Estelle Davis

Estelle Bridget Davis, age 88, of Alexandria, MN, died on November 15, 2016, at the Ecumen Bethany Community, surrounded by her family.

Estelle was born on March 17, 1928, in Madison, MN, to John and Rosa (Stoick) Wollschlager. Being born on St. Patrick's Day prompted her Irish middle name of "Bridget". She was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Madison. Estelle attended Madison High School and graduated in 1946. During high school, her main interests were in music. She was a member of band (playing saxophone), choir, mixed chorus and Triple Trio. She performed in the school play "Johnny on the Spot" and was also crowned Homecoming Royalty. Following graduation, she worked for a time in the probate court at the Laq Qui Parle County Courthouse. She then traveled to California where she stayed with her sister, Marcella Yonker, while Marcella's husband was stationed overseas. At that time, she worked at an
Air Force Base, and was also crowned "Queen of the Ball" at the military base gala. She returned to Alexandria, MN and lived with her parents at the Wollschlager family lake home on Lake Geneva where her parents had since moved to in their retirement. It was then that she met, on a blind date, Donald Davis, a young, strapping, brown-eyed pitcher for the Alexandria Clipper's baseball team who won her heart.

Don and Stella were married on August 26, 1950, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria. They moved into the Lake Geneva family home and began their lives together. To this marriage three children were born; Michael, Madelyne and Monica. Don worked for the Great Lakes Pipeline, and in 1959, his position was transferred to Grand Forks, ND. The family moved to Grand Forks and made their home there for 10 years. During this time, Estelle's primary focus was that of a loving housewife and mother. Both she and Don volunteered many of their talents to the Holy Family Catholic Church and School. They also were leaders for the local Cub Scout and Girl Scout organizations. In 1969, Don's position was again being transferred out of state. It was at this time a miraculous opportunity presented itself to both of them when they stopped in Alexandria to visit the lake home on Lake Geneva where "it all started". This home had since been sold to an elderly couple who turned it into a small resort. After explaining their "connection" to the place, the couple offered to sell it to them. The rest is history! They made their new home, once again on Lake Geneva in Alexandria, and turned the property into a beautiful, bustling resort known as Hillcrest Resort and Campgrounds. They continued with the operation of the resort during their summers and spent their winters in Texas until their retirement in 2004. At this time, they built their retirement home west of Alexandria, where they lived for the next seven years. Shortly after Don's death in October of 2011, Estelle moved into the Nelson Gables Assisted Living Facility where she lived for the next four years. She moved to the Ecumen Bethany Community in March of 2016. Throughout her life, Estelle's faith was first and foremost, followed by her love of her family. To say she also LOVED to sing and dance would be an understatement!

Estelle is survived by her children, Michael (Dagmar) Davis, Madelyne (Chuck) Wencl and Monica
(Bob) Stanley, all of Alexandria and by her seven grandchildren, Rusde Stanley, Michelle Wencl, Michael (Kelly) Wencl, Rob (Amy) Stanley, Jennifer (Andy) Windsperger, RaeAnne (Derek) Ekstrom and Laura (Vince) Kremer. She is also survived by her seven great-grandchildren, Dhani Wencl-Singh, Colbey Stanley, Kyle and Matthew Wencl, Nora Stanley, Wilhelmina Kremer and Evelyn Windsperger. In addition, she is survived by her brother, Gerald Wollschlager and sister, Martina McDonnell.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her parents; her brother, Linus Wollschlager; and her sisters, Lorraine Wollschlager, Gertrude Fernholz, and Marcella Yonker.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1 PM Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria. Reverend Father Steve Binsfeld will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM Monday, with parish prayers at 6:30 PM, at the Anderson Funeral Home. Additional visitation will be from Noon to 1 PM Tuesday at the church.

Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home.