Ila Lorraine Harnisch, age 92, of Osseo, WI died on Thursday, August 7, 2014 in the Mayo Clinic Health System – Oakridge in Osseo.

Ila was born on February 4, 1922 in Sutton, ND to John "Jack" Benjamin and Hebba (Vesta) Howden. Ila emigrated to Timber Creek near York, WI as a youth and graduated from the Whitehall Memorial High School in 1939. She married Roy James Harnisch on June 6, 1942 in Timber Creek. Roy preceded Ila in death on February 10, 1997.

Ila was a housewife and a farm wife for many years in the Pigeon Falls area. She and the family moved to Whitehall in 1960 where Ila took a job as a secretary at the Whitehall Memorial High School and was also the bookkeeper for Harnisch Oil. Ila and Roy later traveled throughout the United States with longer stays in Florida, North Dakota, Maiden Rock, WI, Hollendale, MN and finally in Whitehall. Ila was an avid reader and was interested in geneology, compiling both sides of the family back many generations.

Ila is survived by a son, Lynn James Harnisch of Milwaukie, OR; a daughter, Darlene Rose Harnisch Jordahl of Bullhead City, AZ; three granddaughters, Theresa Harnisch (Craig) Lower of Savannah, GA, Katelyn Virginia Harnisch and Kelsey Rose Harnisch both of Milwaukie, OR.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ila was preceded in death by a grandson, Eric James Harnisch and a brother, Lloyd Howden.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 15, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in Peace Lutheran of Pigeon Falls with burial in the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery both in Pigeon Falls. Pastor Mary Ann Bowman will officiate.

The Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall is assisting the family with arrangements.