Ella Mae was born on March 22,1947 to Oscar and Gladys Cain, in Miles City. She died on May 30, 2020 at Friendship Villa, in Miles City. She was the youngest of 5 children. She began her education in a one room school in Powder River County, attended school in Broadus for several years, and eventually graduated from high school in Miles City. With this sound foundation, she graduated with honors with a B.S. from Montana State University, in 1969, and earned Masters Degrees from both Washington State University and the University of Montana. She was an outstanding athlete. She was known for her prowess as a softball player. She won golf championships in Helena and Great Falls. She completed marathon races in New York, Chicago and Helena. During the Montana Centennial in 1989, she organized two relay runs across the state. She was a big MSU Bobcat fan and loved following the Washington Nationals baseball team. She was head of the quality control lab at the Meadow Gold Dairy, Great Falls and eventually became the Plant Manager. She was one of the few women in Dean Foods to hold this position. After a float trip though the “White Cliffs” of the Missouri River, she became fascinated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. She authored a book entitled “Lewis and Clark in Central Montana” and served in leadership positions in local and national Lewis and Clark groups. She was proud of helping to organize a float trip through the White Cliffs with a group of students and teachers from Broadus High School. The last 15 years or so, she returned to the family ranch, near Home Creek Butte, in Powder River County. She improved the genetics of the Angus herd, established a schedule for rotating grazing in the pastures, and installed game friendly barbed wire fences. She relished the challenge of tending to newborn calves in the early spring. She is survived by her husband Michael, son Joe from Helena, sister Helen Cossitt from Billings, and several nephews and a niece. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Donald and Gene and a sister Carol. The family appreciates the care Ella Mae received from the nurses and staffs at both Holy Rosary Hospital and Friendship Villa in Miles City. She did not want a funeral service. Cremation has taken place under the supervision of Stevenson Funeral Home and the ashes will be returned to her ranch. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Wanda Gresens says
To the family
I did not know Ella Mae personally but my mother Irene Carey Gresens would talk of her fondly. My mother had passed some years ago . She and my dad were both were born and spent there whole life’s in the Volborg area ( I grew up there also ) . My sympathies for Ella Mae’s family .
Mary Ann Liles says
Rest in Peace, Ella Mae. Wonderful classmate who went on to have a rich, full life.
Our sympathy to the family.
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles and Jim Liles
Philippa Newfield and Phillip Gordon says
All Ella Mae’s friends and admirerers at the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation are greatly saddened by her passing. She was a truly honest and creative person who always told it as it was; all her suggestions were reflective of an original thinker at work. The LCTHF is the better for having been the beneficiary of her participation and devotion. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
Sue Buchel says
Just a force of nature! Ella Mae was someone I so very much respected for her drive, her willingness to get in there and get her hands dirty, her loyalty to people and ideas and causes she believed in. Loved her wit, her quirky humor and her creativity. ….. off the wall!!!
Working in the LC Archives I came upon a letter from Bill Sherman (one of her heros) to Don Nell (another of her heros) and Bill wrote,” Why be mundane?” I shared that with her and she got such a good laugh from it. And that is our girl….. never “mundane.” Heart out to Mike and Ella Mae’s larger family from one of her biggest fans.
Grant and Mary Olson and family says
So sorry to hear of Ella May passing. She was a Grand lady .We enjoyed visiting her when we pastured our cows at her ranch.
Teri & Doug Zook says
We remember Ella Mae from our days at Custer County High School. She was a very nice, smart, easy gal to be around.
We are sorry to hear of her passing.
Teri & Doug Zook
Robin Meguire says
So very sorry to hear this news. I’m lucky to have known and loved such a strong Montana woman. It seems impossible that she’s gone. Thinking of you Joe and Mike.
Keep Carol in line Ella Mae and give your namesake a big squeeze…
Vicki Holmes Pawlitschek says
Ella Mae. My Kappa Delta Big Sister. My comrade in “pushing the envelope”. My European travel buddy. My mentor. My lifelong friend.
You lived life your way and I so admired you for that. I miss you already. ❤️
Ron & Anita Ronning says
We’re sending warm thoughts & good feelings to Mike, Joe & all of Ella Mae’s family at her passing.
