LaCROSSE, Wis. - Elsie Mathilda "Tillie" Deese, 88, of LaCrosse, Wis., passed away Saturday morning, Oct. 31, 2009, at Claddagh House, an assisted living home where she has lived in recent years.

Elsie was born April 11, 1921, in Brampton, the daughter of Michael and Elsie (Johnson) Castor. She was raised in Brampton along with her two younger siblings, Doris and Alaric.

Following graduation from Gladstone High School, Tillie, as she was known to family, went to work for Western Union. Prior to beginning her work at Western Union she graduated from Cleary College in Ypsilanti, Mich.

Tillie was united in marriage to Alton Harold "Jack" Deese on Oct. 6, 1956, and they moved to California where they lived for many years.

Following Tillie's retirement from Western Union, and Jack's retirement from the U.S. Marine Corp, they lived for many years in Alabama where Jack had family.

Following Jack's death on Dec. 19, 1988, Tillie moved to LaCrosse, Wis., where her sister, Doris, and her mother, Elsie Castor, lived. Tillie moved several times between Neillsville, Wis., LaCrosse, Wis. and Gladstone.

Tillie enjoyed going out to various restaurants and attending events such as concerts by country music performers.

Tillie had a soft spot in her heart for animals and her dogs Prince and Laddie were an important part of her family for years. If you wanted to put a smile on her face, all you had to do was ask about her dogs. She was also very passionate about all animals. She made many contributions to animal welfare organizations and was always concerned about the treatment of animals. She also had made many contributions to organizations that served children and veterans.

Tillie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister.

Survivors include her brother, Alaric (Mildred) Castor of Brampton; nephew, Eric (Robin) Castor of Brampton; nieces, Ingrid (David) Klotz of Brampton, Becky (Allen) Wilson of Fond du Lac, Wis., Katie Toledo of Aztec, N.M., and Peggy Buchda of Neillsville, Wis.; as well as many cousins and great-nieces and -nephews.

Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Elsie "Tillie" Deese will follow at 1 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home with Jean R. Schmidt L.L.M. of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Perkins officiating.

Burial will follow at the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone.

Memorial contributions in memory of Tillie may be directed to the Delta County Humane Society. Envelopes will be available at the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes.Please visit www.skradski-boycefuneralhomes.com where you can express your sympathy to the Deese family, or to leave a memory tribute about Tillie.