Myra Clare Chestelson

Way back when the crash of 1929 hit, and many were in dire straits, a little baby girl was born up in “Griffen Holler”, rural Soldiers Grove, Myra Clare Dull… becoming Myra Chestelson later on. She was born on January 18, 1929, to Mary Pansy Dull and Arley Dull, as the fourth girl. They lived in the valley of Griffen Holler, next to the creek, and played their days away climbing trees and swimming in that creek. As kids growing up, they became of school age and walked uphill about 2 ½ miles, through a “short cut” valley, to the schoolhouse at North Clayton. There, the same little one room school (that physically exists today), Myra attended for all eight years with the same teacher! And loved it! Even the walk up the hill and dale, through the woods, to the school… with her sisters ahead of her, she thrived. After leaving North Clayton school at the end of her 8th grade, she attended St. Mary’s Academy in Prairie du Chien for a couple years, then returned to Soldiers Grove and graduated from high school.

Myra met Sigurd Chestelson while roller skating at the “Lewis Hall” above the old “Haggerty” grocery store in Gays Mills. Sigurd was home on leave from his deployment in WWII, as both of his parents (Curtis and Mary Chestelson) passed away within two weeks of each other. After Sig returned to his Army Battalion as Sergeant, he and Myra corresponded by mail throughout the remaining wartime months. Upon his return, they were married in 1946, and resided in Gays Mills where they began their journey together.

Myra and Sig had three children, Randina, Sigurd, and Christopher, in the next few years. Once they were school age, Myra worked as a bookkeeper in the orchards during the fall harvest. She was a devout mother and homemaker, and lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and in the American Legion Auxiliary.

Her main love was her family and her children, whom she loved unconditionally. Her other “hobby” or passion was walking during the day, and she would regularly get the walk in at her special time of day. Myra’s other love was to visit her sister, Dolly (Dull) Coleman, brother, Bud Dull, and sister-in-law, Jane (Chestelson) Harris. Since all of them lived in Gays Mills, and at times were neighbors, they had many stories to tell about raising their families together.

Myra is preceded in death by her husband, Sigurd, her daughter, Randina, and her son, Christopher. She is survived by her son, Sigurd (Marsha) of Gays Mills; four grandchildren: Lara (Joshua) Dudgeon of Gays Mills, Roman (Heather) Chestelson of Viroqua, Megan (Larry) Swiggum of Muscoda, and Wade (Carmen) Hutchison of Gays Mills; and 15 great-grandchildren: Phinehas, Elias, Estella, Ava, and Amari Dudgeon; Ali, Bridget, Gabrielle, and Sofia Chestelson; Petyon, Skylan, Beau, and Azalea Swiggum; Trey Hutchison and Kylie Hutchison. These were Myra’s special loves that she adored, and they will keep their great-grandma Myra in their hearts forever, as will Myra’s four grandkids. She is further survived by one sister, Bobbie Hines of Milton; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in the spring of 2025. Any memorials or condolences may be sent or expressed at www.vossfh.com, in lieu of flowers.

The family would like to thank Father Tom Huff from St. Mary’s for the masses she attended at the Soldiers Grove Health Services, and for his special care. In regard to the Soldiers Grove Health Services, we would like to thank the outstanding staff, nurses, and doctors for their unbelievably great and personal touch for Myra. They provided the facility and care that helped Myra over a year and a half. She peacefully passed away there on December 9, 2024. All of us, including her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, were present almost on a daily basis. Our love for her is unending and she is eternally in heaven with her Savior and family.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory in Gays Mills is serving Myra's family.

325 Sunset Ridge Avenue

Gays Mills, WI 54631

(608) 735-2100