After retirement from Kraft as Vice President of Sales, Ona and Bill moved to Eau Claire when he became General Manager of Silver Spring Gardens, Inc., the world’s largest horseradish grower and processor, in 1973. Ona quickly became active in her adopted home through her interests in golf, gardening, sewing and bridge. They were members of the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club, and reputed to be some of the fastest players on the course into their eighties. For many years, Ona spent winter months at their home in Naples , FL., where she introduced Eau Claire guests to the community and created a new circle of friends whom she and Bill enjoyed after his second retirement.
 
In 2002, Ona and Bill returned to Eau Claire as permanent residents. After his death in 2007, Ona continued to be active in PEO, the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club, morning golf at Pine Meadow and Hickory Hills, her sewing circle and the First Congregational United Church of Christ. Her warmth, sincerity and humor will be missed by her many friends and acquaintances from over 35 years in Eau Claire . She will be remembered by her family as an independent, loving, generous woman at her best facing a challenge, who treasured time with her extended family whenever possible. Ona strived to stay active and engaged, reading the Leader-Telegram every morning and receiving friends into her final days. She was an accomplished cook, proud of her kitchen, who enriched our lives with her many recipes, scratch baking and canning. Her enthusiasm and skill at gardening was always reflected in the range of flowers and plants wherever she lived. Ona loved the friendly give and take of the annual Nelson Open Family Golf Tournament, and evening card games. Her title of family gin rummy champion will be retired.
 
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill, daughter, Donna Fatzinger, granddaughter Catherine Fatzinger, three brothers and two sisters. She is survived by two sons, William (Linda Brenner) of Stone Lake, WI, and Daryl (Amy) of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, one son-in-law, Harleigh Fatzinger of Denver, CO, six grand children, Deborah Stuckert, Deanna Nelson, Leigh Fatzinger (Claudia), Peter Nelson, Henry Nelson and Jack Nelson, three great-grandchildren, William Stuckert, Maxwell Stuckert and Joshua Fatzinger, two brothers, Kenneth Kellar (Bernette) of Kasson, MN and Arlend Kellar (Glenna) of Rochester, MN and two sisters, LaRayne Andrist of Lake City, MN and Helen Michalski of Seneca, SC.
 
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 310 Broadway Street, Eau Claire, WI . The Rev. Dr. Mark X. Pirazzini will officiate. There will be no public visitation prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Joseph ’s Hospice or First Congregational United Church of Christ, Eau Claire . 
 
Burial will be in the First Congregational Memorial Garden prior to the services.
 
Friends may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckien.com. Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, is assisting the family with the arrangements.