Ethel Marie Reiter

Ethel Marie (Harmston) Reiter, 83, of Viroqua, WI, passed away peacefully to become our Christmas Angel on December 24, 2023, with family by her side. Ethel was born on October 28, 1940, in Pana, Illinois, to the late Charles Harmston and Henrietta (White) (Harmston) Calverley.

Ethel was a loving mother to her six daughters, and they brought her such joy throughout her life. Two preceded Ethel to God's warm embrace, Grace Reiter-Rudolph and Kathleen Reiter; four other beautiful children continue her legacy: Cindy Reiter of West Bend, WI, Lisa (Tim) Lamers of Chandler, AZ, Lorna Star (fiancé Mike Allen) of Neenah, WI, and Kristina (Brent) McCarn of Gays Mills, WI. She was also so proud and had endless love for her nine grandchildren: Alex (Lexi) Star, Alyssa Star, Angelina Star, Tyler (fiancé Crystal Zessin) Finnell, Jordan Finnell, Dylan (fiancé Destiny Koopmeiners) Finnell, Kaitlyn McCarn, Brittany Lamers, and Brennan Lamers. Ethel was blessed with one great-grandchild, Bentley Flanary.

In her earlier years, Ethel attended Simmons Middle School in Oak Lawn, IL, and later attended Oak Lawn High School. She went on to have positions as a bookkeeper and bank teller at two banks in Oak Lawn then worked as a home health aide and later purchased a family farm with her husband in Blair, WI raising her living dolls. She dedicated herself to being a homemaker for her family and took pride in the care and well-being she provided for her handicapped daughter, Kathy, for 52 years.

Ethel had a determined personality, a great sense of humor, and a huge heart. She had a deep love for her many dogs, especially Crystal, and cherished their companionship over the years. Ethel had a love for flowers and would often adorn her hair with them -- she was always delighted to receive yellow roses from her husband. Ethel had a variety of interests and hobbies that brought her joy throughout her life. She was an avid porcelain doll collector and an enthusiastic Elvis fan. Her passion for cooking was well-known by her family, but she loved to go out for Italian food with sausage and peppers and cannoli’s being her favorites. Ethel also had a desire to see new things and visit sites from her past – she enjoyed traveling with trips to Disneyland, Dollywood, Nashville, and Graceland. She also enjoyed local trips to the Dickeyville Grotto, Appleton, and La Crosse, but she especially looked forward to her time in Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Arthur Reiter; her daughters, Grace Reiter-Rudolph and Kathleen Reiter; her mother and stepfather, Henrietta and William Calverley; her father, Charles Harmston; her sister, Gladys DePatie; and two brothers, Charles D. Harmston and Howard Harmston.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua. A visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service. A short graveside will follow at the Gays Mills Cemetery where she will be laid to rest. Ethel will be remembered for her love, kindness, and the lasting impact she had on her friends and family. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. In love, your family.

Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home & Crematory in Viroqua is serving Ethel's family.

123 W. Decker Street

Viroqua, WI 54665

(608) 637-2100