morning and parked our cars on Ferry Street. He would often wait for me and we walked in together. He called me Mrs. G. Condolences to his family. He was a good man.

From Joan Guentz

I not only had Mr. Coleman as my art teacher when I attended Lincoln Middle School, I was blessed to continue to know him and see the impact he made as an invaluable member of the La Crosse community. His wife, Sarah, changed my life when I became involved in her social justice work while I was at Central High School. I also met and worked alongside their beloved daughter, Kalista, who was a beam of sunshine. There are not a lot of words that can capture the magic that was Mr. Coleman. He impacted countless young people and inspired droves of people. I will never forget, and think of him often, whenever I hear someone say, "Can I...." We would say, "Mr. Coleman can I go to the bathroom?" He would look at us and say, "I don't know can you?" We finally learned to say, "Mr. Coleman MAY I go to the bathroom?" Sending love and prayers to Sarah, Kalista, Kailus and Nikki - as well as all who loved him.

From Rose Reinert

Mr Coleman was one of my favorite teachers- art class at Lincoln middle. He helped us make art we didnâ€™t think we were capable of. He challenged our notions of respect and fear- although Iâ€™m still afraid of snakes. He actually played good movies on the rare movie day. My life is better because I had him as a teacher.

From Erika Ruud

This is so sad. I was just telling my fiancee about the wonderful, Mr.Coleman and how he brought snakes to art class, how he'd engage every student. He'd meet each child at their level and really took the time to find out what interested the student. Mr. Coleman was friends with my Uncle Kevin Zoerb and he'd purchase reptiles from him so he knew a bit about my family. He knew I was picked on in school and he knew about my ADHD, he would really talk to me and would make me feel important as well as being a great art teacher. I'm just so sad to learn of his passing.

From Michelle ( Missi ) Prestwood-Boness

Best teacher ever!! I had him for art class at Logan Middle School. I will never forget him bringing those snakes to school and walking a pet alligator down the hallway. He also bet me he could take two bricks and break them in half, if he did I had to make him a german choc. cake....Little did i know he was a black belt in karate..He enjoyed the cake..RIP Mr. Coleman. Thank You for all the good advice.You will be missed.

From Holly (Anderson)Brenner

To Sarah Kalista and family. Tawni and I send our sincere condolences. Bill was my one of my football coaches at Logan and personally help nurse a torn muscle in my throwing shoulder to health. He introduced me to large rubber bands and resistance training that sped up the recovery. He would always challenge us players to not neglect our stretching but more importantly, he was a constant source of optimism and joy even during those long "two-a-day" practices in the "Swamp" at Swanson's Field. Coach will be sorely missed. Ron

From Ron Kind

While teaching in the La Crosse school district, I would occasionally cross paths with Bill. I always found him to be a very interesting and engaging person. He could always put a smile on a personâ€™s face. I very sorry to hear that he left us too early. My condolences, John Servais

From John Servais

Prayers sent ðŸ™ to the coleman family,mr.coleman was awesome teacher and coach and all around great person to talk to. As a adult I decided to buy some snakes and I got ahold of mr.coleman and had the pleasure of talking with him about my boa and pythons.i would run into him from time to time and we talked about alot of things.i got to see him race his boats down at the park.he was definitely one of a kind.he was definitely a asset to our community and a big thank you to the coleman family for sharing him with us.i wish the whole world was full of people just like you. Rest in peace big fella ðŸ™

From Jim Richards

Mr. Coleman was the most captivating teacher I ever had. I fondly remember doing our artwork while listening to amazing stories like when he had to wrestle one of his pythons from a storm drain after it escaped their house. Also, the one from his childhood where he had a dream he was flying but in reality there was a fire at his house and his dad had thrown him from the doorway to a neighbor. He was a gentle giant who truly cared about his students. My sincerest condolences to his family.

From Kim (Gould) Salisian

Dear Sarah, Kalista, and family, Please accept my sincerest condolences. I know this has been a difficult journey, but I'm hoping that when you remember Bill, it will be the happy memories that are dominant and make you smile. He loved you all so much!

From Kraig Brownell

Mr. Coleman coached me in basketball at Logan Middle, and I can profoundly remember one conversation we had and I often recall it in detail. One basketball season: impacting young kids back then who are now raising their own kids in this greater community today. To his family my sincerest condolences. Coach Colemanâ€™s reach is truly immeasurable.

