Elaine M. Lund

WESTBY Elaine M. Lund, age 89 died at Norseland Nursing Home in Viroqua, on Wednesday December 13, 2017. Elaine Mae Lund, age 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 13, 2017, at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby, where she had been a resident since February 2015. She was born on May 23, 1928, in Westby to John & Rosine (Hoilien) Swenson, and was the fourth of seven children. Elaine was raised by her aunt and uncle, Alma and Stanley Hoilien, and treated like one of their own. The love and respect she held in her heart for her family was clear from the light in her eyes when she spoke about growing up on a farm between Westby and Viroqua. Elaine lived in Westby her entire life and was a 1946 graduate of Westby High School. On September 28, 1955, Elaine was united in marriage to Tilford "Tip" Lund in Minneapolis. Tip was a member of the Westby Police Department for 19 years. Elaine and Tip were never blessed with any children of their own, but her love for youth was evident in many of her community projects she spearheaded through the years, including organizing the Norsemen Youth Club. Elaines involvement with history and keeping it a vital part of her hometown was extremely important to her. Her love for the Country Coon Prairie Church and its revitalization project landed it on the Wisconsin Historical Registry. As an active member of the Westby Area Historical Society, she was named the 2013 Volunteer of the Year. She spearheaded, fundraised and brainstormed to raise enough money to buy the Thoreson House, a part of Westbys past, present and future. Elaine was the president of the Country Coon Prairie Preservation for nearly 30 years, and was a long-time board member of the Westby Area Historical Society, Sons of Norway, Stabbur Tourism Center and WELCA-Avalanche Church. Her many roles with Westby Syttende Mai included the Kiddie Parade Chair for 12 years, and in 1994 she and Tip were honored as Parade Marshalls. Elaine was a board member of the Vernon County Crime Stoppers for over 20 years, and was also involved in the Vernon County Republican Ladies Group and the State of Wisconsin Area Tourism Council. She and Tip cut and sold Chirstmas trees at their home on Main Street for more than 35 years. In 2014, Elaine, along with dear friend Dave Amundson, co-edited "Fra Norge Til America Til Westby". Elaine is survived by one brother Daniel (Carol) Swenson, of St. Paul; a sister-in-law, Loris Swenson of St. Paul; several nieces and nephews; and a very special friend, Roxy Wedwick; also Collette and Colleen. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tip, in 1996; and siblings Lillian, Avenelle, Walen, Louise and David. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 on Monday, December 18, 2017, at the Country Coon Prairie Church in rural Westby. Friends and family may call at the church from 10:00 until the time of services. Pastor Daniel Wollman will officiate with burial following the services in the Coon Prairie Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Country Coon Prairie Church, the Westby Coon Prairie Church, the Westby Area Historical Society, or a charity of your choice. Online Condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.