Erma D. Graupe

Erma D. Graupe, 93 of Westby, died Tuesday July 9, 2024 at Vernon Manor in Viroqua. She was born May 30, 1931 to Clarence and Esther (Brown) Anderson in West Portland, Monroe County. She was baptized at home and confirmed at Portland Lutheran Church. Erma married Kenneth Graupe on October 24, 1949 and they had one child, Dennis. He passed away in 2009. 

 Erma worked at La Crosse Lutheran Hospital in housekeeping and was a waitress for many years. She also helped people as a housekeeper for 60 years and helped her husband on the farm. Erma enjoyed gardening and kept busy with flowers, lawn mowing and painting buildings. She enjoyed feeding the birds and keeping things neat. She loved to cook and bake and was known for making lefse for the holidays as well as sunbakkles and krumkake. Erma was a member of the Coon Valley Lutheran Church and WELCA.

 Erma had a former schoolmate and friend, Milan Dunnum, that she enjoyed spending time with and reminisce from 2005 until Milan’s passing in October 2022. She loved Milan’s grandchildren like her own. She had special friends, Vickie Dunnum and Ann Lafky who helped her with many things. She also had very special family on the Graupe side. 

 Erma is survived by one brother, Marvin Anderson of Westby; nieces, Ruth McClurg of Bangor, Shirley Anderson of Rushford, MN and Carol Beckerjeck of La Crosse; two nephews, Jerrold Anderson of La Crosse and Duane Anderson of Fountain City; and a special grandniece Jasmine Wong of Madison. Brittany Dunnum of Boise, ID, Milan’s granddaughter was a very special friend since Brittany was 8. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth; son, Dennis; three sisters, LaValle Wangen, Stella Anderson, and Joyce Rundhaugen; a nephew, Larry Rundhaugen and a niece, LaVon Kline; her special schoolmate and best friend, Milan Dunnum and special friend, Nina Carns, who she loved like a daughter.

 Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday July 17, 2024 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until time of services. Rev. Jim Scaife will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. The Seland Funeral Home is assisting the family. Condolences may be given at selandsfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be given to the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. 

 A special thank you to St. Croix Hospice and Vernon Manor for their great care and staff that loved her like family.