Emily Squires

Emily Callaway Squires, 87, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2012, at Rest Haven Health Care Center, Verona, WI. Emily's life story began on April 9, 1925 in Readstown, WI. She was born to Bernie and Annie Callaway, the middle of five children and always cherished her small-town upbringing. She graduated from Vernon County Teachers College and taught at rural,one room schools in the 1940’s. In 1945 she married Peter (Bud) Solverson Jr. and they farmed in rural Viroqua for many years, where they raised their four children. In 1985 she married Bob Keller of Soldiers Grove, and touched the lives of new family and friends, including those at their winter home in Florida. Bob died in 1990. In 1994, Emily and George Squires had the good fortune of meeting at Asbury Methodist Church in Middleton. We celebrated their marriage later that year and her family grew to include George’s children and grandchildren. Together they enjoyed many years of love, companionship, travel, paper folding, and hand holding. Emily had no fear of hard work and rose to every challenge that life presented, guided by her strong faith. She returned to teaching in the 70’s and graduated from UW LaCrosse, while working full time, raising teenagers, and helping on the farm. She taught Sunday school, served in the PTA, was a foster mom, and a 4-H leader. Her teaching career was legendary and was primarily spent in Readstown Elementary School. To her children, Monte, Margie, Peg and Pat, she was a great mom. She made every holiday and birthday special, and taught valuable lessons by example. Her grandchildren, Jenny, David, Kelly, Katie, Sarah, Molly, Megan, and Andrew grew up in Grandma Em’s love, frequently receiving letters of encouragement and praise, usually with a couple of dollars for ice cream. Emily loved her wonderful caregivers at Rest Haven, her angels, her Bible, her flowers, random acts of kindness, and a good joke. We are especially grateful for the special care given during her last years by grand daughter Sarah and the Rest Haven staff. Emily is survived by a wide circle of family and friends who will miss her every day, including her husband George of Middleton, her son Monte Solverson of Stoughton; three daughters, Margie (Jim) Hesson of Spearfish, SD, Peg (Stan) Jones of Wausau and Pat (Gary) Witkowski of Oconomowoc. She is further survived by her sisters, Barbara Prestegard and Lois (Frank) Catrambone, sisters-in-laws Odella (Jim)Burnard and Carol Callaway, her grandchildren Jenny (Rich), Sarah (Aaron), Kelly (Justin), Molly, David, Katie (Josh), Megan (August) and Andrew; eight great grandchildren, her stepchildren Scott (Linda) Squires, Steve (Linda) Squires, Mike (Christine) Squires, Sue (John) Estes, Rob (Kim) Squires, and their families. Those who preceded her in death are celebrating a reunion in heaven and include her brother Blayne Callaway; sister, Norma Dutch and brother-in-law, Orlan Prestegard. The love she gave her family surrounds us now as we move forward. We invite you to gather with us to celebrate Emily’s life on Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Gunderson West Funeral Home, 7435 University Ave, Middleton. A private graveside service will be held at the Readstown Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 from 5 to 7p.m. at Gunderson West Funeral Home. In lieu of memorials, the family requests that you do a random act of kindness in Emily’s honor. Online condolences would also be appreciated at www.gundersonfh.com. Cemetery: A private graveside service will be held at the Readstown Cemetery. In lieu of memorials, the family requests that you do a random act of kindness in Emily’s honor Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 from 5 to 7p.m. at Gunderson West Funeral Home We invite you to gather with us to celebrate Emily’s life on Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Gunderson West Funeral Home, 7435 University Ave, Middleton.