Margaret K. Olstad

Margaret K. Olstad, 85, of Westby died Sunday, April 17, 2011. Margaret K. Olstad, 85, of Westby passed away Sunday, April 17, 2011 at Norseland Nursing Home. She was born on August 8, 1925 to Otto and Frericka (Stafslien) Bakkum. Margaret grew up on a farm and graduated from Westby High School in 1943. During World War II she served her Country working alongside her sister, as a welder, at the Shipyards in Duluth/Superior. She married Leonard I. Olstad on October 5, 1946 in Coon Valley, WI. They farmed, and raised their children on the Spring Coulee Ridge farm that was homesteaded by her grandparents, until Leonards death in 1979. Margaret lived on the family farm until her illness in 2000; she found peace sitting in a lawn chair in the surroundings she knew and loved. After Leonards death Margaret became a Nurses Aide at Norseland Nursing Home and worked there until 2000. She was a lifelong member of Skogdalen Lutheran Church, WELCA and a member of the Ruth Circle. The Church was a very important part of Margarets life; she remained actively involved in church programs and functions as long as she was able. The Church was a frequent topic of conversation in her later years. Margaret was a loving and supportive wife and mother. She was devoted to helping her children achieve; she always guided but never steered. She was a voracious reader and passed her love of reading on to all her children. Margaret had many talents; from enjoyment as well as necessity she sewed many of her childrens school clothes and later made countless outfits for her grandchildren. She baked many wedding cakes for nieces, nephews and others. Margaret spent untold hours with her sister Florence rolling and baking lefse. Margarets greatest talent was making the lives of others easier and more cheerful. She sought neither credit nor acknowledgment for her many good works. Margaret is survived by her four children: Eileen Nelson, of Madison, Gary, of Wittenberg, Joel (Kim), of Westby and Sharon (John) Opsahl, of Cashton; grandchildren: Carin Nelson, Britt Nelson (Bob Schmidt), Jerel (Mary) Olstad, Torey (Kristin) Olstad, Lauren Olstad, Loni Olstad, Garrett Ekern, Gillian Ekern; great-grandchildren: Madeline and Alana Olstad, Lily Olstad; sister Florence Holen; brother Joseph (Verna) Bakkum; and sister-in-law Elizabeth (David) Veum; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard on September 24, 1979; her mother and father, her brother Raymond Bakkum and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. She was the last of the brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law in the John Olstad family; a generation that spanned nearly a century. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 21 at Skogdalen Lutheran Church. Pastor Gary Daines will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Main, in Westby. Friends may also call at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11. The family would like to thank Pastor Gary and Pastor Rose for their kindness and presence which was so important to Margaret. We would like to give special thanks to the staff and caregivers at Norseland for the wonderful care and attention given Margaret; we are forever grateful. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorial contributions may be made to the Bekkum Memorial Library or Skogdalen Lutheran Church. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.