Alta Rae Wheeler

POYNETTE – Alta Rae Wheeler, age 75, passed away peacefully at her home in Poynette on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, surrounded by her loving family.

Alta was born on August 29, 1945, in Portage, the daughter of Joseph and Thelma (Hagensen) Sullivan. She married Philip Wheeler on November 27, 1965, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage. She was a homemaker and farmed with her husband on the Wheeler Farm. Alta enjoyed baking cakes, card making, Bingo, and was always ready for a game of cards. Family was very important to Alta and she enjoyed all family get-togethers where she was often the life of the party with her contagious laughter and welcoming smile. She was kind and welcoming to every person she encountered and never met a stranger. She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church where she belonged to the St. Thomas Christian Women’s Group.

She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Philip; children, Shawn (Jackie) Wheeler of Dane, Melissa Wheeler of Poynette; two grandchildren, Natalie and Maeva Wheeler; siblings, James (Carol) Sullivan of New Mexico, Marie Brandt of Poynette, Vivian Wasson of Westfield, Joan Wilson of Portage, Robert (Janette) Sullivan of Westfield; sisters-in-law, Marie Sullivan of Poynette, Sheryl (Jerry) Nied of Oregon State; other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jerome Sullivan; sister, Mary Lou Campion; brothers-in-law, Maurie Campion, Howard Brandt, Floyd Wasson, Jim Wilson and Larry and Doris Wheeler.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Poynette on Monday, December 21, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., with Fr. Balaraju Eturi and Fr. Ray Dischler concelebrating. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Social distancing rules will be observed and masks will be required and provided, if necessary. Funeral services will be lived streamed, find the link @ PRCatholic.org

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Poynette is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, donations to the St Thomas Christian Women or the Arlington EMS & Fire Dept. The family would like to thank Andrea Langan & Meredith Ludwig and the staff and nurses at Portage Dean Clinic; thank you to all the doctors & nurses that cared for Alta in the past few months.

Your life was a blessing
Your memory a treasure
You are loved beyond words
and missed beyond measure.