Pauline Dollie Champion
January 25, 1922 - October 11, 2016
Obituary
OREGON-Pauline Dollie Champion, age 94, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, at Skaalen Home in Stoughton. She was born on Jan. 25, 1922, on the family farm outside of Evansville, the daughter of Paul and Ruby (Greatsinger) Gransee. After graduating from Evansville High School, she worked for the Baker family in Evansville. On a blind date she met Norman Champion, they were married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa on March 25, 1941. Together they raised three daughters, Ann, Gwen, and Mary Lynne. Pauline was devoted to her family and actively involved in the community. She was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church where she sang in the choir, created over 500 Baptismal napkins, knit prayer shawls, sewed quilts and was an active member of the altar guild. Pauline was past queen for Daughters of the Nile, past matron for Eastern Star, and was active in Town and Country Women's Club, Oregon Historical Society, Friends of the Library, Girl Scouts, Silver Threads and several card groups. Alterations were a specialty of hers. Pauline's favorite creations were the many she created for her family. She had a beautiful singing voice, enjoyed music, gardening, time spent at the cabin and any activity with her family. In 1957, she received the Wisconsin Junior Chamber of Commerce Carol Award for Outstanding Mother of the Year. She was Norman's partner in business, house renovations, craft and woodworking projects and projects at their cabin in Northern Wisconsin. Pauline is survived by three daughters, Ann (John) Benedict, Gwen (David) Lister and Mary (Mike Casey) Gerth; grandchildren, Peter, Sarah and Paul (Natasha) Benedict, Casey (Thomas Beckwith) and Clinton (Cara) Thompson, Andrew Lister, Cora (Andrew) Redd and Mark (Chealsey) Gerth; great-grandchildren, Laura, John, Rowan, Caleb, Hudson, Arlo and Casen; sister, Gwen Reese; sister-in-law, Dorothy Gransee; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 66 years, Norman; and brothers, Earl and Louia Gransee. A funeral service will be held at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 E. Netherwood St., Oregon, at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, with the Rev. Paul Markquart presiding. Burial will be at Prairie Mound Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church.
Gunderson Oregon
Funeral & Cremation Care
1150 Park Street
(608)835-3515
Events
Visitation
Sat Oct 15, 2016 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
St. John's Lutheran Church (Oregon) • 625 E. Netherwood St., Oregon, WI 53575
Service
Sat Oct 15, 2016 @ 11:00 AM CDT
St. John's Lutheran Church (Oregon) • 625 E. Netherwood St., Oregon, WI 53575
Photos
No photos of Pauline have been shared yet.
Memories
AD
Ann and Phil Dettwiler
Other •
Ann, Gwen, Mary and families: We extend hugs and love to you all in the loss of your mom, who was truly queen of mothers in Oregon, WI. What wonderful memories we hold of your mom and dad.......and you......as we lived and raised our family in Oregon. Having lost our mothers we feel your angst and heartbreak with the close of this chapter in your lives, and the ache of not having a mom with whom to share joys and sorrows of life. Your memories are the real jewels for you and for each and every member of your family. Talk about her, share her story, laugh and giggle at wonderful times you all shared -- she will live on in your hearts forever and your children (and children's children) will know her because of your conversations. What a blessing she was.
Our deepest sympathy to you all,
Ann and Phil Dettwiler
GJ
gail Jordan-Jones
Other •
Dear Gwen, Ann and Mary-- and your families. What a great woman! And lucky you that pieces of her dignity and strength and intelligence and sence of fun are within each of you. She was truly a beauty--inside and out! She will Rest in Peace. For a while. Then she'll get up and organize a craft circle to make pine cone wreaths and peeker-brownies for the new arrivals prior to Christmas. You know it's true!! With love to all, Gail Jordan-Jones.
AS
Alice Seeliger
Other •
What a treasure your mom (and dad) were for the Village of Oregon! They have left a wonderful legacy of contributing to the growth and livability of small-town America. Through their successful business, volunteer work, and community involvement, they were certainly pillars of the community. Such good examples they set for the rest of us. Sincere sympathies to Ann, Gwen, Mary and your families.
TH
Ted and Paula Heitzler
Other •
Gwen and Dave,
Even though we never had the pleasure and joy of meeting your mother, we know how much she meant to your whole family. Please accept our sincerest sympathy and know that we are thinking of you.
Paula and Ted
JG
Julie Rygh Green
Other •
Ann, Gwen, Mary and families, we are so sorry to hear about Pauline's passing. She was an amazing woman and a good friend of my mom. She will forever be remembered in the Oregon community. Julie Rygh Green, Lyndon, Kansas.
CP
Charles Plummer
Other •
Ann, Gwen and Mary,
I am so sorry to hear the news of your mother's passing. She, and Norm, were such a integral part of my fond memories of growing up on Hayler Court. Your parents were such great friends of my parents that they seemed like if they were another aunt and uncle to me. They provided great advice to me in my teen years, including "Turn that stereo down!" on a regular basis. I still call their first house on the street "The Champion house". Your folks were such a force in Oregon. I enjoyed how they argued the pluses and minuses of all local political issues with my folks, but then went and did something about the issues that they were passionate about.
I am sure there is a void in your lives now due to your mother's passing. God bless your whole family at this time of sorrow and celebration of Pauline's life.
Charles Plummer