Louella “Ellie” R. Zintz

FENNIMORE - Louella “Ellie” R. Zintz, age 81, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 20, 2024. Ellie was born July 1, 1942, in Richwood Township. Ellie grew up in the rural Blue River and Excelsior areas. She was youngest of 11 children and daughter to Ray and Cora (Dalton) Dyer.  She was a talented singer, often entertaining at local functions.  Her favorite story that made her smile every time she told it was of the day she was performing on stage at the Blue River Park.  She was singing her heart out for the crowd during a men’s softball tournament.  The men rushed over to the stage to see who this woman with this wonderful voice was, their jaws dropping in amazement (and disappointment) to find it was a just a little girl with a big voice.  Her love of singing continued later in life, and she enjoyed recording country music on her karaoke machine.

Ellie met the love of her life, Junior Zintz and in her words, was “finding any excuse I could to walk by the feed mill to see if he was there”. They married in 1962 and raised a family of three daughters and one son.  They worked hard their whole lives and did whatever it took to give their family a good life.  She was fearless.  Ellie took on many jobs – she worked as a teacher’s aide, an assistant in a doctor’s office, at the Wilson State Nursery and for many years, and retiring from her career as a custodian for the state of Wisconsin. Later in life, she and Junior discovered their love of the Goldwing. They set out on numerous motorcycle trips both long and short, going as far as the Rocky Mountains. Each time they set out on an adventure they assured us they had their helmets – even though we knew they were safely strapped to luggage rack because Mom didn’t want to mess up her hair.  They also took several trips to Cadott to the country music festival – often the highlight of their year.

Ellie lost her husband way too soon in 1997 and lived a strong, independent life afterwards.  She loved gardening and always had a beautiful bed of flowers and vegetables.  She grew, and possibly ate, enough tomatoes for the whole county.  She was incredibly generous and humble; she took more pride in giving them away than enjoying them herself. She had 5 grandchildren and one great grandchild who she adored.  She enjoyed watching their many activities and watching her grandchildren grow into hard working, ambitious, and all-around great adults that she was so proud of and her great grandson well on his way.  Another favorite story is of the day Clayton was born.  Snowstorm or not, she was going.  The first look they got of each other, even though only a few hours old, they locked eyes, and the bond was formed.

Ellie is survived by her children: Lori (Gordon) Freymiller, Penny Zintz, Dan (Mindy) Zintz and, Sue Zintz; grandchildren: Cindi (Chris) Nothem, Jacob (finance Hannah) Zintz, Jalissa (Dustin) Reynolds, Alena (Nick) Grover, and William Cenis (Autumn); great-grandchild, Clayton Nothem; sisters in-law: Phyllis Fish, Donita Zintz, Joyce Dyer, and Sharon Zintz. Ellie was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Junior; her parents Ray and Cora Dyer; her siblings: Martha (Jack) Zintz, Milford (Joy) Dyer, Melvin Dyer, Don (Alice) Dyer, Byron Dyer, Bernie Dyer, Arlene (Larry) Turnipseed, Doreen Miller, and infant brother and sister; brothers in-law, Ronnie Zintz, Mike Zintz, Bud Dowling, and Bill Fish.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the St. Croix Hospice or another charity of your choice.