Donald Jerome Stalsberg

Donald Jerome Stalsberg, age 81, of Westby, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 21, 1943, to the late Victor and Myrtle (Erickson) Stalsberg in La Crosse, WI. Donald graduated from Westby High School in 1961, and married his high school sweetheart, Bernice Knitt, on November 30, 1963.

Donald and Bernice moved to the Rochester area where he worked at Marigold Dairies making ice cream. Their family moved back to the Westby area where they farmed from 1967 to 2002, milking Holstein cows. Donald and Bernice became members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Westby. After selling the farm, Donald “retired” from farming and went to work at NuZum’s Lumber where he worked with his brother, Virgil.

Donald was an avid sports fan, being a loyal Dodgers fan and he was an active member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles for many years. When the weather was warm, you could find Donald mowing the lawn, making it look better than the local golf courses. He also loved spending time outdoors and had a great passion for watching and feeding the birds. When the grandchildren were around, Donald’s spirit lit up as he loved his family so dearly.

His life was full of laughs and joy, his family always knowing he was “one step ahead of them”. Donald’s family will cherish all the memories and jokes that were shared amongst them all these years. One of the sayings that his family will always hold close to them is, “there’s two kinds of people in the world; Norwegians and the ones that wish they were”.

Donald is survived by his wife of 61 years, Bernice; daughters, Cheryl (David) Bean and Teri (Kevin) Mathison; six grandchildren: Andrea (Eric), Dexter (Misty), Dillon (Makayla), Caycee (Chase), Logan (Michael), and Jade; six great-grandchildren: Remi, Marley, Moxley, Maizley, Stella, and Jerome; his sisters, Delores (Mike) Eastvold and Judy (Randy) Schaub; his sister-in-law, Brenda Stalsberg; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Virgil Stalsberg.

Donald’s family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to nurses of Gundersen Hospice and the staff at the Benedictine Manor.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Westby. Pastor Randy Schaub will officiate. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Donald will be laid to rest at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Cemetery with a luncheon at the church to follow.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory in Westby is serving Donald's family.

708 S. Main Street

Westby, WI 54667

(608) 634-2100