Obituary of M. Ellen Langton

M. Ellen Langton, age 89, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Cranberry Court in Wisconsin Rapids. Services will be at 1:30 P.M. on Sunday, January 17, 2016 with a luncheon to follow at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. John Grohs will officiate. Burial will be on Monday, January 18, 2016 at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 11:30 A.M. until the time of services at the funeral home. Margaret Ellen was born on September 17, 1926 to William and Ella (Manning) Whittingham in Phelps, WI. Ellen met the love of her life Lynn on a blind date while they were both attending University Wisconsin Stevens Point. The couple was married on May 22, 1948 in Eagle River, WI; and were blessed with three children: Wanda, Dennis and Jerry. They lived in Wisconsin Rapids their entire married life. Ellen worked for Mid-State Technical College organizing the library and for the Wood County Treasures Office until she left to care for both her and Lynn's mothers. Ellen was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She was a charter member of the Immanuel Lutheran Evening Guild, where she taught both Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. She truly enjoyed helping and serving in any capacity that was needed for Immanuel Lutheran Church and Woodlands Lutheran Church in Montverde, FL. Ellen and Lynn helped his brothers and sisters in building a campground on some family farmland in Plover; for almost 18 years family and friends would meet there during the warmer months to go camping and during the winter for campfires and cross country skiing. Upon Lynn's retirement, they spent 17 happy winters at Woodland's Lutheran Camp in Montverde, FL. Along with their new friends, they continued to volunteer and serve the community at every opportunity. Ellen and Lynn enjoyed serving dinners for conventions and parties, volunteered for the Salvation Army, taught handicap children to ride horses, and served with Project Compassion. Ellen loved to travel all over the USA in their camping trailer, usually with good friends or family. Ellen delighted in seeing new places and experiencing new things; even when the Grand Canyon turned out to not be so grand in her eyes on a cloudy miserable day. Ellen was a truly remarkable person whose compassion and selfless heart knew no bounds; during the last few years of her life Ellen never lost her drive to help others and often wished that she could still be part of the mission projects. Ellen is survived by her husband Lynn; children: Wanda (Michael) Saeger of Rome, WI, and Dennis Langton of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; grandchildren: Jonathan (Lauren) Saeger of Macomb, IL and Paul Saeger of Davenport, IA; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Jerry Langton, and brother Roy Whittingham. Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net Ellen's family would like to thank the caring staff of Gaynor Estates, Our House Assisted Living on 12th Street, Cranberry Court and Heartland Hospice.