Obituaries

Garilyn Rose (VanDyke) Ellis, of Kenosha, WI, passed away December 14, 2024.

She was born June 27, 1942 to Virginia (Baumbach) Behrens and Harold VanDyke in Sparta, WI. She spent her early years in Sparta, then moved to Kenosha where she spent most of her life. She and her husband moved to Madison to live with their daughter and her family 6 years ago.

Lyn went to school and became and LPN. She worked in Labor and Delivery for 7 years until the birth of her daughter. She was instrumental in starting and running Market Square Mall craft fair and assisting and advising other local craft fairs. She, her daughter and her mother were vendors at many fairs around the area.

Lyn was known for her spirited personality, her generous nature, her sense of humor, and her love of her family and friends.

Lyn was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, her brother Bruce VanDyke, her stepfather Harold Behrens and several cousins and friends.

She is survived by her loving husband, Don Ellis, her daughter Jennifer(Ellis) French, her step children, Julie (Ellis) Thaxton, Diane (Ellis) Hession, John Ellis, her grandchildren TJ Hession, Dan Hession, Jaymie Hession, Amanda Thaxton, Zach Thaxton, Matt Haubrich, Dylan Haubrich, Noah Reinkober, Ethan Reinkober, Shelby (Reinkober) Seth, Sage French, and her three great grandsons Nolan Amann, Tyler Hession and Cole Hession. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Barb VanDyke, and several cousins, nieces and nephews, and two great grandnieces.

Her celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 5202 Cottage Grove Rd, Madison, WI on Saturday, December 28. A visitation will be held on Saturday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. A reception will follow at The Great Dane East, 876 Jupiter Dr, Madison Wi starting at 12:00.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

5701 Odana Road

608-274-1000