Eunice Arlene Ells

Eunice Arlene Ells was born to Clarence Ray and Mary Elizabeth (Phillips) Andres, at her parents’ home in Hardy, Nebraska.  She died Saturday, Octoberr 21, 2017, at the Jewell County Hospital, Mankato, Kansas, at the age of 83 years, 1 month, and 12 days.

Eunice was the youngest of nine children.  She started High School in Hebron, Nebraska, and graduated from Fairbury High School in 1952, in Fairbury, Nebraska.  She married Keith Edward Ells on January 27, 1952, in Hebron, Nebraska.  To this union three children were born – Thomas Edward, Gerald Ray (Jerry), and Jacqueline Ann.

Eunice was a stay at home mom, before working as a home health aide for many years.  Keith and Eunice became co-owner of the Motel in Mankato, Kansas, before retiring.  She was an active member of the Mankato Christian Church, and Order of the Eastern Star No. 35 of Holdrege, Nebraska.  Eunice liked to bake, especially bread.  Other activities that she enjoyed included – puzzles, reading, listing to music, crafts, and bird watching.  Eunice enjoyed the holidays, each and every one.  She decorated for each holiday, for her enjoyment and for the family and friends.

Eunice was preceded in death by her parents; her husband - Keith Ells; two sisters – Blanche Jensen and Myrtle Burns; two brothers – Ralph Andres and Albert Andres, and her mother and father-in-law – Edward and Aleta Ells.

She is survived by  two sons – Thomas Ells of Falls City, Nebraska, and Gerald Ells of Mankato, Kansas; a daughter – Jackie Ernst of Mankato, Kansas; four grandchildren – Jeffrey Collison of Roseville, California, Elizabeth Seyfert of Luling, Louisiana, Shawn Ells of Bladen, Nebraska, and Julia Ells of Lincoln, Nebraska; great-grandchildren – Reiley Seyfert and Gage Seyfert of Luling, Louisiana, and Elizabeth Ells of Bladen, Nebraska; four sisters – Vertie Baylie of Ukiah, California, Josephine Renken and Beulah Otte both of Geneva, Nebraska, and Virginia Landkamer of Lincoln, Nebraska; several nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life service for Eunice A. Ells, will be Friday, October 27, 2017, at 2:00 p.m., at the Christian Church, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle officiating.  Mr. Kenny Rhea was the soloist.   Bearers are grandchildren – Jeffrey Collison, Elizabeth Seyfert, Shawn Ells, and Julia Ells.  Honorary bearers are – Curtis Ernst, Jerry Layton, Dutch Onnen, Gene Ells, and William Ells.  Inurnment will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas, beside her husband, Keith.  Visitation will be Thursday, October 26, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas.  The family suggests memorials to: Order of Eastern Star No. 35, Holdrege, Nebraska.   Online condolences can be left at www.melbymortuary.com .  Melby Mortuary, 402 N. High Street, Mankato, Kansas was in charge of arrangements.