Ella M. Lafontaine

Ella M. LaFontaine 95, Athens, died Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at St. Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield. She was born December 26, 1911 in the town of Johnson, daughter of the late Richard and Mathilda (Burger) Hanneman. On November 7, 1942, she married former Phillips resident Philip LaFontaine at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. He preceded her in death on June 29, 2001. At the age of 5, Ella moved with her parents to what is now the site of the Athens High School, and then moved with her family to 231 Allen Street, Athens in 1941. Ella was a telephone operator in Athens for 26 A½ years, a newspaper correspondent for the Wausau Daily Herald for 30 years, a newspaper correspondent for the Athens Record Review from 1968 until early 2007. Ella also assisted her husband in operating Phil's Clothing Store in Athens for 33 years. She was a member of the St. Anthony Catholic Church, the National Catholic Society of Foresters, Athens Senior Citizens, St. Anthony Parish Council of Catholic Women, the original mixed choir of St. Anthony for 30 years, the Christian and Funeral Choirs for 10 years and the American Legion Chapman-Belter Post #4 Auxiliary, Athens for 56 years, acting as their secretary since 1968. Ella was also a member of the Catholic Family Insurance Company. Among her many interests, she enjoyed playing cards, bingo and traveling. Survivors include one daughter, Judy (David) Nelson, Soldotna, Alaska; one son, John (Lynn) LaFontaine, Eden Prairie, Minn.; two grandsons, Michael (Tina) Nelson, Fontana, Calif., and Daniel Nelson, Soldotna, Alaska, two great grandsons, Jacob and Dominic Nelson, both of Fontana, Calif., and one niece, Kathleen Hanneman, Spokane, Wash. Besides her parents and husband, Philip, she was preceded in death by one brother, Ervin "Sparky" Hanneman and one sister, Sophie, who died in infancy. The funeral mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 22, 2007 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. The Rev. Charles Hiebl will preside. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens and again on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish vigil service at 4:45 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Athens funeral home. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com