Obit: Holtz, Ella Mildred (1915 - 2013)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Holtz, Meske, Thoma, Fredrickson, Grottke, Mclean, Rossman, Mahoney, Sischo, Pfuhl, Fugate

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 10/16/2013

Holtz, Ella Mildred (9 February 1915 - 9 October 2013)

Ella M. Holtz, 98, of Neillsville, died peacefully at the Neillsville Retirement Community Oct. 9, 2013. Ella Mildred Meske was born Feb. 9, 1915, in Neillsville, the daughter of Herman and Minnie Meske. She was raised on a farm in the Christie area. She married Walter Holtz in Winona, MN, Oct. 2, 1933. Ella had two children, Virginia (Henry) Thoma and Doris (Eugene) Fredrickson. After her husband passed away in 1958, Ella began working in the housekeeping department at Neillsville Memorial Hospital. Because Ella never had a driver’s license; she walked back and forth to work from her home on the north side of Neillsville every workday for 25 years. Ella was known for being a conscientious, meticulous and dependable worker. She was considered a valuable employee until she retired in 1983.

Ella was an avid gardener, growing both beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables. She also loved baking (specialties, included molasses “Sally Ann” cookies and lemon meringue pies), canning, shopping, reading her newspapers and doting on her grandchildren.

Ella is survived by her daughter, Virginia Thoma of Neillsville; her sister, Bertha Grottke of Neillsville; her grandchildren, Mike Thoma of Neillsville, Patsy (Rod) McLean of Madison, Becky (Jerome) Rossman of Marshfield, Darci (Mike) Mahoney of Neillsville, Kristy (Jeff) Sischo of Neillsville and Karla (Mark) Pfuhl of Marshfield; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Ella was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Holtz, in 1958; her daughter, Doris Fredrickson, in 1972; her brother, Albert Meske in 2006; and her sister, Mabel Meske, in 2010.

The funeral service for Ella was held at 11:30 a.m. Monday Oct. 14, 2013, at the Gesche Funeral Home, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Mark Fugate officiated. Burial followed at the Neillsville City Cemetery.

Deepest thanks go to the Neillsville Retirement Community for the loving support and care for Ella over the years. The family also wishes to thank Ministry Home Health, Western Wisconsin Cares and Neillsville Memorial Medical Center for their medical expertise. The family is also grateful to Ministry Home Care Hospice Services of Marshfield for their assistance and aid in Ella’s last days.

The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Ella’s family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.