Obit: Hesselman, Ella Ruth (1918 – 2009)
Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hesselman, Gilbertson, Overlien, Scharf, Trusler, Johnson, Preston, Kampen, Michalkiewicz, Lenz, Kersting, Hott, Mooney, Magneson, Morck 

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) November 25, 2009 

Hesselman, Ella Ruth (10 June 1918 – 22 November 2009) 

Ella Ruth Scharf Hesselman, 91, of Mondovi died peacefully Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, at her home at Oakwood Hills Retirement in Eau Claire surrounded by her loved ones. 

She was born June 10, 1918, in Black River Falls, the daughter of Ole and Nora (Gilbertson) Overlien.  She graduated from Black River Falls High School and Milwaukee School of Cosmetology.  She came to Mondovi in the mid 1940s and purchased the Mondovi Beauty Shop.  She married Charles Scharf May 2, 1945.  Together they owned and operated Ella Ruth’s Dress Shop and Mondovi Beauty Shop. Charles preceded her in death June 28, 1966.  She married Jack Hesselman July 2, 1977.  He preceded her in death Jan. 29, 1988. 

Ella Ruth was an avid golfer and loved to play bridge.  She traveled the world and shared stories of her visits to Alaska, Mauritius and the Gilbertson family tour to Norway. 

Ella Ruth is survived by her two sons, Chuck (Sonja) Scharf of Sarona and Caleb (Susan Trusler) Scharf of Eau Claire; two daughters, Elizabeth Johnson of La Crosse and Linda (Gary) Preston of Mondovi; one step-son, Tom (Betty) Hesselman of Greenfield; a step daughter, Jackie Hesselman of Plover; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Annetta Kampen of Black River Falls, Jane Michalkiewicz of Neenah and Susan Lenz of Neenah; a brother-in-law, Harland (Elma) Hesselman of Mondovi; and nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husbands; five sisters, Helen Overlien, Beatrice Kersting, Helen Hott, Verna Mooney and Lillian Magneson; three brothers, Arthur, Glenn and Norman Overlien; and her parents. 

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, at 1 p.m. at Central Lutheran Church in Mondovi with Reverend Rolf Morck officiating.  Burial will be at the Riverside Lutheran Cemetery.  

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, from 11 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at the church.  

Kjentvet-Smith Funeral Home in Mondovi is handling arrangements. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the Central Lutheran Church Trust Fund.