Illa Mae Heram, 84, of Onalaska, Wis., went to be with her Lord on Monday, July 14, 2014. She was born Sept. 27, 1929, in La Crosse to Henry and Jessie (Borger) Wege. She graduated from La Crosse Central High School as her class valedictorian. On July 24, 1948, she married Ansel Heram at First Ev. Lutheran Church in La Crosse. Illa Mae loved her family dearly. She devoted her life to taking care of Ansel and their family.

In addition to her husband Ansel, she is survived by five children, Dwayne Heram of Rice Lake, Wis., Deanna Neubauer of Onalaska, Lynee (Greg) Larson of Austin, Minn., Kevin (Tamara) Heram of Onalaska and Luanne (John) Matuska of La Crosse; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Marion Heram of Rochester, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother and a sister.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, July 18, 2014, at First Ev. Lutheran Church in La Crosse. The Rev. Roger Sachs will be officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends and family may call at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse is assisting the family. Online condolences may be sent to www.schumacher-kish.com.

Her family would like to express their gratitude to all of the caregivers and hospice workers who helped take such loving care of Illa Mae. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.