Eldon C. “Ellie” Ramthun, 78, of the town of Auburn, passed away on Friday, Nov. 2, 2012, at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Wauwatosa. He was born on May 4, 1934, in Kewaskum, the son of the late Eldon F. and Adeline (Melius) Ramthun, and on Dec. 12, 1953, he was united in marriage to Dolly Edwards at St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kewaskum.

Ellie was a member of the Kewaskum Fire Department for 14 years, St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kewaskum where he sang in the church choir for several years and a dedicated member of Plumbers Union 75 for 50 years.

Ellie participated in high school sports and enjoyed sports his entire life. In high school, he was a starting quarterback, baseball catcher and basketball guard. He was an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan and enjoyed watching all kinds of sports. He will fondly be remembered as the assistant armchair coach of the Green Bay Packers and for his love of numbers. He had an amazing ability to vividly recall dates, events and historical facts.

Ellie was a steward of the earth. He had a passion for farming and all the chores that come with farming, from plowing to planting to harvesting. He enjoyed deer hunting and fishing. Ellie could fix anything. He was a creative problem solver for family and friends. He was a “favorite” uncle and taught and mentored many plumbing apprentices. Ellie touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed by his wife, his family and by all who knew him.

Those Ellie leaves behind to cherish his memory include his wife of 58 years, Dolly; three sons, Jonathan (Karen) Ramthun, Timothy (Carolann) Ramthun, Joshua Ramthun, and David (Lisa) Ramthun all of Kewaskum; a sister, Allyne Rodenkirch of Kewaskum; a half sister, Joanne Hilbelink of Sheboygan; eight grandchildren, Laura (Travis) Luedtke, Tiffany (Doug) Franzen, Sarah (Jamie) Severance, Justin Ramthun, Douglas Ramthun (fiancée, Shaelynn), Becka Ramthun and Matthew Ramthun; 13 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Ellie was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Thomas Rodenkirch.

Funeral services for Ellie will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kewaskum. The Rev. Timothy Henning will officiate and burial will be on Monday at 11 a.m. in Lutheran Memorial Park in Kewaskum.

Relatives and friends may call at the church on Sunday from 2 p.m. until the time of services.

Memorials to St. Lucas Lutheran Church or Kewaskum High School athletics are appreciated.

The Miller Funeral Home in Kewaskum has been entrusted with Ellie’s arrangements. Additional information and guestbook may be found at www.millermartinfh.com.