Ron & Anita Ronning
Cindy Salo Malisani says
Please accept my condolences for your loss. Her beautiful picture and obituary is captivating of a life well lived, if only we could all be so forthright.
I know Miles City is a big reason to lives such a big life
Elizabeth Best says
I am so sorry to hear of Ella Mae’s death. She was a leader and a trail blazer. Her leadership made life easier for many of us. Deep sympathy.
Kevin Devine says
Mike,
I want to convey my sympathies to you and your family on your loss. Ella Mae was an accomplished and kind person.
My deep regrets
Helen McLeavy says
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss, Mike and Joe. Our paths have diverged in the years since retirement, but I have thought of our time together so often and wondered about your new lives. Thinking of you now and hoping your way ahead is tempered with happy memories to replace the sadness of loss. Rest and live in peace.
Chuck Paul says
Mike and Joe.. Ella Mae was a pretty darn awesome wife and mother.
Don Shumsky says
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of Ella Mae Howard. I’ll never forget her.
Years ago when I worked for Buttrey Food Company, I was in a meeting with other Companies employees, including Ella Mae. I don’t remember all the details, but there was a discussion on the use of plastic bags! Ella was adamant that plastic bag should not be used, she said “you’ll see them hanging on all the fences”!
She was so right. Although our paths never crossed much, I’ll never forget her. I also believe I played some golf with her husband Mike. My condolences go out to him and the family. I recently lost my wife of 60 years, so I feel I know what they are going through!! God Bless.
Don Shumsky
Kristen Juras says
I am so sorry to hear of Ella Mae’s death. She was a strong and spirited woman who made a difference in many lives. She will be sorely missed. May your many fond memories of her comfort you during this time of loss.
Terry Korpela says
Mike, Joe and family, I am so sorry to read of Ella Mae’s passing. Talk about heroes. She was definitely one of mine. Such a strong and independent woman. Everything she became involved with became better because of her leadership. Everyone she touched grew from her knowledge and wisdom. I was honored that I was one of those recipients who gained from her wisdom, insight, and knowledge. As someone else said so well A Force of Nature. So true. She will be missed. Our deepest sympathies and friendship. Terry and John Korpela
Gerry and Vickie Meguire says
Mike and Joe you have our empathy and shared sorrow. Much energy to you in the coming and mounting days. Ella Mae was a great gal with some very capable boots to fill. Many gentle hugs to you both…Ella Mae, as Robin said, give your name sake a gentle hug from us.
Karen Gunther says
My prayers are with Ella mae’s family. While she was in School in Broadus she was my classmate. Not that many years ago a car load of her Broadus classmates made a trip to her ranch and we had such a good time.
Dennis Dell says
Dear Mike and Joe:
I was very sad to learn of your wife and mom’s death. Our paths have not crossed for many years, but I have always had a fondness for you both, especially Mike. I know that your lives were enriched by Ella Mae and your dedication to one another did not go unnoticed. Thinking of you and your family at this time and hope we may once again see one another and visit or golf (badly, in my case) again. Stay safe in this time of pandemic and know I am thinking of you and your family.
Most sincerely,
Dennis Dell
Connie Barnhart says
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Ella Mae. I was privileged to be one of the teacher participants on the Lewis and Clark float trip through the White Cliffs. It wouldn’t have happened without Ella Mae’s vision and tenacity. Lewis and Clark’s epic voyage came alive for the students (and teachers) as we floated down the Missouri with Ella Mae and Mike. We explored the area as Lewis and Clark did over 200 years ago and listened while Ella Mae read from the Lewis and Clark journals. Ella Mae shared her love for history and sparked an appreciation for the monumental achievement of the Lewis and Clark expedition in our students and teachers that will last a lifetime.
