Evangeline “Babe” (Lee) Nofsinger, 99, of Hillsboro passed away on June 10, 2024 at home surrounded by her loved ones.
She was born at home on January 18, 1925, a cold winter day, to Helmer and Ella (Storbakken) Lee in Cashton, Wisconsin. She attended school in Ontario, Wisconsin and was the valedictorian at her high school graduation on May 25, 1943. She then spent the summer in Fresno, California working in the fields. She then moved to Milwaukee and was a waitress at a little café before returning to the area and waitressing in Viroqua. She then began to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher, attending Vernon County Teacher’s College, graduating in 1945. She later attended University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse receiving her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She married Jerry Johnson on June 1, 1947; they later divorced.
She taught at the following rural schools: Johnnycake, Salem, Valley, Burr, and Trippville. She then was hired as the first grade teacher at Hillsboro Schools in 1966. She loved teaching first grade as “the children at that age are so honest and innocent and eager to learn”. Her favorite memories included the Christmas pageants at the various schools. She was voted teacher-of-the year in 1990-1991 which was a great honor. Evangeline retired from teaching in May of 1992. She then kept busy doing her daily walks, substitute teaching, doing Sudoku, building doll houses, reading, spending time with her grandchildren, watching the Brewers, eating out with friends, and the many other things that kept her on-the-go as she did not like to sit still.
Besides teaching, she was a valued part of opening the WalkBack Center in Hillsboro. She donated land and her in-ground pool so the center could be built. She also was a business partner in Dorv’s Concrete and Township Bowl.
Survivors include her daughter, Cindy (Scott) Blum of Sauk City; grandchildren, Tyler Blum, Justin Blum, Cory (Kim) Blum, and Ashley (Nick) Veglahn; great grandchildren, Owen Blum, Weston Blum, Sadie Blum, and Riley Veglahn; sister, Carol (Lee) Heimerl of Chippewa Falls and brother, Gordon Lee of McFarland. She was preceded in death by her parents, Helmer and Ella; brothers, Hansel, Orlando, Arnold, and Donald; sisters, Alida, Ona, and Arlene; grandson, Curt Blum.
We would like to thank her caregivers that have helped over the past three years: Denise, Chanda, Trisha, Deb, Missy and Emma. Special thanks to Agrace Hospice and Rhonda Peterson for their help and support during this difficult time.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Friends may call at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 10 to 11 a.m. Wear your Brewer attire!!
