The Vig house history
DeVerne “Doc” Vig and his twin brother, David, were born in LaCrosse on August 20, 1922 to Edward and Ellen (Olson) Vig. Always together, the twins attended Viroqua Elementary School, Viroqua High School, and the University of Wisconsin for both undergraduate studies and medical school. They served together in the United States Army Air Corps for four years during World War II. After graduating from medical school, the twins practiced medicine in Viroqua for nearly forty years with their older brother, Edward Vig, MD, and their brother-in-law, Lars Gulbrandsen, MD. Doc loves all kinds of sports, especially golf, basketball, and baseball. He was a Freshman on the 1941 UW-Madison basketball team that won the National Championship. He was also a Club Champion at Viroqua CC multiple times. Doc passed away in 2021.
Betty Brewster Vig was born on July 28, 1931 in Fremont, Wisconsin, to LaVerne and Violet (Larkee) Brewster. Betty graduated as valedictorian from Weyauwega High School in 1948. She graduated Magna cum Laude from Carroll College with majors in English and Choral Music. She was elected to Sigma Tau Delta (English), Lamda Psi (Journalism) and Delta Sigma Nu (Scholastic) sororities. She was also a member of Chi Omega social sorority and elected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. She was also the college editor of Century and Hinakaga literary magazine and annual. She came to Viroqua in the fall of 1952 where she taught choral music and English at Viroqua High School for two years. On December 19, 1953, she married Dr. DeVerne W. Vig.
The Vig House was built by Betty’s father (LaVerne) in 1955.
Betty was an active community member for many years. She taught Sunday School, served as a piano accompanist, was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, served as Chairman of the Viroqua Bloodmobile, was a member of the Vernon Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and served on the board of directors at the Viroqua Country Club. She also worked in administration at the Vig-Gundersen Clinic in Viroqua for forty years.
In 1980, Betty was awarded the two-star Field Marshal General by the Pail and Shovel Party for the Wisconsin Student Association. Besides Betty's many accomplishments she was a loyal Bucky Badger fan, had a passion for music and adored raising Boxer dogs. Betty passed away in 2005 at the age of 74.
The Vig House has always been a source of inspiration, laughter, great food, and music for family and friends. The back patio and deck area hosted many post golf steak dinners. That tradition continues today.
Betty and DeVerne’s children, Butch, Lisa, and Chris, own and care for the house today.
Bryan "Butch" Vig is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the drummer and co-producer of the alternative rock band Garbage and the producer of the diamond-selling Nirvana album Nevermind. Butch learned to play drums in the basement of the Vig House.
Lisa Endicott is a retired high school teacher, biologist, and writer.
Chris “Stick” Vig is the founder and CEO of The Vig Company, a boutique investment group. Stick is also a sought-after artist (Stick Vega). Some of the original gunpowder artworks currently in the house were created by Stick Vega.