Ellen Cihak

Ellen (Kleba) Cihak, 77, passed away on May 19th, 2025. She was born in Milwaukee, WI on June 28th, 1947. She graduated from Mercy High School in 1965. Ellen started working at age 18 at Allis Chalmers in West Allis, WI. She moved with her family to Appleton in July of 1969 and continued working at Allis Chalmers. She met her future husband Jim on January 25th, 1975. They were married at St Therese Catholic Church on April 16th, 1977.

Ellen deeply loved and was devoted to her family. She always put others first, was incredibly generous, loving, humble, and made a lifelong positive impact on everyone she touched. Her faith in God and church was a very important part of her life. She taught religious education at St Therese for nearly 13 years and was very involved in other aspects of the church.

Ellen loved spending time with her family, shopping, casino trips, decorating and preparing for holidays. She really enjoyed sending cards and gifts to many family and friends.

Ellen is survived by her husband Jim, daughter Joanna (Mark) Malliet, granddaughters Courtney and Kaelyn, son Jeff (Mandi), brothers Bob (Pat) Kleba, Dave (Karen) Kleba, sisters Liz (Trudy) Kleba, and Cathy (Mike) Eschmann.

Ellen is preceded in death by her parents Ed and Ruth (Laganowski) Kleba.

To honor her wishes, there will be a private funeral Mass by invitation at St Therese Parish in Appleton on May 27th, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Therese Catholic Church in Appleton, Wisconsin.