Evangeline "Van" Ludwigson

Evangeline C. “Van” Ludwigson, age 98 of Alma passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 16, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center in Wabasha. She was born on March 24, 1919 in the Town of Gilmanton, Buffalo County, WI a daughter of the late Christian and Eva (Mattausch) Thoeny. Van attended grade school in Mondovi and Iron Creek School in rural Alma. Van graduated Valedictorian of her class of 1936 of the Alma High School. Following high school, Van attended Buffalo County Teachers College, graduating in 1937. Van went on to teach in the Town of Naples and later the Town of Canton, both in Buffalo County, WI. On April 23, 1938, Van was united in marriage to Sherman Ludwigson in Alma. To this union, three children were born. Sherman preceded Van in death in June of 1990. Van and her husband worked side by side on their farm in Mill Creek. Van still found time to be a substitute teacher in Mill Creek and Tell Schools. She was a longtime and faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church in Alma where she was active as a Sunday School teacher, Ladies aid and the church quilters. She and Sherman were the first to start the food pantry at St. John Lutheran Church along with John and Olena Hartman. Van was also a longtime active member of both the Hill and Dale Homemakers club and the Mill Creek 4-H club as a leader. She volunteered her time at the Alma Bloodmobile. Van was a lady that would graciously volunteer her time for many organizations throughout the area. She and her husband helped raise and mentor many young children as loving foster parents. Van is survived by her children, Sandra (David) Ebert and Lonnie (Elaine) Ludwigson all of Alma; foster son Robert (Becky) Oium of Alma; son in law, Robert (Gladys) Rotering of Alma; 15 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; also by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides her parents, and husband Sherman, Van was preceded in death by her loving daughter, Sharon Rotering; siblings, Alma (Waldemar) Gross, Lillian (Harry) Kreibich and Lorraine (Miles) Pank. A funeral services will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 11:00 am at St. John Lutheran Church in Alma. Burial will follow at Alma Memorial Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 20 from 4 pm until 7pm at the Talbot Family Funeral Home, Alma Chapel and again on Friday from 10:00 am until the hour of the service at the church.