Elsie Jane Stodola, age 95, of Rice Lake, WI, died Tuesday, December 23, 2025 in Barron, WI. She was born on April 26, 1930 in Rice Lake, WI to James and Esther (Bingham) Nichols.

Elsie attended school in Rice Lake and was married to Gordon Stodola on December 11, 1948 in Pine City, MN. Elsie loved helping the Wesleyan Methodist Church and Red Cedar Church in the kitchen and also taught Sunday School for many years.

Elsie was faithful, a saint, loving, caring and was a virtuous woman. She enjoyed traveling, camping, gardening, fishing, being outdoors and was a devoted Christian. She is survived by 2 daughters, Shari (Gary) Pearson and Laurie Olson (Deano Samens); 4 sons, Ken Stodola, Don (Gloria) Stodola, Doug (Cecilia) Stodola and Randy Stodola; 15 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; a sister, Esther Brueggen; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Stodola; her parents, James and Esther Nichols; 2 sisters, Charlene Nichols and Eva Condon; 3 brothers, Jim Nichols, Ellwood Nichols, and Chuck Nichols.

Funeral Services will be held at 11AM Friday, January 2, 2026 at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI, Rev. Jeff Elmquist officiating, with interment in the Nora Cemetery in Rice Lake at a later date. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals.

Last Update: Dec 28, 2025 9:03 pm CST