Carol Marie (Fleming) Thompson
Carol Marie (Fleming) Thompson, age 80, entered into eternal life on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at Vernon Manor Nursing Home in Viroqua.
Carol was born on March 15, 1929, to James Ira and Julia Ann (Strait) Fleming. Her birth took place in the house her father built at 120 Lincoln St. in Viroqua. Carol lived in the Viroqua area all of her life and following her May 1947 graduation from Viroqua High School, she was employed at Felix’s Clothing Store in Viroqua, the Viroqua Telephone Company and the County Extension Office.
On Oct. 3, 1950 (her mother’s birthday), Carol married Agrim Orlando Thompson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple lived in De Soto, Red Mound and then Viroqua in 1959. While raising her children, Carol was employed at the Tobacco Leaf Company, then as a grocery cashier with A&P followed by Ted’s and Fred’s. She retired September 1991. Carol was an assistant Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s troop and her voice could be heard above all the rest at her son’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. Her backyard was a haven for a variety of birds and they were always well fed. Carol served as a Sunday school teacher, volunteered at the hospital gift shop and was a member of both the Busy Hour Homemakers and the Vernon County Historical Society. The time she shared with her quilting gals was precious to her. Carol had great respect for the past and treasured items from her childhood.
Collections adorned her home and she enjoyed scouring those “junk places” for just the right trinket. She decorated in the “country look” long before it became fashionable to do so. Carol’s favorite holiday was Christmas and each year you would find her working on a wide array of projects, especially her beloved counted cross-stitch treasures. Many of her creations were gifts to family and friends, and others were donated to the Festival of Trees, the hospital gift shop and the Holiday Tree at our Governor’s Mansion in Madison. Carol was organized, determined and tender-hearted. Despite several battles with cancer, her courage and positive attitude were an inspiration to many. She touched many lives during her time with us and she will be sadly missed.
She is survived by her children, Jody (Jim) O’Neil of Beaver Dam, Gary Thompson of Viroqua, Larry Thompson of Sacramento, Calif. and Gregg (Jill) Thompson of La Crosse; grandchildren: Wendy (Michael) Rhodes of Waukesha, Jenny (Justin) Schieffer of Rice Lake, Brandon Thompson of Salt Lake City, Utah, Heather, Sarah, Casey, Heidi, Neenah and Daniel Thompson of La Crosse; step-grandchildren, Maureen (Jonathan) Miner of Madison and Eric O’Neil of Oshkosh; great-grandchildren, Emily and Kaden Rhodes, Nicole and Bryce Schieffer and Estrella “Ella” Woyczik; brother, Ruel Fleming; in-laws, Barbara Thompson, Margery Green, Ken (Ann) Thompson and Virginia Fleming.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Agrim in 1996; her parents; her in-laws, Albert and Gunda Thompson; sisters, Doris (Gerald) Henry and Ruth Fleming (infant); brothers, Donald (Gladys), James (Blanche), Howard (Maxine) and Raymond Fleming; in-laws, Donna Fleming, William Thompson, Elaine (Wenzel) Thompson, Irene (Harry) Lake, Barbara (DeVerne) Curtis and Donald Green.
A memorial service celebrating Carol’s life will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2009, at the Viroqua Church of Christ, 825 Nelson Parkway in Viroqua. The family will greet guests from 1:30 p.m. until time of service at 3 p.m., with a social gathering to follow. Pastor Rich Maurer, her pastor from Grace E.F. Church, will officiate.
We’re sincerely grateful to those of you who touched Mom’s life with your kindness, friendship, love and compassion.
In lieu of flowers and plants, the family requests memorials be directed to the Grace E.F. Church Building Fund, 500 E. Jefferson St., Viroqua or Sugar Creek Bible Camp, Ferryville.
The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family. Online condolences may be offered at www.vos seteigfuneralhomes.com.
Richard E. “Rich” Rothwell
Richard E. “Rich” Rothwell, age 76 of Greendale, Wis., found peace on Friday, May 22, 2009.
Richard was born and raised in Viroqua. He retired from Bucyrus Int. after 43 years. He was an active member of the American Legion Greendale Post 416 and a member of the firing squad.
He was the loving husband and best friend of Connie (nee Rumsey) for 55 years; best dad, lifeguide and friend of Peggy, Pam, Cindy (Keith) and Chris (Jennifer; proud grandpa of Joe (Lisa), Lea, Jim, Dave, Mike, Craig, Trevor, Amy and Evan; brother to Donald (Laura). He is further survived by other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Craig; and a granddaughter, Lisa.
A memorial service was held on Thursday, May 28, 2009, at St. Stephen The Martyr Lutheran Church in Greendale. Visitation was held before the time of the service. A private interment was at Forest Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Post 416 will be appreciated.
