Margaret I. Ellwanger

Margaret Irene Ellwanger passed away March 25, 2026 at Care and Rehab in Ladysmith. Margaret was born in 1931 to William and Delia Wonnell of Arthur, Iowa. She married Everett Ellwanger in Blairsburg, Iowa. They farmed with Everett’s parents near Lake View, Iowa for a few years before moving to Wisconsin and purchasing a farm north of Ingram where they raised their family of three boys. After Everett’s death in 1987, the farm was sold and Margaret moved to Hawkins and eventually lived in Bruce and finally Ladysmith until her death.

In addition to farming, Margaret worked at Rusk County Memorial Hospital and then CenturyTel in Hawkins until her retirement in 1992.

Margaret was an avid gardener who loved tending her flowers. She enjoyed knitting and was often found sitting in her chair making a sweater, mittens, or blanket. In her younger days she often played “horse” with her grandkids and enjoyed making homemade ice cream with Everett. She was known for her New Year’s Eve parties for family and friends. She always made sure that the freezer was full of ice cream and ice cream bars from the Schwann's man for the grand kids. She was an avid Wisconsin sports fan who enjoyed watching any local team that was playing. She enjoyed attending the grandchildren’s sporting events whenever she could.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Everett; her parents and a great-great granddaughter.

She is survived by three sons, Jerry of Amberg, Rick (Shelly) of Ladysmith, Rod (Kristi) of Ladysmith, and daughter-in-law Patricia of Green Bay. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Special thanks to the caregivers at Care and Rehab. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

A complete obituary will also be published in the Ladysmith News.