Ann (Regan) Wille

Ann Cecile (Regan) Wille, 72 of Elm Grove WI, Born September 18th, 1946 died on March 13th, 2019. Ann is survived by devoted husband Richard Wille of 50 years, son Brian (Doreen) Wille granddaughter Addison, son David (Nikki) Wille, grandsons, Blake, Cody, and granddaughter Payton.

Celebration of life and Memorial Services planned for Friday, April 5th at St. John Vianney Parish. 

Visitation from 9:30- 11:00AM, Mass at 11:00AM.

In Lieu of Flowers, one of Ann’s wishes was that people provide donations to Elm Grove Library to support large print books, children’s books and activities.  Please make out monetary donations to Elm Grove Library, 13600 Juneau Rd, Elm Grove 53122, directly in Ann’s honor.

A Tribute to Ann Cecile Wille – from the voice of her beloved sons, Brian and David Wille

“How can I help, what can I do, what can I bring…….”

Ann Wille’s life was one filled with love, kindness, volunteer work, and family.  Her true loves in life were her family and in particular her grandchildren for the past 10 years.  Our mom was a one of a kind woman.  Mom truly shined when planning events, parties, trips, and dinners.  There was always something on the calendar that needed special attention, and no detail was missed.  Mom’s love of family is best exemplified by the family roster list that she kept which has over 200 names and dates on it.  With this roster mom would be sure to send a card, a gift, a call, or something special to help people celebrate important days in their lives.  This year mom did not get to send all the March cards out, but when Dad and us boys were looking through things, all cards needed for March were already purchased and, in many cases, filled out ready for delivery. 

In mom’s earlier years she was a dedicated student (some have said by the time she graduated high school she had read every book in the school library), graduated from Mount Mary College and became a Medical Technician until having children.  As soon as we arrived (Brian 1975 & David 1978) mom dedicated her life to her family and raising her three boys, yes including Rick.  Mom was involved in every step of life as we grew up, from dressing up for kindergarten Halloween parties and delivering candy, to participating in the PTA and church efforts at St Mary’s in Paris Kentucky.  Many great friendships and extended family members shared experiences with us thanks to mom’s ability to turn a stranger into a great friend in mere moments.  The close nit friendships made on Woodmont Drive remain with us all to this day, all thanks to mom.

When the we moved back to Wisconsin in 1988, mom dove into the opportunity to be a charter board member of the newly formed Elmbrook Little League.  During her time on the board she was Secretary, President, Treasurer, Umpire in Chief, master scheduler, and Grounds crew manager.  There was nothing mom wouldn’t do to help us be able to participate in Elmbrook Baseball and make new memories.

As we grew older mom was an avid member of the Brookfield East Booster club providing support to all the different athletics that are available there.  She even was the mom who went out and provided cases of TP for special Homecoming events.  Mom’s dedication to Elmbrook schools eventually yielded a special honor of a lifetime free admittance to any and all Embrook School district sporting events, not something we even knew existed.  Mom and dad followed us with loving support beyond high school, including participating in the socializing of Beloit College where mom could be found making treats for tailgates after the baseball and footballs games, and never missing an opportunity to bring the cooler filled with adult beverages, whether the coaches knew or minded, they never said anything. 

Mom’s love for her family was always clear and in abundance.  This love flowed not just to the nuclear family, but was always present for her mother, mother-in-law, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.  Mom always would touch base just to catch up or “pump for information” as she called it.  We all used to joke that mom had to know all that was going on so she could say at any given moment, “I knew that” and then be able to share the next tidbit of information about anything.  At the heart of it, mom simply wanted to maintain and grow the connection she shared with her family and work to always infuse everyone’s ability to stay up to date with how others were, what important things were going on, and share in the joy of Regan and Wille life.

Addison, Blake, Cody, and Payton, mom’s grandchildren, truly have been the light of her life.  Every day started with checking up and checking in with how the kiddos were doing, what was important to them, and how mom could share in their worlds.  Trips to the dollar store for random gifts, phone calls just to see how the day was, navigation the iPad and Facebook to catch up on the latest events were all things that always had special focus in her busy schedule.  Trips to the zoo, or the family farm experience, or sitting outside with the children as they played, always willing to risk that pesky sun and immediate sunburn, mom would never miss a minute of the fun.  If there is anyone who was still in the mood to chat, tell stories, or make new memories, mom was right there by their side.

Mom loved with all her heart, unconditionally.  She did so many things for so many people, and never expected anything in return, she truly lived the Golden Rule every single day of her life.  Just make sure you didn’t tickle mom or you would have ended up with an elbow in the nose, just ask Brian…..

We are so honored for having our mom in our lives and her support and guidance to help us become the people we are today.  Mom was always there, sometimes with a gentle nudge, sometimes with a swift kick or a stern look, all in order to help us become the best version of ourselves.  We cannot possibly thank her enough for all she has done for us, and for all who have come into contact with her.  All we can ever hope for is that we are ½ the person she was every single day.

Mom, we love you, we miss you, and will carry you with us every day of the rest of our lives.  You have found that “One particular Harbor” to rest your head and watch the world of your creation.  You always knew that “if we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane” so our hope is that everyone who knew mom knows the love she had for all of us, that she was proud of the people we have become, and “For the love of Pete” smile because the world she left behind is a more wonderful and charmed place because of the people she left to share her light with the world.

“Those we love don’t go away, they walk besides us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                  -Irish Blessing

Ann’s Direct and extended Family that she loves so much:

Preceded in death by Miriam Therese Regan and Charles Richard Regan

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• Devoted husband, Rick (Dick) of 50 years, who always referred to her as his “lovely bride” and “Saint Ann”
• Son, Brian (Doreen) Wille granddaughter Addison
• Son, David (Nikki) Wille, grandsons, Blake, Cody, and granddaughter Payton.
• Sister, Susan and Barry Joyce
  • Cindy & Gregg Woodcock – Lauren, Megan, Noah
  • Mike Joyce – Hope, Hank, Scout
  • Carrie and Jason Kemmer – Harrison, Worth
• Sister, Gena and Bob Walter
  • Ree and Jared Kerkhoff – Ben, Addie
  • Colleen and Rick Gregory
  • Kathleen & Max Hurrell
• Sister, Colleen Reeves
  • Ryan & Lucy Reeves
• Sister, Nancy and Greg Moran
  • Kyle & Emily Fisher – Oscar, Chloe
  • Kevin & Elizabeth Fisher
• Brother, Jim Regan and Loretta Garver
• Sister, Lisa Regan
  • Gena Davis
• Brother-in-Law, Bob and Mary Wille
  • Jim & Lisa Wille – Sharissa & Jake Doerpinghaus, Jakob, Lukas
  • Jay & Mariana Wille – Patton & Kate, Max
• Brother-in-law, Mark and Mary Lou Wille
  • Joel & Hope Wille– Mia, Tyler, Marie
  • Mike & Trisha Wille – Gib, Sam
  • Scott & Lisa Wille
• Sister-in-Law, Penny and Alan Low
  • Julie Low
  • Richard Low & Cassandra Bell Richardson – Francesca, Georgiana
  • Rob & Megan Low – Aziza, Maxwell
  • Jenny & Bryan Zech – Charlotte, Hadley, Theodore

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