Genevieve A. Birkelo

Genevieve Birkelo, age 101, of Viroqua passed away December 8, 2024, at her home at Maplewood Assisted Living surrounded by family.

She was born at home in rural Ferryville on February 20, 1923, to Julius and Nora (Bringe) Forde. The oldest of five children, she boarded in town and graduated from Viroqua High School and the Vernon County Normal School. She taught in a one room country school in Crawford County and later in Seneca, where she was promoted to principal. She married Gerhard Birkelo on May 31, 1945, at her beloved South West Prairie Lutheran Church, the church all her settler grandparents helped found, and where she was a lifelong member.

She and Gerhard took great pride in their Sag City farm where for 40 years they raised Holsteins, crops and their children. Genevieve was tireless in her gardening, cooking, entertaining, community, and church work. They were both there for the beginning of the Sugar Creek Bible Camp near Gerhard’s family’s homestead and the West Prairie Singers. Both were involved with the Bethel Home where Genevieve helped found the Auxillary and volunteered weekly for 60 years. At South West Prairie, she was active in circle, Ladies Aid, Sunday School, Confirmation, and junior choirs. Genevieve loved music and enjoyed her piano, organ, and especially singing. She also enjoyed needlework, sewing, and especially quilting with the women at South West Prairie.

She and Gerhard moved into Viroqua in 1985, and enjoyed many years of active retirement with continuing community and church work, along with the Historical Society and other groups. They traveled throughout the United States and took several trips to Norway and Sweden, visiting close and extended family and friends and touring mainland Europe.

For years, Genevieve coordinated the local Blood Mobile drives as well as donating over 20 gallons of blood herself. Ever the teacher, she loved her weekly one-on-one tutoring adult literacy students at the tech school and the county jail. Genevieve and Gerhard were married 69 years. After Gerhard’s death in 2014, she continued to live independently until blindness caused by macular degeneration brought her to Maplewood Assisted Living where she carried on an active life for several more years. She especially enjoyed hosting weekly Bible study and attending exercise class six days a week.

Genevieve is survived by her children: Paul and Jolene, both of Viroqua, Nancy Wood and John, both of Middleton; grandchildren: Hannah Birkelo (John Schneider, Jr.) of Germantown, Emma Birkelo of Lund, Sweden, Katherine Wood (David Baar) of Santa Monica CA, and Rachel Wood (Christian Schuster) of Mesa, AZ; great-grandchildren, Sofia and Leonora “Nora” Schneider; former daughter-in-law, Maria Sandgren; sister, Carolyn White; and sister-in-law, Beverly Forde.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gerhard; parents; brothers, Arlin and Elwood Forde; sister, Ruth McClurg; and in-laws: Norma Forde, Robert McClurg, and Ronald White.

The family is forever indebted to the staff at Maplewood for their kindnesses and gentle care, especially Melissa, Angie, Heather, Lisa, Seth, Sara, and Jane. Appreciation is also extended to the kind staff of St. Croix Hospice.

Memorials may be given to Bethel Home and Services, Sugar Creek Bible Camp or other charities.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will follow the service and Genevieve will be laid to rest at South West Prairie Lutheran Church Cemetery next to her husband afterwards.

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

123 W. Decker Street

Viroqua, WI 54665

(608) 637-2100