Price, Louise Ellen (Wilson)

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Louise Ellen (Wilson) Price age 81 of Whitewater / Dodgeville passed away on February 12th, 2026, in the home she adored while being hugged and loved on her journey to heaven by her entire immediate family.  Louise was born on September 27th, 1944, to her loving parents, Dr James and Ivanelle Wilson. Louise grew up in Dodgeville Wisconsin and married her husband right out of high school. She followed Charlie's career and lived in Addison, Illinois, Minneapolis, where her oldest daughter Christine was born, then Arkansas, where her second daughter Amber was born. Louise and Charlie then lived in Lombard, Illinois for almost 30 years where she was an active Member of the United Methodist church. She has lifelong friends from her time in Lombard, and she cherished their life there. Louise's husband Charlie always promised her that if she would marry him and move for his job that he would retire and bring her back "home" to Dodgeville. He was a man of his word, and they enjoyed 22 years of their retirement back in the town they always considered home, no matter where they were physically living. It was a joy to Louise's heart that they were able to move back to Dodgeville while they still had 3 of their parents to love, enjoy and spend time with. Once back in Dodgeville, Louise and Charlie built a home they treasured and a yard and water garden they enjoyed even more. If the weather was even halfway decent, you would probably find Louise outside in her garden tending to her beautiful flower gardens.

Once retired in Dodgeville, Louise enjoyed being reunited with old friends as well as being able to see her family more. She unselfishly hosted many extended friends and family meals and celebrations. Louise supported Charlie in all of his many charitable organizations including Kiwanis and United Fund, but her true devotion was to the Dodgeville United Methodist Church where Louise was a dedicated attendee and circle member. Louise had an extremely unselfish nature, and her generosity and faith were displayed in her devotion to all things involving the church kitchen. For over two decades, Louise supported church fellowship by taking turns for coffee hour after church, but her true devotion to her faith was most obvious in her dedication to helping comfort members of the church and the community during their time of sorrow by organizing and volunteering at countless funeral luncheons.

Three years ago, Louise, Charlie and Amber built a beautiful duplex in Whitewater. Although it was hard for Louise to leave their Dodgeville friends and family, she also adored her new house that was built for senior living. Her house in Whitewater still had 3 different garden areas as well as a patio garden that overlooked a nature preserve. It was a transition that allowed her to continue her passion for flowers as well as keep all of the treasures and household items that meant a lot to her. It also allowed her to live next door to her best friend and daughter Amber. Louise and Amber loved to shop, cook, host meals, see plays, and just spend time together. Louise, Charlie and Amber moved about 9 miles away from Christine, Steve and Rachel, which allowed Louise a larger support system to help deal with Charlie's extreme health conditions. Louise was embraced with love in Whitewater by countless amazing friends that became family. Many happy outings were shared with ladies she often told, "you are my daughters now!" Deep in her heart, she treasured being a part of the Mason / Poulson family network where John and Sally Mason became her best friends and Darren and Chris became her children (Carson and Travis, you too!). Christine and Amber will be forever grateful for the love all of Mom's new "kids" showed her. She always expressed with her huge smile how loved she felt here.

Louise adored her granddaughter Rachel. She was a constant presence and supporter at every school, church, sporting and life events for Rachel since the day she was born. She rocked her in a chair all day long when she was little and sick and her parents had to go to work. She took Rachel on countless visits to the zoo, the river museum, the park...pretty much anything Rachel wanted to do. They had great adventures together.

Louise's favorite color is yellow. I am going to purposely write that in the present tense because to us she will always still be here. Our mother was a very rare woman. She was unselfish to a fault. She tried (too hard) to never burden anyone. She was stoic and brave and uncomplaining despite battling debilitating arthritis, kidney and heart issues. Any picture you see of Louise, you will see she has the biggest smile in the room. She was non-judgmental, loving, and generous. Louise lived in the moment no matter how tough her life was that day and when she had time with friends and family she was joyous. She was there for her family any time, any day, any circumstance. She was steadfast and constant love. Yellow is the perfect color for her because she always was and always will be our sunshine.

Louise lived life to its fullest right up to the last hour she was alive. She was going to host a Valentine's game night last Saturday and was looking forward to making her favorite Cornish pasties for everyone. She had all of the recipe cards out to host Easter and was ready to do what she has always done and show her extended family love by hosting dinner. She had a notebook with a list of the flowers she wanted this spring and sketches of where to put them. She did not want to leave us, and she was not planning on it. She told the doctors in the hospital, "I still have lots of things I want to do yet!" She was also not naïve to the fact that her heart was having a hard time keeping up with her. She knew very well that any day might be her last day, but she never once burdened anyone with that constant knowledge and lived each day to the fullest. Her faith was so deep, that she was able to treasure every moment she had left and accept with peace when life was done. She was unselfish until the very moment she died and took the time to tell all of her loved ones individually, "Don't be sad. Don't be sad. I had a great life." She was a steadfast foundation of love.

Louise is survived by her 3 children, Amber Price and Christine and Steven Mason, granddaughter Rachel Mason (her constant joy) and "grandson" Aidan Landt. Aidan was always generous with the most precious gift he could have given to Grandma Louise – his time. He would do puzzles and games with her, fix her outdoor lights, or do her Christmas decorating. He brought great joy to her life and she had peace knowing Rachel will always be loved.

Louise is also survived by her Brothers Bob and Tom Wilson and sister Mary Wilson as well as her brothers and sisters through Charlie's family: Dave and Cathy Price, Joan and Lee Nelson, Judy and Pat Goldschmidt.

 Louise was preceded in death a year and a half ago by her husband Charlie Price, just 3 short months shy of their 60th Anniversary. Her beloved Mother Ivanelle Wilson died last June at the age of 103 and Mother often said, even the day she died, "How lucky am I? How many people get to love their mother on this earth until they are 81 years old?" She is also preceded by her father Dr. James Wilson and her in-laws Laddie and Gwen Price.

We love you Mother. Well done. We will try to love each other with the grace and kindness and joy you always showed us.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Dodgeville United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 10:00 am until the time of service. Burial will commence following the service at Eastside Cemetery, Dodgeville. The Lulloff-Peterson-Houck Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.houckfuneralhomes.com

Lulloff-Peterson-Houck

Dodgeville    608-935-3628

www.houckfuneralhomes.com