Scott Laird Felland

Scott Laird Felland

Surrounded by his loving family and friends, Scott Laird Felland, 75, of Oconomowoc, WI passed away July 19, 2024, a few weeks after celebrating the fifth year of his lung transplant.

He was born in Madison on June 14, 1949, to Melvin and Evelyn Felland. He graduated from Monona Grove High School in 1967 before earning a BS with Honors in Art Education from UW-Madison and an MS from UW-Whitewater. He joined the 44th General Hospital Unit of the Army Reserves while in college and honorably served during the Vietnam War era.

Scott met the love of his life, Helen, when they were in high school, and they were married at Olbrich Gardens in Madison on June 16, 1973. That year, he began his 33-year teaching career in the Watertown School District.

The high school art program grew tremendously under his leadership. He served as the Art Department chairperson for the district for many years. An exceptionally gratifying honor was being nominated by former students and selected to be included in Who's Who Among America's Teachers multiple times.

The Endeavour Art Gallery was created in the new high school because he saw the need for an art gallery in the community. Under his direction as Art Club advisor, students worked on many community projects. He was a lifetime member of the Watertown Arts Council.

His greatest joy and reward of his career was guiding and encouraging his students to discover artistic talent they never knew they had and to nurture their souls. He inspired many of them to pursue successful careers in art. Many former students have kept in touch and have become friends. They remember his "goofiness and upbeat spirit." Out of the many heartwarming notes he received from students over the years, it's impossible to share all the accolades, but one stands out. "You shared with me more than art. You gave me a part of yourself which I will always treasure." Many remember his unique ties, tie tacks, watches, metal lunchboxes, green beard for St. Patrick's Day and his "Brand New Shoes" song.

His classroom itself was a tribute to his upbeat, creative, humorous, optimistic and encouraging personality. He wanted to provide a safe and welcoming place for students. In a letter to a graduating student, he ended it with, "Take whatever you do seriously, but have fun doing it." He certainly followed his own advice.

Scott enjoyed life. His signature "Goofy" attitude continued at home with many Goofy treasures around the house, including a Goofy phone. Goofy sat safely buckled in in the back seat of several of his convertibles and was often offered treats at drive-thru windows. Of course, the house and yard are filled with his creations: ceramic pieces, photographs, stained glass, copper trellises and fences, bird houses, yard sculptures, a 2-person swing, and more. Creating pieces for friends and family brought him joy.

Halloween was his favorite holiday when he decorated the house and yard. Neighborhood children enjoyed trick-or-treating where they experienced sound effects, fog, and of course, Scott in costume. His wizard costume was a favorite.

In his earlier years, he played co-ed volleyball, and softball. He even played on the Watertown Gosling faculty team against the Green Bay basketball team.

Scott looked at life through the lens of an artist. Nature was his sanctuary. Bird watching, listening to the sounds of nature, biking, canoeing, hiking, working in the yard, camping, meandering through public gardens and parks, and top-down convertible rides were some of his favorite things to do. Scott and Helen shared many adventures, sometimes joined by family and friends, traveling to all 50 states, Europe, Central America and the Caribbean creating countless cherished memories. He took innumerable photographs, often seeing beauty in the unusual and zooming in on a detail others overlooked. Waterfalls, mountains and flowers were some of his favorite subjects.

He also enjoyed playing his Native American flute, going to art museums and art fairs, cheering on the Packers and the Badger football and hockey teams, playing games, listening to music, practicing yoga, and flying one of his many kites. Being able to fix or create things using some of his extensive saved odds and ends collection was a source of gratification. When he wasn't able to do more active things, he enjoyed doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, reading and watching movies.

"Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories." Scott is at peace at last, no longer struggling to breathe. We will miss him forever and cherish those beautiful memories.

Scott is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Helen, who shared a wonderful life with him for 51 years. He is also survived by his brother, Roger (Patti) Felland, and his sister, Karen Wenger and many special nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Doug and Mary Billings and brother-in-law, Dennis Wenger.

A huge heartfelt thank you to his loving family and amazing friends, Jan and Bill Tweeden, Lin and Gary McClurg, Paulette and Steve Falkenstein and Shannon Mallow. They will never truly know how much their loving support and help throughout Scott's transplant journey meant to him and Helen. A special thank you to his UW lung transplant team, especially Kelly Goodrich, and to his exceptional and compassionate care teams at UW Hospital.

A celebration of Life will be held on August 3, at Pagenkopf Funeral Home, 2228 N. Silver Maple Lane Oconomowoc. A visitation will be from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM, followed by a time of remembrance at 11. The family would love those in attendance to share their special memories of Scott. Lunch buffet to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation,

https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/

The National Park Foundation

https://give.nationalparks.org/site/Donation2?

or the Lung Transplant Foundation.

https://lungtransplantfoundation.org/

For more information, call (262) 567-4457 or visit www.pagenkopf.com.

I TAUGHT YOUTH

I gave them knowledge and rewarding experiences

I gave them good feelings, smiles, and laughter

And of all these, they gave me back in return.

Scott