Ellen L. Gries, 90, of Belvidere, Ill., passed away the afternoon of Oct. 28, 2015, at Northwoods Care Centre, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Aug. 5, 1925, to Amos and Libbie Callow.
She married Harold A. Gries in 1946, in a Catholic ceremony in Culver City, Calif.
She graduated from Austin High School with the class of 1943.
After raising her children, she graduated from Northridge Community College, Northridge, Calif., in 1962, with a teaching degree and later earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She taught in both California and Wisconsin.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Parish in Palmyra, the organist for St. Mary’s, a member of the Palmyra Senior Bowling League, and a community choir member at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Ellen, while professing to live by the motto “que sera, sera,” was driven to excellence as a musician, playing the organ, piano, flute, and violin as well as performing tap dance routines for local organizations. She loved spending time with family and friends and was fond of saying, “I’m doing the best that I can.”
Ellen was loved and will be missed by her four children, two daughters, Phyllis (John) Geiger, of Hot Springs Village, Ariz., Barb (Don) Grimes, Genoa, Ill.; two sons, Brett (Lynda) Gries, of Aiken, S.C., Harold (Jennifer) Gries, Belvidere, Ill.; and 17 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and six great-great grandchildren.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Harold.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Northwoods Care Centre.
Funeral and visitation services were Oct. 31, at Haase Lockwood and Associates Funeral Home, Palmyra. The Rev. Mariadas Bekala officiate. Burial was at St. Mary’ Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date.
Online condolences can be made at www.Haaselockwoodfhs.com.
