Ellen T. Kemnitz, 53, Wausau, died at Aspirus Hospice House on Tuesday January 9, 2018 after a three-year struggle with ovarian cancer. She will be missed by many who's life she touched. She truly enjoyed people and helping others.
She was born January 19, 1964 in Oconomowoc to Raymond and Joan (Parker) Unrein. After graduating from Waterloo High School (1982), Ellen earned Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville in 1986. She later went on to receive a Master's in Business Administration from Concordia University in 2012. On August 17, 1985, she married Tony Kemnitz at St Paul's Lutheran church in Waterloo, WI. Her professional career included work as a staff accountant and then certified public accountant for various public accounting firms from 1986 until 1991. She then ran her own accounting and tax preparation practice until 2016. Her love of learning and helping others lead her to become an accounting instructor at North Central Technical College in 2000, where she regularly taught extra courses, and was the advisor for accounting club. In 2013 she joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin - Marathon County as an Assistant Professor in the Business Department. She taught accounting and business and was the facility adviser of the UWMC Business Club and collegiate DECA.
Ellen was always active in her church and community, generously volunteering her time throughout her adult life to many organizations. She was a member of the Elkhorn Jaycees, where she chaired several community service projects aimed at bringing joy to others. She also served Christ through her active participation on several church-sponsored youth and multi-generation mission trips. She was a troop leader for her children's girl and boy scout troops. She also served as a site coordinator for VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) to assist low income individuals with their taxes. Ellen was very committed to her family and spent time planning and managing the family's activities. She enjoyed downhill skiing, fishing, and going on vacations to see and learn new things. Her hobbies included knitting, needle point, and sewing beautiful quilts. She was a proud cheesehead and enjoyed football weekends and the UW marching band. She also served as a director of the Karl John Unrein Memorial scholarship which assisted students in achieving their educational goals.
Ellen is survived by her husband Tony, Wausau; daughter, Rebecca (Dustin Hughes) Kemnitz, Madison, son, Karl Kemnitz, Chicago and daughter Sarah (Adam) Birchem, River Falls; her parents Raymond and Joan Unrein her father and mother-in-law Tony and Chris Kemnitz, Woodruff; and brother-in-law Chris Kemnitz-Meyerson (Rebecca), nieces Jenny, Diana and nephew Daniel, Duluth, MN.
Ellen was preceded in death by a brother, Karl Unrein, grandparents Joseph and Viola Unrein and grandparents John and Roberta Parker.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday January 13, 2018 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1101 Elm Street, Wausau. Pastor Sue Lee will officiate. Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau, at a later date. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services on Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Karl Unrein Memorial Scholarship Fund or to Wesley United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com. .
Visitation
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home-East
1302 Sixth Street
Wausau, WI 54403
Friday, January 12, 2018
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Visitation
Wesley United Methodist Church
1101 Elm Street
Wausau, WI 54401
Saturday, January 13, 2018
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Service
Wesley United Methodist Church
1101 Elm Street
Wausau, WI 54401
Saturday, January 13, 2018
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM