Helen Sofia Felde

Helen Sofia Felde, 96, formerly of West Prairie, died Sunday, July 25 at the home of David and Toni Felde in Stoddard, Wisconsin where she had been living with them for several years. She was born at West Prairie on January 13, 1914 to Allen and Bertha (Johnson) Halverson. She was a lifetime member of Northwest Prairie Lutheran Church and a resident of West Prairie except for the first few years of her marriage, when they lived on Boma Ridge. She graduated from Viroqua High School.

She married Lee Felde in 1945 and they spent their lives living at the West Prairie Store where they enjoyed farming, gardening, drinking coffee; and working and building community around the store. Activities included a long list of church commitments, the Birthday Club, and Homemakers. She was a woman of quiet faith and constant prayer, who exhibited the gift of thankful contentment with her life.

She is survived by; two sons, David (Toni) of Stoddard, Robert (Martha) of Decorah, IA; four grandchildren: Tiffany (Pete) Rahn of Fort Atkinson, WI, Kathryn Felde of New York City, Jackson and Brandon Felde of Decorah; one great grandchild, Wesley Rahn and one brother, Frederick of Stoddard. She was preceded in death by her husband Lee; her parents; two brothers, one in infancy, and Alfred; and three sisters, Inga, Aleda, and Ruth.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday July 30, 2010 at Northwest Prairie Lutheran Church. Pastor Helen Johnson will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be given to Vernon Memorial Hospice or Northwest Prairie Cemetery Fund.