DeVerne C. Seland

DeVerne C. Seland, 79, of Coon Valley, died peacefully early Sunday April 11, 2010 at his home. He was born September 14, 1930 in Jefferson Township, Vernon County to Clarence and Signe (Skolos) Seland. He graduated from Viroqua High School in 1948. DeVerne served during the Korean War in the U.S. Army from November 1952 to November 1954 spending most of his time in South Korea. He attended La Crosse State College and graduated from the Univ. of Minnesota with a degree in Mortuary Science in 1959. DeVerne married Lillian Norby on September 12, 1959 at the Elim Swedish Covenant Church in Minneapolis. He was employed by the Goodrich Funeral Homes in Durand and Menomonie from July 1959 to December 1964. The couple then moved to Coon Valley having purchased the funeral home and furniture store from G.S. Gilbertson. After 30 years he sold the funeral home to his son Mark and the flooring store to his son Tim.

Over the years DeVerne served on many boards and committees including the Coon Valley Village Board, the Westby School Board, the Gundersen Lutheran Hospital Board, and a charter member of the Coon Valley Industrial Development Corp. where he served as secretary. He also had a special place in his heart for the high school students he had taught in Sunday school at Coon Valley Lutheran Church.

DeVerne so enjoyed serving the people in the area and continued to do so until his health prevented it. He loved to visit with friends over coffee, going to auctions, antiques and old cars. His grandchildren meant the world to him and he loved their hugs, attending their games and activities and just watching them grow up. The saving grace of Jesus was most important to him and knowing that he would be reunited with his family in heaven gave him great peace. His sense of humor, generous, selfless and compassionate way will be missed by all of us.

Survivors include his loving wife of 50 years, Lil, 2 sons Tim (Diane) of Westby and Mark (Laura) of Coon Valley; 9 grandchildren, Adam, Alyssa, Dustin, Brady, Thomas, Karri and Annika Seland; Paige and Lee Berger; one great granddaughter Ever Lillian; sisters-in-law, Margaret Seland of Fergus Falls, MN, Thelma Walstad of Minneapolis, MN and Sophie Wiesert of Bigfork, MN; an aunt Harriet (Lawrence) White of Viroqua; and several special nieces, nephews and cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Paul in 1999.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday April 17, 2010 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Mitzi Miyamoto and Pastor Tom Olson will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Coon Valley American Legion Post #116. Friends may call on Friday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley and at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time. Online condolences at selandsfuneralhome.com.

We are so thankful to the many people who have helped or given in so many ways. A special thanks to Angie from Franciscan Skemp Hospice and to Jeanne Larson and Donna Gunningham for their wonderful and loving care.