Ellen Devine

Ellen (Catherine) Hein Devine died peacefully Friday, January 12, 2018 at the Chippewa Manor in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

Ellen was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin on May 22, 1926 to Martin N. Hein and Hazel V. Hein. She was preceded in death by her brother Jan M. Hein, her sister, Julie V. McGinnis, first husband William Thomas (Tom) Devine Jr. in 2006 and her second husband Joseph C. Mandelert on March 23, 2017.

Ellen graduated from Chippewa Falls Senior High School as salutatorian in 1944 and went on to UW Madison where she participated in some groundbreaking Psychology studies and graduated with a degree in Psychology in 1948. After graduation from the university she married W. Thomas (Tom) Devine in August of 1948. They eventually settled down in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin to raise a family.

Ellen possessed a keen intellectual curiosity her entire life and enjoyed life-long learning. She was an avid reader and an early member of the Chippewa Fall YMCA. Active her whole life, Ellen loved to ski, golf, walk, and go to classes at the Y. She was a highly skilled oil painter and her paintings grace the walls of many of her friends and family around the country. Ellen was very active in the community. She loved animals, particularly cats, had a very kind heart – supporting many charitable organizations each year with her donations. Some of the highlights of her career, in addition to raising her three children, follow: she supported the family working as a kindergarten teacher while Tom was in law school; went back to school for a certificate and worked for the Chippewa Falls School system in Play Therapy; volunteered on the board of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary, edited the St. Joseph’s Auxiliary newsletter once a week and served as an officer in the organization; served as a Cub Scout Leader – Den Mother and as a Brownie leader; developed and taught nursery school prior to the proliferation of preschools. She also participated and was active in several organizations: PEO – Chapter AB; the First Presbyterian Church Choir; the Alumni Association, University of Wisconsin, Madison; and several book clubs and bridge clubs.

Later in life, Ellen found love again with her lifelong friend, Joe Mandelert, and they enjoyed an almost 9-year marriage prior to his death in 2017. Ellen’s generous, loving spirit and her enduring optimism and pragmatism will be deeply missed by her family.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses – Thomas Martin Devine (Jane Devine), Catherine Devine Lea (Robert Lea) and Megan Elizabeth Devine (Quentin Reimer); by her 5 grandchildren and spouses/partners – Matthew Lea, Martin Lea (Tom Hogle), Marian Lea, Ryan Devine (Amy Roehl Devine) and Lauren Devine; and by Joe’s family, son James (Kathi) Mandelert of Chippewa Falls; daughter, Julia Gribbon of Cottage Grove, WI; a grandson, Mitchell Mandelert of Eau Claire.

In lieu of flowers and per Ellen’s wishes, the family would like memorials to go to: The Heyde Center for the Arts (Chippewa Falls); The First Presbyterian Church (Chippewa Falls); or The Chippewa County History Center (Chippewa Falls).

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church, Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Dr. Karel Hanhart officiating, followed by a celebration of her life and art at the Chippewa Valley Cultural Center (Heyde Center for the Arts) in Chippewa Falls. Refreshments and appetizers will be served there.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, Chippewa Falls is serving the family.

Visit pedersonvolker.com to express condolences online.