LINDA ELY

Neenah – Linda Ruth (Chase) Ely, age 81, of Neenah, passed away on August 22, 2024, after a courageous fight with Alzheimer's and a brief battle with Multiple Myeloma. Linda was born in Spooner, Wisconsin on June 30, 1943, to Ellen (Norton) Chase and Norman Chase. In her youth, she was a part of the 4-H Club and attended a one room schoolhouse in which her mother was her teacher. She graduated from Spooner High School and went on to attend UW-Superior where she earned her bachelor's degree in art education. She was a member of the Delta Sigma Chi Sorority, also known as the “Dramas”.  It was here where she met and then married the love of her life, Jim Ely, on July 24, 1965, in Superior, Wisconsin, and they went on to have two daughters. In 1990 she received her master's degree in art education from Lesley University. She was a proud elementary school art teacher in the Neenah Joint School District for 24 years and taught at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum for over 20 years.

Linda and Jim spent many summers in Door County where they co-owned the gallery Serendipity with friends. Once retired they continued to spend their summers in Door County. In her spare time, she loved spending time with family and friends, shopping, cooking, going to the theater and taking art classes. Linda and Jim enjoyed traveling the world together. She was an incredible mother, grandma, great grandma, and human being. She embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, sincere kindness, strength of spirit, and unending generosity. Linda was a long-time member of the church council at Our Savior's Lutheran church in Neenah. Linda taught Sunday school classes there and volunteered her artistic talents whenever needed. She was part of the Junior Women's Club as a young woman and when retired she joined Tuesday Club. Anyone that knew Linda knew she was dog lover and kept her beloved pup Abby close to her heart. She loved sewing and would make Halloween costumes for her family.

Linda is survived by her beloved husband Jim; two daughters: Heather (Todd) Olson and Kristin (Rob) Ely-Bluemke; four grandchildren: Gage and McKenna Olson and Emerson and Elliot Bluemke; and one great-grandchild: Aurora Olson. 

She is proceeded in death by her parents, as well as her sister: Karen Goelzer McKaig.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Kimberly Berg of ThedaCare, the wonderful staff at Touchmark Senior Living and St. Croix Hospice for their loving care of Linda in her time of need. Linda was a strong and loving spirit and gave generously of her time and talents to her community. She will be dearly missed but will live on in the hearts of her family and friends. 

A funeral service will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Neenah on Saturday, August 31st, visitation from 9-11AM, service at 11AM.