Elaine Audrey Olson

Elaine Audrey Olson, age 88, of Westby and formerly of Coon Valley, passed away peacefully, with family by her side, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. She was born on September 8, 1936, to Henry and Elnora (Dopson) Stakston in LaCrosse, WI.

She was the Valedictorian of Cashton High School’s Class of 1954. After high school, she worked at Borgen’s Café, where she met her future husband, Ardell Olson. They were married on June 11, 1955. After her wedding she worked at the Westby-Coon Valley State Bank until they purchased the Coon Valley Locker Plant in 1961. They named it Olson’s Meat Processing, and they worked side by side until they sold their business in 1989.

Elaine was an active member of the local community. Both Elaine and Ardell devoted endless hours at Norskedalen, ultimately receiving the Norskedalen Award for Service in 1994. They played an integral role in the creation of the Bekkum Homestead at Norskedalen. During her years of service there, Elaine served as Chairman of the Restoration Committee and managed the gift shop. Her dedication to community extended beyond Norskedalen as she was active with the Westby Historical Society and volunteered at the Bethel Butikk and Vernon County Museum. When she wasn’t volunteering, you could often find her working at the Red Shed in Westby, where she had an antique booth.

Throughout the years, Elaine enjoyed antiquing, history, and travel. She traveled to 38 states, her favorite being Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, and the Bahamas. She took four or five trips to Norway, even leading a group organized by Norsedalen. Two of those trips to Norway, we visited all our relatives on both sides of the family, as she was so proud of her Norwegian heritage. After her husband passed, her daughters took her to England, France, and a trip down the Danube River, Germany to Budapest. But Elaine’s greatest joy was closer to home, spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at her cabin in northern Wisconsin.

Elaine is survived by 2 children, Dawn (Michael) McKibben of New Richmond, Donna (Dale) Pedretti of Westby; daughter-in-law, Michele Olson of Littleton, CO; 5 grandchildren, Justin (Emily) Olson, Brianna Olson (Fetu), Kyle McKibben (Olivia), Derek Pedretti and Vincent (Tanya) Pedretti; 8 great-grandchildren, Afton, Leif, Hudson, Griz, Baylor, River, Miles, and Carter. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law, Maynard Dunnum, Orland (Maxine) Olson; and sisters-in-law, Louann (Marv) Amundson and Gloria Olson, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ardell; her son, David; her grandson, Brett; her sister, Virginia Dunnum; and her parents.

Elaine’s family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice and Creamery Creek Assisted Living for their comforting care over the last few months.

Memorials may be given to Bethel Buttik in Westby, Skogdalen Church, or Our Savior's Church in Westby.

Funeral services will be on Monday, June 30, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Skogdalen Church. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the Service at 11:00. Online condolences may be offered at www.vossfh.com.

Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby is serving Elaine’s family.

708 S Main Street

Westby, WI 54667

(608) 634-2100