Louise Adeline (Swanson) Shefelbine, age 90, of Blair, WI, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Mayo Health System, La Crosse, WI.

Louise was born Feb 11, 1934, at the family home in Junction City, WI, to the late Edward and Margarette (Schulte) Swanson.

She attended grades 1-8 at the Wolf one-room schoolhouse in Junction City. She graduated in 1952 from PJ Jacobs High School, Stevens Point, WI. After graduation she went on to school at Western Union in Crawfordsville, IN. She worked as a telegraph operator in Beloit, WI until she transferred to Western Union in La Crosse, WI.

Louise was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on October 2, 1952. It was at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in La Crosse that she met her future husband, Mark Shefelbine. They were married December 10, 1955. Louise became a devoted and loving mother to Joel, Steven, and Renee. She was a hardworking, stay-at-home mother and wife who exceled at gardening, canning, and baking. She loved to have family and friends over for a home-cooked meal.

She is survived by her husband Mark of 69 years, two children; Joel Shefelbine (Holmen, WI) and Renee (Dean) Eide (Menomonie, WI), 7 grandchildren; Steven (Laura) Shefelbine, Jr., Heath Shefelbine, Garrett Shefelbine, Jeffrey Shefelbine, Stacey (Jonathan) Schemmer, Kristie (Andrew) Dingeldein, and Michael Shefelbine, as well as 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters: Joyce Smith (Birnamwood, WI), Marjorie Rein (Mosinee, WI), and one brother, John
(Deanna) Swanson (Holmen, WI).

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Shirley Larson, and her son Steven Shefelbine.

Louise enjoyed reading, puzzles, scrabble, cards, traveling, camping trips in the RV, and riding out west on the back of the motorcycle with her husband Mark. She had a special talent for knitting (loved bright colors) and gifted many treasures made from the heart to family and friends. She loved everyone and her greatest joy was teaching people about the bible and the positive hope for the future it contains. Even with dementia, that hope kept her unafraid.

The family wants to thank everyone who provided care to Louise and for their caring heart. A memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1900 Bainbridge St, La Crosse, WI on January 25, 2025 @ 1 p.m. with John (Jack) Swanson officiating.

A luncheon for fellowship will follow at the Omni Center, 255 Riders Club Rd, Onalaska, WI.

Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.