E. Ellen Dickau, 94, of Viroqua and formerly of Ontario died Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011, at Vernon Manor.
Ellen was born Nov. 19, 1916, to Edward and Nellie (Collins) White in Rockton, Vernon County.
On Jan. 19, 1937, she married Cloice Dickau. Their marriage produced two children and lasted 67 years, until the death of her husband in 2004. Ellen and Cloice spent nearly all of their married life in and around Ontario. Eventually, when their health was failing, they resided at the Old Times Assisted Living in Westby, and Ellen spent her last years in the Vernon Manor Health Care facility in Viroqua. In both places, they received wonderful, compassionate care.
Ellen was a member of the Oil City Homemakers and later the Ontario Homemakers. She loved the trips the homemakers club took for the camaraderie, the places they visited and the abundant laughter of the members.
She loved the Lord and was a baptized member of Community Baptist Church. For many years, she held the office of Worship and Care Committee Chairman, during which time she wrote worship articles on the beatitudes and other subjects. She also held the offices of church secretary and White Cross Chairman of the Women’s Society.
Ellen loved writing and penned many poems and other items about things close to her heart. An avid and masterful crocheter, she made all her children and grandchildren afghans and doilies. She once crocheted a large tablecloth, using more than a mile of thread in it. She was a wonderful cook, candy maker and baker of homemade breads, pies, cakes – all from scratch and usually with no written recipe. Playing Uno, fishing, and going camping with Ray and Vera Dickau were all great fun for her. She always had a large garden, which yielded, among other things, bushels of peas, much to the amazement and dismay of all who helped shell them.
Ellen had a marvelous sense of humor that carried throughout her life. “Ole and Lena” jokes were among her favorites. She loved to tell stories to her grandchildren, and then admonished them not to tell their mom lest she not approve.
She is survived by a daughter, Carol (Earl) Buchholz of Ontario; a son, Bruce (Norma) of St. Joseph, Minn.; four grandchildren, Steven (Joan) Buchholz of McDonough, Ga., David (Deb) Buchholz of Tomah, Dean (Kim) Buchholz of Jefferson, Wis., and Jessica (Todd Wachendorf) Dickau of Daegu, South Korea; seven great-grandchildren, Ian Bradley, Lucas and Christina Buchholz, Zachary Buchholz, Kayla, Matthew, and Breanna Buchholz; and a special niece, Kim Vitcenda Cade.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Wesley, Stanley, and Robert; her sister, Mary Vitcenda, and a granddaughter, Brenda Buchholz Bradley.
Funeral services were Saturday, Sept. 17, at Community Baptist Church in Ontario. Pastor Bruce Milleman officiated. Burial followed in the Hilltop Rest Cemetery in Ontario. The family requests that memorials be directed to Community Baptist Church memorial fund or to a charity of your choice. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
