Rockwell, Hilda Mae

BLANCHARDVILLE/ BROOKLYN - Hilda Mae Rockwell, age 77, of Blanchardville (500 Railroad St., Village of Blanchardville, Lafayette Co.), formerly of Brooklyn, died on Tuesday morning, at her home in Blanchardville, surrounded by her family. She was born on March 28, 1929, in Viroqua to Carl and Ella (Ellefson) Hanson. She grew up and attended school in the Viroqua area. She was also baptized and confirmed in the Franklin Lutheran Church in Vernon County. Hilda was married on Oct. 3, 1947, to Orlan Adrian Olson. They lived and farmed in the Brooklyn area. Orlan died in 1956. She later married Lavern Keehn, and they lived and farmed in Brooklyn. She later married Gloydie "Rocky" Rockwell. He died on April 19, 1986. She moved to Blanchardville in 1990. She worked at the New Glarus Home, Wisco Industries in Oregon, and Caring Hearts and Generations In Care out of Darlington. Hilda loved fishing, gardening and rosebushes; caring for others, and polka and waltz music. Her family also loved her cooking, especially her Lefse. Hilda is survived by a very special friend and companion of 20 years, Lloyd Moen of Blanchardville; seven children, Orvin Olson of Horseshoe Bend, Ark., Terry Keehn of Beloit, Cheryl Way of Oregon, Kathy (Jeff Roberts) Keehn of Edgerton, Anna Mae (Paul) Edgington of Beetown, Gladys (Charlie) Woodward of Lancaster, and Paul (Lori) Rockwell of Stoughton; three sisters, Bernice (Knute) Johnson of Soldiers Grove, Elnora (Clayton) Jackson of Janesville, and Beatrice (David) Gratz of Reedstown; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Hilda was preceded in death by her parents; three husbands, Orlan Olson in 1956, Lavern Keehn and Gloydie "Rocky" Rockwell in 1986; three sons, Richard Olson in 1987, Charlie Rockwell in 1985 and her son Earl Rockwell in 1995; a grandson, John Voegeli; two daughters-in-law, Agnes Keehn and Sandy Olson; a brother, Carlyle Hanson; and a sister, Alice Revels. The family would like to thank the Lafayette County Hospice, Turville Bay Radiation, and Debra Krebs and the staff at the New Glarus Clinic for their compassionate care. A visitation for Hilda will be held on Saturday morning, Dec. 30, 2006, from 10 a.m. until noon at the SAETHER FUNERAL HOME in Blanchardville. Funeral services will be held following the visitation at noon on Saturday at the funeral home. The Rev. Mark Gruner of the Pecatonica Lutheran Parish will officiate. Burial will be in the Prairie Mound Cemetery in Oregon at 3:30 p.m.