VIROQUA - Jesus is smiling! Mom is home! Ruth Electa Ottoson, age 85 of Viroqua passed away on Tuesday, April 30th, 2013 at Vernon Memorial Hospital in Viroqua surrounded by her family. She was born on September 7, 1927 in Chicago to James and Ruth (Williams) Faulkner. She attended college in Illinois and on November 18, 1951 married James "Jim" Ottoson of Crystal Lake, IL. They lived in Richmond, IL, Crystal Lake, IL. Monroe, WI., and in 1982 moved to the Viroqua area. Ruth was a stay at home mom who enjoyed being a girl scout leader and 4-H leader. She also held offices with girl scout leadership councils. In the early 1990s she and Jim bought the old Lake home on Garfield Avenue in Viroqua. She was passionate about gardening, antiques, animals, and was a real people person. She had been President of the Vernon Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and was instrumental in developing the Love Light program along with being active in the growth of the Vernon Memorial Hospice Program. Jim passed away in 2001 and she moved in 2006 to Maplewood Terrace Assisted Living Apartments in Viroqua where she enjoyed many friendships.
Ruth is survived by two sons; James F. Ottoson of Norfolk, VA., Jon Ottoson of Viola, WI., two daughters; Kristana "Tana" Ottoson-Canfield and her husband, Richard Canfield of Phoenix, AZ., Rebecca Jo Ottoson of Viroqua, two grandchildren, Taylore Ruth Canfield of Phoenix, AZ., Jacob Davis Gardner of Viroqua, WI. one brother; James (Irma) Faulkner of Rushford, MN. and sister, Jean (Jim) Handke of Woodstock, IL., five nieces, two nephews, a special sister-in-law, Mary Ottoson of St. Louis, MO., other relatives and many friends.
Friends may celebrate Ruth's life from 4-7 at the Thorson Funeral Home in Viroqua on Thursday, May 2nd, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 3rd, 2013 at the Viroqua Church of Christ with Pastor Nathan Prong officiating. Friends may also call at the church after 10 a.m. on Friday. The family suggests memorials to the Vernon County Humane Society, Vernon Memorial Hospital Auxiliary or the Vernon Memorial Hospice program.
Ruth is survived by two sons; James F. Ottoson of Norfolk, VA., Jon Ottoson of Viola, WI., two daughters; Kristana "Tana" Ottoson-Canfield and her husband, Richard Canfield of Phoenix, AZ., Rebecca Jo Ottoson of Viroqua, two grandchildren, Taylore Ruth Canfield of Phoenix, AZ., Jacob Davis Gardner of Viroqua, WI. one brother; James (Irma) Faulkner of Rushford, MN. and sister, Jean (Jim) Handke of Woodstock, IL., five nieces, two nephews, a special sister-in-law, Mary Ottoson of St. Louis, MO., other relatives and many friends.
Friends may celebrate Ruth's life from 4-7 at the Thorson Funeral Home in Viroqua on Thursday, May 2nd, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 3rd, 2013 at the Viroqua Church of Christ with Pastor Nathan Prong officiating. Friends may also call at the church after 10 a.m. on Friday. The family suggests memorials to the Vernon County Humane Society, Vernon Memorial Hospital Auxiliary or the Vernon Memorial Hospice program.