Elsie E. VanWormer, 87, of Sparta, died Saturday, February 23, 2008 at Mulder Healthcare Facility, West Salem. She was born on September 2, 1920 in Mauston, WI to William C. and Ruth (Robinson) Laack. She grew up in the Mauston area and graduated from Mauston High School.

     Elsie married Buford VanWormer on August 5, 1940 in Dubuque, IA. After marriage, they lived in Wonewoc, WI. They moved to Sparta in 1946. Buford passed away on April 8, 1999. She became a resident at Mulder’s in 2005. She enjoyed playing pool, cards, and fishing.

     She is survived by her son, Junior (Mollie) VanWormer of Sparta; her grandchildren, Paul (Jenny) VanWormer, Mark (Stacy) VanWormer, Wayne (Mary) Arnold, William Arnold, Debra (Dewey) Olson, Susan (Brian) Erickson, and Tamara (Brent) Riley; 12 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; a sister, Mary Brandt of Wonewoc; a brother, LeRoy Laack of Cuba City, WI; a son-in-law, Jerry Arnold of Leon; and many other relatives and friends.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a daughter, Donna Arnold; a granddaughter, Cheryl; a brother, Arthur Laack; and a sister, Dorothy Pollock.

     Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Ev Lutheran Church, Sparta, with Reverend Mark Wessel officiating. Burial will be in Farmer’s Valley Cemetery, rural Sparta.

     Family and friends are invited to call at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, on Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of services.