ELSBURY, Ellen Marie (Conklin) 1944-2017

ELSBURY, CONKLIN, CORDES

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/25/2024 at 10:15:34

Ellen M. Elsbury

November 21, 2017

Ellen M. Elsbury, 73, of Osage, returned to her heavenly home on November 21, 2017 after a battle with cancer. Her devotion to her family, her friends and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace. Ellen died at home surrounded by family.

At Ellen’s request, no services were held and a private family burial occurred on November 24, 2017 at the Osage Cemetery.

Ellen Marie Conklin Elsbury was born on September 4, 1944 in Osage, the daughter of Jack and Ruth (Cordes) Conklin. She graduated from Osage High School in 1962. She then graduated from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Mason City, Iowa in 1965 and worked as a staff nurse at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital until moving to California. She proudly remained a licensed nurse up until the time of her death.

While in California, Ellen worked as Director of Nurses at Loma Linda Community Hospital and Department Director at San Bernardino County Medical Center. While working and raising her daughter, Tanya, she also furthered her education, receiving her BA in health care management from University of Redlands, California and MBA from University of California, Riverside. Upon graduation, she and her daughter moved back to Iowa to be closer to family, where she worked as Vice President of Patient Services at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa.

After retirement, she continued her quest for knowledge by going back to school for her second BA from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls at which time she moved back to Osage to care for her aging parents.

Besides being a well-educated, hard-working mother and grandmother who served as a loving, compassionate, brilliant role model to them, Ellen was also an accomplished piano and organ player, gardener, philanthropist, volunteer, social coordinator, supplier of chocolate and friend to so many.

Ellen is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Tanya and Mike Lusic of Jordan, Minnesota; granddaughter, Samantha Womeldorf also of Jordan; two step grandchildren and one step great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage (641) 732-3706.

SOURCE: Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home website