Elvera A Slabey
Elvera Ann Slabey, age 91, of Durand, passed away July 28, 2017 at her home.
Vera was born in Edina, MN on February 22, 1926 to Sylvester and Eva(Motzko) Fautsch. She graduated from Southwest High School, then worked for the Dayton Co. and Billman Mortuary. On August 31, 1949, she married Richard F. Slabey.
Music was always Vera's passion and while raising her four children, she also taught countless others the joys of playing the piano. She played many recitals in the area over the years and was an organist at Faith Lutheran Church. After her children were grown she started a program called Music Involvement to bring Music Therapy to geriatric patients in hospitals and nursing homes in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She was also instrumental in bringing a Music Therapy program to the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire and wrote and published three books on Geriatric Music Therapy that are still a part of teaching programs all over the world.
Vera and Richard were charter members of Faith Lutheran Church in Durand, helped start Community Arts in Durand and were founding members of the Pepin County Historical Society to preserve the last remaining wood framed courthouse in Wisconsin.
Vera enjoyed traveling with her family, boating on the Mississippi river, golf and sharing her musical gifts with others. She loved football, often being more entertaining than the game itself, and enjoyed basketball, particularly when the Warriors were winning...
She is survived by her daughters Jonette of Las Vegas, NV, and Kristin (Christopher) Fish of Mequon, WI, sons Steve (Maggie) of Chippewa Falls and Paul (Jan) of Menomonie and grandchildren Tyler Slabey, Genna Fish and Rachel and Matthew Slabey.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 63 years, Richard, brother George Fautsch, sister Genevive Chance and grandson, Alexander Fish.
A Celebration of Vera's Life will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church in Durand with Rev. Valerie Peterson officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Durand. Visiation will be from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.