Idella M. Oium

Idella M. Oium, 82, of La Crosse and formerly of Coon Valley died Friday February 11, 2011 at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse with her niece Amanda at her side. She was born April 15, 1928 in Coon Valley to Edward and Alma (Lokken) Oium. She was baptized and confirmed at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Idella graduated from Westby High School in 1947 and from La Crosse State College in 1953. Teaching was her passion and she taught elementary school in Rushford, Minn. for many years. She later worked at La Crosse Rubber Mills and the La Crosse Garment Factory. Idella loved children and spending time with her great niece. She also enjoyed writing poems and sewing.

Survivors include her sister Elverda Olson of Henderson, Nevada; 2 nieces Amanda (Paul) Kuecker of La Crosse and Kathy Byrne (Wally) of Onalaska; 2 nephews Dennis Olson (Jeanette) of Las Vegas, Nevada and Richard (Mary) Skolos of Kendall; a sister-in-law Barbara Oium of La Crosse and several great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 4 brothers Melford, Leonard, Jordahl and Richard; a sister Minerva Skolos and a sister Doris Margaret in infancy.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday March 2, 2011 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Mitzi Miyamoto will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from noon until service time. The Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family.

A special thank you to the doctors and staff of the 7th floor at Franciscan Skemp, her special caregivers and niece Kathy for their excellent care and the kindness of her landlord Jim Stingl.