Eleanor Beers Amico Wilson

Eleanor "Ellie" Wilson (nee Beers), 78, of Whitewater passed away peacefully in her home with her family around her on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

She was born on July 22, 1947, to the late Jonathan and Edna (nee DuMond) Beers in Cortland, NY. Throughout her childhood as a country minister’s daughter, she lived in many small towns across upstate NY and western PA. She graduated from high school at Southside High School in Wellsburg, NY.

In 1969, Ellie graduated from Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA where she enjoyed singing in the choir. She also married Joseph Amico that year, beginning her unofficial career as a minister’s wife, a role she took seriously for the 17 years she held it. In fact, Ellie became very active in the annual conferences of the United Methodist church and on the Commission on the Status and Role of Women in the UMC, where she helped to guide the church on feminist issues throughout the 70’s. In 1973, she gave birth to her son Jesse. In 1974 she finished her masters degree in old testament studies from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She lived briefly in Milwaukee, WI and then spent ten years in Edgerton, WI – a community she loved and felt connected to for the rest of her life. In 1975, she gave birth to her daughter Rosemary. In 1984, she finished her second masters degree – this time in Hebrew and Semitic studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1985, she moved to Oshkosh, WI and continued her studies at UW-Madison. Ellie completed her PhD in Hebrew and Semitic studies with a minor in women’s studies in 1989. Ellie worked in academia for some time, mostly at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where she taught a mixture of women’s studies and religious studies courses, and also directed the women studies program between 1986-1994. Ellie dabbled in many interesting career paths throughout her life, including social work and as a family ministry coordinator at Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church in Oshkosh. She primarily lived in Madison, WI between 1994-2005. When her academic career came to an end, she turned her focus to writing, copy editing, and proofreading. She often did freelance work, and also spent several years working at Impressions Book and Journal Services in Madison, WI. On June 17th, 2006, she married William “Bill” Wilson and moved to Whitewater, WI. She retired several years later.

Ellie loved her family and friends. She especially enjoyed spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, step-children and step-grandchildren, as well as the series of cats that she lived with throughout her life. She also had many beloved friends and friend groups that grew from the various paths and interests she explored.

Ellie was a lover of language. She could read in 3 modern and 5 ancient languages and was proficient with the English language. She enjoyed public speaking, reading, writing, puns and word play. She self-published several books with the assistance of her husband Bill, including a version of her PhD dissertation edited to be read by a non-academic audience. At various points of her life she led workshops and seminars on religious or gender studies, gave sermons in several of the churches she attended, and was a lifelong and dedicated journal keeper.

Ellie had a diverse set of other interests including crafting cards and jewelry, camping and spending time in nature, traveling with husband Bill, studying and archiving her family’s history (both past and present), gardening, bird watching, reading fiction and non-fiction alike, making paper dolls and collecting dolls and dollhouses, playing piano, and working on puzzles.

Ellie had an eclectic religious and spiritual outlook. As the daughter, and then wife, of United Methodist ministers, she always felt the ties and connection to the UMC. She was also a member of the Whitewater Congregational UCC church for some time, as well as The First UU Church during her time in Madison. She has maintained her membership with the Unitarian Universalist Association through the Church of the Larger Fellowship. She was most active, of late, in the church community at First United Methodist Church in Whitewater. Ellie also appreciated some earth-based spiritual practices and groups.

Ellie was politically engaged. She supported several local Democratic candidates, protested many times throughout her life, voted always, and spent much of her time actively working on issues – particularly around feminism, labor rights, and anti-war.

In addition to her church communities, Ellie was also an active member of a local book club at the Whitewater Public Library, a regular at the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center, and was a camp follower with the Janesville Fife and Drum Corps.

Truly, there are not enough words to chronicle the storied life of Ellie Wilson. Even a wordsmith such as herself would struggle to make this concise. Ellie had a generous spirit, an enormous sense of humor, a childlike love of playfulness, and always had a compliment for anyone she interacted with. She will be missed by many, but especially by her family.

Those Eleanor leaves behind include her husband Bill, her children Jesse and Rosemary Amico and step-children Clare and Bill Wilson, her grandchildren Ash and Lily Amico and Edmund and George Wilson, her brother Donald Beers and his family, and of course her cat Oscar.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved grandparents Walter and Jessie DuMond, and cherished cats Bibby, Babby, Cleo, Softie, and Bridget.

VISITATION: The family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie St., Whitewater.

SERVICE: A Celebration of Life in remembrance of Ellie will be at the church on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.

The Nitardy funeral home has been entrusted with Ellie's arrangements.