Mary Ellen Rattner, 100, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at her daughter, Debra's home in Delavan, Wisconsin. She was born in St. Louis, MO on February 21, 1922 to Mary Ellen (Griesemer) and Joyce Gray Tennyson. Mary Ellen married Edward Lloyd Rattner on December 1, 1945. They were married almost 67 years until his death on March 8, 2012.
As a young woman, Mary Ellen mapped islands in the Philippines for General MacArthur during WWII. Later she became a hair stylist for a few years. She organized the tumor clinic at a Rockford hospital. She loved playing Bridge and often came home with the winning prizes. She cared about her community and was an officer in the NAACP in Quincy, IL and delivered Meals on Wheels in Rockford. Mary Ellen was an accomplished pianist. Some of her favorite memories were from traveling many places with her husband. She loved her family and friends.
Mary Ellen is survived by three of her four children, Brenda von Zellen of Loves Park, IL, Bill (Dominique) Rattner of Gulf Shores, AL and Debra Nash of Delavan, WI. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren and four great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and her deceased daughter Susan's husband Cary (Annette) Metke of Flower Mound, TX.
Mary Ellen is preceded in death by her husband, Edward, her daughter Susan (Cary) Metke, son-in-law Tom (Debra) Nash, her parents Mary Ellen and Joyce Gray Tennyson, and brothers and wives, Dr. Joyce (Marge) Tennyson Jr. and C. Eugene (Donna) Tennyson .
A celebration of life is currently being planned for summer 2023.
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