Melvin Kingslien

Melvin Kingslien, 80, of Viroqua, died Saturday, January 30, 2016. Melvin "Jack" Otto Kingslien, 80, of Viroqua, WI, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his loving family, following complications of heart disease on January 30, 2016 at the Bland Bekkedal Center for Hospice Care in Viroqua. He was born June 1, 1935 in Viroqua to Oscar and Edna (Schultz) Kingslien. He was baptized and confirmed at and a life-long member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. He attended grade school at Colonel May in rural Viroqua and graduated with honors from Viroqua High School in 1953. Following high school he attended the Farm and Industry Short Course at UW-Madison. Jack enlisted in the Army National Guard and served 6 years. He was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis, stationed in Fort Lewis, WA. On July 12, 1958, he was united in marriage to Swanhild Paulsrud. Along with his wife and family, Jack farmed at his birthplace, proudly operating a successful dairy herd of registered Guernsey cows. He received the Young Farmer of the Year Award along with other numerous awards for outstanding milk quality and superior genetics, including several sire daughters that were featured by Accelerated Genetics. In retirement Jack enjoyed gun collecting and target shooting. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Swanie of Viroqua; two daughters, Sarah (Dan) Havens of La Crosse, WI and Kay (Stuart) Getter of Viroqua; son-in-law Matthew Keenan of Viroqua; five grandchildren, Lucas (Angela) Keenan of Hagar City, WI, Alissa Keenan of La Crosse, Lance Keenan of Ashland, WI, Lee (Ainsley) Dunnum of Alma, CO, and Tyler Havens of St. Paul, MN; five great-grandchildren, Rylee and Bauer Dunnum of Alma, CO and Cole, Ali and Jake Keenan of Hagar City, WI; sister, Evelyn (Mike) Lepke of Chaseburg, WI; sister-in-law, Ingrid (Larry) Mahan of Viroqua; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Ann Marie Keenan; two sons in infancy, Melvin and Alan; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Buster Weber; mother-in-law and father-in-law Ingvald and Evelyn Paulsrud. Memorials may be sent in Jacks name to the Bland Bekkedal Center for Hospice Care or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Radio Broadcast fund. The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. John Porter, Dr. Zach Clements and the exceptional staff at the Bland Bekkedal Center. Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Pastor Ken Meunier will officiate with burial to follow in the Belgium Ridge Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua. Friends may also call at the church on Thursday from 12 p.m. till the time of service at 1. Online Condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.