Virginia Ilene Helgeson, age 95, of Woodville, Wisconsin, died Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Park View Home, Woodville. Family was with her in a gentle goodbye.

Virginia was born into this world, November 17, 1928, to Lillian Haugeland in Baldwin Township, St. Croix County, Wisconsin. Baptized at home, Virginia grew in faith, and was a lifelong active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville. Threads of deep love of family, church, her life-long friends, deep roots in Woodville community, and pride of Norwegian heritage interwoven made Virginia’s life beautiful.

Virginia attended school in Woodville and graduated with the Woodville High School Class of 1946; she was the last in her high school class to leave us for Heaven. Working first at the Woodville Post Office, and Weyerhaeuser Lumber, Virginia spread her wings outside of Woodville for one year moving to St. Paul to work at 1st National Bank. She returned home to marry her sweetheart, Howard Helgeson, after his fulfillment of military service to our country. The two were married June 17, 1950, at Zion Lutheran Church, settled on an 80-acre farm north of town where they raised their children, Cheryl, Brian, and Bradley.

Musical gifts were woven into the fabric of her being, childhood training in piano and voice developed God-given gifts Virginia generously gave throughout her life. It was Virginia’s way to play piano and sing every day, and it was often old beloved hymns that filled her house as she sang them from her heart. From teen years well into older adulthood, Virginia’s voice sang God’s comfort in many, many funeral services; she blessed countless marriage unions with glad song; Virginia played accompaniment for Zion adult and children’s choirs for 30 years.

Days and years of mothering and homemaking also included providing daycare for several children over the years, as well as 25 years serving her church family teaching Sunday school. After their children were raised, Virginia enjoyed her secretarial work for 18 years at Best Press. Virginia’s work in this gathering place of community news was braided together with her love of her community and lasting friendships. Membership of the Woodville Legion Auxiliary was another important way Virginia honored deep connections with patriotic service to community and country. Virginia leaves a rich legacy of giving generously the gifts God has given you into the lives of those He has given you to love; her life interlaced with each of ours creates colorful tapestry, and our lives are more beautiful because of Virginia’s beautiful life.

Virginia will always be held close in heart by her children: Cheryl (Chuck) Hovde; Brian (Kathy) Helgeson; and Bradley (Linda) Helgeson; siblings: Mike (Betty) Skelton; Diane (Robert) Thatcher; and Kathleen (Tom) Vandeberg; grandchildren: Amber (Marcus) Quilling; Tana (Jamie) Cain; Brianna Herder; Nathan (Yuka) Helgeson; Chad (Laura) Helgeson; Joe Helgeson; Heather (Tim) Schrieber, Kyle (Nicci) Helgeson, Trevor (Lindsey) Helgeson; great-grandchildren: Allison (Stephen) Tirrel; Jayden Cain; Claire and Colton Herder; Malen Helgeson; Isabelle and Grace Helgeson; Wyatt, Will and Weston Schreiber; Adalyn Helgeson; Bennett and Kensley Helgeson; Emmy and Cade Quilling; great-great granddaughter, Stella Ruth; many dear nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Howard, her beloved mother and her grandparents, Hellick and Inger Haugeland. So close to each of these family members, Virginia’s childhood was spent with her mother in her grandparents’ home.

Visitation was on Thursday, December 21, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville.

A Celebration of life followed visitation on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Zion.

Burial will be in Lone Pine Cemetery, Woodville.

Virginia’s family is very grateful to the caring staff of Park View Nursing Home for their tender, loving excellence of care for her in Virginia’s final years of life. She loved her routines and would not be rushed; they honored Virginia’s preferences with kindness and respect.

Keehr Funeral Home, (keehrfuneralhome.com) Spring Valley, is handling arrangements.

Jeffrey H. Thompson, age 58, of Spring Valley, died unexpectedly on Friday, December 15, 2023.

Jeff was born November 20, 1965, to Harold and Mary (Wasson) Thompson in Menomonie, Wisconsin. He grew up in Gilman Township and attended Spring Valley Schools. He graduated with the Class of 1984.

After high school, Jeff farmed for a couple of years with his dad. He then entered the U.S. Army and served for two years where he received multiple honors. When he returned home, he continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) and then Chippewa-Valley Vo-Tech where he studied carpentry.

Jeff worked for Xcel Energy at Red Wing, Minnesota for several years. He also worked as a mason for Dakota Rhodes for about 15 years. He was also a valued Construction Laborers Union Local 563 journeyman member.

