FOX CROSSING, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Signs marking the newly named Michael G. Ellis Memorial Interchange are now in place in Fox Crossing.
Interstate 41 meets U.S. Highway 10 and State Highway 441 at the interchange just west of Little Lake Butte des Morts.
The interchange was officially named for Ellis, a longtime state lawmaker, in May. Ellis died last year at his home in Neenah.
The Republican served in the state Assembly from 1971 to 1982, then the state Senate from 1983 to 2015. Ellis was also the president of the Senate from 2011 until his retirement in 2015.
State Rep. Roger Roth, R-Appleton, issued this statement Thursday:
“One year ago to the day, Representative (Mike) Rohrkaste and I introduced legislation to name the newly constructed I-41/US 10/WIS 441 Interchange in honor of Mike Ellis. Today, I drove past one of the signs, and my feelings were bittersweet. It’s still hard to believe he is no longer with us, but I know he would be proud to have the interchange named after him. Not only does it serve as a memorial to Mike’s dedication on this interchange, but as a reminder to us who live in the Fox Valley of all he has done for his constituents.”
The interchange in Fox Crossing was finally completed with connections in all directions last year.
It had been unfinished, lacking direct connections in certain directions, for about four decades.
