Ellen Mae (Sobottka) Kirchner

Ellen Mae (Sobottka) Kirchner of Durand went to heaven on Friday, August 31. Ellen was born in Big River, Wisconsin on May 21, 1937 to Frieda and Henry Sobottka. She graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1955. On January 21, 1957, Ellen married Gene Kirchner and they spent the next 61 years loving one another.
Ellen held many special roles in her 81 years: wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and dear friend. She is survived by her devoted husband Gene, children Theresa (Greg) Sharp, Katherine, Emily and Scott; grandchildren Liberty, Betsy (Joshua) Vander Stel, Jasmin, Ana and Amanda; great grandchildren DJ, Daisy, Abigail and Ophelia. She is also survived by her sisters Joyce Hawke and Jane Terpstra, and her brothers Roger (Yvonne) Sobottka and Tom (Jane) Wider; brothers-in-law Ed (Bev) Kirchner, Gerry (Ruby) Kirchner and Dan Kirchner, and sister-in-law Carol (Dennis) Pechacek; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Ellen loved her family, and all will miss her deeply.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Frieda and Henry, her son Jeffrey, brothers Dale, Stanley and David Sobottka, sisters Shirley Dodds and Carol Huneke, step father Earl Wider, brothers-in-law Ralph, Norm, and Clarence Kirchner, and sister-in-law Dorothy Althoff.
A memorial service to celebrate Ellen's life will be held at the Durand Senior Center (606 W. Madison Street, Durand) on Friday, September 14, at 2:00.
Goodrich Funeral Home in Durand is assisting the family. To express on-line condolences,visit obituaries at www.goodrich/fh.com