Jeff was married to Cyndi Peterson for seven years before the marriage dissolved. His favorite pastimes were hunting and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his father Harold and nephew Christian Thompson.

Survivors include his mother, Mary; siblings Randy Thompson; Frank (Stacy) Thompson; and Deanna (Wes) Cronin; nephew Mitch (Ellen) Thompson and their children Wyatt, Frankie, and Anders; niece Abby Thompson; several aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.

Jeff will be remembered for being quiet and kind. Also, for his thoughtful wit and for being a skilled tradesman. While he was good at football and wrestling, he currently holds the record at Spring Valley High School in the 800M with 2:01 and held the record in the 800M indoor relay at UWRF from 1988-89. He was loved by all his teammates.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at a later date.

Keehr Funeral Home, (keehrfuneralhome.com) Spring Valley, is handling arrangements.

Bonnie (Jacobson) Haas passed away peacefully on December 7, 2023, at Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin, Wisconsin.

Bonnie was born November 19, 1939, to Albert and Lena Jacobson in Wilson, Wisconsin. Growing up on the farm, she was the youngest of six children. There was always an adventure to be had – whether it was walking bare foot through the fields to get the cows, driving the equipment (when way too young), splashing in the river, singing to the animals, or exploring with her friends, Bonnie was always up for it.

Bonnie attended Brookville School before hopping on the school bus to go to school in Woodville, Wisconsin. She attended Woodville School (except for a short time when the family moved to Redding, California) where she was active in band and choir. It was in school that Bonnie met the love of her life, Kenny Haas, along with many of her lifelong friends.

Bonnie attended the University of River Falls before marrying Kenny in 1959 and starting their family.  They went on to have four children: Juli, Tom, Shelly and Sarah.

Bonnie and Kenny lived in the twin cities until moving back to the Woodville area in 1972. During this time Bonnie worked various jobs until starting her 30+ year career with the United States Post Office.

Bonnie enjoyed being back in the Woodville Community. She bowled in a bowling league, was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Club, church choir, church council, Nutty Knitters, and coordinated the Red Cross Blood drive for several years.

Bonnie loved being with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren. The room was filled with laughter, love and fun when the family and her group of dear friends were together. Ever looking for the next adventure, Bonnie loved going on road trips, taking vacations, gardening, exploring, and performing.

Bonnie re-discovered her flare for the dramatic when there was an audition call for the play “Our Town” and she decided to try out.  After that first play, she was hooked, and was part of several productions with the Off Broadway Players, Spring Valley Stagehands, Willow River Players and performed at the Phipps, The Art Barn, The Mabel Tainter and with other local acting groups.

After retiring in 2001 the plan was relaxation and travel. This plan unexpectedly changed when Kenny passed away in January of 2002. Bonnie, a pillar of strength, had to shift the plan to a solo adventure. She spent retirement acting with theater groups, enjoying her home in the country, taking care of the grandkids (Jessica, Jordan, Destinee and Caleb) and traveling with friends and family. She enjoyed time spent with trips to visit her family in California and trips with friends to Mexico, Ireland, and a very special trip to Norway.

Bonnie was a very kind, fun-loving, strong lady who was a great mother, grandmother, friend, and community member.  She was loved and will be missed by all those who were lucky enough to know her.

She will especially missed by her children: Juli (John) Gardner, Tom (Brenda) Haas, Shelly (Paul) Timmerman and Sarah Haas;  grandchildren: Jessica (Mark) Lefeber, Jordan (Derek) Duval, Destinee (Izaac Peterson) Rose-Haas, Caleb Haas-Rock, Jesse (Rachel) Gardner, Mindy (Billy) Roth, and Nick Lillie; great grandchildren: Sam, Gus, Stella, Valorie, Summer and Jackson; sisters-in-law: Elaine Jacobson, Marilyn Jacobson and Rosemarie Haas;  brother-in-law: Glenn and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Kenny Haas; parents: Albert and Lena Jacobson, parents’ in-law Walter and Regina Haas; sisters: Jae, Gayle and Jan; brothers: Art and Jim; brothers-in-law Clint, Rudy, John, Bernard, Harry and Donald; and special friends.

A Celebration of life service will be on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Woodville, Wisconsin.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at church prior to the service.

Burial in Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Woodville will be at a later date.

Keehr Funeral Home (keehrfuneralhome.com), Spring Valley, is handling arrangements.