Ellen E. Nellis, age 102, of Carrington, ND, died Sunday, October 13, 2013, at Golden Acres Manor, Carrington, ND.

Ellen E. Nellis was born September 13, 1911, on her family farm in rural Lincoln Township, Aberdeen, SD, to William E. and Grace (Thayer) Maynard. Ellen grew up on the family farm and attended the rural Lincoln Township School. She attended Aberdeen Central High School and received a degree in Accounting from LaSalle University in Chicago, IL.

Ellen was united in marriage to Robert Roundy at Aberdeen, SD, in 1932, and in 1941 they had a son, Douglas. In 1936, Ellen was employed at the Alonzo Ward Hotel in Aberdeen. In 1943, she and her son, Douglas moved to Mitchell, SD, where she was employed at Porter Motor Co. In 1945, they moved to Bismarck, ND, where she was employed with Fleck Motors, and in 1947, they returned to Aberdeen where she again worked for Mr. Alonzo Ward as the hotel manager until her retirement in 1973.

Ellen and Chancy D. Nellis were united in marriage in Aberdeen, SD, in April of 1953. He died in April 1972. After her retirement, Ellen worked for Dr. William Bormes from 1969 through 1980 when she retired for the last time.

Ellen has been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Aberdeen, SD, since 1925. She has been a member of the Minerva Chapter #5 Order of Eastern Star since 1955, serving as Treasurer for 15 years. She is a past member of the Women’s Breakfast Club, Professional Business Women, an active member in American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) - serving as Treasurer for 10 years, and Current Events club for 10 years.

In April of 1998, Ellen moved to Carrington, ND, to be near her son Douglas Roundy and his family and made her home there until the time of her death. She loved living close to her family and being involved in the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

After moving to Carrington, Ellen crocheted 23 prayer shawls for Carrington Health Center’s and Trinity Lutheran Church’s prayer shawl ministry and she helped cut quilt squares for Trinity Lutheran Church’s Lutheran World Relief quilt program. She loved to play cards and she expected to win. She enjoyed reading and watching TV. She voted in every Presidential election and was always up to date on the latest news and political information. She was a Republican and could not be persuaded to vote any other way. She drove her car until she was 93 years old and she still had a valid driver’s license! She loved to go to the lake and ride on her son’s pontoon, smell the lake air and eat steak from the grill. Ellen had a green thumb when it came to flower gardens and she raised beautiful roses most of her life. She still had a hanging flower basket outside her bedroom window on the day that she died. She loved and cared for her tropical fish in her years in Carrington and she loved dogs, horses, green tea and ice cream.

Ellen is survived by her son Douglas Roundy, Carrington, ND, two grandchildren, Troy (Sheryl) Roundy, Latricia (Dallas) Beckman; four great-grandchildren, Cameron and Brittney Roundy, Tyler and Emily Beckman all of Carrington, ND.

She is preceded in death by her husband Chancy, her parents, three brothers, William, Raymond and Arthur; four sisters, Mary Ellen Maynard, Mildred Gauchat, Stella Campton, Gladys Grieben; and her daughter-in-law Patricia, who she always said was the daughter she never had.

Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church or Minerva Chapter #5 OES, both of Aberdeen, SD, or Trinity Lutheran Church in Carrington, ND.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington, ND

DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at 10:30AM

GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Riverside Cemetery, Aberdeen, SD on Wednesday at 3PM