Ellen Jane Melby

Ellen Jane Hall Melby, age 91, of La Crosse and formerly of Westby passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at Eagle Crest South Assisted Living in La Crosse. She was born January 28, 1931, on the Deters Farm in Viroqua. At the age of 5, she moved with her family to the Hall Homestead in Westby. Ellen graduated from Westby High School in 1948.

Ellen was raised on a dairy farm outside of Westby and married her neighbor, Walter Melby on January 28, 1950. To this union were born two daughters, Kathryn and Kristine. Ellen was a supportive wife and devoted mother. She worked side by side with Walter on the farm milking cows and various other farming chores.

For a short time in the 1950’s, she worked at Vernon Memorial Hospital as a nurse’s aide. Ellen loved visiting the sick and shut-ins; she would attend to the terminally ill patients overnight to relieve family members.

Ellen was active in Farmer’s Union with Walter for several years traveling to many conventions in different states; always making sure they had milk in the hospitality room. She was proud of her Norweigan heritage and volunteered at Norskedalen for special events. In 1984, Ellen and Walter went on a trip to Norway and visited her grandfather Bertel (Olson) Høylo’s home and the grave where he is buried. She met several of the Høylo relatives while in Norway. This was one of the highlights in her life.

She, along with Walter, loved spending time entertaining family and friends at their hobby farm called “Jupdalen” outside of Westby, Ellen was known for her contagious laugh.

In her later years, Ellen volunteered at St. Francis Hospital, Norseland Nursing Home, and also helped with Meals on Wheels in La Crosse.

For many years, along with Walter, she attended Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church in Westby. She had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and acknowledged Him as being in control of all things in her life. Ellen came to see herself as a sinner in need of a personal savior. She also had this desire for her family.

Ellen was a regular and well-known patron to the Culver’s in La Crosse.

She loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother.

When asked what the most important things in her life were, she responded “God, family, and THAT’S IT”.

Ellen is survived by her two daughters, Kathryn Bandell and Kristine (Daniel) Meyer and one grandson, Travis (Liz) Meyer.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; her parents, Lindahl Hall and Mabel Olson (Høylo) Hall; her brother, LaVerne Hall; and son-in-law, Bill Bandell.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby. Pastor Daniel Habegger will officiate. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Ellen will be laid to rest at North Coon Prairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church in Westby or Norskedalen in Ellen's memory.

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

708 S. Main Street

Westby, WI 54667

(608) 634-2100