Ella Vilsack

ELLA JUNE VILSACK

Waukee

Ella June Vilsack, 5-year-old daughter of Jess and Kate (Devine) Vilsack, died at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City on Thursday, May 18, 2017. A memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Veterans Reception Center, Van Meter. Private funeral and committal services will be held at a later date.

Ella was born in Des Moines on Oct. 7, 2011, and grew up near Booneville. She was a student at Gan Shalom Preschool and enjoyed dancing, singing, cartwheels, catching roly-polys and lightning bugs, and being a sister and a friend. She will be remembered for her rebel heart a country-mile wide.

Those left to cherish Ella's memory include her parents, Jess and Kate; siblings, Jake and Caroline; grandparents, Tom and Christie Vilsack and Bill and Patty Devine; great-grandmother, June Luedke; aunts and uncles, Christina (Devine) and Josh McClure, Doug Vilsack and Janet Lopez-Vilsack and Cassin Vilsack; and many others who were touched by her light.

She was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Art and Marilyn Devine; great-grandfather, Roger Luedke; great-aunt, Jeri Luedke; great-grandparents, Tom and Fyrn Bell and Bud and Dolly Vilsack; great-great-aunt, Jessie Schley; great-uncle, Tom Bell, and great-aunt, Alice Vilsack Peterman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Blank Children's Hospital, University of Iowa Children's Hospital, or the Ella Vilsack Scholarship Fund at Gan Shalom Preschool.

Iles Funeral Homes – Dunn's Chapel, Des Moines, is handling arrangements.

Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.