Elmer Joseph Ambrose

Elmer Joseph Ambrose, 90, of Fort Atkinson, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. Elmer was born on Dec. 8, 1926, in Johnson Creek, to Lawrence and Frances (Schnee­berger) Ambrose. He graduated from Johnson Creek High School. Elmer served his country in the Army from 1949 to 1950 and the Army Reserves from 1950-54. On Sept. 2, 1950, he married Dorothy Pitterle in Watertown. She preceded him in death on Dec. 11, 2014. Elmer was employed by Hawthorne Melody in Whitewater and retired in 1987 after 37 years of service. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus and obtained third and fourth degree. He enjoyed gardening and golfing, and in the last few years helped out at Alden Estates of Jefferson where he called Bingo. Elmer was actively involved as a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. He participated often in the American Red Cross blood drives and was quite proud to have donated more than 20 gallons of blood throughout the years. He is survived by his children, Carol Ambrose of Janesville, Diane Ambrose of Fort Atkinson, David (Bethann) Ambrose of Hubertus; grandchildren, Jeremie Conkle, Jennifer (Jason) Brawders, and Kailey and Christopher Ambrose; great-grandchildren, Jacob and Jesse Brawders, and Dominic Conkle; and sisters, Gertrude Boelter of Watertown and Evelyn (Pete) Kealey of Janesville. Elmer also was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leo, Aaron and Clarence; and a sister, Marion Ambrose, who also was a sister of a religious order. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, Dec. 23, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1660 Endl Blvd., Fort Atkinson. Visitation will be held at the Nitardy Funeral Home Chapel, 1008 Madison Ave., Fort Atkinson, on Thursday, Dec. 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. with the parish rosary at 6:30 p.m.; and on Friday, Dec. 23, at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Fort Atkinson. As an expression of sympathy, memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church.