Virginia M. (Karlen) Drafahl, age 89, of Monroe, passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Pleasant View Nursing Home. Virginia was born in Adams Township, Green County, Wisconsin on November 9, 1933 during a snowstorm at the Karlen Homestead. She was the daughter of Fred C and Marie (Feldt) Karlen. She attended Dividing Ridge School and graduated from Monroe High School in 1952. On June 23rd, 1956 she married Calvin T. Drafahl and they farmed in Washington Township. Virginia was a member of Washington Reformation Church, rural Monticello, since 1957 and served on many church committees as well as teaching Sunday school. She spent many years on the Tuesday afternoon bowling league at the Swiss Lanes and marched in many Memorial Day parades with the Amstutz-Marty Legion Auxiliary. She was very proud to have been the first cashier at the Sky View Drive In and has fond memories of working for Chet Becker at Becker’s Leader Store. She worked many years at Spurgeons and was the Demo Lady at the Piggly Wiggly for 12 years. She loved it when Donna Douglas called and needed her to volunteer at the Green County National Cheesemaking Center. After retiring from the farm, Calvin and Virginia had a big vegetable and flower garden and enjoyed participating in the Farmer’s Market at the HilldaleMall in Madison.
Virginia is survived by her six children: Lynn (Jerry) Lokken, Patricia (Steven) Binger, Nancy Beutel, Janet (Steven) Gobeliall of Monroe, Robert Drafahl, and Susan (Randy) Crooks both of Monticello. She is survived by her grandchildren: Kelly (Curt) Gratz, Amanda (Peter) Jordan, Joshua (Brittany) Binger, Corey (Clarrisa) Binger, Terry (Kara) Beutel, Lisa Tesch, John (Michelle) Elmer and Keith Elmer. Her great grandchildren: Emma, Auburn, Zion Gratz, Jack and Henry Jordan, Liam and Darwin Tesch, Hayden and Cambria Elmer, Bodhi and Kyla Binger, and Grayden Binger. She is further survived by Tammy (Jeff) Mabis, Vicki Bigler, and Kim (Rick) Sies and their families. She is also survived by her sister in law, Elaine Karlen;best friends Leonard and Annie Komprood and Esther Tregloan;and many nephews and nieces.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin in 1991; her parents; her brothers, Ralph and Rolland; sister in law,Marlys Karlen Kittelson; son in laws, Ernie Beutel and Mike Elmer; and grandsons, Tracy Beutel and Cole Mabis.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at the Washington Reformation United Church of Christ with Rev. Kelly Volk officiating. Interment will be in Highland Cemetery, Monticello. Visitation will be at the Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, on Monday, April 10, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, amemorial fund will be established in Virginia’s name for the Monticello Foundation and Washington Reformation Church. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
