Ataloa M. Wadzinski, age 84, of Bowler, passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2022, at Rose Mary Manor in Mattoon. She was born on February 22, 1938, to the late Myron and Genevieve (Herbes) Miller in Tomah. She lived for several years in Sturgeon Bay where her father worked in the shipyard. When she was in second grade, her family moved to Red Springs and then to the family house on the south shore of the west branch of the Red River. Ataloa jumped rocks across the river to go to the Indian school that was on the present-day Pow Wow grounds. From there she went to high school at Bowler where she graduated as Salutatorian and received a $300 scholarship as could be applied to a $600 tuition to three years of nursing school at St. Mary's in Wausau. She worked briefly at Madison General, St. Elizabeth Hospital in Neenah, Oconto Falls Hospital for three years and ended up at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh for the rest of her long nursing career. On August 22, 1959, Ataloa was united in marriage to Ivan Wadzinski at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church in Gresham.

After having six children, she worked full time and went to school full time and received a master's degree in nursing.  For her last four years of nursing, she was a nursing professor for the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh nursing program students.

Ataloa enjoyed archery, deer hunting archery, traveling, nature, and watching grandchildren in their athletics. She was a member of the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians.

She is survived by her husband, Ivan; six children, Brian (Claudia), Al (Laura), Diann (John), Galen (Denise), Kevin (Kristiina), Karen (Amy); and ten grandchildren, Tyler, Keaton, Austin, Lucius, Reilly, Taylor, Liliya, Connor, Kalle, and Leevi. She is further survived by five siblings, Juanita (Ron), Marshall (Donna), Judy (Scott), Jeff (Pat), Joe (Jackie) and sister-in-law, Bernice.

Ataloa was preceded in death by her parents Myron and Gen Miller; an older sister and her husband, Don and Winona Pecard; and her brother, Myron Miller.

A funeral service for Ataloa will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church in Gresham with Hanz Christian officiating. Visitation will be held at Swedberg Funeral Home in Gresham from 4:00-6:00 pm on Friday, June 10, 2022, and at 9:30 am on Saturday at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church until the time of service.

All of Ataloa's family and friends are grateful for the kind and considerate care she received at Rose Mary Manor in Mattoon. Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.