LaVerne M. Gulseth

MCFARLAND - LaVerne M. “Vern” Gulseth, age 89, of McFarland, Wis., passed away on Monday, June 6, 2022.  He was born on Nov. 1, 1932, in Cambridge, Wis., to Marvin and Ina Gulseth (Norstad).

Vern went to Cambridge High School and was elected Prom King. At age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and spent four years serving our country. While home on leave, he met the love of his life, Betty Midthun. The couple eloped on Oct. 12, 1954, and moved to Limestone, Maine, where Vern was stationed.

After leaving the service, Vern returned to his family farm before moving with his wife to Madison, Wis. There he worked at Gisholt Machine Company and helped build the first Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile. As his family started to grow, they moved to a new home in McFarland, Wis. Soon after, he started a role at Oscar Mayer, where he would spend the majority of his career before retiring in his early 60s.

Beyond his profession, he was a natural-born musician. He played the accordion, trumpet and keyboard. It was while Vern was playing accordion in a band performing at her father’s store that Betty first came to know him. He would be a member of several bands throughout his lifetime, with the longest running being the Weeping Willows. He could play the trumpet and accordion at the same time! He could often be found playing his keyboard or listening to country music. His love for music has inspired many family members and will for generations to come.

Vern was a lifelong member of the Western Koshkonong Lutheran Church. His faith was an important part of who he was and the life he lived. It also helped support his love of the Green Bay Packers.

Vern’s smile and sense of humor will be greatly missed by the many family members and friends he leaves behind. He is survived by wife, Betty; four children, Darrell (Mary), Kendall (Patricia), Cheryl and Jaynell; ten grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Valborg; and a large family including brothers-in-law, sisters-in law, nieces, nephews and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ina; brother, Idore; sons, Michael and Randall; and son-in-law, Len.

Funeral services will be held at WESTERN KOSHKONONG LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2633 Church St., Cottage Grove, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Burial will take place at Western Koshkonong Lutheran Cemetery. A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2022, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420