Ella was born on November 4th 1943 in Milanlug Yugoslavia (now Croatia) to Katarina (Branezac) and Stefan Milberg. Living in a war-torn country, she and her family ended up in Austria in a displaced persons camp. At the age of 6 her life would be forever changed thanks to the generosity of members of the Milltown Lutheran church who banded together to sponsor a family to come to the United States to live and her family was chosen. She departed Breman Germany aboard a military ship on November 25th 1949 arriving in Boston on December 2nd and finally arriving by train in Milltown WI on December 4th along with her parents and younger brother Stevie. She attended Milltown school and talked about how she would go to school and then come home and teach her parents to read and write English. She graduated Unity High School in 1962. She was an honor roll student, a member of various Clubs and Homecoming Queen.

On August 3,1963 she married Loren Peper at Milltown Lutheran Church. Together they raised their children, Angie, Dan and Adam on the family farm North of Centuria. She was a proud homemaker and kept an impeccably clean and organized household.

After Loren passed away she moved to an apartment in St Croix Falls.

On November 6, 2010 she married Gene Peper at Milltown Lutheran Church, and received the bonus of 3 more children: Greg, David and Lori. They lived in their home South of Balsam Lake.

She enjoyed road trips to South Dakota and New Mexico, a cruise to Alaska, trips to Lambeau to cheer on the Packers, she loved watching the Badgers and Brewers too. She also loved Gunsmoke and that handsome Marshal Matt Dillon....

Ella passed away on Wednesday September 9, 2026 at the age of 82.

There are Angels here on earth. For Ella, those angels came in the form of Joanell, Lori, and St Croix Hospice. Thanks to their loving care, she was able to stay in her home until the end.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Katarina (Branezac) and Stefan Milberg; husband, Loren Peper; brother, Paul Milberg.

Ella leaves to celebrate her memory: her husband, Gene Peper; children, Angie (Dan) Hoverman, of Dresser, WI., Dan (Cally) Peper of Luck, and Adam (Tara) Peper, Centuria, WI; Bonus children, Greg (Karen) Peper, David (Kim) Peper, Lori Maypark (Brian); Grandchildren, Jenni Hoverman, Jessica Hoverman, Justine Hoverman, Jasmine Hoverman, Alex (Abbie) Peper, Jared (Reide) Peper, Jacob Peper; Bonus grandchildren, Carol, Justin, Kati, Tanesia, Jonathan, Dylan, Kasey, Camryn; Brother, Steve (Norene) Milberg; Sister, Helen Hougdahl; Sister-in-laws, Carlene (Jim) Mayer and Joanell Bibeau and many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Centuria, WI, from 4:00-7:00 PM.

A private family Graveside Service will take place at St. John's Cemetery at a later date.