Lillian Rose Ponto, age 90, of Hudson died peacefully Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at Hudson Hospital in Hudson, WI. Lillian was born on July 19, 1928 in Elkton, South Dakota. She was the sixth of seven children born to Ivan and Eleanor Hammer. Lillian was raised in Elkton where she graduated from high school. She would be married to Richard Ponto to which children Juanita, Stephen, Sharon, Vicki and Cindy were born. This union would later dissolve.
Lillian was an independent, determined woman. Outside of raising the children, she worked several jobs. She assembled computer boards for Fabri-Tech, owned and operated a vending business and served as an administrative assistant for Realty World and Edina Realty.
Lillian was quick witted right up until her death. She had a great sense of humor and loved to share it with others. When she was able, she enjoyed traveling having visited Alaska, Hawaii and several cruises. She was also known as Cookie by her South Dakota extended family. As her health declined, she made Red Cedar Canyon in Hudson her home. Quickly, she took a liking to the staff and residents. She felt part of their community and absolutely loved to call Bingo! She also enjoyed reading a good romance novel.
Lillian is survived by her children, Juanita (Terence Burris) Hansen of FL, Sharon (Robert) Frascati of AK, Vicki Rossing of Oakdale, MN, Cindy (Richard) Knospe of Chippewa Falls, WI as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her brother, Floyd Hammer of NJ. She is preceded in death by her son, Stephen; grandson, Robert Komarek and grandson, Nathan Knospe; and siblings, Adele Bebensee, Bert Hammer, Isabel Riley, Edgar Hammer and Barbara Hammer.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 10 to 11 AM on Sunday, September 23, 2018, at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson, WI, followed by a Memorial Service for Lillian at 11:00. Lunch will be served immediately following the Memorial. Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson, WI.