Erna Ellestad

Ellestad, Erna MADISON–Erna Ellestad, age 95, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2015. She was born on March 15, 1920, in Madison, the daughter of Haldor and Nettie (Mael) Kvamme. Erna married Rodney Ellestad on June 8, 1940, at McFarland Lutheran Church and they had four children together. Erna was the oldest daughter of five children. Her mother passed away when she was young, so she helped raise her siblings. Haldor later married Lulu Bredeson. Erna worked for the University of Wisconsin in the Biochemistry Department as a lab technician for over 20 years. Erna and Rodney were married for 42 years and they loved to go dancing at Park Ponderosa and playing cards at family gatherings. They especially adored their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Erna is survived by her children, Shirley (Robert) Holt, Judith (Charles) Hitt, and Gerald (Sharon) Ellestad; son-in-law, David Gilbertson; grandchildren, Tina Lobeck, Robert (Heather) Holt, Laura (Craig) Johnson, John Hitt, Angela (Adam) Michalski, Nicki Rust, Danielle Trewyn and Erin (Jason) Rauber; 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Erna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rodney; daughter, Lois Gilbertson; four brothers, Donald, Harold, Reuben and Norman; and sister, Helen. Funeral services will be held at HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2670 Milwaukee Street, Madison, at 1 p.m., on Saturday, April 18, 2015, with the Pastor Bernt Tweit presiding. Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Holy Cross Lutheran Church. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Oak Park Rehabilitation, Oak Park Memory Care and Agrace HospiceCare, for the loving care they gave to Erna. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420