Verna Catherine Olson

Verna Catherine Olson, age 97, of Viroqua, WI, went home to be with her Lord on Friday, November 4, 2022. She was born on April 22, 1925 in the Viroqua area to John T. and Annie (Tollackson) Ostrem. Verna graduated from Westby High School in 1941. She then attended Vernon County Normal for 2 years and received her B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse. She taught rural schools including North Natwick, Leum, Mills, Unseth, and Smith. Verna taught 25 years as a first-grade teacher. She loved teaching and really missed it when she retired. Verna

Verna Catherine Olson

married Verdell Olson on August 12,1950 in Bethel Lutheran Church. They were members at Bethel and later became members of Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church in Westby. Verdell went home to be with the Lord on April 1, 1988. He had accepted the Lord as his personal savior and was converted at a Lowell Lundstrom meeting in Viroqua. Verna came to an assurance of the Lord during evangelistic services at Bethel Lutheran Church. Both Verna and Verdell believed they were Born Again Christians. Verna and Verdell enjoyed attending Bible studies and fellowship meetings with their friends. They had wonderful memories when they attended the Lake Johanna Conferences in Minneapolis. Verna and Verdell were blessed when their 3 children accepted the Lord Jesus and wanted to live for Him. Verna loved flowers and loved working with them. Verna and Verdell really enjoyed when their children came home and especially the grandchildren.

Verna is survived by a daughter, Terre (Andrew) Arnold, of West Salem; 2 sons: Jeff (Nancy) Olson of Lakewood Ranch, FL, and John (Jennifer) Olson of Williams Bay, WI; 12 grandchildren: Maj. Matthew (Amanda) Arnold of Fern Park, FL, Elisabeth (Lance) Hutzenbuhler, David Arnold and Sarah Arnold of West Salem, Daniel Arnold of Sparta, Caitlin Olson of Tampa, FL, Cassandra Olson of Sarasota, FL, Cameron (Nile) Finney of Gaylord, MI, Joshua (Lauren) Olson of Phoenix, AZ, Mallory (Nathan) Fettig of Elkhorn, WI, and Seth and Devin of Williams Bay; 2 great-grandchildren: Cora Arnold and Nadia Finney; a sister, Yvonne (Ronald) Mickelson of Kenosha, WI; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Verdell; a sister and brother-in-law, Norma and Ivar Eide; a brother and sister-in-law, Maynard and Phyllis Ostrem; a brother, Rodney Ostrem; and a sister in infancy.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church in Westby. Burial will be in the Bethel Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Viroqua. Visitation will be on Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Thorson-Popp Funeral and Cremation Services in Viroqua is entrusted with her services.