From Al DeBauche

Mr. Coleman was my middle school art teacher at Logan Middle School in 1980. I remember his kind , supportive encouragement for all students. Iâ€™m sure all of his students from Logan Middle recall that he brought one of his snakes in for us to view or hold every Friday! I wonder how many of his former students have pictures with one of Mr. Colemanâ€™s snakes. In 1991, I began my own teaching career at Lincoln Middle School and Mr. Coleman became Bill and one of my beloved colleagues. I remember his calm presence, willingness to listen, and deep chuckle. His students absolutely loved him! As a math teacher at Lincoln, I also had the pleasure of teaching Billâ€™s children, Kalista and Kailus, and Billâ€™s grandson, James. My sincere condolences go out to his wife, Sarah and all of Billâ€™s family and friends. A gentle giant he was. Heâ€™s sure to be deeply missed by his family, friends, and former students. Blessings to all of you.

From Kim Stoflet

I am so very sorry for your loss. Best art teacher EVER! I was just telling my daughter last week about Mr. Coleman and the snakes he would bring to class and wear around his neck after offering us the chance to pet it. <3. HE is the reason snakes don't scare me!

From Diana Clark, former student at Logan Middle

His influence on me in middle school art class and on the football field sticks with me today. I looked up to Bill as a role model in many ways and have made a career out of art due to his teachings and encouragement. I have thought about him often throughout my life and how grateful I am to have had him as a guide in my early life. Condolences to all who he has touched. He will live on through his legacy. Mr. Coleman, your spirit and kindness will be missed but never forgotten.

From Mark Kramer- Former Logan Middle School student

I remember working with Bill at a summer wrestling camp at UWL. I had heard his name previously but never really met him personally. Well, what I remember is his big smile as we shook hands. Then his enthusiasm, in the wrestling room, he took the young boys attending over with his enthusiasm. It was all within the first minute and he took over, the entire group and me. I was so impressed with this young man, and will also remember Bill that way. Rest In Peace Bill!

From Jim Bagniewski

He was a wonderful teacher. He was so muc fun to have in middle school. He was a pall bearer for my cousin's funeral whenI was younger. He will be missed. He always had a wonderful laugh.

From Sabrina Beach ( Conner)

Rest in Peace great sir. Will forever be missed you had such a impact on my sports and life in general at Lincoln Middle school. Thank you for helping through so much like you did with 1000s of kids. You will never be forgotten. Much love until we see each other againâ¤ï¸

From Ricky Shawley

Mr. Coleman was such a wonderful person with so much personality. He has always been one of my favorite teachers. He was always so encouraging and I still have so many memories from art class at Lincoln as well as having him show up at my neighbor's house to casually pick up and take away a pregnant rattlesnake that everyone was panicking about. I feel lucky that I got to have him as a teacher. He was truly special.

From Kelsey Taunt

He was my art teacher and football coach at Logan. He was such a great man who I looked up to. He always had a smile and wanted nothing but the best for us.

From Brad Duffrin

I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Bill at Logan Middle. I worked with the Hmong students, who loved art, because their English skills weren't needed as much in Bill's classes. And how they loved Bill! Bill was such a kind man. One of my students wanted to become an art teacher because of Bill. I pray that God sends extra grace to help you through this grieving process, and that fond memories will be plentiful. As I write this, I am smiling at the image of Bill in the arms of the angels. God bless all of you.

From Mary Keefe Barrett

Sending my deepest sympathy to Sarah and the kids. Bill was a bigger than life person in many ways. His love for things good will always be special memories to keep in your hearts. May these help to heal the hole left in the tapestry of your lives. Karen Hansen (Emerson 4th grade teacher)

From Karen Hansen

Sent with love and remembrance of Bill. With deepest condolences to the Coleman family.

From KATHLEEN JOHNSON

I KNOW BILL COLEMAN HE WAS MY TEACHER AND LOGAN MIDDLE IN LACROSSE WE ALWAYS CALL HIM SNAKEMAN HE NICE TEACHER HE WILL BE MISSED THANK YOU HEATHER PITZ

From heather pitz

I used to play Basketball With Bill at the YMCA and we were teammates. On several league teams I used to call him Darryl Dawkins and would yell Double D and he would post up and I would get him the ball. Just a great man who will be missed

From Mike Lahart

I played basketball with Bill at the YMCA and he was a great guy. I enjoyed talking with him. Even though I hadn't seen him in a number of years, I always considered him a friend. My deepest sympathies to his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

From Timothy Irish

Sorry for your loss Sarah and family. Bill taught our oldest boys Art at Lincoln, and likely some life lessons too! They respected him.

From Mark & Maureen Neuville

Sarah I'm so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. What an incredible person he was. I remember him as being kind to everyone and an advocate for all students. He's an icon for the School District of La Crosse.

From Joe Beran

Played basketball at the Y league with Bill Coleman we were the "mad dogs". Surprisingly nimble and crafty for such a big powerful man. Kind hearted and thoughtful off the court. Godspeed Bill.

From Rich Lind

What a great man who will be sorely missed. The lives touched by this man, his creativity and his heart are innumerable. I will always remember Bill and the good that he brought to my life. May he rest in peace.

From Mary Stutesman