Ellen Mary Corning

Ellen Mary (Thompson) Corning, age 78, of McFarland passed away at home on August 18, 2025 surrounded by family. She was born in Portage, WI to Richard “Hoot” and Alice “Ally” Thompson on January 27, 1947. She was Baptized and confirmed at the United Presbyterian Church in Pardeeville, WI.

Ellen grew up in Pardeeville, WI. As a child, she enjoyed playing the piano and clarinet in the band while also participating in drama and chorus. She attended Pardeeville High School, graduating in the spring of 1965. She met the love of her life at the age of 5, when Kent and his family moved next door to her childhood home in Pardeeville. They eventually became high school sweethearts and were married on June 12, 1965. After marriage, she and Kent moved to Madison, WI where Kent was a student at UW. In 1970, they bought a home in McFarland, WI and still live there today. This past summer, they were able to celebrate their 60th anniversary together.

While her children were in elementary school, she ran an in-home day care so she could be involved with her children’s school activities. She entered the work force when her children were in middle school starting work at Capitol Security for 15 years, next on to EnChem Environmental for 7 years, and retired from Covance, Inc. after 20 years of employment. Wherever she worked, as the first person that many people saw, she always greeted you with a smile and remembered your name.

She enjoyed many hobbies throughout her life. Early interests included canoeing and Persian cats. Ellen was a Den Mother and activities travel mom, going to numerous extra-curricular and co-curricular activities throughout Greg and Kris’ high school and college years. She was involved in the AFS student exchange program while her children were at McFarland High School. In the 1981-82 school year, she and her family hosted Philippe D’Hondt from Belgium. In the 1983-84 school year, she and her family hosted Bradley Oakley-Brown from South Africa. Bradley had such a wonderful experience, he returned for a second hosting during the summer of 1987. Ellen and Kent traveled overseas, years later, to visit each of the students' homeland. She enjoyed hosting her grandchildren for their annual “Summer Vacation” stint at Nana and Papa’s. She loved Badger sports and Brewers baseball. She loved sewing, and made many of Kris’ school clothes and even a prom dress for her. She and Kent were also passionate Harley-Davidson riders, putting on hundreds of miles every summer and making wonderful memories of the visits to most of the western National Parks. She loved flower gardening and bird feeding in the front yard, but her favorite plants were her houseplant Orchids. Knitting, crocheting, and cross-stitch were many of her crafting favorites. But, nothing compared to her love for quilting, spending countless hours at “meetings”, retreats, behind the machine and over the table. Many of her quilts were given to friends and family as gifts. She had an amazing knack of kindness, which led to her calling almost everyone a friend after their first meeting. She will truly be missed by many.

She is survived by her husband G. Kent, children Gregory (Jane) Corning of Nekoosa, WI, Kristine (Kevin) Hermanson of Oregon, WI, grandchildren Jordan (Megan) Corning of Monona, WI, Mackenzie (Paul) Degeneffe of Shoreview, MN, Camryn (fiance’ Willis Swaringen) Corning of Raleigh, NC, great-grandchildren JoJo and Rowan Corning of Monona, WI, siblings Steve of Pardeeville, WI and Paul of Marana, AZ as well as numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Judith Barden, brother-in-law Lee Barden, sisters-in-law Patsy Thompson and Elizabeth Thompson.

A Remembrance Gathering will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Lewis Park Pavillion at 5012 Highland Drive, McFarland, WI.

Memorials, in Ellen’s name, may be made to the UW Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at www.adrc.wisc.edu and/or to the UW Carbone Cancer Center at www.give.wiscmedicine.org The family would like to extend our gratitude to the staff at SSM Health/Dean Medical Group and to the staff at Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care and her close friend Jill Tatkow.