Ella F. Gran, age 94, of Seattle formerly of Billings and Miles City.

Ella F. Gran, a long-time resident of the Seattle area and formerly of Billings and Miles City,

Montana, passed away the fifth of February of natural causes at age 94.

Ella was the first-born child of Herbert and Blanche (Hewett) Neumann in Ismay, Montana, a

farming community in Eastern Montana, on October 19,1923.

Ella attended country schools until 1937 when her family moved to Miles City, Montana. She

graduated with honors from Custer County High School, where she had been an accomplished

business student, in 1942.

Ella lovingly dedicated her life to Henry Gran whom she married in 1942 and to their two

children: a son, Gordon Paul, 1946, and Joyce Kaye, 1950.

Ella and Henry came to Seattle the first time to contribute to their country’s defense during

World War II. Ella was an executive secretary at the Boeing Aircraft Company until 1944.

As the war began winding down, Ella and Henry left Seattle in 1944 and settled in Billings,

Montana. There she devoted her time to her family, many church activities and ministries at

American Lutheran Church, serving in various civic organizations, and volunteering in the

community.

Ella and Henry moved back to the Seattle area in 1971. Soon after, Ella became the Grace

Lutheran Church secretary in Des Moines, Washington, a position she held for 15 years. She

thoroughly loved the work and staff. Before and after retiring from Grace, she was actively

involved in many of Grace’s church ministries like quilting and community service such as the

local food bank.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, four brothers and one sister.

Ella is survived by her daughter, Joyce; two sisters, Edna Mendenhall, Marjorie (Don) Pontius;

two grandchildren, Herb (Janelle) Gran, Risa (Darrell) Nodland; daughter-in-law, Carol Gran; six

great grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at the Custer County Cemetery on February 24, 2018, at 11:30

a.m. Her Celebration of Life will be March 9, 2018, at Grace Lutheran Church, 22975 24th Ave.

S., Des Moines, WA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

The Custer County Food Bank, 210 S. Winchester Ave. Miles City, Montana 59301;

Grace Lutheran Church, 22975 24th Ave. S., Des Moines, WA 98198 or any charity of your

choosing.

Service Schedule

Graveside Service

11:30 a.m.

Saturday February 24, 2018

Custer County Cemetery

Cemetery Road

Miles City, MT 59301

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