May 27, 1923 – February 2, 2005
WHITEWATER/JANESVILLE— Illa L. Petitt, 81, formerly of Janesville and a resident of Glen Assisted Living Home in Whitewater, died on Wednesday, February 2, 2005, at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital. She was born on May 27, 1923, in Corydon, Iowa, daughter of the late Jesse E. and Minnie Mae (Rash) Smith. Illa graduated from Seymour High School, Class of 1940, in Seymour, Iowa. She moved to Janesville with her family shortly after high school and later met her future husband, Victor C. Petitt. They were married in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, on October 19, 1944; he predeceased her on August 31, 2001. She was a proud homemaker until her husband’s ill health forced her to go to work in 1973 at Monterey Mills, retiring in 1983. Illa raised her family with unconditional love; always a dedicated and loving mother, nurturing and caring for her family. She enjoyed NASCAR racing and reading.
She is survived by her 4 children: Patricia (Rob) McLean of Fort Atkinson, James Petitt of Wisconsin Rapids, Daniel (Joyce) Petitt of Whitewater and Charles (Wendi) Petitt of Janesville; 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by 2 sisters and 5 brothers.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2005, at ROXBURY ROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST, 2103 Roxbury Road, with Rev. David Fremstad officiating. Burial will follow at Milton Lawns Memorial Park. Visitation will be on Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the services at the church. Assisting with arrangements is the WHITCOMB-LYNCH-ALBRECHT FUNERAL HOME, JANESVILLE.