Obituary of Ella Wilson Harris

Ella M. Wilson Harris (nee Menzen), 89, of Zion, IL, died on Saturday, January 17, 2009. Ella was born May 24, 1919, in Gary, IN, was raised in Winnetka and graduated from New Trier High School. She attended the University of Illinois and was a member of Alpha Phi Sorority. In 1948 she married John R. Wilson and moved to Zion, where she was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church of Zion, served as a Cub Scout Leader, and following the death of her husband, worked as a teacher's aide in Zion Elementary Schools for 11 years. She married Jack W. Harris in May of 1988 and resided in Plover, WI, until his death in 1997. Survivors include three sons, Donald (Victoria) Wilson of Gurnee, IL, Barry (Jay) Wilson of Round Rock, TX, and David Wilson of Cypress, TX; sister-in-law, Lois Wilson of Waukegan; five grandchildren, Deidre (Alan) Olson of Paddock Lake, WI, Jenna (Kreg) Kroll of Menasha, WI, John Wilson of Winthrop Harbor, Elise Wilson of Dallas, TX, and Jacob Wilson of Cypress, TX; one great-grandson, Mitchell Olson; former daughter-in-law, Laurel Wilson of Winthrop Harbor; stepsons, Peter (Karol) Harris (daughters, Andrea and Alivia) and Bradley Harris (daughter, Jennifer); and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands, John R. Wilson and Jack W. Harris; sister, Wilma Garlinghouse; brothers-in-law, Charles Garlinghouse and Harry S. Wilson; sister-in-law, Alice Wilson; mother-in-law, Kate Wilson; father-in-law, Robert Wilson; parents, Bruno and Emilie Menzen; daughter-in-law, Polly Wilson; stepson, Mark Harris. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 23, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial United Methodist Church, 2935 Sheridan Road, Zion with Rev. Cheryl Esbrook, officiating. Friends may greet the family on Friday from 5:30 p.m. until the time of service at the church. Memorial donations are suggested to the Memorial United Methodist or a favorite charity of your choice.