Obituary for Ilene Oveida (Olson) Heij

She was born on January 22,1925, to parents Oluf and Ida (Johnson) Olson in Ettrick, Wis., grew up on the family farm with 8 siblings and attended Lee Country School through 8th grade.

Ilene knew how to draw in a crowd with her waitressing skills and worked in Palm Beach Florida for 6 summers. It was there she met the love of her life, Clifford Carlton Heij, a World War II Navy Vet from Brainard, Minn. Cliff and Ilene were the proud parents of 2 daughters, Susan Milisch (Tom Jones), of La Crosse, Wis., and Sally Ponushis (Poncho) of Geneva, Fla.

They both worked hard to provide for their family and Ilene was a well-known and frequently requested waitress at the Cerise for many years. They welcomed 4 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren over the years. Ilene was so proud of each of them, always telling anyone that would listen how she, “Just loves them to pieces.”

Ilene is survived by her daughters; grandchildren, Paul (Liz) Milisch of Madison, Wis., Gretchen Clements of La Crosse, Wis., Sonja Kort (David) of Columbia, South Carolina, and Heidi Kort (Brian) of Clermont, Fla.; as well as great-grandchildren, Sunny Milisch, Lola Clements, Deegan Clements, Ethan Santiago, Zachary Padiha, Madison Kort, Lyla Kort, Gracie Kort, and Jacob Kort. Ilene also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who visited often and she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and siblings, Clara Busse, Cora Schroeder, Leonard Olson, Clarence Olson, Esther (Molly) Dahlby, Thelma Richardson, James (Jimmy) Olson, and Robert (Bobo) Olson.

Ilene loved the Milwaukee Brewers and until her dying day and kept a notebook where she recorded the box score of every game. She was also an avid Green Bay Packers fan and received an honorary football signed by the entire team for her 100th birthday which she was so proud to show off to visitors.

She was blessed to be able remain living independently in her home with her beloved cat, Pungel II, until her death, thanks to the daily care and support she received from Sue and Tom. She was so grateful for everything she had, the people that loved and cared for her, and the simple things in life like cardinals at her bird feeder, watching the game show network, playing cards, phone calls from friends, good food, and most importantly, time with her family.

She lived and died with the grace and humility only a special few possess. To know Ilene was to love her and she had a unique ability to bring joy into any room entered. She was an unbelievably positive, gracious, and a selfless woman, that not only saw the glass as half full, but also spent her life filling the glasses of everyone she met. She was a kind soul with nothing but love in her heart, comfort in her voice, and a contagious smile that radiated joy and gratitude. She did not complain. She did not judge. She taught her family priceless life lessons and instilled positive values that are reflected in the loving families that she helped raise. She was everyone’s favorite aunt and will be deeply missed by many but welcomed by those that preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday July 15, 2026, at Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, 4239 Mormon Coulee Road in La Crosse. A luncheon will follow at Schmidty’s Bar & Restaurant, 3119 State Road, La Crosse. A visitation will be held from 12 noon until the time of service, Wednesday, at the funeral home.

Burial will be Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 11:00 am at South Beaver Creek Cemetery, W16679 County Road D Ettrick, Wis., 54627.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Coulee Region Humane Society - 911 Critter Ct., Onalaska, Wis., 54650 https://couleehumane.betterworld.org/campaigns/make-donation

“Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” -Franz Kafka

Online condolences may be offered at www.FredricksonFuneralHomes.com