Milla Catherine Pasell

OREGON-(Milla) Catherine Pasell, age 99, passed away at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg on Sunday, March 13, 2016, from bone cancer. She was born in Oregon, Wis., on June 27, 1916, to William and Cora (Stokstad) Clark. She was preceded in death by her husband, Runar Pasell; sisters, Caryl Spellman and Phyllis Sperle; brothers-in-law, Francis Spellman and Claire Sperle; step-father, George Geary, and son-in-law, Herb Luthin. She is survived by her children, Pat (Don Heinz), Dale (Clara) and Jim (Patti); sister, Donna Chesemore; grandchildren, Abigail Luthin (Ben Kauffman), Chrissy (Charlie Alexander), Katie (SeeYew Mo) and Jake Pasell; great-grandchildren, Ruby, Eva and Aaron Kauffman, and Lila Alexander. Catherine was a long-term resident of Oregon and graduated from Oregon High School in 1933 as Salutatorian at age 16. Years later her sister, Caryl would recall that her parents were determined that Catherine should go to the University of Wisconsin. It was during the Depression and people were distrustful of banks. Her parents went to neighbors to borrow the money for tuition. When they went to the home of her teacher, Amy Nichols, Ms. Nichols went out back and came back with the cash that she had hidden somewhere outside. Catherine later paid back Ms. Nichols and others who had helped her. She received her B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1938. Catherine interned at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minn., to become a dietitian and worked there for a short time after her internship concluded. She also worked at St. Catherine's Hospital in Rockford, Ill. and returned to the University of Wisconsin to work as a dietitian at the Memorial Union where she met her future husband, Runar. They were married on Aug. 28, 1944, in Fresno, Calif., while Runar was still in the service. At the end of World War II they moved to Detroit, Mich., where they would spend the next 16 years, welcoming the birth of their daughter, Pat in 1947, followed by births of sons, Dale (1950) and Jim (1952). In 1961, Catherine returned with her family to her hometown of Oregon, Wis. Runar passed away in June of 1976. Catherine was employed as a dietitian at Veteran's Hospital in Madison for 20 years, retiring in 1981. She was a long-term and active member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Oregon and drew strength from her faith throughout the years and especially in these last difficult weeks and months. Thanks to church members who visited Mom and offered comfort and encouragement after she could no longer attend services, and to Pastor Paul for his visits in these last weeks. A special thanks to her good friends, Fred and Gladys Sage who remained constant and reliable friends throughout these many years and offered prayers and words of encouragement to the family in the last few days. It was greatly appreciated by both Catherine and her family. Catherine remained active after her retirement and enjoyed her Silver Sneakers exercise classes at the YMCA in Madison, which she attended on a regular basis for many years, along with her good friend, Kate Beck. They would take turns driving until the last few years when Catherine decided, on her own, that her driving days were over and Kate took over this task full time. Thereafter friends provided rides to church, for shopping, card club and any number of other activities. Thanks to all of you for this kindness. Also thanks to her sister Donna Chesemore who contacted Mom regularly either by phone or in person and to all of the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins who called, visited or wrote. It meant a great deal to her and she would mention every call, visit or card. And thanks to Sue Busse and her dog Zoey, who would stop in on their walks and brighten Mom's day. Thanks to Dr. Balin and staff at Dean Clinic Oregon for their care over the years. Also thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff on 4SW at St. Mary's Hospital for their wonderful care after Mom's diagnosis with cancer, and also to the truly amazing people at Agrace Hospice who provided the kind of loving care in the last week that was all we could have hoped for. To the staff and residents of Main St. Quarters, who became like a second family to Mom over the last year and a half, the family would like to express our sincere gratitude for all that you did. The efforts were sometimes above and beyond and did not go unnoticed. Catherine lived her life humbly with a quiet strength and an enduring sense of optimism. She retained her sense of humor even in her final days. Catherine was always the source of strength for her family whenever there were difficult times, not by pretending to have all the answers, but as an example of how to live life one day at a time, doing the best you can each day and then moving on to the next. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2016, at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 E. Netherwood St., Oregon, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Paul Markquart presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church, Oregon or Agrace HospiceCare, Fitchburg. Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care 1150 Park Street (608)835-3515