Ellen E. Schuster

Ellen E. Schuster, a lifelong Waukesha resident, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at Avalon Square at the age of 87 years. She was born in Waukesha on January 17, 1928 the daughter of George and Lillian (nee Graef) Bowe. She was a 1945 graduate of Waukesha High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from Marquette University. On February 3, 1951 she married William “Bill” Schuster and together they shared 64 years of marriage. Ellen first worked as an educator, at Welcome Wagon and led many adventures as part owner of Ultra Tours. She was an advocate for peace and justice and enjoyed working with the Plowshare Center in Waukesha. Ellen was a founding member of the Verbal Book Club, a member of The Spirit Sisters and a faithful member of Community of the Living Spirit. She enjoyed fishing, going up north to South Twin Lake and loved wildflowers. Most of all she enjoyed being with her family and cherished her grandchildren, and will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is loved and will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Ellen was the beloved wife and love of Bill Schuster; gracious and wise mother to Catherine Schuster, William (Jeri) Schuster, Peter (Jan) Schuster, Tom (Kim) Schuster, Clare Schuster-Doyle, Barb (Jerry Marra) Schuster and Matt Schuster; inspirational grandmother to Ben (Hayley) Schuster, Ted Schuster, Emilie Schuster, Julia Schuster, Clayton Doyle, Liam Doyle, Jerad McManus, Samuel Schuster and Mirabella Schuster and great-grandmother to Charlie and Jack. She is further survived by her sister-in-law Kay Schuster along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Mary (Gene) Shields, her brother-in-law James Schuster and sister-in-law Grace (Raymond) Cole.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to cousins, Patty and Steve Houk, to the nurses and staff of Avalon Square and Serenity Hospice for the care and comfort they provided Ellen and their family.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2015 from 2:30PM until the time of the 4:30PM memorial service at the Rotary Building at Frame Park, 1150 Baxter Street, Waukesha, WI 53186. Following the service a celebration of Ellen’s life will continue from 5:30PM until 7:30PM at the Rotary Building. A private family burial will be held on Saturday morning at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Plowshare, 219 W. Main Street, Waukesha, WI 53186, to the Hebron House, 111 E. Main Street, Waukesha, WI 53186 or to the Alzheimer’s Association-SE WI Chapter, 620 S. 76th Street, Suite 160, Milwaukee, WI 53214.


Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, Crematory and Preplanning Services is honored to serve the family. For further information, please call the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or visit our website at www.waukeshafunerals.com to leave the family an online tribute message.