Edith I. McElroy (nee Rye) passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI. She was born on October 23, 1932, on her parents’ farm in Johnstown Township, Rock County, WI, the daughter of Ralph and Clara (Duoss) Rye.
Edith graduated from Whitewater High School (class of 1950), The National Louis University – College of Education (class of 1954), in Evanston, IL, and pursued graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. In her undergraduate program, her clinical & student-teaching experiences were at Jane Addam’s Hull House Settlement School, Chicago, IL. All totaled, her elementary teaching career in the primary grades spanned across five decades at East Troy, Pardeeville, and Portage Schools.
Edith married B. Wayne McElroy on September 7, 1957, at Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church, Janesville, WI. They made their home on Wayne’s farm in Marcellon Township, Pardeeville, WI. Sadly after only twelve years of marriage, Wayne passed away on October 6, 1969, leaving Edith to raise their two young girls.
Edith is survived by daughters Lois (Terry) Lindell, Donna Nadosy, granddaughter Laura Nadosy (Alex Spurley), the newest love of her life – her great-grandson Gus, sister-in-law Linda Rye, niece Jennifer (Jason) Zenda, and great-nephew Ian. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother, and a sister, in infancy.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, June 8 at 11:00 a.m. at the Portage Presbyterian Church with Pastor Dave Hankins officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Following the service there will be a time for fellowship and a light luncheon. Burial of the cremains will take place at the Marcellon Cemetery, rural Pardeeville (Hwy 44, three miles east of Pardeeville).
Memorials may be made to the Portage Presbyterian Church or Agrace Hospice Foundation, Madison, WI.
Kratz Funeral Home, Portage, Wisconsin is assisting the family.
