By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Even though Gov. J.B. Pritzker has yet to sign the budget bill law…
June 1, 2023
Ella E. Nienhuis, 99, Woodstock, died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015.
She was born Nov. 23, 1915, to Max and Elizabeth (Schwaab) Prufer in Chicago.
She and her husband, Oney, moved west of Woodstock to a small farm in 1949. In 1962, they started planting Christmas trees on the farm. The first 10 trees were sold in 1967, and the business soon turned into a successful choose-and-cut tree farm, one of the first in the area. She enjoyed painting, figurine sculpting, pinochle and bridge. At the tree farm, she made hundreds of wreaths each year and hand painted ceramic ornaments. She was a wonderful storyteller, and her humor was enjoyed by her many friends.
Survivors include two sons, John (Gloria), Marengo, and James (Anna), Madison, Wis.; four grandsons, John Jason (Sheryl), Marengo, James Manuel, Robert Oney and Micheal Jan, Madison, Wis.; and a great-grandson, Bjorn, Madison.
She was preceded in death by her husband; and a son, Robert.
A memorial of life will be held at a later date.
