LARRY "JOKER" D. BESSE

October 24, 1956 - May 22, 2013

Larry "Joker" D. Besse, 56, of Caledonia, died peacefully on Wed., May 22, 2013 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, LaCrosse, WI. He was born October 24, 1956 in Caledonia to Russell "Tubby" and Lorraine (Ryder) Besse. He graduated from Caledonia High School in 1975 and he married Mary Schutz July 9, 1983. Larry worked as an over the road truck driver for 40 years. During this time he logged over 5 million miles without an accident, a record he was very proud of. Larry was employed by DPW in La Crosse WI. He enjoyed sharing trucker stories and as Larry called them "conference calls" with his truck driver friends on their cb's and eventually on their cell phones. Larry loved fishing. especially the fishing trips "up north" with his family and with Gary Schutz and his family. He is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Trisha, Nathalie and Dylan Besse; parents, Russell "Tubby" and Lorraine Besse; siblings, Beverly (Lynn) Wenisch, Donald (Dorie) Besse and Darrin (Randy) Besse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am, Tues., May 28, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Caledonia. Father Gregory Leif will officiate and burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm on Monday at Holy Family Hall, next to the church, where a prayer service will be held at 6:30 pm. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church Tues. McCormick Funeral Home is assisting the family.