Obituary for Willa V. (Gowlland) Thingvold

Willa V. (Gowlland) Thingvold, 89, of La Crosse, passed away Thursday, March 4, 2021, at Bethany-St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse. She was born June 25, 1931, in Two Harbors, Minn., to William and Edris (Coborn) Holliday. Willa attended and graduated from Winona State University and it was during this time she met Bobby Gowlland. They were married June 6, 1953. To this marriage two children were born, William "Billy" and Marie. Although their marriage ended in divorce, they continued to be close friends. On February 14, 1999, she married Norman D. Thingvold and after 20 years of marriage, he preceded her in death on November 10, 2019. Willa worked from 1974 until 1999 as a full-time elementary school teacher in the La Crosse School District primarily teaching Art at Emerson and Hamilton Schools. Willa enjoyed the outdoors, skiing, art, and music which she shared at many area nursing homes throughout the years. Survivors include her daughter, Marie Gowlland-Strupp (Terry Herbst); three grandsons, William "Bud" (Christina) Strupp, II, Michael Strupp, and Benjamin Strupp; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, She was preceded in death by her son, William "Billy" Gowlland; her first husband, Bobby Gowlland; her second husband, Norman D. Thingvold; and four sisters. A Celebration of Willa's life will be held at a later date. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Woodruff Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.jandtfredrickson.com.