Arthur Ofsdahl, age 86, of Ettrick, Wisconsin died peacefully at home on Monday, July 27, 2015 surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Art was born January 19, 1929 in Ettrick Township to Arthur Sr. and Mabel (Braaten) Ofsdahl, Grandson of Andrew and Laura (Larson) Ofsdahl and John and Nora (Brekke) Braaten.

He married Kay Carmen Jorgenson on November 5, 1955 at French Creek Lutheran Church in rural Ettrick where he was baptized, confirmed and where he remained an active member throughout his lifetime.

Art attended Wayside Elementary School and graduated from Galesville High School in 1946. As a child he enjoyed school and recess games, ice skating on the creek, sledding, bicycling and playing with cousins. In his teens he was an active member of the Agriculture class and 4-H Club, played on the FFA basketball team, enjoyed skiing and Luther League activities, and began bowling which continued through adulthood.

Art began farming with his father and mother after high school, milking registered Holsteins and achieving excellent production. He enjoyed skiing and continued to bowl with a local team. He was an active church member, and a founding member of the French Creek Lutheran Church Foundation. He served as its secretary and president during his 25 years on the board. Art was clerk of the Town of Ettrick for 29 years, a member of the AG Creamery Board for 6 years, and a Director on the Ettrick Mutual Insurance Board for 16 years. In 2002 Art and Kay moved to Galesville after selling the farm to their son, David. In retirement they volunteered for many years at Gundersen Lutheran and enjoyed spending their free time doing crossword puzzles, playing cards and games with friends, and visiting with family and friends.

While Art was busy with farming, community and church activities, he saved his best work for his family. He was a soft-spoken, gentle man with a sunny disposition and a ready smile. He was an avid reader and he possessed a tender sentimental streak that he passed along to each of his children. Art was a loving, thoughtful husband and the proud father of six healthy, happy children. He was an example of kindness and fun, and his 13 grandchildren loved to go to “the farm” to help feed the cows and play in the hay barn. He was blessed with 5 great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all who were close to him.

Art is survived by Kay, his loving wife of 59 years, and 6 children: Shawn (Ken) Mathys of Green Bay; Andy Ofsdahl (special friend Sandy) of Green Bay; Kris (Mike) Bougie of Appleton; Kim Jacobs of Galesville; Mary (Dave) Hanson of Ettrick; and David Ofsdahl on the family farm in rural Ettrick. He is survived by 13 grandchildren and their spouses: Andrew (Jennifer), Kristen and Kara Mathys; Jeff (Jolene), Kyle, Karley and Hannah Ofsdahl; Peter and Valerie Bougie; Amy (Bret) Bostwick and Michael Jacobs; JJ and Cameron Hanson; and his great grandchildren: Grace and Aaron Mathys; Anna and Ally Ofsdahl; and Cole Gordon Bostwick. He is further survived by his brothers Robert Ofsdahl of Ettrick; Donald (Ardyce) Ofsdahl of San Antonio, TX; and Paul Ofsdahl of Burien, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, in-laws Grace and Ingvald Jorgenson, his brother Ralph (at 5 years of age), his son-in-law Gordy Jacobs, and his sisters-in-law Mary Jane Ofsdahl and Emogene Ofsdahl.

The family would like to acknowledge the total devotion and tender loving care that Kay provided to Art which allowed him to remain in comfort at home over the last few months as his health was failing. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the Gundersen Lutheran hospice team, the Galesville Clinic staff, Dr. Brian Hagan and the Pulmonary staff, and Care Coordinator Jayne Bissen for their kind care and attention to Art’s needs.

A visitation and brief prayer service will be held on Friday evening August 14 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at French Creek Lutheran Church. A funeral service of Praise and Thanksgiving to God led by Pastor Anna Sorenson will be held at French Creek Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation from 10:00 a.m. to time of service and luncheon following in the fellowship hall. Coulee Region Cremation Group, Onalaska assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be designated to the French Creek Lutheran Foundation, Gundersen Lutheran Hospice program or a charity of your choice.