Ida Mae Isensee

     Ida Mae (Garves) Isensee, 91, of Sparta, passed away February 3, 2019 at the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. She was born July 18, 1927 to the late Robert and Hilda (Maack) Garves in the Burns Valley, Rural Bangor, WI. As a child, the family moved to Cataract. A few years later she met her future husband, Donald Isensee. Donald preceded her in death on January 13, 2001.

     Ida Mae and Donald married on December 4, 1943 in Sparta, WI. They lived in the Sparta area after marriage. They bought the family farm in Cataract in 1954. They had two sons and two daughters. Ida Mae was a stay at home mom and worked on the farm. In 1967 they sold the farm and moved back to Sparta. She then worked for Schultz Bros. for 14 years. After retirement, they traveled and spent 12 winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.

     Ida Mae is survived by her children, Donald (Sandy) Isensee; Dale (Sue) Isensee; Carol (Bill) Wadephul;,all of the Sparta area; and Cheryl Isensee, of Tomah; grandchildren, Jeff Isensee, Christopher (Patti) Isensee; Nichole Isensee; Joe Isensee; Jennifer (Wes) Thayer; Billy Wadephul; and Jamie (Kevin) Gregar; Cory (Lindsay) Weibel; and Amy (Chris) Welker. She is further survived by great-grandchildren: Jordan, McKenzie, Kylie, Samantha, Christopher, Nickolas, Alena, Harley Isensee, Justin, Corbin Thayer, Kendalyn, Aliza, and Jacobe Gregar; Hannah and Elliott Weibel; two great-great grandchildren, Everly Wilson and Ivy Hallingstad; and many nieces and nephews.

     She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Donald; parents, Robert and Hilda; two infant sisters, Carrie and Lillian Garves; three sisters, Alma (Harold) Tenner; Dorothy (Maynard) Jerome; and Charlotte Baker; three brothers, Rex (Irene) Garves; Lyle (Lucille) Garves; and Kenneth (Shirley) Garves.

     A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 7, at the Lanham-Schanhfoer Funeral Home, Sparta, with Reverend Mark Benning officiating. Burial will follow Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sparta.

     Visitation for Ida Mae will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, from 4-6 p.m. and on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. 

     The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.   

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