Isabelle Helen Wilsnack

Isabelle Helen Wilsnack, 92 of Markesan passed away on December 13, 2013. Isabelle was born December 6, 1921 in the farm house at Arlington to Wallace and Lillian Conkle. Isabelle graduated from Poynette High School in 1939 and the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Home Economics Education in 1943. She went to teach in Markesan, Wisconsin and met her future husband in youth fellowship at the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Leonard and Isabelle were married on June 14, 1947. The entire family saved sugar ration coupons for the wedding cake, only to have rations released the week before their wedding. In her time teaching, Isabelle and her students prepared hot lunch for the entire school. Isabelle enjoyed living and working in Markesan where some of her former students became relatives or had children in school with her own.

For forty years Isabelle was a Foods Leader and then General Leader of the River Valley Workers 4-H Club. Isabelle was active in the United Methodist Church as Sunday School Teacher, Friendship Circle President and UMW President. Isabelle enjoyed gardening, cooking, and sewing, and teaching her children to excel at all three. She won blue ribbons at the fair for butter cookies and angel food cakes. In her gracious and organized way, Isabelle’s gifts were helping others to become leaders, serving nutritious food, and giving her children experiences rather than things.

Isabelle is survived by two daughters, Connie and Miriam, a cousin Lloyd Plath, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard; son Donald; and cousins Louise Hall; William Schoephoester, who was like a brother to her growing up; and Wes, Phil, and Oliver Plath.

The family would like to thank the Markesan United Methodist Church congregation, and present and past ministers for a true sense of community and love; in memory Harvey Menke who invited Donald to join 4-H, thereby changing Mom’s and our lives tremendously; Dane County Friends of Ferals for taking, taming, and finding indoor homes for all the farm kitties; Dr. Ross Hazelwood for his kind and gentle manner; Mary Schultz for going above and beyond at a difficult time; the nurses and CNA’s on 2 West at Berlin Memorial Hospital; and Rev. Ethan Larson for supportive visits.

Services will be held at the Markesan United Methodist Church at 11:00a.m. on Wednesday December 18th. Please join us for lunch in the Fellowship Hall after and greet the family at that time if you wish. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Markesan United Methodist Church are suggested and will be designated for causes that enriched Isabelle’s life.