Charlene E. Lebakken

Charlene Lebakken (Olson), passed away peacefully, with family at her side, on Nov. 26, 2024. She was 83.

She was born in Viroqua on July 31st in 1941 and grew up on the family farm with her parents and her brother. She graduated from Viroqua High School in 1958, and then attended the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Madison, Wisconsin, graduating in 1961 as an RN. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Lewis Lebakken Jr. They married on September 2nd, 1962.

After living in Seattle for a few years, they moved to Albert Lea, Minnesota, and had two children. Lewis worked for the Department of Agriculture, and as he was promoted, the family would have to relocate. They moved to La Habra California, Bay Village Ohio, and then to Woodbridge, Virginia.

Charlene took a brief hiatus from nursing to raise her children. Once the children were in school, she was hired at a pediatrician’s office, eventually becoming head nurse. After her husband retired from the Department of Agriculture and became a Methodist minister, they moved back to their home state of Wisconsin. She then worked at a clinic in Kaukana, and when they moved to La Crosse to be closer to their grandchildren, she worked as a float nurse in the Mayo Health System in La Crosse until her retirement.

Throughout her life, beginning at her home church in Viroqua, she was a church organist. She instilled the love of music into her children. She was also known for her sewing skills, particularly quilting. She will be remembered for her empathy, her warmth and a calling to serve others.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary Olson, her brother, Stanley Olson, her daughter, Laura Lebakken, and her beloved husband of fifty-two years, Lewis Lebakken Jr. She is survived by her son, Bradley Lebakken and his wife Linda Lebakken, her grandsons, Trygve and Nels Lebakken, as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins and in-laws. The family can be comforted knowing that she is at peace, and is in the presence of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 3:00 pm at Faith United Methodist Church, 1818 Redfield St, La Crosse. Visitation will be held from 2:00-3:00 pm at the church.