Marie K. Yttri
Marie K. Yttri, age 85 of De Soto, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2009, in her Spring Hill, Florida home surrounded by her children.
Marie was born on Feb. 21, 1924, to Petra and Olai Wanberg in Ferryville. She attended Ferryville Elementary School and later graduated from Lansing High School. On Oct. 30, 1943, she was united in marriage to Vilas Yttri of De Soto. They were married at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Soon after their marriage, Vilas was sent overseas to fight in World War II, eventually becoming a prisoner of war. Marie did her patriotic duty and went to Milwaukee and worked in a munitions factory. After Vilas returned from the war, they established a dairy farm in the De Soto area. She served as school board clerk for Sunnyside Elementary School for many years. Marie was very active in De Soto Lutheran Church. She served as Sunday School superintendent, ladies aide president and she was an active member of her circle. After they retired, Vilas took a job running the school busses for De Soto Area Schools. Marie often filled in as secretary and anything else that was needed. Following a second retirement, Vilas and Marie split their time between their home in Wisconsin and their home in Spring Hill, Fla. While in Florida, they were active in Nativity Lutheran Church in Weeki Wachee. Marie was a voracious reader and could devour a book in a day. She loved her homes in De Soto and Spring Hill. She was a devoted wife, parent and grandparent.
Marie is survived by her two children, Allen of Munster, Ind., and Kathy of Tampa, Fla. Other survivors include her grandchildren, Eric Yttri, Emily Yttri, Heather Dorris, Nathan Dorris and Justin Dorris.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vilas; her parents; her daughter, Delana; and infant son, Thomas.
Funeral service was Saturday, May 30, 2009, at the De Soto Lutheran Church. The Rev. Dr. Steven Fossum officiated with burial in the De Soto Lutheran Cemetery, rural De Soto. Friends called on Friday evening at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in De Soto and at the church on Saturday before the time of service. Online condolences may be offered at www.vos seteigfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be made to the De Soto Lutheran Church Building Fund.
The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of De Soto served the family.
Herman A. Mason
Herman A. Mason, age 94 years, 11 months, 11 days, died Tuesday, May 26, 2009, in the 11th hour at the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. He was formerly of rural Cashton.
Born June 15, 1914, to Arlo and Jessie (Higgins) Mason in Webster Township, Vernon County. Later they moved to Asbury Ridge, where he started school, then moved to rural Avalanche, where the family farmed. Herman served in a CCC camp in order to pay off his family’s farm during the Great Depression. When Herman was 30, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1944, when Velma was 22, Herman and Velma Elaine Currier were married at the home of Velma’s parents, outside of Cashton. They lived at his family’s farm at Avalanche for three years before buying the family farm in Brush Creek, east of Cashton, where Velma had lived as a child. They lived there for the next 50 years, raising their five children there. When farm prices did not fully support the family, Herman took a job selling life insurance; he later worked at the Cashton generator plant until he opened his own motor repair business in the basement of his home for 30 years. They sold the farm in 1998 and moved to a house by Perch Lake in Sparta, for the next 11 years. When Velma’s health failed, they decided to move to the Morrow Home together, rather than be separated. This is where he was on May 26, 2009, when he went home to his Lord.
Herman is survived by his wife of 64 years, Velma; son, Gary E. (Marge) Mason; three daughters, Avis (Hall) Marino, Janis (Steven) Hanson and Patty (Ervin) Elsen of Sparta; a daughter-in-law, Sheila Mason; nine grandsons, Wayne Ma-son, Mi-cheal (Ka-thy) Ma-son, Christopher Mason, Scott (Mandy) Mason, Brandon (Kristine Ostrem) Hall, Shannon (Becky) Hall, Stacy (Jamie) Hanson, Robbie (Brooke Pederson) Hanson and Jay (Kara) Elsen; one step-grandson, Roger (Anne) Bass; one granddaughter, Penny (Dave) McMurray; one step-granddaughter, Lynne Bass; 21 ½ great-grandchildren and significant others; six step-great grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and one step-great-great-grandchild; a very special friend and fishing buddy, Leo Woods; a very spoiled cat, Buddy; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Herman was preceded in death by his parents, Arlo and Jessie Mae Mason; one son, Alan R. Mason; three brothers, Everett and his wife, Marjorie, Thomas and his wife, Mildred and Robert who died as a child; one sister, Elsie and her husband John Sisbach; two nephews, David and Robert Mason; and one great-nephew, Michael Thompson.
Funeral services were held, Saturday, May 30, 2009, at the Community Baptist Church in Ontario. Pastor Bruce Milleman officiated. Burial was in the Home Cemetery, rural Ontario. Family and friends were invited for visitation Friday evening, May 29, 2009, at Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario.
Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario, assisted the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneral home.com.
