Laurean Walby

Laurean Walby, 90 of Viroqua died on Thursday, June 23, 2011. She was born May 18, 1921, on the family farm on Belgium Ridge to William and Bessie (Somerfeld) Sisbach.She attended the rural Belgium Ridge School and graduated from Viroqua High School in 1939. In 1941 Laurean graduated from what is now the Western Wisconsin Technical College of La Crosse where she pursued business courses. She was employed as a secretary at the Vernon County Social Services Office for 18 years. On October 2, 1949 Laurean was united in marriage to Fred Walby at the United Methodist Church in Viroqua. They made their home in Viroqua. Fred passed away on October 2, 1983. Laurean worked as secretary at the Viroqua Elementary School 7 years and later as Administrative Secretary for the Viroqua Area School district for 22 years, retiring in 1991. Laurean has been a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church since 1954, also WELCA and Magdalene Circle. She has been active in the Church quilter group since retirement.In retirement she enjoyed traveling to visit family as well as trip to Norway, Central Europe, Germany, Hawaii and Alaska with her son-in-laws mother, Jean Weichelt. In addition to sewing, gardening and flowers, Laurean took up the hobby of wood carving, attending summer workshops and also classes in Viroqua, completing approximately 350 carving. She enjoyed working with the volunteer group that painted the Viroqua Partner Mural which is mounted on the Dahl Building.She assisted with various club projects during the years her family was involved in the Belgium Builders 4-H Club. Laurean is survived by three daughters, Laura (Glen) Weichelt, twin daughters Janet (Randy) Lieske and Jayne (Larry) Link and one son, Carl (Brenda) Walby. She is further survived by six grandchildren, Brian (Sandy West) Weichelt, Trina (Keith) McCormick, Greg (Doni) Weichelt, Alicia Walby, Josh Walby, Nicole Link; four great-grandchildren Rheannon Patient, Karli and Kaleb Weichelt, Rylie McCormick; and sister Esther (Wayne) Cook.In addition to her husband, Laurean was preceded in death by her parents and infant son, Martin William Walby. Blessed be her memory. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. Pastors Lindsay Paul Jordan and Margaret Eiben-Hoversten will officiate with burial in the Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker (hwy 56) in Viroqua. Friends may also call at the church on Tuesday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at 2. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or the Bethel Home. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.