Obit: Lanigan, Ellie A. (1920 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Clause, Grantham, Hanson, Herber, Lanigan, Luebbe, Skrzypchak

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 2/23/2017

Lanigan, Ellie A. (Clause) (3 MAY 1920 - 20 FEB 2017)

Ellie A. Lanigan, Wausau, passed away from this world on Monday, February 20, 2017, but not without one last trip to the G.W. Boutique (Goodwill) and lunch with her daughter Jenny on Sunday.

Ellie didn't want an obituary singing her praises, even though there are many.

She was strong but tender, gentle but tough, smart, funny, intelligent and loving, proud of her "dear, sweet girls", a loving friend, a shopping "Tsumami" who NEVER passed up a trip to the thrift shops. A woman of class, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a student of design with extraordinary taste in decorating. A hard working woman who put other's first and was always devoted to her children.

Sorry Ellie, but it had to be said even though the people who knew you were already aware of these facts.

You're with God now and will suffer no more. You'll be 96 years young forever and reunite with your children, Laurie and Tom. You don't need money at the heavenly thrift stores, and you don't have to worry about getting tired. So Dear Ellie, shop to your hearts content and know for the ones you left behind, a trip to Goodwill won't ever be the same, but we'll always see you there. Rest in peace Ellie, you've earned it.

She was born May 3, 1920 in Loyal, Wisconsin, daughter of the late John and Helena (Herber) Clause. Ellie was a veteran of the United States Navy and served as a Pharmacist's Mate. Following her service in the military, she attended UW Madison-Wisconsin, where she earned a degree in design. She began her working career at Channel 7 writing commercials and then went on to work at North Central Health Care. For many years, she owned and operated local group homes in the Wausau area. Ellie was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Wausau.

Survivors include, two daughters, Sally (Dan) Grantham, Arivaca, Arizona and Jenny (Jim Skrzypchak) Lanigan, Sayner, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Sue, Michigan.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two children, Laurie Luebbe and Tom Lanigan; and one sister, Irene Hanson.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Restlawn Memorial Park Chapel, Wausau. Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Entombment will be in the Garden of Eternal Rest Mausoleum, with full military honors conducted by the American Legion Montgomery Plant Dudley Post No. 10, Wausau. Visitation will be on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until time of services at the Restlawn Chapel.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.