Noel J. Soltau

Noel J. Soltau, age 80 of Viroqua, WI peacefully passed away on June 30th, 2020, reaching his “End of the Trail”. Noel was born in Angelo, WI on August 24th, 1939, to Lyle and Katherine (Ikert) Soltau. Noel graduated from Viroqua High school in 1957, graduated from the Vernon County teacher’s college in 1959, and then began his career as a teacher at a country school in Monroe, WI. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in Viroqua, WI from 1960-1965 (32nd Division) where he earned the rank of (E-5) Sergeant. He was called to active duty from 1961-1962 during the Berlin Crisis. After active duty he returned to teaching for the Monroe Public schools until 1973. During his teaching career he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from UW-La Crosse in 1968, and also earned credits towards a Master’s Degree at UW-Madison. While teaching, he also served as president of the Monroe Education Association (MEA) and was an active member of the Monroe Lions club. Noel left his teaching career in 1973 to manage the family business (G&S Plumbing and Heating) in Viroqua for 24 years before his retirement and family business closure in 1997. He later came out of retirement from 1999-2007 to work as a handy-man/go-for man at Vernon County Chrysler. Noel married Shirley Dahl in 1982. As Noel often said, “I got 3 young boys, 1 dog, a cat and 2 goldfish by just saying I DO”. Noel was a great husband and parent to his new family and grandkids. Noel enjoyed driving vacations with his family, loved wood-working (building toy-boxes for all the grandkids, several doll houses, and detailed scroll saw work). Noel and Shirley loved to work in the yard and go treasure-hunting at rummage sales and flea markets. He loved watching the grandkids, attending their sporting events, going to birthday parties and family events, caring for his cats Smokey and Bandit, and his visits with the grand-dogs. Noel was preceded in death by his parents Lyle and Katherine Soltau; brothers Bernard and Vernon Soltau; sisters in-law: Janice, Jean, and Dorothy Soltau; brother in-law Bud Blegen; along with his father and mother in-law Howard and Mildred Anderson. Noel (PA PA to his grandkids) is survived by his wife Shirley Soltau; stepson Scott (Angela) Dahl and grandkids Anders, Davin, and Sitotaw; stepson Troy (Angella) Dahl and grandkids Brayden & Ella (Twins), and Jack; and stepson Jason Dahl (fiancé Steph), and grandkids Zoe and Easton; two brothers: Jim and Mike (Nora) Soltau; two sisters, Janet Greeno and Kathy (Arvid) Skrede. A private burial was planned for immediate family at the Viroqua Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held August 8, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., at the Viroqua Eagles Club. Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua is serving Noel’s family. 123 W. Decker Street Viroqua, WI 54665 608-637-2100