Inez Pettis
Inez Marie (Hanson) Pettis, 92, formerly of Augusta, WI passed away on August 10, 2017 at Dove Assisted Living, Osseo, WI, surrounded by her family.
Inez was born on May 04, 1925, the daughter of Melvin Olaf Hanson and Cora (Smith) Hanson in the Town of Garfield, Jackson County, WI. Inez was united in marriage to James Wilson Pettis on June 29, 1943 in Augusta, WI. They were married 62 years before Jim passed away. From that union four children were born; Judith M. (David) Hageness and Jane L. Stanek, both of Osseo; Jeffery J. (Susan) Pettis and Joel M. (Laura) Pettis, both of Eau Claire; and special daughter Ruth (Duke) Anderson of Augusta. Inez also has 13 grand-children and 18 great-grand-children.
At 13 Inez began working at a rural Osseo boarding house where she did laundry, cleaning and light cooking. Her work at the boarding house allowed her to attend both junior and senior high school, which was uncommon in those days. She attended grade school in Requa and graduated from Augusta Senior High in 1943.
In addition to raising her family, Inez continued to work throughout her adult life. She worked as a nursing assistant at Sacred Heart Hospital for 28 years; worked at the Anderson Canning Factory in Augusta; worked as a cook at the Russell Corners School; operated the Augusta Dairy Castle; and was a baker at the Augusta Bakery. She loved baking, and continued to bake cakes for special occasions and shared her sweet treats with friends and family. Her Sally Anne cookies and lefsa are family favorites. Inez was also very active in the community. Early in her married life she was involved in the Rebekah Lodge and Thompson Valley Homemakers Club. She enjoyed volunteering for the Meals on Wheels Program and the Augusta Senior Center, and served on the boards of the Eau Claire County Nutrition Program, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and the Augusta Area Nursing Home Auxillary.
Inez was very artistic, and enjoyed painting and creating yard art and costumes and props for community parades and plays. After their retirement, Inez’s creativity grew as she drafted Jim to assist with these projects. When they weren’t busy in the woodshop or painting, Inez and Jim traveled, enjoying both the east and the west coast on bus trips.
Inez and Jim were very active throughout their lives. They were accomplished old time Polka and two step dancers as well as belonging to the A-GAY-O Dancers. They loved playing cards and followed their children and grandchildren sports endeavors and both were avid Packer and fans of stock car racing.
Inez was preceded in death by her parents; husband James on July 13, 2005; brother Marvin Hanson; sister Marinda Buchholz; grand-daughter Melissa Pettis and other in-laws and relatives.
Inez will be remembered and dearly missed by her children, 13 grand-children - Kalynn (Eric) Dewitz, Elana Hageness, Monica (Gerald) Schemionek, David (Barbara) Hageness, Kimberly (Steven) Rowe, Gregory (Jennifer) Stanek, Joy Moore, Audra (Roy) Bissen, Joni (Adam) Felber, Benjamin (Tracy) Pettis, Chad Pettis (Ed Killoren), Kelly (Benjamin) Wagner, Andrew Pettis; 18 great-grand-children – Jacob (Haylie) Dewitz and Taylor Dewitz, Zachary and Garret Schemionek, Madison and Evan Hageness, Sarah Rowe (Mainor Martinez) and Michael Rowe, Matthew, Cordell and Nathan Stanek, Blaine, Braeden, Bennett, and Braxton Moore, Elijah, Nora, and Wyatt Felber, and many loving friends.
A visitation was held on Sunday, August 13, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church, 50351 Harmony Street, Osseo, WI. The funeral followed at 1:00 p.m. Interment was in the West Lawn Cemetery, Augusta, WI. Memorials can be given to the Augusta Senior Center or the Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church Music Program. The family was assisted by the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.
