Ellen J. Wilson, 92, passed away on Sunday, January 10 at Bee Hives Homes in Missoula.
Ellen was born on February 27, 1923, in Libby, Montana, to Joseph and Magdalena Stuhlreiter, the youngest of five daughters. She loved growing up amid the natural beauty of northwest Montana, where she enjoyed hiking, fishing, and swimming. Music was a passion of hers; she had a beautiful voice and was accomplished on the violin and piano.
Upon graduation from Libby High School in 1941, Ellen attended the University of Washington in Seattle and Normal School in Billings, where she majored in education. Her first teaching assignments were in Grass Range and Park City, and in 1947 she came to Terry to teach remedial reading.
Ellen married county extension agent Phil Wilson in 1949, and once they started their family, she retired from teaching and took on the roles of mother, homemaker, and community volunteer. Ellen was active in Eastern Star and the Community Presbyterian Church, where she taught nursery school and was a member of Ladies Aid. She served as a homeroom parent, Medical Self Help instructor, and an observer for the Ground Observation Corps. In later years, she became involved with the Prairie County Museum. A beautiful calligrapher, Ellen was often asked to print signs and documents, many of which can still be seen around Prairie County.
In 1968 Ellen was asked to return to the classroom. Teaching Terry’s first graders became her passion, and it was a role in which she truly excelled. When she finally retired in 1992, Ellen was particularly proud that she had never taken a sick leave day in her entire 31 years as a teacher.
Ellen enjoyed traveling. She loved returning to her hometown of Libby in the summers, and Ellen and Phil saw much of the country when Phil was an officer in the National County Agents Association. Later in life, Ellen enjoyed many trips with her children and grandchildren, and one of the highlights was a tour of Western Europe. More recently, she looked forward to Sundays when her children would take her out to breakfast and for a Sunday drive in her Corolla, “Sparky”.
Ellen moved from Terry to Missoula in 2006, where she spent happy, active years at Grizzly Peak Independent Living. In 2014 she became a resident of Willow Cottage in Bee Hive Assisted Living, where she enjoyed the homelike atmosphere and her resident and staff friends. She passed away there on January 10, 2016.
Ellen is survived by her four children, Richard Wilson of Hampton, Virginia; Peggy (Mark) Latrielle of Missoula; Barbara (Bill) Ifft of Medical Lake, Washington; and Scott (Kasandra) Wilson of Missoula; grandchildren Sam (Ashley) Kuehn, Alison (Corey) Boone, Eric Wilson, Andy (Ashley) Ifft, Nora Ifft, Olivia Wilson, Mason Wilson, and Hayden Wilson; and her great grandchildren, Emmie Boone, Lucy Boone, and Jackson Ifft.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, May 29, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry, MT . For those who wish to make a donation in Ellen’s name, she indicated that she would like to support the Prairie County Museum and the Terry Community Presbyterian Church.
Cremation Burial Society of the Rockies of Missoula and Stevenson and Sons of Miles City are helping the family with arrangements. Condolences can be sent to the family via http://www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Carol Larsen says
I will miss our visits. When I was in Frenchtown each summer I would always stop and visit
Ellen. I missed my trip this last summer. Please know that she is being with her Lord now.
May He comfort you kids. She was a grand and special lady/ Love Carol Larsen
Cathy Byron says
I enjoyed Ellen’s friendship when I taught middle school science in Terry many years ago. She was bubbly and so encouraging. My heart is with those she leaves. It’s never easy to say goodbye to a mother.
Mitch Svihovec says
Mrs. Wilson was one of the best teachers in Terry. Once of the nicest people too. I hated when I was too old to trick or treat because I missed her “Witches Brew”. Condolences to the family.
Michael Root says
I was in her final class and while I didn’t appreciate at the time how good of a teacher I had, my parents certainly did. Even decades later, they still talk about her as one of the best teachers they ever encountered as parents. I have had many great teachers since then but they were all compared against the standard of Mrs. Wilson.
Jodi (King) Kupfer says
I have very fond memories of Mrs. Wilson. My thoughts and prayers with her family.
Kevin Morast says
WOW what a shocker. I still remember Ms. Wilson as my first grade teacher. What a great lady. I also remember 25 years after I had her in first grade going to visit and she showed my some god awful trinket I gave her as a gift. She always remembered who it was from and had it out as a decoration in her house. Heaven picked up a great one.
Arlene Corbin says
Oh my gosh I don’t even no where to start. I remember all the fun times we had with the Willson kids while our parents had a wonderful visit either in Terry or in Miles City when both of our dads were County extension agent’s. I have so very many fond memories of your dad and mom and I hope you do also!!!! Peggy you and I had some fun and weird experiences!! Mom and I had a wonderful visit with y’all one about nine years ago ! Now my good friend Neva Rathbun is living in your old house so that is awesome also ! I extend to you my deepest sympathies and I hope you will remember all the wonderful memories
Bob & Sharla Sackman says
Thoughts and prayers to your family. Mrs. Wilson was a wonderful lady and is missed.
Jenny Nelson says
It was so very nice to have that visit with Ellen last fall here in Libby. I know that she had a good life and that you took good care of her when she needed you. Just as she did for you when you needed her. A good family!
Jenny Nelson, a friend and classmate
Williams Family says
Condolences to the Wilson family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Psalms 147:3 says God, “heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds.” May God bring you comfort and peace.