Otis L. Leum

Otis L. Leum, age 93 of Westby, died Sunday, February 24, 2008. Otis LeRoy Leum, age 93 of Westby, passed away Sunday evening, February 24, 2008 at the Norseland Nursing Home in Westby where he had been a resident since March 31, 2007. Otis was born on October 21, 1914 on the Leum farm on Lovaas Ridge near Westby. He was baptized in Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Westby where he became a longtime member. He attended Leum Rural School. On May 6, 1952 he married Lillian Berg in the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Otis was a dairy farmer most of his life and raised grade and registered Jersey and Guernsey cattle. He was one of the first organic farmers in the area. Otis spent most of his farming years on the Leum farm which has been the family since 1862. He raised registered Belgian horses and built his own hitch-wagon of cedar lumber from the farm. He and his wife participated in many parades locally. In 1997 Otis and Lillian sold the farm to his nephew and his wife, Torkel and Peggy Leum, and moved to Westby where they had a house built. Otis was a former member of the Leum School Board, a trustee of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, a member of the Westby Sons of Norway, and the Solvang Players. He spent many hours as a volunteer at the Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center near Coon Valley. He was one of the first members of the National Farmers Organization. Otis was proud of his Norwegian heritage and traveled to Norway five times. He and Lillian also traveled to central Europe, the Orient, Canada and Alaska. In addition to his wife of 55 years, Otis is survived by two brothers: Lloyd and Gilbert (Anna) Leum both of Westby; three sisters: Eunice Sorenson of Westby, Olga Gossett of Rockford, IL and Eleanor Ekern of Coon Valley; two sisters-in-law: Vivian Leum of Coon Valley and Esther Leum of Loveland, CO; a brother-in-law, Norman Oftedahl of Viroqua and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Milton, Ralph and Martin; a sister: Mary Ann Oftedahl; two sisters-in-law: Inez Leum and Delora Leum; and brothers-in-law, Ted Sorenson and Gordon Ekern. Special thanks for the wonderful care Otis received and the friends he made while at Norseland Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Westby. Pastor Gary Daines will officiate with burial in the Our Saviors Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Hwy 14 in Westby. Friends may also call at the church from noon until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. Online condolences may be offered at www.vosseteigfuneralhomes.comThe Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.