IlaMae Jean Newville

IlaMae Jean Newville was born in Amery, Wisconsin on March 9, 1935, to Lyle and Marion (Knutson) Luke, the first of five children. She passed away peacefully at home in Clear Lake, Wisconsin on February 18, 2026, at the age of 90 years old, with her family by her side. IlaMae married Gerald Newville on February 6, 1954, and to this union four girls followed. Ila and Jerry lived their whole lives within eight miles of Clear Lake, with the exception of a brief walk about to Chicago when they were first married.

IlaMae was a stay-at-home mom for many years, serving as a Girl Scout leader and leading day camps for many years. In addition, she was a 4-H leader where she taught dog obedience. She also served in many other roles in the community and church activities. She later worked in paid positions for the Girl Scouts and Weight Watchers. IlaMae started transporting clients for the Adult Development Center in Balsam Lake and eventually had three vans running in her transportation company. She loved her work at the Adult Development Center and continued in her role as a mentor and companion for many of her clients well into her retirement years. She and Jerry spent nearly a dozen years at the Athletic Club in Clear Lake, retiring to Lake Magnor. In 2007, Jerry and Ila moved to the Ridgeview Apartments in Clear Lake, a project that Jerry and a group from United Covenant Church made a reality.

IlaMae was an athlete, an artist and a teacher through and through. She loved any sport that involved a racquet-and she played to win. If you had the pleasure of beating her, you knew that you earned your victory because there was no such thing as "letting" anyone else win. Of course, that also meant that you may not get to play with her again because she only played if she could win-unless you were her grandchild, and even then, there was no guarantee. She played softball and tennis and even had Jerry by her side in a few triathlons in their 50's. She was a crafter and a true artist, making cards to the very end. Her handmade cards were treasured by many.

She is survived by her daughters, Gerianne (Jay) Christensen, Genie Newville, and Janelle Johnson; son-in-law, Dennis Ferguson; brothers, Jan (Nancy) Luke and Jay (Virginia) Luke; sister, Becky (Mike) Kimberly; sisters-in-law, Elaine Urista, Judi Boetcher, and Cyndee (Jeff O'Connor) Cummins; grandchildren, Dayna (Dirk) Prindle, Elisabeth Ferguson, Victoria (Rob Elizondo) Ferguson, Kari (Scott) Goodson, Cory Johnson, Kirk Johnson, Chris (Crystal) Johnson, Kaitlyn (Andrew) Carlson, and Cole Johnson; 16 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren with one on the way; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Ila was preceded in death by her parents, Lyle and Marion; husband, Gerald; sister, Mary (Carl) Waataja; daughter, Jody Ferguson; son-in-law, Nate Johnson; grandson, Luke James Ferguson; brothers-in-law, Milton, Alvin (Wanda), Clarence (Elsie), Maynard (Susan), Harold Urista, Ron Boetcher, and Chris Cummins; sisters-in-law, Suzanne Luke, Luella and (Leonard) Jarchow, Mildred (Ernie) Wittstock, Barbara (Elwood) Torkelson, Jane (Loren) Berthilson, as well as several dear nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on what would have been IlaMae's 91st birthday, Monday, March 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the United Covenant Church in Clear Lake, WI with a visitation one hour before. Lunch and fellowship will follow the service. There will also be a visitation at the United Covenant Church on Sunday, March 8, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

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