Allan Albert Spaulding

On Saturday, February 28, 2026, Allan Albert Spaulding, loving husband and father of
four boys, passed away, surrounded by family, at Riverside Assisted Living in Neillsville,
Wisconsin at age eighty-eight.
Celebrating a remarkable life, well lived: Al was born August 27, 1937, in Arcadia,
Wisconsin to Albert and Dorothy (Ginther) Spaulding, the oldest of two sons. He grew
up in the west-central Wisconsin communities of La Crosse and Melrose, loving
athletics and embracing the vibrant agrarian community, graduating from Melrose High
School in 1955.
Al met Lois Bredlow, the Jackson County Home Economics Agent in Black River Falls,
Wisconsin and wed July 25, 1959, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Watertown, Wisconsin. In 1959 the young couple purchased their first piece of real
estate north of Black River Falls on West Road, known as Halls Creek Tree Farm.
The young Spaulding family relocated to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where Al was a
member of the Wauwatosa Fire Department. Returning to Black River Falls and opening
Spaulding Texaco in 1964. The Spauldings were remarkable, lifelong business owners
and entrepreneurs. In addition to Spaulding Texaco, endeavors include, Al’s Big Chief
Truck Stop & Restaurant, Trucks of Wisconsin, The River House Restaurant, Black
River Falls’ beloved Tastee Treat and the horse and livestock operations associated
with Thunderbird Farms. Of course, exhibiting champion Morgan Horses across the
country was the day’s order.
Al, a pillar in the Black River Falls community, was a long time Black River Falls
volunteer fireman, city council member, church council member, and active supporter of
the area food pantries. He worked closely with Dr. Charles Aprahamin to pioneer
Emergency Medical Services Training (EMS) to Jackson County. He served as Director
of Emergency Management in Jackson County and then La Crosse County, retiring in
2003. Anyone ever spending time with Al knows his master storyteller propensity, loving
to recant stories particularly of many interesting escapades in his emergency
management roles.
Al avidly researched and archived reams of data on Spaulding Family genealogy and is
a family authority on Spaulding Family history since Edward Spalding’s 1619
Jamestown landing. A voracious reader and always the avid sports fan, particularly high
school basketball, closely following his children’s and grandchildren’s high school and
college athletic careers, seldom missing any of their games. A longtime member of
Black River Falls Evangelical Lutheran Church, he worshipped regularly, enjoying
summer Sunday services on Lake Arbutus in Hatfield.
Allan is preceded in death by his spouse, Lois and parents, Albert and Dorothy
Spaulding and survived by sons – Scott, Craig, Jeff and Kevin; grandchildren – Justin,

Sara, Jack, Emma, Spencer and Abby; two great-grandsons – Jaden and Cru; one
great-granddaughter – Bryn; his brother Daniel Spaulding of Onalaska, Wisconsin; and
numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitations are Monday, March 16, 2026, 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Torgeson’s Funeral Home,
408 N. Water Street, Black River Falls and at the church, 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March
17. Funeral services are Tuesday, March 17, 11:00 AM at Black River Falls Evangelical
Lutheran Church, 115 North 5th Street, Black River Falls. A luncheon immediately
follows the service at the church. Internment is 2:00 PM, Tuesday, March 17 at Melrose
Cemetery, ST HWY 54, Melrose, Wisconsin.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials made to Black River Falls Evangelical
Lutheran Church, Interfaith Volunteers Black River Falls or Friends Sharing Food of
Jackson County in Allan’s name.