Darlene M Ellis

Darlene M. Ellis, age 71, of Potosi, WI, passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at Orchard Manor Nursing Home. Her long endurance with Alzheimers has come to rest.

Darlene M. Vesperman was born March 18, 1940, in Lancaster, the daughter of Glen and Margaret (Kelly) Vesperman. She graduated from Platteville High School. Darlene worked for Eastman Cartwright lumber, Grant County  social services and twenty-two years as a teacher assistant at the Potosi Grade School. She married Larry L. Ellis in 1961. They both retired in 1992 and traveled to Florida for many years. She loved to walk and dance. Her love for her grandchildren will live on.

She is survived by her husband, Larry, Potosi; son, Jeff (Michelle) Gerow-Ellis, Duluth, MN; daughter, Cheryl (Steve) Van Dyle, Cuba City; three sisters: Goldie Yager, Beetown; Dorothy (Monroe) Haas, Lancaster; Hila Johnson, Sarasota, FL; four granddaughters, Meghan (Jeff) Skemp, Platteville; Kayla (Scott) Furlong and great-granddaughter, Khiley,  Galena, IL; Katie Ellis,  Springfield, MO; and Chelsea Statton, Cuba City; as well as one step-granddaughter and two step-grandsons.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Margaret Vesperman; two brothers: Maynard Vesperman, Delbert Vesperman, and one sister, Hazel Schmitz.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October, 22, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends called on Friday, October 21, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Schwartz Funeral Home and from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home on Saturday.