Sara "Bobbie" Young

Sara “Bobbie” Margaret Young, age 89, of Viola, Wisconsin, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Oxford, Pennsylvania, on June 24, 1936, Bobbie grew up with a warm spirit, a generous heart, and a love for music, particularly the piano. After graduating from Oxford Area High School, she worked as an office manager in the J.J.Newbury Company store. On a trip back to Elroy, Wisconsin in 1957 to see her mother, she met the love of her life, John Young and moved to Elroy. She worked as an office secretary at Elroy High School where John was a teacher. They married on June 28, 1958, and moved to Madison where she worked for a stock brokerage. They eventually moved back to Elroy, then to Brown Deer and ultimately settled in Viola where they built a beautiful life and home together.

Initially Bobbie stayed home to raise their two daughters. She became a correspondent for the La Crosse Tribune, gave piano lessons, taught Sunday School and was music and project leader for the Viola Busy Beavers 4-H Club. In 1968 she started taking courses at the Richland Campus and in 1973 graduated from UW-La Crosse with a degree in Elementary Education, K-8 and Library Science, K-12. In 1974 she started working for Kickapoo Area Schools where she worked for a short while as a preschool teacher, and in the junior high library. Most of her career was spent teaching Kindergarten. She loved working with 5- and 6-year-olds, because they were so curious, creative and eager to learn. She worked as a kindergarten teacher in the Kickapoo School District for 22 1/2 years, where her kindness, patience, and dedication touched the lives of countless children and families.

Beyond the classroom, she was devoted to her community and her faith. She served as Vice-President of the Wisconsin Kindergarten Association, treasurer of the Viola United Methodist Church, secretary of the Viola Public Library Board and Chaplain for the Viola American Legion Auxiliary. She also volunteered at the Vernon Memorial Hospital Gift Shop.

For more than sixty years, Bobbie shared her friendly smile and thoughtful spirit as an Avon representative, earning President’s Club honors and forming cherished friendships along the way.

Bobbie found great joy in simple moments — visiting with friends and neighbors, playing cards and board games, and reading many good books. She and John traveled extensively in their retirement, often with friends and family. Bobbie documented each vacation with a wonderful photo album and detailed commentary on each day’s activities.

She is survived by her two daughters, Robin (Chris) Beeman of Marshfield, Wisconsin, and Melissa (Bill) Nigh of Ironwood, Michigan; her beloved grandchildren, Krysten (Levi) Lee, Nicholas (Victoria) Beeman, and Zachary Nigh; three great-grandchildren, Lawson, Brinley, and Bennett Lee; stepsister Sue Francis of Sun Prairie: and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents, Bob and Sally Phillips; stepfather Robert E. Lee; and her brothers-in law and sisters-in-law.

Bobbie’s life was a reflection of compassion, dedication, and love. She will be remembered for her gentle heart, her laughter, and the countless ways she made others feel special. Her legacy lives on in the family, friends, and community she so dearly cherished.

A Celebration of Bobbie’s life will be held at the Viola United Methodist Church in Viola, Wisconsin on Saturday, October 11th, 2025, with a visitation from 9:00 -11:00 am, service at 11:00 a.m. followed by a lunch after the burial. Bobbie will be laid to rest at the Viola Cemetery. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com.

A memorial in Bobbie’s name will be determined at a later time.

Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Bobbie's family.

123 W. Decker St.

Viroqua, WI 54665

608-637-2100