Geneva Denalda Ellison

Geneva Denalda (Delebo) Ellison, age 100, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025 in Wausau, Wisconsin. She was born on September 4, 1925, in Langdon, North Dakota.

Geneva was a devoted and cherished mother to her son, Keith (Janis) Ellison, and a loving sister to Donald Delebo. She was a proud grandmother to Kristin (Ben) Gille, Kara (Aaron) Young, Kaitlyn (Eli) Kossel, and Kurt (Ali) Ellison, and a beloved great-grandmother to Claire and Matthew Gille; Ellison and Luke Young; and Shepard, Jakson, and Bennett Kossel. Her family was the center of her life, and she treasured every opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank Ellison; her parents, John and Rose Delebo; her brothers, William, Peter, Henry, Nickolas, John, and Thomas; and her sisters, Mary, Olga, and Eileen.

Geneva moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she met and married Franklin "Frank" Ellison. Their lives were forever changed on June 5, 1965, when Frank went missing during a military flight over the Bermuda Triangle. Geneva faced this profound loss with quiet strength, resilience, and grace.

She worked for many years as a teacher's aide with the Greendale School District, where she was known for her kindness and dedication to children. Geneva was an active and faithful member of St. Alphonsus Church in Greendale, volunteered at Boerner Botanical Gardens, and gave generously of her time within the Greendale community. One of her greatest joys was tending a community garden and sharing weekly coffee with a close-knit group of women she cherished for many years.

Geneva was also known for her wonderful sense of style and took special delight in wearing hats-each one thoughtfully chosen and worn with confidence and flair. Whether attending church, a special occasion, or a family gathering, her hats were a reflection of her personality and added to the elegance and joy she brought into every room.

Geneva loved traveling to visit her many siblings, nieces, and nephews and especially treasured time spent in Venice, Florida, with her brother Don. She had many creative hobbies, including knitting, calligraphy, needlepoint, and reading. She also enjoyed drawing beautiful pictures for her grandchildren-gifts that will be lovingly remembered.

Above all, Geneva will be remembered for her warmth, her creativity, her faith, her beautiful smile that could light up a room, and her timeless sense of grace and style. She enjoyed her bond with her only grandson, Kurt, whom she affectionately referred to as her "tall drink of water." Whenever she cared for her granddaughters, she lovingly sang "Goodnight Ladies" to them each night-a tender tradition that remains close to their hearts. Now, they lovingly say, "Goodnight, Grandma, and have a beautiful dream."

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church in Wausau, Wisconsin. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral. In remembrance of Frank Ellison, whose disappearance prevented a service from ever being held, the funeral will also include a memorial in his honor.

The family extends their gratitude to Aspirus Hospice and especially to the compassionate staff of Primrose Retirement Community, who became family to Geneva and provided exceptional care, comfort, and kindness during the final years of her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to a remembrance of Geneva and Frank Ellison at Monk Botanical Gardens.