Thelma E. Halverson

VIROQUA Thelma E. Halverson, age 88, died at home surrounded by her loving family, this Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 2017. Thelma Eleanor Koenig was born on July 28, 1929 at Boscobel, Wisconsin to William and Eleanore (Kienitz) Koenig. In 1936 her mother died of tuberculosis. After several difficult years she was placed in the home of Elva and Burnell Addison in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin where she lived until her marriage. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1944 and graduated from Prairie du Chien High School in 1947. On June 2, 1949 she married Alvin Thomas Halverson in Prairie du Chien, with Rev. Walter K. Bodamer presiding. Five children were born to them over the next ten years. In November 1959 the family moved to Viroqua, Wisconsin, and on July 1, 1964 they moved to the house on East Broadway where she has since resided. Throughout her adult life Thelma was a seamstress and dressmaker for various individuals and, for many years, for Jeffreys Cleaners in Viroqua, always working out of her home. After her youngest child started school in 1965, she added employment outside her home. First she was a clerk at the K & L Store, and then she was the bookkeeper for the Viroqua Municipal Gas Company. After retirement, she continued to be a substitute in the Gas Company office and clerked part time at the Quilt Basket in Viroqua. She was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church since 1959,volunteering in the altar guild, the food pantry, Sunday School, circle Bible studies, WELCA, quilting, the kitchen committee, and newsletter assembly. Over the years she also volunteered in Girl Scouts, the Vernon Memorial Hospital, and as an election clerk. She was always ready to help while preferring a "behind the scenes" role. Thelma enjoyed travel with her husband on business trips and vacations around the US. In her later years, she traveled with her daughters to Norway and Great Britain, as well as many places in the US, especially to California to visit her son and his family. In retirement, Thelma also took up quilting with a group of friends. She made beautiful quilts for many family members on special occasions. Retirement also afforded her the opportunity to enjoy grandchildren. Visiting, attending programs, taking her nearby grandsons to school and following them all in sports and academics were some of the happiest times of her life. Thelma is survived by four children: Rev. Gary (Ruth) of Alvarado MN, Marian (David) Seitz of Sparta WI, Donna of Viroqua, and David (Tammie) of Viroqua; and by one daughter-in-law, Colleen Halverson of Chino Hills CA. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Timothy Seitz of La Crosse WI, Jason (Sarah) Seitz of New Berlin WI, Thomas of Alvarado MN, Andrew of Chicago IL, Emma (Andy) Fox of Savage MN, Tyler (Sheena) of Viroqua, Jay of Minneapolis MN, Daniel, and Kristina both of Chino Hills CA, and by three great-grandchildren: Cameron and Carson Seitz and Caroline Fox. She is also survived by one brother-in-law, six sisters-in-law and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, her son, James, on July 5, 2017, her parents, her foster parents, one brother, Henry Koenig, and two half-sisters: Ruth Fischer and Viola Corpian. Blessed be her memory. Funeral Services will be held at 11am on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. Pastor Yvonne Marshall will officiate with burial to follow in the Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday, December 29, 2017 from 4-6pm at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home (123 W Decker/ HWY 56) in Viroqua. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday from 10am until the time of service at 11. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or Vernon Memorial Hospital. Online Condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.