Ellis Jessel — Joyful and Inquisitive Orchard Lane Elementary Fourth-Grader — Remembered by Heartbroken New Berlin Community After Tragic Boating Incident on Little Muskego Lake
NEW BERLIN, WISCONSIN — An overwhelming wave of grief has swept through the city of New Berlin following the devastating loss of Ellis Jessel, a bright and spirited fourth-grade student at Orchard Lane Elementary School, who passed away in a boating accident on Little Muskego Lake over the weekend. The incident has deeply shaken the tight-knit community, leaving classmates, teachers, neighbors, and loved ones mourning a young life full of potential, joy, and wonder.
According to information released by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office and confirmed by local first responders, the tragedy unfolded on Saturday afternoon during what had begun as a peaceful day on the water. The lake, a popular destination for local families during the summer months, turned into the site of a heart-wrenching emergency after Ellis became separated from the boat they were on.
Emergency services were contacted shortly before 3:00 p.m., triggering an immediate response from the Muskego Police Department, Muskego Fire Department, and regional dive rescue units. The situation quickly escalated into a full-scale search operation involving sonar technology, watercraft, and trained divers who combed the lake in a race against time. Although the search teams worked tirelessly, Ellis was recovered from the water hours later. Despite the urgent rescue and recovery effort, the outcome was tragic.
Officials have stated that the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. Early reports indicate Ellis may have fallen into the water or encountered difficulty while swimming near the boat. No signs of foul play have been found, and weather conditions at the time were relatively calm, though authorities noted that lake conditions can change quickly and unpredictably.
As the news broke, an outpouring of sorrow and support emerged from all corners of New Berlin. The Jessel family, who are well known in the community, have received an outpouring of messages, visits, and heartfelt condolences from neighbors, school staff, and families across the school district. Outside Orchard Lane Elementary School, students, parents, and teachers created a touching memorial filled with flowers, candles, handwritten notes, and drawings — many of them created by Ellis’s classmates.
Described by those who knew them as kindhearted, full of life, and deeply curious about the world, Ellis was known to brighten any room they entered. Teachers remembered them as a student who loved nature and animals, who eagerly raised their hand in class, and who went out of their way to make others feel included.
“Ellis was a joy to teach — always full of questions, always smiling,” said one teacher at Orchard Lane. “They loved learning about frogs and stars and could turn the smallest discovery into an adventure. They brought that spark to everything they did.”
In a message to the school community, Orchard Lane Elementary Principal Sarah McAllister shared the deep sorrow felt by the faculty and staff. “Ellis brought warmth and joy into every classroom and every hallway,” she wrote. “They had a natural kindness that made others feel welcome and safe. Their absence will be felt profoundly throughout our school.”
To support the grieving school community, the New Berlin School District has brought in counselors and social workers, as well as therapy dogs, to help students and staff cope with the loss. Special group sessions and quiet spaces have been set up for students to share memories, express their emotions, and honor Ellis’s life in ways that feel meaningful to them.
In the wider community, Ellis’s loss has prompted not only reflection and mourning but also renewed attention to water safety, especially as families begin to spend more time on Wisconsin’s many lakes and rivers during the summer. The Muskego Fire Department issued a public statement encouraging families to review water safety practices, including the use of life jackets, constant supervision, and safety planning.
Although the full details of the accident remain under investigation, officials have emphasized the need for awareness, even in seemingly familiar or routine recreational settings. “Lakes are beautiful but unpredictable environments,” said one first responder. “Even strong swimmers can find themselves in dangerous situations very quickly.”
Despite the immense sadness, the community has come together in powerful and compassionate ways. A candlelight vigil is being planned for Friday evening at Lions Park, where residents will gather to share stories, light candles, and release biodegradable lanterns over the water in memory of Ellis. The event is being organized by parents, teachers, and community leaders who want to offer the Jessel family a space to see and feel the support that surrounds them.
In the days since the tragedy, stories about Ellis have poured in. Classmates remembered their laughter, their love of animals — especially frogs and turtles — and the way they always noticed the small wonders around them. Family friends recalled a child who was fascinated by stars, loved to draw pictures of bugs and birds, and would spend hours happily exploring in nature.
“They had this amazing ability to be present, to really see and appreciate the world,” said a family friend. “Ellis could find joy in a puddle, a butterfly, a cloud. They made you want to slow down and see the world that way, too.”
Through their heartbreak, the Jessel family released a brief statement via a local pastor, thanking the community for the love and support shown to them. “Ellis was our sunshine — endlessly curious, compassionate, and full of love. We are grateful for every moment we had, and we thank everyone who has held us up during this unimaginable time.”
A fundraising campaign created to support the Jessel family with memorial expenses quickly exceeded its goal and continues to receive contributions from across the region. Neighbors have organized meal deliveries, childcare support, and additional resources to ease the family’s burdens as they navigate this time of profound grief.
At Orchard Lane, efforts are underway to create a lasting tribute in Ellis’s memory. Plans include planting a tree on school grounds, installing a memorial bench, and organizing an annual “Kindness Day” in their honor — a reflection of the empathy and warmth that Ellis so freely shared with others.
Though Ellis’s life was far too brief, their impact on the world around them was meaningful and deep. In classrooms, playgrounds, and living rooms across New Berlin, that impact continues to resonate. The community’s collective grief is steeped not only in sorrow for what has been lost but also in gratitude for what was shared: the laughter, curiosity, and love that Ellis brought into every space they entered.
As summer continues, and as the sun sets over Little Muskego Lake, Ellis Jessel’s memory will live on — not just in the hearts of their family, classmates, and teachers, but in the renewed commitment to compassion, safety, and connection that this tragedy has inspired throughout the community.
New Berlin will remember Ellis as a light that still shines — in the ripples of the lake, the laughter of children playing outside, and every quiet act of kindness shared in their name.
