Obituary Listings

On May 2nd, 2020 after a battle with rare blood disorder that began in June 2019, Louise (Lemke) Ellman went home to be with her Lord and loved ones in heaven. Born Louise Marie Lemke on November 17th, 1940 to Edward and Esther (Ruckert) Lemke in the town of Mountain, WI. She was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Breed, WI. At 3 years old her family moved to Oconto, where she grew up attending Lincoln Grade School and Washington High School. Louise was confirmed in Zion Lutheran Church and later, on May 28, 1959 married Milton F. Ellman. They resided in the Town of Oconto where they farmed all their married life. Louise worked at Lauerman’s Dept. Store in the office, at Tangiers, the Steer Inn, and Bond Pickle before starting her sewing career at Cruis-Tops/Cruisers where she worked for 31 years before retiring in 2005. In her retirement she enjoyed continued sewing projects, gardening, flowers, baking, especially for the Bake Sales for Lena’s Girls Basketball Team where her granddaughter Emily played and Kane coached. She also enjoyed going out to lunch with the neighbor ladies, going to the Bond Center, Shopping with her daughter and her sister LuAnn. Visiting with her many friends, sewing quilts with the group of ladies at First American Lutheran Church where she was a member. Louise also enjoyed going to her hide-away in the woods to sit by the pond, feed the fish, listen to the birds and read and crochet. She loved being on her lawn mover and cutting grass. Spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grand children. Getting together for many family gatherings.

Louise is survived by a daughter, Robin (Mickey) Fonder; two sons, Kevin (Lisa) Ellman, Kane (Kimberly) Ellman all of Oconto. 9 grandchildren, Jessica Ellman, Richard (Jamie Haffeman) Ellman, Jennifer (Scott) Van Hulle, Jason (Jessica)Ellman, Edward Ellman, Jerome Ellman, Emily (Mitch) Martin, Jacob (Brittany Wirtz) Ellman, Amanda (Nick Kozlovsky) Fonder; 2 step grandchildren, Cory (Brenda) Fonder, Stacey (Troy) Gabriel; 6 great grandchildren and 6 step great grandchildren. Louise is further survived by her sister, LuAnn Bitters-Ratzburg; 3 brothers, Edward (Bernice) Lemke, Don Lemke, Bob (Lynne) Lemke; an Uncle, Richard (Betty) Lemke; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years Milton; a son, Kenrick “Rick” Ellman; a grandson Adam Ellman; her parents, 2 brothers, Jerry and Tom Lemke; sister-in-law, Mercedes Lemke (Phil) Linglebach, Helen Lemke-Kadlec, Shelby Lemke-Rudder; 2 brothers-in-law, Reuben Bitters, Charles Ratzburg, and the many Ellman-in-laws who have gone on before.

Louise’s wishes are to be cremated with her ashes put on the hill behind the farm with Milton, Rick and Adam. A celebration of Louise’s life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gallagherfuneralhome.net.

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