Jeffrey Brian Fortney

Jeffrey Brian Fortney was born on March 13, 1952, to Atley Gustave and Helen Jane Fortney. He passed away on July 8, 2023, at Gundersen Medical Center due to complications of a stroke. Jeff graduated from Viroqua High School and attended UW Richland. Jeff was a farmer. He loved the place where he was born and raised - Oak Ridge Farm. He lived there and farmed that land almost all his life. In addition to farming, Jeff did custom farm work for others, operated a dispatch office for Inway Freight, and owned a long-haul trucking company. Jeff was very intelligent, had a photographic memory, and excelled in mathematics and engineering. He was the “go to guy” if you needed help with complicated math homework. Several kids in the family got their first math lesson on the dusty dash of Jeff’s El Camino. He was a skilled mechanic and welder, which came in handy for one of his passions…tractor pulling. Jeff began tractor pulling when he was only 9 years old and continued right up to his death. He built every part of his V8 modified tractor from scratch, including the motors and chassis. The thing he loved most about the sport was spending time with his tractor pulling friends. He was always willing to help fellow tractor pullers, and organized, promoted and got the track ready for countless events. His mechanic and welding skills also made it possible for him to maintain his farm equipment. He liked being able to keep old equipment operational, instead of buying new. His ingenuity and inventiveness allowed him to design and build many pieces of custom farm equipment. Jeff enjoyed playing pool and fast pitch softball, league bowling, fast cars and motorcycles, snow and water skiing. He was a gifted coronet player and great dancer. He looked forward to snowmobiling trips out west in the Wyoming mountains each winter. He was a kind man, with a heart of gold. He gave generously of his time, talents, and knowledge. If you needed any kind of help, Jeff would be right there. He looked for the best in others always. You didn't have to be Jeff's biological child or grandchild to be loved as though you were. His son, Jonathan was the light of his life, and daughters Miranda, Megan, Eliana, grand-daughters Athena and Karsyn, special friend Travis, and his nephews and nieces brought him so much happiness. He loved them all very much. Jeff’s impact on their lives is immeasurable.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; his aunts and uncles; his sisters-in-law Robyn Pellett and Judy Paulson Fortney; nephew, Jared Fortney; cousins, Damon, Darrell and Dianna Fortney, and Wayne Peterson. He is survived by his son, Jonathan Fortney; daughters, Miranda Holmes (Josh), Megan Culpitt, Eliana Walz; and special friends, Travis & Sue Fronk; granddaughters, Athena Kudron and Karsyn Walker; his siblings, Atley Jim Fortney (Ruby), Joseph Fortney (Darlene), Julie Ann Peterson (Larry), Jackie Getter (Roger), and Matthew Jay Fortney (Lisa); nephews, Josh Hanson, James, Jason, Jeremy, Cole, Logan, Joe Jr. and Luke Fortney, Brandon Zieman; nieces, Angela Salmon, Kimberly Fortney, Kristin Pagel, Katie Sabalones, Leslie Getter-Henrikson, Jessica Huschka; ex-wife, Katherine Walz; his cousins and many dear friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at Noon on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Kickapoo United Lutheran Church. Pastor Carrie Anderson will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, at Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua. Additional visitation will be held Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com.

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

123 W. Decker St.

Viroqua, WI 54665

608-637-2100