Dr. George B. Ellenz

FORT MYERS, FL/LA CROSSE, WI

Dr. George B Ellenz, 97, peacefully passed away in his sleep on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at his residence in La Crosse.

George was born in La Crosse, WI, on December 20, 1924 to Albert P & Margaret (Druschke) Ellenz.  On his first day at Aquinas High School, he met the love of his life, Margaret Bernatz, in Home Room 323.  These high school sweethearts were married in Waukesha, WI on September 1, 1948.  

George enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a dual Bombardier /Navigator in World War II.   Upon his discharge, he went to St. Mary’s College, Winona, MN on the GI Bill.  After three years of education, he was invited to attend Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.  He graduated Valedictorian of his medical class in 1951. 

Following a medical residency at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, he was a general practitioner in the Wisconsin Dells area.  Through the generosity of one of his patients, he was able to further his education in the Specialty of Radiology in St. Paul/Minneapolis.  He then returned to La Crosse where he established The Greater La Crosse Radiology Group, initially serving St. Francis Hospital and then Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.  He dedicated his life to medical practice for 39 years.  He loved and respected his radiology partners. 

He was a man of deep faith, a class act, true gentleman, a snappy dresser and all knowing. Above all he loved his wife and family. He always said he was a “lucky duck” because of his family.  However, this might be the only time, he was ever wrong, since his family and all that have known him were the “lucky ones”.  

George is survived by his children, daughter, Dr. Susan (Dr. Robert McGarry) Ellenz and their children Daniel, Connor, Meghan & Brendan McGarry, all of Rockford, IL; Dr. Daniel (Cyndi) Ellenz of La Crosse and their children Mark (Sara) Ellenz and their children, Isabel and Max Ellenz of La Crosse; Matthew Ellenz (Ashlee Vlasak) of La Crosse; and Michael (Caitlin) Ellenz and their children Miles and Macalister of Minneapolis; daughter Sally Fredricks of La Crosse and her children Gretchen (Mike) Myre and their children Alexa, Elise, Meghan and Kate Myre of La Crosse; Erich (Amy) Fredricks and their children Brianna Dahl, Cale and Alaina Hemker, all of Holmen; daughter Dr. Mary Ann (Kevin) Campbell of La Crosse and their children Dr. Patrick (Mary Alice) Campbell of New Bern, NC, Riley (Shea McCullough) Campbell of Denver, CO and Rory Campbell of Milwaukee; his brother Terry (Sherry) Ellenz of Onalaska; his sister-in-law Dorothy McGrane of Mequon.  He is further survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.  

George was preceded in death by his parents; Margaret’s parents Alban E and Elizabeth (Rawlinson) Bernatz. Also by his sisters-in-law Mary Ellen Storie and Betty Knoebel, brother-in-law Larry Knoebel and son-in-law Franz Fredricks. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in La Crosse.  The Rev Peter Raj will officiate. A private entombment will follow in the St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum at the Catholic Cemetery. A celebration of George’s life will follow the service at The Recovery Room Sports Pub & Grill.

Memorials may be directed to Aquinas Schools Foundation, Gundersen Medical Foundation, or the Charity of One’s Choice.