Ella M. McGowan

Ella Martha McGowan, 92, passed away Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at St. Francis Terrace, Fond du Lac.

She was born to the late Herman J. St. Thomas and Martha M. (Kositzke) St. Thomas on December 23, 1925, in Rapid River, MI. Ella graduated from Escanaba High School in 1944. She then attended Kendall College in Evanston, IL for two years, majoring in American History.

On December 28, 1946, she married Melvin F. McGowan in Escanaba, MI. He preceded her in death on December 1, 1986. December 28, 2018, would mark the 72nd anniversary of their wedding day. Together Ella and Melvin raised their three children in Fond du Lac until 1971, when they would briefly relocate to Appleton, WI and then Iron Mountain, MI until 2012. In May 2012, Ella returned to Fond du Lac and resided at Lake View Estates as well as St. Francis Terrace until her death.

She is survived by two children, Patrick W. (Cathleen) McGowan of Fond du Lac and Margaret (Peggy) A. (Robert) Whitens of Quinnesec, MI. She is further survived by six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin F. McGowan, one son, Michael J. McGowan, her parents, Herman and Martha St. Thomas and one brother, Edward St. Thomas.

VISITATION: Friends may call on Saturday, December 8, 2018, from 11:00 – 12:00 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church, 901 County V, Fond du Lac.

FUNERAL: A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 8, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church, with Rev. Jeff Blain officiating.

Special thanks to Dianne Krusz for her loving and caring friendship and assistance. Mom really looked forward to Di’s visits. We would like to express our appreciation to Dr Jeffery Strong, for the excellent and compassionate care he gave mom for the past 6 years. Lastly, we would like to express our gratitude and thanks to the people and staff at St. Francis Terrace for the loving and caring attention they provided for the last several years.

Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family, www.kurkimachfuneralchapel.com. 920-921-4420