The Fossum Family

Clifford A Fossum Sr. & Slyvia Fossum

Obituary for Clifford A Fossum Sr. in La Crosse Tribune

Obituary for Clifford A Fossum Sr. in La Crosse County Record-Times

Sylvia Fossum was a member of the State and National Funeral Directors Association. At the time of her death, she was secretary-treasurer of the Western Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association. She worked in partnership with her husband, and after his death, with her son, in Onalaska and surrounding areas for forty years.

She was a member of the First Lutheran Church, Order of the Eastern Star 249, Golden Rule Shrine 21, the Scandinavian American Fraternity, and the Green Thumb Garden Club.

Sylvia died suddenly in her home on November 24, 1967. Her body was cremated. 

Clifford A Fossum Jr. & Elaine Fossum

Clifford A. Fossum Jr. was born March 12, 1930. He was confirmed by Carl 0. Pederson at First Lutheran Church in Onalaska. He was baptized by Rev. Vik. He graduated from Onalaska High School in 1948. He then attended the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin. 

He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science in Milwaukee in 1950. As a young boy, Clifford worked very hard. He delivered the Milwaukee Sentinel, the Milwaukee Journal and also the La Crosse Tribune. He also worked at the Onalaska Canning Company, delivered lefse for Minnie Volla, and worked for Moen.

He worked for the Cement Factory of Midway, at Bugs Knutson's Standard Station in La Crosse and at Outers Laboratory in Onalaska.

On September 23, 1950, he married Elaine R. Gilster of Medary. Elaine became a licensed mortician in 1952. The couple lived in Bangor where they worked in partnership with his parents. In 1963, Clifford and Elaine purchased the Hellwig-Morris Funeral Home in La Crosse. In 1967, they purchased the Runnestrand Funeral Home in Ettrick. When Mrs. Fossum died they purchased all of the Fossum Funeral Homes and have continued to operate them. Clifford and Elaine are the third husband and wife team of funeral directors in Onalaska.

Like his parents, Clifford, Jr. is an active member in community affairs. He is a charter member of the Rotary Club, member of the La Crosse Plugs, United Commercial Travelers, Sons of Norway, National Funeral Directors Association, Holmen Lion's Club, Bangor Business Men's Club, Onalaska American Legion Post 336, Licensed Mortician Wisconsin and Minnesota, member of Ducks Unlimited in three chapters: Onalaska, Holmen and Bangor, and a member of the Holmen and Bangor Rod and Gun Club.

Clifford states that they continue to operate a sincere, old-fashioned business among life-long friends, in a new and modern facility. He loves antiques and has an old horse-drawn hearse which he used at his Grandfather Casberg's funeral in 1982.

Clifford Jr. and Elaine have one son, Curt Allen, who was born on April 23, 1969.

Obituary Article for Clifford A Fossum Jr. in La Crosse Tribune

Curt Allen Fossum