Ethel Marie Belisle was born in Garfield Township of Polk County, Wisconsin on December 21, 1919 the daughter of Frank and Edna (Sund) Petersen. She was baptized in Milltown, Wisconsin and later Confirmed at the Balsam Lutheran Church in rural Amery. She grew up in Volga. For a number of years she did housekeeping work for the Brevold family. On June 19, 1940 she was united in marriage to Tellis Belisle at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amery. They operated a dairy farm in Range, then Pipe Lake,back to Range and their final farm was in Turtle Lake. She was a hard worker on the farm and could hand milk a cow faster than her husband. She raised chickens and was very proud of her laying hens. They farmed until 1976 when they sold the milk herd. In 1995 she moved into Turtle Lake. She was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Turtle Lake and its Ladies Society. Ethel enjoyed old time dance and traveling. She was a great baker too, especially her Kolaches and homemade donuts. She enjoyed her family, and as it grew, there was always room for another child to join the family and be loved. Ethel moved to Golden Age Manor in Amery this past November and passed away there on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at the age of 91 years.
Preceding her in death were her husband Tellis, parents Frank and Edna; brothers: Norman Petersen, Robert Petersen and Laverne "Lars" Petersen; sisters: Mildred Strenke and Frances Donaker. Surviving family members include her children: Mary Jane "Mitts" Belisle, Tellis (LeAnn) Belisle, Ranae (Bill) Madison and Lauren (Vidette) Belisle; brothers: Harry Petersen and Wayne (Janice) Petersen; sisters: Elaine Edler and Betty Maier. She also leaves six grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 16, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Turtle Lake. Interment will be at the St. Ann's Cemetery. There will be a visitation at the funeral home on Thursday, December 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. and for the hour prior to the service at the church.