Ed & Sandra Plass says
Our hearts are filled with sadness upon hearing of Ella Mae’s passing and we wish to extend our deepest condolences to Mike and Joe, as well as all of her family members. We have only fond and happy memories of Ella Mae’s great personality, humor and having fun. We still think HER buffalo was probably bigger than Mike’s
Jude L Smith says
My association with Ella Mae was a direct connection to her being an author of a book on Lewis and Clark. I was the program director at the Great Falls Public Library and was referred to Ella Mae when seeking authors to talk on that subject. She spoke several times at the library and even donated Meadow Gold ice cream for a function. Ella Mae was so easy to work with. She was down-to-earth, friendly, intelligent, professional, and accessible. Personally I admired her community spirit, her physical fitness and love of the outdoors, and her keen wit. She was a stellar human being and we are diminished by her passing as we are elevated by having her in our lives.
Vern & Andrea Rice says
Sending our sincere condolences to all of Ella Mae’s family
Ken and Peggy Kolka says
We were so sad to hear this news. Our sincere condolences to Mike and Joe
Jim Jevne says
Mike and Joe,
Our condolences on learning of the passing of Ella Mae. We have many fond memories of visiting with you when
we were all in Great Falls. Know that we are thinking of you in these sad times. JIm and Bonnie Jevne
Ken Small says
Dear Mike and family
I was surprised and saddened to read of Ella Mae’s passing. What a grand lady in everyway! Her zest for life was infectious and we all benefited from knowing her. My love and sympathy are yours at this difficult time.
SALLY A. BORLA says
TO MIKE AND JOE: I AM SENDING THIS MESSAGE FOR PAT HANLAN–SHE SAID SHE IS SO SORRY TO HEAR OF ELLA MAE’S PASSING AND DID NOT KNOW SHE WAS ILL–PAT SAID SHE STAYED WITH ELLA MAE AND HER MOTHER HER FRESHMAN YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL AND SO ADMIRED ELLA MAE. SHE WAS SMART AND SUCH A DOWN-TO-EARTH ALL AROUND GOOD PERSON. SHE SENDS HER LOVE AND SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY AND ALSO HER SISTER HELEN. MAY SHE REST IN PEACE. PATRICIA HANLAN
Logan Pitman says
I had the privilege of being included as one of the students in the Missouri River float trip that Ella Mae was instrumental in organizing, and getting to meet Ella Mae at that time. She was an enthusiastic, humorous, and very welcoming person. I’m grateful to have met her, and have those good memories of her be a part of my teenage years, and still influential to me today.
My thoughts and sympathy are with Michael (who I was also privileged to meet and spend some time with during the float trip), and the rest of Ella Mae’s family as well. It is a hard thing when loved ones must pass from us. But perhaps there is some peace in knowing that the marks they left in this world reach further than they themselves could ever know, and there is no kind word or thoughtful deed that goes without its impact.
Mike Marquart says
I was truly sorry to hear about the passing of Ella Mae. I worked as a ware house supervisor under Ella Mae at Meadow Gold Dairy when she was plant manager. She was fair and honest and easy to work for. As management, she was the best person in the business by far. She will be missed.
My sincere condolences go out to Mike and Joe.
Jaeger Held says
I am so sorry for your loss. My sister and I were among the Broadus students on the Missouri river trip following Lewis and Clark, a wonderful experience. Reading her book and exploring the path of the expedition brought history to life. Ella Mae will be missed.
Sheila Rice says
The heavens are brighter tonight with a new star among them. Ella Mae, a true renaissance woman, left her mark here in earth. I knew Ella Mae when she was plant manager in Great Falls. I was in awe of her abilities then and became further awed when she became involved with Lewis and Clark groups. What a life well lived. To her family – know that you are in our hearts and thoughts.
Judith Refsland says
I just learned of Ella Mae’s passing and my sincere condolences go out to her husband Mike, son Joe and other family members. I’ve not had contact with Ella Mae since our days at Montana State University where we were sorority sisters but she was someone not easily forgotten. I am not surprised at all of Ella Mae’s accomplishments as she was a force of nature way back in the 60’s. I feel truly blessed to have known her. Rest in peace Ella Mae.
Sheri parker says
Mike and Joe,
I was shocked to hear of Ella Mae’s passing. I was in the hospital from May 26th to June 14th. I don’t remember when I found out about Ella Mae but I just recalled that I had been told something had happened. I will give you guys a call. I’m totally stunned. I’m so sorry for your lost!