Margaret R. Ellenz

Margaret R. Ellenz, 92 of La Crosse, WI and Fort Myers, FL, passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at her home in La Crosse surrounded by family.   She was born in La Crosse on January 14, 1925 to Alban E. and Elizabeth (Rawlinson) Bernatz.  She attended St Mary’s Grade School and Aquinas High School. On her first day of high school she met the love of her life George Ellenz in Home Room 323. These high school sweethearts were married in Waukesha, WI on September 1st, 1948. They had a happy and loving marriage of nearly 69 years.

After George’s retirement from radiology, in 1990, they moved to their Ft. Myers, FL residence. With this move their endeared circle of friends grew.

Margaret was the quintessential wife, mother, homemaker, and chief worrier. Love and affection was constantly bestowed on her family and friends. She instilled the values of family, faith, and friendship in her children and all those she came to know. She enjoyed cooking, her garden, her home and of course shopping.  Her favorite color was blue. If you are able to attend the celebration of her life wear something blue if you wish.

Our family thanks her for always being there for us, teaching us, helping and guiding us, and above all loving us.

Margaret, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma our daily thoughts of you will always bring tears to our eyes, warmth to our hearts, and smiles to our faces. All our love to you.

Margaret is survived by her husband George B. Ellenz, MD of La Crosse; her daughter Dr. Susan (Dr. Robert McGarry) Ellenz and their children Daniel, Connor, Meghan and Brendan McGarry all of Rockford, IL; Dr. Daniel (Cyndi) Ellenz of La Crosse and  their children Mark (Sara) Ellenz, and Mark and Sara’s children Isabel and Max Ellenz of Ponte Verda, FL, Matthew Ellenz (Ashlee Vlasak) of La Crosse, and Michael Ellenz (Caitlin Culpepper) of Minneapolis, MN; Daughter Sally (Franz) Fredricks of La Crosse their children Gretchen (Mike) Myre and Gretchen and Mike’s children Alexa, Elise, Meghan and Kate Myre of La Crosse,  and Erich (Amy) Fredricks and their children Brianna  Dahl, Cale and Alaina Hemker all of Holmen, WI; Daughter Dr. Mary Ann (Kevin) Campbell of La Crosse and their children Patrick, Riley, and Rory Campbell all of La Crosse; her two sisters Betty Knoebel of Waukesha and Dorothy McGrane of Mequon, WI;  and brother in law Terry (Sherry) Ellenz of Yuma, AZ.  She is further survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents and George’s parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Mary Ellen Storie, and brother in law Larry Knoebel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in La Crosse.  Rev. Peter Raj will officiate.  After a private entombment in the St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum at the Catholic Cemetery, the family invites you to join them at the La Crosse Country Club, Onalaska WI, for food and beverages from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm for a celebration of Margaret’s life.

Margaret was especially proud of the St. Thomas Aquinas Award she and George received in 2010. Memorials may be directed to the Aquinas Schools Foundation or the charity of one’s choice.