Ellen F. Kumbalek, age 75, of 4412 Just Court, Manitowoc, entered into eternal life on Monday, July 18, 2011 with her loving family by her side at the Aurora Medical Center, Two Rivers, after a five year battle with cancer.

Ellen was born on April 24, 1936, in the town of Rockland, Manitowoc County. She was the daughter of the late Bennie and Elsie (Duchow) Krueger. Her education began at the Poplar Grove School, a one room grade school near Collins and graduated from Brillion High School with the class of 1954. Ellen had been employed at the L.M. Becker Co. in Brillion until her marriage to Richard L. Kumbalek on April 16, 1955 at the Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church in Potter, Wisconsin. He preceded her in death on August 24, 2008. Ellen was employed at several local businesses which include J.J. Stangel Hardware Company, W.T. Grant Company, Manitowoc County Bank and the J.C. Penny Company over a period of 29 years retiring in 2001. She enjoyed volunteering at the Repeat Performance Retail Store and was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary Post #6707 in Kiel and also a member of Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, Manitowoc Historical Society and the Manitowoc Senior Center. Ellen enjoyed crocheting, knitting, quilting, reading and working in her flower gardens. Ellen along with her husband enjoyed spending nine winters in Zephyrhills, Florida and cherished the many friends they made there. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren and attended as many of their school events as possible.

She will be sadly missed by her family. She is survived by one son: Thomas R. Kumbalek, Manitowoc; three daughters and sons-in-law: Susan and Timothy Huebner, Manitowoc; Lori and Mark Volpintesta, Appleton, WI; Peggy and James Wright, Sussex, WI; five grandchildren: Justin Huebner; Sarah Huebner and her special friend Jon; Dylan and Collin Volpintesta; Elena Wright; one brother and sister-in-law: Stan and Kathy Krueger; Jupiter, FL; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ray Krutzik, Kiel, WI; Marge Krueger, Chilton, WI; Harold and Mary Ann Kumbalek, Sun Prairie; John Kumbalek, Manitowoc, WI; Lois and Steve Loveless, Mishicot, WI; Shirley Brunette, Fond du Lac, WI; her Aunt and Godmother: Frena Pagel, Chilton, WI; nieces, nephews along with other relatives, many special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents: Bennie and Elsie Krueger: her husband: Richard Kumbalek; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Norbert and Lydia Kumbalek; one sister: Alice Krutzik; one brother: Norman Krueger; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Janice and Dale Reinneman, Jerome Brunette and Carol Jane Kumbalek.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, July 21, 2011 at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, 901 Pine Street, Manitowoc. Officiating will be Rev. Nicholas Maglietto and Rev. Paul Schossow. Burial will follow at Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Highway 310, Manitowoc. Relatives and friends may call at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church on Thursday, from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church or Manitowoc Lutheran High School.

The family would like to thank Dr. Andrew Yetter and the caring nurses at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Care Center, the Aurora Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice along with special hospice volunteer Mary for their compassionate care given to Ellen and her family.