Verla Mae Hamilton

It is with great and deep sadness that we announce the passing of Verla Mae Hamilton, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, on August 22, 2025, at the age of 82. Verla was born December 20, 1942, in Viola, to Ralph and Flossie (Johnson) Alderman. Even though it is beyond heartbreaking to lose her, we have comfort and peace in knowing her forever love, Kirby, was waiting with open arms to greet her, and now they are safely reunited and together again. ❤️

When Verla and Kirby were dating, she would climb up the windmill on their family farm, anxiously waiting to watch for Kirby to drive down the road with “sheer delight.” (We’ve been told.)

They were married on March 16, 1961, at the courthouse in Kenosha after Verla proposed to a “shy” Kirby. Their lifetime partnership was built on love, trust, shared values, and an enduring, unbreakable, everlasting bond that was an inspiration to everyone around them. Theirs was truly a love story!!

Verla and Kirby were blessed with and so grateful for the birth of each boy: Mark, Bruce, and Denny. All were born in Kenosha while Kirby worked at American Motors, but they decided the big city life wasn’t for them. They wanted to raise their young family in Viola, back to their roots, where they both dearly loved. So, they packed up and moved back here and made Viola home for “The Hamilton Family.” The boys kept Verla busy and on her toes - always on the go, but she never complained. She’d get down in the dirt when needed, put a worm on a hook, and haul and stack wood, just like the rest of them. Verla was an amazing “Boy Mom,” and she truly loved every minute of it, and she wouldn’t have traded it or her life for anything ever.

Verla worked at S&S Cycle for 28 wonderful years. She enjoyed her job tremendously, and all of the people working there too. Verla found joy in the simple things in everyday life – cooking, baking, her walks, and bike riding, but especially time spent together with Kirby going on their endless car rides on back roads, seeing the beautiful countryside and all its glorious nature.

Verla’s sweet smile, selflessness, unconditional love, warmth, and compassion will be a precious blessing for all of us to forever tightly hold on to. Verla will always be fondly remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma. She cherished her family above all with deep pride and joy. Verla was everyone’s biggest #1 fan!

Her loss is immeasurable. We miss her more than words can say, and her memory will be treasured.

Verla is survived by her loving sons: Mark (Jill), Bruce (Barb), and Dennis Hamilton, who all will proudly carry forward their parents' legacy of hard work, community spirit, and being humble and kind. She is further survived by the “Apples of Her Eye,” her grandkids: Nathan (Amber), Megan (Marcus), Travis (Dayna), Katlynn (Mitchel), Brianna (Terrence), Bianca (Josh), Barak (Lindsey), Zachary (Cody), and Cole (Morgan); and more blessed with her great-grandkids: Jonas, Kennedy, Addison, Raelynn, Easton, Hadley, Lane, Treyce, Zoey, Kyren, Jaxon, Ryder, Benson, Ryan, Parker, and Josephine; her sisters-in-law: Luanne and Mary Alderman, Lois (David) Germain, and Connie Willis; as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends, including her foster son, Jim Gundlach; special nephew, Bob (Jean) Hamilton; and daughter-in-law, Gail Hamilton.

Verla was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kirby Lane (May 22, 2025); her parents, Ralph and Flossie; her brothers, Darold and Cyril; and her in-laws.

Funeral services will take place at 12:00 PM on Friday, September 5, 2025, at the La Farge Free Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Phillips officiating. A visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will be in the Viola Cemetery.

The family asks that memorials be given in Verla’s memory to the Kickapoo Valley Rescue Squad. Online condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com.

Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home and Crematory in Viroqua is serving Verla’s family.

123 West Decker Street

Viroqua, WI 54665

608/637-2100