Janice E Ellingson

COTTAGE GROVE - Janice E. Ellingson, age 80, of Cottage Grove, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, April 4, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer.  Born on March 10, 1945, in Madison, Wis., to Joseph and Mary (Corcoran) Brausen, Janice grew up in Westport and later moved to Windsor, Wis. The youngest of seven children, Janice loved to share her memories of life growing up with her parents, brothers and sisters. Her siblings would remain her closest confidants throughout her entire life.  

Janice attended DeForest Area High School and was proud to be among the “Windsor kids” when they merged into attending high school. She would meet her future husband, Dale Ellingson, while in high school, and go on to share 36 years of marriage until Dale’s death in 1999. They would be blessed to have three children, which later brought 10 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren into the family.

Family was one of the most important things to Janice. She loved to talk about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to anyone who would listen. Proud of their accomplishments and always amazed at how God was guiding them to be the people they are today and will be in the future.

She will be remembered for the many things she did to make memories for her grandchildren, with the yearly summer “Grandma Camp” being a favorite for all.

Janice loved family gatherings large or small and being around the people she loved, always thinking about the food she would make for the event. She had a special place in her heart for her many nieces and nephews. She was always proud of the large family that God had given her.

She loved hearing the updates of her growing family over the years. Nothing made her happier than hearing of an upcoming wedding or baby being born into the family. Being the outgoing person she was, brought many people throughout her life to call her “Grandma,” which was a title she wore proudly.

Janice and Dale would work together, along with their children, in their part-time cleaning business in their early years, as well as working together as Shaklee Distributors. Upon Dale’s passing, Janice found herself working as a cashier in different jobs, with her favorite being Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison, where she would work up to the age of 78. Again, her caring personality, unique laugh and sense of humor would draw people in. There were always stories of her helping someone in need, taking a shift for someone during the holidays, bringing treats, and sharing in the excitement of someone who won big. She was proud of being a hard worker and being a reliable employee

Janice was an animal lover with a long list of dogs and cats that she cared for during her lifetime. She will be missed by her faithful companion, her dog, Doris. She would smile and laugh to recall going to Cottage Grove with Doris in the front seat running errands, and both getting a Culver’s hamburger in the drive thru. She loved taking care of her “grand dogs” and loved even more to tell people about her “grand cows,” Buddy and JJ.

Janice always loved living in the country. She enjoyed campfires, playing games, cooking, gambling, polka music and even played the accordion in her younger years. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, caring heart, and love of conversation.

Janice is survived by her children, Kelly (Dave) Beyer, Karla (Mark) Martinez, and Joe

(Tracy) Ellingson; grandchildren, Alison (Ryan Dreger) Beyer, Melissa (Andy) Romanowski, Kirsten (Jake Huffman) Strohmenger, Jacob (Megan) Beyer, Lauren (fiancé Armaan Zare), Morgan Ellingson, Jenna Martinez, Abby Ellingson, Katherine Martinez, and Brooke Ellingson; great-grandchildren, Landon, Cole, Mason and Mila Romanowski, and Charlotte Huffman; brother, Ed (Janet) Brausen; as well as other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dale; siblings, Bernie Brausen, Rosemary Larson, Hank Brausen, Art Brausen, and Lorraine Haack; and brothers and sisters-in-law.

A special thank you to Agrace HospiceCare for their assistance and care during such a difficult time.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH, 434 N. Main

St., Cottage Grove, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2025, with Father Chad Droessler presiding.  Burial will be held at Door Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass on Thursday.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420