Kansasville - Ella Jean Ludwig (nee Padgett), 86, passed away on December 30, 2015 at St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee. She was born September 13, 1929 to Lonnie and Ivy (nee Tatum) Padgett in Blackshear, Georgia. Following her mother's death, she was raised by her uncle and aunt, Wilber and Ella Tatum who became second parents to her. She met Christian Kenneth Ludwig when he was in the military serving in Georgia and they married on June 5, 1954. They moved back to Christian's hometown of Kansasville and together they raised six children. Ella Jean was an entrepreneur who had a passion for cooking. She was part-owner of Brandy Bay supper club from 1979-1984 and then she owned and operated Jean's Catering from 1984-1998. Ella Jean loved singing and dancing and enjoyed decorating. She crocheted in her leisure time and left many beautiful heirlooms.

Ella Jean is survived by her husband, Chris; their children, Penelope Janet Moomaw, Kathy (James) Kay, and Christian Keith Ludwig; grandchildren, Scott, Jr (Katie) Moomaw, Padgett Moomaw, Ryan Moomaw, Dusty (Sarah) Moomaw, Jennifer Davis, Travis (Kellie) Fonk, Dina Ludwig, and Richard Ludwig; great-grandchildren, Aidan, Cameron, Scotty III, Conner, Cora, Caden, and Jaxson; nephew, James Morris; and Chris's siblings, Joyce Dempsky, Eugene Ludwig and David Ludwig.
Ella Jean was preceded in death by her sons, Dennis Davis, John Ludwig, and Todd Ludwig; her parents, Lonnie and Ivy Padgett; Wilber and Ella Tatum; her sisters, Ruth Padgett and Virginia Morris; and Chris's brothers, Donald, Raymond, and Harold Ludwig.

A celebration of Ella Jean's life will be held at Miller-Reesman Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 from 3-7 pm. The memorial service officiated by Fr. Russell Arnett will begin at 7 pm. Burial at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery will take place at a later date.