Louise E. Mellem

Louise E. Mellem, 90, of rural West Salem died Saturday November 1, 2014 at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse. She was born June 7, 1924 in Vernon County, Wisconsin to Robert and Allis (Lien) Jacobson. Louise married John O. Gilbertson and they were later divorced. On June 7, 1973, she married Robert Mellem in Waukegan, Illinois. Robert died August 2, 1997.

Louise attended Normal School and graduated from LaCrosse Teacher's College. She taught at the rural, one room Linrud School, grades 1 through 8 and then at Chaseburg School, grades 5 through 8. Louise was a member of the Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church and WELCA. She was an excellent cook and baked many good desserts. She enjoyed visiting with her friends and neighbors and truly enjoyed all the cards that were sent to her in her time of illness. Louise was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Survivors include her 2 sons, John L. (Sharon) Gilbertson of La Crosse and Steve (Ann) Gilbertson of Chaseburg; 2 grandchildren, Heidi Gilbertson (Jens Hansen) of Washington Island, WI and Sara (Lance) Gilbertson Ley of Fitchburg, WI; 4 step grandchildren Andy, Brian, Eric and Jacob Lehman; 1 great grandchild Silas Ley; 3 step great grandchildren, Blake, Austin and Charlie Lehman; 6 sisters, Fern Larson, JoAnne Kadera, Diane Kopie, Donna Jacobson, Shirley Galstad and Kathy (Gary) Gustafson; 3 brothers, Donald (Chris) Jacobson, Jim (Kathy) Jacobson and Robert JR (Debbie) Jacobson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; 3 sisters, Linda Kay Jacobson, Elaine Hansen and Mae Crume and 1 brother Burton Jacobson.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday November 7, 2014 at the Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church, rural Chaseburg. Rev. Donald Fox will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until service time. The Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family.