Thora Holden

Thora Hjemboe Holden, 95, formerly of Westby, and the Salzer Square Community in La Crosse, died Monday, May 16, 2011 Thora Hjemboe Holden, 95, formerly of Westby, and the Salzer Square Community in La Crosse, died Monday, May 16, 2011 at Hillview Nursing Center. She was born March 27, 1915 to Olaf and Johanna Hjemboe. Thora is an alumnus of Gale College, Galesville, WI. She graduated from Staten Island Hospital School of Nursing in 1938. Thora was a member of the Syttende Mai Board in Westby in the 80s and also served as President. She was also an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Westby and later at Our Saviors in La Crosse. In her church work she took on many leadership roles. She later resumed her nursing career, when her children entered school. She was a staff nurse and later became the nursing director at the Bethel Home in Viroqua, Wisconsin. She is survived by her children: Kristi of Madison, Paul and Kurt of La Crosse and Sue (Brian) Haydysch of Stoddard and her granddaughter, Erika (Jereme) Resech; and Evan, her great-grandson; brother, Alf (Esther) Hjemboe; and many nieces and nephews of Eau Claire and elsewhere also survive her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sigvald Holden; her sister, Helen Christianson of Eau Claire. The family would like to especially thank the dedicated nursing staff of Hillview Nursing Center for their supportive care. Memorials can be sent to WAFER Food Pantry. Send to WAFER, 403 Causeway Blvd., La Crosse WI 54603, or to the charity of the donors choice. The family also requests no donation of flowers. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011 at Our Saviors Evangelical Lutheran Church, 612 Division Street, LaCrosse, Wis. Pastor Mark E. Jolivette will officiate. Burial will be in Strum, Wis. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.