Muriel Esther (Onsrud) Stoneman

Stoneman, Muriel Esther (Onsrud)FITCHBURG-Muriel Esther (Onsrud) Stoneman, age 83, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 19, 2009, in her beloved farm home. Muriel\'s life combined integrity, grace, wisdom, beauty and good humor to an extraordinary degree. She worked in constant service to God, family, friends and community, and was committed to maintaining a warm home that was welcoming to all. She was a consummate cook and baker, whose talents were much appreciated at the numerous family gatherings, and by all who stopped by the farm. (Her \"made-from-scratch\" angel food cakes were legendary!) Muriel loved to play cards, to work in the garden and yard, to greet friends and neighbors as they came to the farm to buy sweet corn, and to play, bake cookies and make Kool-Aid with her grandchildren. All who she encountered were welcomed as friends, and came away richer for the experience. Born May 22, 1926, Muriel began her education in a rural country school and then transferred to the Oregon School District, graduating with salutatorian honors in 1944 from Oregon High School. She went on to become an x-ray technician at University Hospital. She met the love of her life, Bill Stoneman, through 4-H, and they were married on Oct. 25, 1947. Bill and Muriel farmed together thereafter, raising registered Brown Swiss cattle, selling eggs, pumpkins and, for the last 42 years, Super Sweet corn at their farm and area farmers\' markets. Muriel also served more than 40 years as a poll worker and election inspector for the Town and then City of Fitchburg. As a longtime Fitchburg resident, she served on many different boards and committees, and was especially proud of her service on the Community and Economic Development Authority, on which she served until just last year. Muriel loved to sing and was a lifelong member of St. John\'s Lutheran Church Choir (Oregon). She was a fixture in the congregation at St. John\'s, was active in Rachel Circle, was president of the Women of St. John\'s four times, held multiple chair positions throughout her 52 year involvement with St. John\'s Smorgasbord, and was involved with The Road Home, the Funeral Committee and with welcoming new members. (She was passionate in her desire to help new members integrate into the St. John\'s family!) She was also a member of Swan Creek Sewing Circle, The Fitchburg Historical Society and several other clubs and organizations. She was a long-time census-taker for the Oregon School District, and served on the school district\'s recent Vision 20/20 planning committee. In her \"spare time\", Muriel was an avid reader and an avid sports fan, cheering on her Brewers, Packers and anything Badger.Muriel always felt the most memorable event in her life was the day she married Bill and came to live on the Stoneman family farm. Her devotion to him, their three children, Nancy (Dean) Berkas of Fort Atkinson, Mary Sue (Jim) Oppermann of Brookfield, and John (Jane) Stoneman of Fitchburg; and their nine grandchildren, Erik (Jenny) Berkas, Kristin (Micah) Berkas Oines, Kevin, Peter (Arin) and Kayla Oppermann, and Michael, Anna, Lauren, and Katherine Stoneman, was transcendent and will be treasured forever.\r\n Additionally, Muriel is survived by sisters, Janet (Bob) Campbell of Marshfield, Dorothy Schuster of Madison, and Naomi (Clarence) Rockwell of Oregon; brother, John (Mary) Onsrud of Edgerton; sisters-in-law, Janet (Bob) Keenan of Oregon, Barbara Stoneman of Madison, and Dorothy Goddard of Rockford, Ill.; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, Bill; parents, John and Esther Onsrud; sister, Eunice Hall; and brother, Otis Onsrud.\r\n Funeral services will be held at ST. JOHN\'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 E. Netherwood, Oregon on Thursday, July 23, 2009, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Paul Markquart officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hall Cemetery, Highway M, Fitchburg. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Suggested memorials in honor of Muriel\'s life are to, The William and Muriel Stoneman Family Scholarship (c/o Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, 52101) or St. John\'s Lutheran Church, Oregon.\r\n The Farmer\'s Wife(Muriel\'s favorite poem)\r\n As I chose him,I chose this land, this life.And always knew that as his wife, Midst labors never done. By love we three were wed.We and the land are one.\r\n The land will miss her, as will her family and friends, such a beautiful person, such a beautiful life.\r\n \r\n Memorials: Suggested memorials in honor of Muriel\'s life are to, The William and Muriel Stoneman Family Scholarship (c/o Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, 52101) or St. John\'s Lutheran Church, Oregon. Visitation: Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Service: Funeral services will be held at ST. JOHN\'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 E. Netherwood, Oregon on Thursday, July 23, 2009, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Paul Markquart officiating.