Wilson, Ivanell (Ivy)

Ivanell (Ivy) Wilson died May 10, 2025 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville.  She was born on December 17, 1921 the third child of John and Florence (Bohn) Zifka near Mt. Ida, Wisconsin.  The Zifkas were tenant farmers and farmed primarily in eastern Grant County and finally in Iowa County.  The Zifkas moved several times in Ivy's young life, she attended six different grade schools.  Ivy attended all four years at Dodgeville High School, the only family member to graduate high school.  Upon completion of high school she and her sister Hazel moved to Madison, to work for Rayovac for a year, before working at the dime store in Dodgeville.  While working at the dime store Ivy met Jim Wilson who had recently graduated from veterinary school at Iowa State University.  The couple married on June 16, 1943 and lived with both the Wilson and Zifka families until they found a house for sale on Spring Street.  Once settled, Ivy assumed duties as secretary, setting up veterinary appointments and dispensing medicine while raising a family of four children.  Husband Jim talked Ivy into attending the Dale Carnegie course, this course instilled confidence in Ivy and caused her to make it a point to introduce strangers to one another.

Ivy and Jim had four children, Louise, Bob, Mary and Tom.  Ivy was a member of the United Methodist Church of Dodgeville since 1943 and was the Superintendent of Sunday School for several years.  She was a member of the UMW and helped serve funeral lunches at the church until she was 95.  She was a former member of Eastern Star, Rebeccas and Kiwanis. 

Jim and Ivy moved to the farm in 1962.  There Ivy took on more duties as farm wife, helping with the field work and raising animals.  During their married years, Jim and Ivy had the privilege to travel to Guam, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. 

Jim and Ivy were married for 52 years, until his death.  When Jim's health started to deteriorate, they moved back to Dodgeville.  Ivy has lived the past 8 years at Crestridge Assisted Living.

She is survived by her children, Louise Price, Bob (Linda) Wilson, Mary Wilson and Tom Wilson; 2 grandchildren, Christine (Steve) Mason and Amber Price and one great grandchild, Rachel Mason many other nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim (1995), son in law, Charlie Price;  her parents, her sister, Hazel (Elvin) and brother Charles (Jane and Loretta), her inlaws, Blanche (Harland) James, Dorothy and Jeanette Wilson, and John (Gerry) Wilson.

Memorial services will be held at the United Methodist Church of Dodgeville, 327 North Iowa Street, Dodgeville on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Lorri McGranahan officiating.  A visitation will be held at the church on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and also at the church again on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will conclude at the Eastside Cemetery in Dodgeville.

The family would like to thank Crestridge Assisted Living for the wonderful care they have given Mom for the past 8 years, especially her special caregiver Michelle.  Thank you to Agrace Hospice for the care Mom received in the last few months of her life. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials to be directed to the family so they can spread those out to various groups that were special to mom.

The Houck Funeral Home in Dodgeville is assisting the family with arrangements.

www.houckfuneralhomes.com   608-935-3628