MADISON - Evelyn Elaine “Evie” (Hanzel) Ellefson, “Aunt DD” was born Jan. 25, 1931, in Madison to Ernest and Alice (Rohr) Hanzel.

Evie graduated from Madison East High School in 1948 and attended UW-Madison. She married Norlyn C. Ellefson on May 5, 1951. They eventually “retired” to Florida in 1986 and returned to Madison in 1992. After 42 years of marriage, Norlyn died July 4, 1993.

Evie worked for 15 years in the State Senate as a legislative aide, committee analyst and office administrator for Senator Ronald G. Parys and four years and aide and committee analyst to Senator Kurt Frank. After moving to Florida for “retirement”, Evie worked as a closing agent for a title company for six years and also wrote social articles for the Hernando County section of the Tampa Tribune. After returning to Madison, she worked for attorney Steven C. Helland.

In younger years Evie passed time playing the piano, painting and making ceramics. She helped organize the “Old Timers Union Street Reunion” which met annually for 15 years for a picnic and bingo and then two or three times a year for a reunion luncheon.

Church was an important part of her life. Evie participated in various groups and committees at Bashford United Methodist Church, including the food pantry, homeless shelter, support group, Bible studies, Chancel choir, hospital visitation and lay member to the 2003 and 2004 United Methodist Church Annual Conference. She was a Girl Scout leader in the Schenk School area from 1959 to 1963. Evie and Norlyn moved to Cottage Grove in 1976 where she taught ceramics for several years before moving to Florida.

Evie loved to travel. She visited the Holy Land and Egypt with a church group in 1999. She visited relatives in Hawaii in 1984 and 1993 with sister Ariel. She and Ariel also spent three weeks in England, France, Ireland and Scotland. She was an avid fan of the Brewers, Packers and Badgers where grandson, Brian, was one of the Bucky Badgers.

Family get-togethers were always filled with fun and lots of laughter. Her cat, Spunky, was a special companion and very spoiled.

But most important was Evie’s family who meant more to her than life itself. Surviving her are her loving and lovely daughters, Bonnie Leitzke and Gail Cattell; granddaughter, Jennifer Leitzke; grandson, Brian (Annie) Leitzke; great-granddaughters, Sonia, Lisette and Nora Lynn; great-grandsons, Tank and Thomas; great-great-grandson, Elias; very special sister, Karen Jackson; nieces, Vanessa Jackson, Renae (David) Rosscup and their children, Cody and Kim (who called her Aunt DD at age 2 when she couldn’t say “Evie”) and Kathy (Dave) Sir Louis; and nephew, Ray (Sandy) Huston.

Evie was predeceased by her husband, Norlyn in 1993; son-in-law, Marty “Skid” Cattell in 1994; brother-in-law, Johnny Jackson in 1994; parents, Ernest and Alice in 1995; brother-in-law, Leo Huston in 1998; sister, Ariel Huston in 1999; special “sister-cousin,” Averil “Joyce” Tooley in 2004; sister-in-law, Norene Doring; nephew, Kent Miller in 2015; and son-in-law, Charles “Tom” Leitzke in 2023.

…my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices

Because You will not abandon me.

You have made known to me the path of life,

You will fill me with joy in Your presence,

With eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

“I have lived a full life, thankful for God’s blessings for giving me a wonderful husband and family, for my special life-long friends, Betty and Greta (both deceased), and close friends Ellie (deceased), Lill, Pauline, Pat and special friend and neighbor Karen King, to name a few. Also, my church friends who gave me the opportunity to be of some help to others.”

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Sunday.

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

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Evelyn Elaine "Evie" (Hanzel) Ellefson

January 25, 1931 - December 25, 2023

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