Benjamin N. “Ben” Kirchoff, 93, of Sparta died Sunday, March 19, 2006 at Hillview Health Care Center, La Crosse. He was born on November 15, 1912, in Belle Plaine, MN. Ben was eleventh of thirteen children born to Bernard H. and Catherine (Collins) Kirchoff. In September of 1935 he moved to Sparta and entered a mortuary apprentice program with the Lanham Funeral Home and Furniture Store. He was licensed in the State of Wisconsin as an embalmer in 1938 and a funeral director in 1939. Ben married Mary Ann Felzer on June 25, 1938, at St. James The Less Catholic Church in La Crosse. She died on March 3, 2002.

     Late in World War II he was drafted and served with the Army Medical Corps. Following the war he became a member of the Wisconsin National Guard and was an Honorary Life member of the O.L. Arnold-D.K. Slayton American Legion Post 100, Sparta. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and an Honorary Life member of the Knights of Columbus Council # 4592, Sparta.

     Ben became owner of the Lanham Funeral Home in 1960. Following his sale of the business, in 1971, he continued to work, on a part-time basis, for the new owner as well as several other funeral homes in the Monroe County area. It wasn’t until 2001, after serving 63 years, that he discontinued all involvement in his profession. In recent years, Ben enjoyed his gardening and woodworking. He made everything from rocking horses, clocks, rocking chairs and quilt racks, to a cradle, which has been made use of by most of his great-grandchildren.

     He is survived by two sons, James M. (Sharon) Kirchoff of La Crosse, David F. (Ethel) Kirchoff of St. Petersburg, FL; eight grandchildren, Jodi (Rob) Miller, Jerry (Rhonda) Kirchoff, Jennifer (Chris) Gloede, Shannon (Ken) Foster, Kimberly (Rick) Ling, Lola (Robert) Gregory, John Kirchoff and Troy (Natasha) Kircrchoff; 16 great grandchildren; a great great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

     In addition to his wife, Mary Ann he was preceded in death by his parents; a sister and eleven brothers.

     Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta with Father James Leary O.F.M. Cap. officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by V.F.W. Post 2112 and American Legion Post 100 will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery.

     Friends may call at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta on Wednesday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of services.

      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hillview Health Care Center in Ben’s memory. A complete obituary will be in the Wednesday LaCrosse Tribune.

     The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.