Ellen Forbes

Ellen E. Forbes, age 83, of Cottage Grove departed on her final journey on Friday November 12, 2022, with a sendoff from her family.

She was born in Baltimore Maryland on February 28, 1939, to Wilmot and Eleanor (Wolford) Rose. At the age of eight, her family moved to Columbus, WI. She attended the Columbus schools. Ellen often said, she had such as amazing childhood full of fond memories despite her family’s financial challenges!

When she was 26, she met and married Henry E. Wolf and took on the challenging role of becoming an instant mother full time to a large family residing in Waterloo, WI. They then moved to Cottage Grove where Henry opened his barbershop in the front portion of the family home and continued to grow their family.

Ellen remained in this home for her entire life. During Ellen’s lifetime with a large family, her primary occupation was being a domestic housewife, but she continued to support her family in many ways often taking on seasonal and overnight jobs to help with school clothes and birthday and holiday gifts, etc. Ellen loved her many pets. She took great pride in adopting several dogs from the Humane Society. Ellen also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, cross stitching, embroidery, reading, crocheting, cooking, and baking. She entertained her family with claims of being a registered voter for TV shows such as American Idol and Dancing With The Stars, often casting her vote before the contestants even performed.

After the passing of Ellen’s first husband, she met and married Henry Forbes on November 4, 1989. They just celebrated 33 years together.

Ellen was an active member of His Living Word Church.

Ellen is survived by her husband Henry; children, Laura Wolf of Monona/FL, Todd (Lois) Wolf of Waunakee, Tina Wolf of Cottage Grove and Tammy (Tim) Pysher Cottage Grove. She is further survived by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, brother Phillip, and two sons, Paul and Verle.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at the Cress Center, 6021 University Ave., Madison. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will follow.

Special thanks to the Agrace Hospice team and staff, especially Grace, Jenny, and Brenda for their kindness and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the family.

Grace was in all her steps. Heaven in her eye, in every gesture dignity and love. John Milton’s, Paradise Lost

We invite you to share your memories here on Ellen's tribute wall.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406