Anthony Victor Trentin
July 19, 1946-May 2, 2025
Anthony V. “Tony” Trentin, 78, of Wyalusing, passed away at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse on May 2, 2025. Tony was born to Gerald and Helen (Baumer) Trentin on July 19, 1946. He graduated from Prairie du Chien High School in 1965 and earned his teaching certificate from Vernon County Teacher’s College in 1967. He later completed a degree in education at the University of Wisconsin Platteville. On May 5, 1973, he married Christine Garvey at the Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien. Together they moved to rural Wyalusing, where they raised three children and countless animals.
Tony was a teacher for 40 years, most of those at St. John’s/Prairie Catholic schools where he was known as Mr. T. He also coached basketball, cross country, and track in Prairie du Chien, Seneca, and Wauzeka. He enjoyed running and was active in Prairie’s over-30 softball league for many years.
Tony never met a stranger and his laugh was infectious. He had an incredible memory and loved talking about the old days and his childhood adventures, which included playing baseball on Strauman’s field in the 1950s and helping clean up after the flood of 1965. He believed cut-off jeans never went out of style and couldn’t pass a garage sale without stopping. He helped every injured animal he encountered, from snakes and mice to a bald eagle and a turkey vulture. His compassion, wit, and storytelling will be sorely missed.
Left to celebrate his memory are Chris, his beloved wife of 52 years; children Summer (Jared Ervine) Trentin of Denver CO, Kit Trentin of Des Moines IA, and Cody (Amanda) Trentin of Prairie du Chien; grandchildren Kinslee, Elsa, and Connor Trentin; siblings Jerry Trentin of Bagley, Sandra Rodenkirch of Prairie du Chien, and James Trentin of Prairie du Chien. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bruce.
A celebration of Tony’s life will be held at a future date. Memorial donations may be made to Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter in Prairie du Chien.
Tony’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Gundersen Lutheran for their compassionate care.
