Ellen LaVerne Satona, 90, of Kendall died Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, at the Serenity House in Tomah.
She was born Sept. 22, 1922, to Leland and Olga (Weiland) Chard in the town of Glendale. She was baptized by Pastor Kobs on Dec. 3, 1922, at her home. She was later confirmed April 10, 1938, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kendall.
She attended Elmwood Country School and later was a member of the Kendall High School graduating class of 1940. Ellen was united in marriage to Lyle Francis Satona on Oct. 28, 1950, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kendall. He preceded her in death Dec. 11, 2006. They farmed together on the century-old family farm in the town of Wellington, where she would drive tractors and drove a team of horses when cultivating and mowing hay.
She was a lifelong member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and a member of the choir. Ellen loved music: In her younger years, she played the clarinet and saxophone in Carl’s Orchestra band with Norbert Popp, Carl Bellock and her brother Henry, and later in life, she enjoyed playing the piano.
She was a member of the Sutcliffe Corners Homemakers. She was active in 4-H and a past 4-H leader. She loved to work with her hands, in her garden, and canning vegetables. Every Saturday was baking day, when she would bake the bread and cookies for the week. She was a devoted wife and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She is survived by a daughter, Le Anna (Bryan) Rowan of Tomah; a son, Randy (Cindy) of Elroy; five grandchildren, Erica and Daniel Rowan, Michael (Hollie), Joshua and Cody (Karena); five great-grandchildren, Jayden, Jared, Joelan, Drake and McKenzie Satona; a sister, Norma (Don) Zinke of Elroy; a sister-in-law, Irene Nelson; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by an infant great-granddaughter, Harmonie, and a brother, Henry “Buzz” Chard.
A funeral service was at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kendall. Pastor Steven Neuman officiated. Burial was in the Glendale Cemetery.
The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
