MADISON/MONROE - Elsa Rattin, 87, died on Sunday, June 21, 2008. She was born July 16, 1920, at the Pleasant Hill Cheese Factory near Monroe, Wisconsin, to Fred and Rosa (Demler) Wieland. As a 20-year member of the Monroe Turn and Schwing Club, Elsa competed in gymnastic events throughout the USA, and coached girls' tumbling. She moved to Madison in 1960. She had a 22-year career with J.C. Penney Co., first working many years as a merchandise manager in cosmetics and accessories at the downtown store until it closed, and then at West Towne until she retired at age 65. Elsa took up walking/jogging, and was a familiar sight on the Lake Monona bike path where she covered about 5 miles nearly every day. At age 76, she won the 70+ age group in the 5 K event of the Madison Marathon. She believed in the importance of athletic activity for children, and became a major contributor to the Recreation Park Swiss ALPS Cheeseland, where her name appears on a tower, and to the Monroe Municipal Pool improvements in 2000. She was very proud of her Swiss heritage.

Elsa is survived by her daughter, Beverly (John) Kanvik of Madison; her grandson, Joel Kanvik of Houston, TX; sisters, Trudy Smith of Windermere, FL and Emma Krattiger of Monroe; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, William; her sister, Nelly Scheidegger; and her brothers, John, Walter, Fred, Albert, Carl and Jacob.

There will be no service. Elsa will be buried next to her son in Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N. Sherman Ave., Madison

(608) 249-8257

www.ryanfuneralservice.com