Cliferd Vernon Ostrem

Cliferd V. Ostrem, age 99, of Viroqua, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Vernon Memorial Hospital. He was born on October 15, 1925, in Jefferson township, Viroqua, WI to Ole Tollack and Anna (Gabrielson) Ostrem.

Cliferd grew up on the farm with his parents and siblings: Olga, Thelma, Alice, and Tilfred; a brother, Tillman H., died before he was three.

Cliferd went to school at Colonel May. He started farming full-time with his mom at age 14, until age 19, when he purchased the farm and Anna moved to La Crosse. Cliferd married Ethelmae Wiedman on January 19, 1945. Together they farmed and raised their three children. They raised tobacco, milked cows, and built several of the farm buildings.

When Cliferd was 40, he purchased a lot in Viroqua from Orbec Sherry. He and Ethelmae and her dad, Bill Wiedman, built a new house there. He was proud of the fact that they built the house themselves and didn’t need to borrow any money.

Along with farming, Cliferd worked at Allis Chalmers in La Crosse and then at the Vernon County Highway Department until he retired in his 60’s. He and Ethelmae enjoyed restoring the Farmall B and Co-op tractors, and various machinery. They liked going to auctions, going to the cabin with LaVern and Lucille, and going to CMA dances. Cliferd was very proud of his red pickups and Massey tractors.

Later, when Ethelmae went into the nursing home, Cliferd went every morning and every evening to help her with her meals! They had 74 years of marriage before she died on March 21, 2019. After her death, Cliferd enjoyed 3:00 p.m. coffee with the guys, exercise three mornings/week at the Heart Center, walking at the fairgrounds, riding his ATV and UTV, family gatherings, and Friday evening fish frys. And, of course, he continued to do a little farming. He stayed active his whole life. He was a marvel to his friends, and an excellent role model for his family.

Cliferd is survived by his two daughters, Janelle Thompson and Candace (Ross Everson) Litsey; five grandchildren: Shannon Erickson, Chad (Shanna Brost) Erickson, Wesley (Amy Sandersfeld) Litsey, Ben (Jen) Olson, and Jenna (Jacob) Schneider; six step-grandchildren: John (Ginny) NeCollins, Katherine (Frank) Vandenbergh, Evon (Jim) Schuenke, Lynnette (Mike) DeWall, Andrea (Raj Khiani) Thompson, and Michaelynn (Bill) Anglin; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethelmae; his son and daughter-in-law, Terry (Butch) and Paula Ostrem; his sons-in-law, Daniel Litsey and Van Thompson; and all of his and Ethelmae’s brothers and sisters.

He will be missed by so many.

Blessed be his memory to us.

A Funeral Service for Cliferd will be held at Noon on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. A luncheon will be held at the funeral home immediately following the service. Cliferd will be laid to rest at Bethel Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Viroqua, next to his wife, Ethelmae.

Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Cliferd's family.

123 W. Decker St.

Viroqua, WI 54665

608-637-2100