Elwood L. McConnell, age 82 of South Wayne, Wisconsin, passed away Monday, October 27, 2008 at the Monroe Manor. He was born May 1, 1926 in Gratiot Township, the only son of Lester and Ruth (Wilson) McConnell. He attended Van Matre School and graduated from Darlington High School in 1944. He farmed in Wiota area until moving to South Wayne in the 60s. He managed the Browntown Feed Mill for 22 years.
Elwood married Esther Paulson on September 29, 1951 in the Yellowstone Lutheran Church at Argyle. Elwood was a long time member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in South Wayne, past Sunday School superintendent and teacher, church president, Council member for many years, financial secretary, and choir member. He was a former member of the Wiota and South Wayne Fire Departments - having been fire chief at South Wayne for 11 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his boys, golfing, ball games, playing cards, and his vegetable and flower gardens until later years when his health began to fail. He loved spending time with his family and for those who knew him, he always had a joke or two to tell. Elwood and Esther often sang together. For 30 years, Elwood sang "O' Holy Nite" at the Christmas Eve Service. The kids said it wouldn't be the same if Dad didn't sing. He was also auctioneer for many years at the annual Church Harvest Sale.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Esther; 2 sons, Bruce (Lani) McConnell of Neenah, WI and Phil McConnell of Madison, WI; 2 daughters, Mary Lou McConnell of Monroe, WI and Kathy McConnell of Tuxedo, NY; 3 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; sister, Grace Salathe; brother-in-law, Irvin Bartels; and special friends, Jana, Nicole, Tim, and Jaci Coomer. He was preceded in death by his son, Dan in 1992; his parents; 4 sisters, Marian Schwartz, June Bartels, Dorothy Sauer, and Lois in infancy; 4 brothers-in-law, Harry Salathe, Dick Sauer, Paul Thompson, and Murray Schwartz; and sister-in-law, Irene Thompson.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in South Wayne, Wisconsin.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2008 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church with Pastor Dennis Perger officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery in South Wayne.
He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
Hanson Funeral Home, South Wayne is serving the family.
Elwood married Esther Paulson on September 29, 1951 in the Yellowstone Lutheran Church at Argyle. Elwood was a long time member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in South Wayne, past Sunday School superintendent and teacher, church president, Council member for many years, financial secretary, and choir member. He was a former member of the Wiota and South Wayne Fire Departments - having been fire chief at South Wayne for 11 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his boys, golfing, ball games, playing cards, and his vegetable and flower gardens until later years when his health began to fail. He loved spending time with his family and for those who knew him, he always had a joke or two to tell. Elwood and Esther often sang together. For 30 years, Elwood sang "O' Holy Nite" at the Christmas Eve Service. The kids said it wouldn't be the same if Dad didn't sing. He was also auctioneer for many years at the annual Church Harvest Sale.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Esther; 2 sons, Bruce (Lani) McConnell of Neenah, WI and Phil McConnell of Madison, WI; 2 daughters, Mary Lou McConnell of Monroe, WI and Kathy McConnell of Tuxedo, NY; 3 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; sister, Grace Salathe; brother-in-law, Irvin Bartels; and special friends, Jana, Nicole, Tim, and Jaci Coomer. He was preceded in death by his son, Dan in 1992; his parents; 4 sisters, Marian Schwartz, June Bartels, Dorothy Sauer, and Lois in infancy; 4 brothers-in-law, Harry Salathe, Dick Sauer, Paul Thompson, and Murray Schwartz; and sister-in-law, Irene Thompson.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in South Wayne, Wisconsin.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2008 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church with Pastor Dennis Perger officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery in South Wayne.
He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
Hanson Funeral Home, South Wayne is serving the family.