FayAnn Underdahl Obituary

FayAnn Underdahl

January 14, 1932 - June 9, 2025

FayAnn (Faye) Underdahl, age 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 9, 2025. She was born on January 14, 1932, in Columbus, Wisconsin, to Edward and Ruth (Vick) Kitzerow.

Faye graduated from Columbus High School in 1950. She went on to earn her teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse in 1954. She loved her college days, making life long friends through her classes and sorority. After graduation she married the love of her life, Otis Underdahl, on June 17, 1954, at Olivet Congregational Church in Columbus, Wisconsin. They met in high school, after Otis broke his leg and enlisted Faye to carry his clarinet. With a passion for teaching and a deep commitment to her students, Faye began her career at Marshall High School, where she taught for 6 years. She took several years off from teaching to raise her three children and when an opening became available at Rio High, she jumped at the chance to continue teaching Mathematics, English, and eventually became the librarian. In her 27 years at Rio High School, she was more than just a teacher. Faye was an advisor for the Yearbook, National Honor Society, and AFS. She was a friend and mentor to both students and staff.

In addition to her career, Faye was deeply rooted in her church and the community. She was a devoted member of Bonnet Prairie Lutheran Church where she served in many roles. These included Sunday School teacher, Luther League Supervisor, member of the WOC (Women of the Church), as well as serving on the Church Board. She and Otis were instrumental in ensuring the success of the annual Lutefisk Dinner for 35 years by spending all day in the kitchen cooking the fish after spending many evenings making lefse. She looked forward every year to the Strawberry Festival in Rio so she could not only indulge in a favored fruit, but also ensure the community was served their share. Her love of community extended beyond the church. She was a 4-H leader helping young adults master life skills. She and Otis both fully embraced the Rio 100 year centennial celebration by making period costumes, participating in contests and being a participant in the antique car parade. She loved the annual aero club fly-in breakfasts where she ensured pilots and the community had plenty of coffee, pancakes and eggs. She was a true believer in supporting local businesses keeping her shopping within Rio. Somehow in all this, both her and Otis decided to start a side gig catering pig roasts where they found happiness in serving people meals featuring pork chops, pulled pork or whole hog on the spit.

Faye cherished and loved spending time with her family. After retirement, her and Otis traveled within the United States and abroad. They savored the many different cultures they experienced, especially their trip to Norway where they visited the ancestral village of Undredal. The grandchildren brought them a new level of joy. Taking them on summer trips (Florida, South Dakota, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Alaska) to introduce them to travel was a thrill for the entire family. She loved cooking, knitting, and sewing for her children and grandchildren. The icing on the cake was on full display when she created a made to order birthday cake for each grandchild. She ensured her children, grandchildren and most recently great-grand children learned the fine art of making lefsa and krumkake.

After moving to Oakwood Village East in 2001, they found a whole new community to serve and help ensure that all new residents were welcomed. She spent many hours volunteering to pack boxes for active service people, proofing (showing off her editing skills) the Oakwood newsletter, and maintaining the resident archives. In her free time, she enjoyed chatting while working on the group puzzle, watching the Brewers and Badger basketball and volleyball. In her 24 years at Oakwood, she made many new friends that she was happy to call family.

She is survived by her children, Lori Anderson of Stoughton, Randy (Kim) Underdahl of DeForest, and Nan (Dan) Moran of McMinnville, Oregon; grandchildren Derek (Dayken) Underdahl, Forrest Anderson, Austin (Hallie) Underdahl, Signe Froisland, and Emma Evans; great-grandchildren, Brynlee, Bricelyn and Bronson Underdahl and Clifford Underdahl; sister-in-law Mary Lou Davis of Verona; nieces; nephews; cousins; and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; grandchild Clayton Underdahl; and in-laws Robert and Betty Biddle, Martin "Bucky" Davis, and Diane Underdahl.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 23, 2025 at 11 a.m., at Bonnet Prairie Lutheran Church of Rio with Pastor Rick Bursh officiating. A visitation will precede the service, starting at 9 a.m. Faye will be laid to rest next to Otis in the Bonnet Prairie Cemetery of Rio immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to Bonnet Prairie Foundation Fund or Bonnet Prairie Cemetery Association in her memory.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Max Hubbard for her devoted care of Faye. A special thanks to Rolf and Sam Poser for their lifelong care of her. They also thank the staff at Prairie Ridge Health, SSM Health, and SSM Hospice for their compassionate support. Online condolences may be made at www.grassefs.com. Grasse Funeral Service in Rio is serving the family.