Shirley A. Ellis

Shirley A. Ellis, 83 of Fort Atkinson, died in her sleep early on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at Jefferson Memory Care.

Shirley was born on February 7, 1936 in Milwaukee WI, the daughter of Reginald and Gladys (Zinc) Snodie.  Her family moved to the Helenville area during Shirley’s youth and she attended school in Fort Atkinson.  On July 18, 1954, she married David E. Ellis at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson.  The couple had 3 children and enjoyed 59 years and 11 months of marriage, until his death in 2013.  Shirley loved to go on walk and often found puddles, getting the bottom of her pants wet.  She would then sit at McDonald’s and drink coffee – waiting for pants to dry before walking home.  She was a homemaker and long-time babysitter and was a great mom to not only her kids, but the many others she cared for.  Shirley was always loving mother, but after the death of her son Gary, she became very protective of the children in her life.   She enjoyed needlepoint and cross-stich, but her grandchildren (and beyond) were a great source of joy for her.  She was a lady who had patent sense of humor, tolerated practical jokes, and will be dearly missed.

She is survived by: her daughters Christine (Donald) Riess and Barbara Ellis-Green, both of Fort Atkinson; 5 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and 5 great, great-grandchildren.  she is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Gary in infancy, Sisters Lucile and Laverne, and a brother Reginald Jr.

The family would like to express a sincere thank you to the staff of Jefferson Memory Care and Rainbow Hospice Care for the loving care provided.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, March 18, 2019 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of Jefferson with Rev. Jeanette Thorp presiding.  Visitation will be on Sunday from 2:00PM – 5:00PM at Olsen-Gibson Funeral Home of Jefferson and on Monday from 10:00AM until the time of service at the church.  She will be buried at Lakeview Cemetery of Fort Atkinson following the funeral.

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