Frank A. Koval, 89, of Independence, died Sunday, September 28, 2025, at his home.
Frank was born April 6, 1936, in Wickham Valley, rural Independence, to Frank and Angeline
(Kokott) Koval. He married Mary Ann Hertzfeldt on January 23, 1960, at Sacred Heart of Jesus
Catholic Church in Mondovi. Frank worked for Concrete Construction in Milwaukee, Ebner
Construction in La Crosse and BNB Concrete of Eau Claire, and was a member of the OPCMIA
Union, Local 257, La Crosse WI.
Frank was an outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He took fishing trips to Algoma for
salmon, Superior for smelt netting, Lake Winnebago for sturgeon fishing, the back waters of the
Mississippi to ice fish, but most of all he enjoyed trout fishing on banks of the Elk Creek at
their home in Independence. He was a constructor and rebuilder, helping to design and build
multiple pole barns and sheds for friends and family in the area and helped his children
remodel homes and construct new additions. He had the ability to fix or construct almost
anything. His children were blessed to have learned so much from him and experience so many
life lessons that helped guide them in raising their families and gave them an appreciation for
life in a rural community.
In retirement, Frank enjoyed woodworking in his shop, gardening, riding in his Gator, and
spending time with family, especially with his grandchildren.
Frank will be deeply missed by his wife of 65 years: Mary Ann; children: Keith (Joan) Koval of
Arcadia, Kevin (Sandra) Koval of Independence, Karen (Jon) Tomter of Onalaska, Ken (Rhonda)
Koval of Independence, Kathy (Jeff) Brenny of Whitehall, Kraig Koval of Independence and Kris
(Jeff) Crebo of Holmen; sister: Angeline Klimek; 12 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers; Alosie Koval and Clarence Kowhal; sisters:
Laurine Koval, Marian Karash, and Leona Slaby; brothers-in-law: Andrew Slaby, Ralph
Wiersgalla, Vincent Karasch, La Verne Hertzfeldt, Eugene Hertzfeldt, and Gus Klimek; sisters-in-
law: Leora Kowhal, Theresa Hertzfeldt and Agnes Hertzfeldt; and great-granddaughter: Kora
Koval.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025, at S.S. Peter and
Paul Catholic Church in Independence with Father George Thayilkuzhitottu officiating. Family
and friends are welcome for visitation from 9:30 a.m. to the time of mass at church on Friday.
Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the S.S. Peter and Paul
Restoration Fund. To express condolences to his