Obituary for Verna Willinger

She was born December 6, 1928, in La Crosse to Fritz and Etta (Becker) Ehlo. Fritz lovingly referred to Verna as his “little tomboy” because wherever he went, she went too.

Verna was born and raised in West Salem and was a 1946 graduate of West Salem High School. On June 17, 1950, she married Allen “Al” Willinger at Christ Ev. Lutheran Church in West Salem and they were blessed with three sons, Gary, Steven, and Glenn.

Verna held various jobs throughout her working career including, working at the phone company, the dime store, and Rose Jewelers. Her most important job was being a homemaker to her husband and their three boys.

Verna was a very active member of the community - serving her church in the ladies aide and altar guild, participating in the homemaker’s club, and working in the Community Care and Share Pantry in West Salem.

In her free time, she could always be found working a crossword puzzle; even into the late hours of the night if a puzzle needed to be finished.

Survivors include her sons, Glenn Willinger of Onalaska and Steven (Mary) Willinger of New Berlin, Wis.; daughter-in-law, Karen Willinger; grandchildren, Amy Willinger (fiancee, Steven Skloss), Paul Willinger, Heather Maldonado, Emily Willinger, Kyle (Holly) Willinger, Scott Willinger, James Willinger, and Brandon Willinger; ten great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and friends.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Al; and her son, Gary.

A Christian Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on January 31, 2026, at Christ Ev. Lutheran Church, 500 Park St., West Salem. Rev. Don Frelitz will officiate. Burial will follow in Neshonoc Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers or gifts to the family, Verna requested memorials be directed to Christ Ev. Lutheran Church in West Salem.

The family would like to thank the staff at Mulder Health Care Facility and St. Croix Hospice for the loving care they provided to Verna.

Online condolences may be offered to Verna's family at this site.