Fred Eide

Fred Eide, age 73, of rural Viroqua, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly at his home from natural causes on September 9, 2026.

Fred was born on July 27, 1953, to Ivar and Norma (Ostrem) Eide. He grew up on his family's farm in rural Viroqua, where he attended the nearby Folsom School and Franklin Lutheran Church. He lived his entire life in the Viroqua area and graduated from Viroqua High School in 1971. In 1981 he married Rachel Selin, and they recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. He became a father in 1980 to his daughter Kiley and later welcomed two more daughters, Erin and Ashley. He made his wife and daughters feel loved and cared for in so many ways.

In his thirties, Fred began working as a bridge inspector, and in 1991 started his own bridge painting business, Eide Painting and Sandblasting, spending many years traveling throughout Wisconsin for work. He went into partnership with his son-in-law, Paul, in 2004 and continued in the business until his retirement in 2025. He was always proud to point out a bridge he worked on when you passed it on a drive.

In 1989, Fred and Rachel purchased the house next to the farm where he grew up. Over the next 37 years he transformed the property into a special place for his family to enjoy, always working on new house projects and landscaping. Fred was larger than life. He was incredibly thoughtful and loved surprising his family with gifts - whether it was a box of the latest seasonal fruit to a new car in the driveway with a ribbon on top. His neighbors and friends were also important to him, and he was always ready to lend them a helping hand or stop by for a visit.

The proudest chapter of his life began in 2006 when he became "Grandpa Fred." He created many incredible family memories and traditions, including pop-up camper trips to Stoney Creek, Christmas celebrations, "Crazy Cousin Camp," the grandkids' annual New Year's Eve party, and a family trip to South Dakota. He often picked up his grandkids - usually unannounced - for sleepovers or adventures. His grandkids loved spending time with him whether it was truck rides and driving lessons, golfing, collecting cards, stopping at ice cream stands, going to local fairs and festivals, and taking UTV rides to visit neighbors or the Folsom schoolhouse. He was their biggest fan at every sporting event and activity.

Fred had a strong faith and enjoyed going to First Free Church in Onalaska. He loved Packers games, political conversations, hunting with his sons-in-law and friends, driving the Amish around, going to auctions and the movies, finding new recipes, and driving his tractor and lawn mower to take care of his land. Fred will be remembered for how deeply he cared about others and doing anything for them, how generous he was with his time, always being surrounded by family and friends and making us laugh, standing up for what he believed, talking his way out of speeding tickets and telling us things "ain't no big deal."

Fred is survived by his wife, Rachel; daughters Kiley (Corey) Skrede of West Salem, Erin (Paul) Hanson of Viroqua, and Ashley (Tyler) Zibrowski of Melrose; grandkids Kendal, Cailyn, and Chloe Skrede, Maya, Levi, Leif, and Neli Hanson, and Deacon, Peyton, and Lennon Zibrowski; sister Kari Buros and brother John Eide; mother-in-law Lois Selin; and many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivar and Norma Eide; brother Mike Eide; father-in-law Robert Selin, and many close relatives and friends.

The family extends sincere appreciation to Dr. Darren Perttu, nurse Felicia, and the caring staff at Vernon Memorial Hospital, the Viroqua First Responders and Fire Department, Vernon County Sheriff's Department and Dispatch, Emplify Health EMS Air and Ambulance, Vernon County Coroner, Betty Nigh, neighbor Becky Ludovice, and the staff of Vosseteig Funeral Home for the care and compassion shown to Fred and his family.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Fred's Life and luncheon on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from noon until 5:00 p.m. at the Eide family home, E7926 Hinkst Hollow Rd, Viroqua, WI 54665. Feel free to bring a lawn chair and stories to share. A private funeral service will be held at Franklin Lutheran Church.

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

123 W. Decker St.

Viroqua, WI 54665

608-637-2100