Ellen Burgess, 93
Fri, 09/03/2021 - 6:18pm
admin
June 30, 1928 —
Aug. 29, 2021
IDAHO FALLS - Ellen Burgess, age 93, of Idaho Falls, Idaho and formerly of Cresco, Iowa passed away on Aug. 29, 2021, in Idaho Falls.
A graveside service will be held at a later date in Idaho Falls and a celebration of life in Florida next summer. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com
Ellen Carol Horner Burgess was born on June 30, 1928, to Everett and Mildred Horner in Des Moines, Iowa. She was the oldest of four siblings, who were raised in Des Moines, Davenport and Centerville, Iowa.
Ellen attended the University of Iowa where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. It was at Iowa where she met the love of her life, John J. Burgess. They were married on April 23, 1949 in Des Moines.
The couple moved to Cresco, where their daughters, Kathy and Margy, were born. While living in Cresco, Ellen was active in many community activities, serving on the boards of many charities.
Ellen and John retired to Niceville, Fla., where they lived an eventful life. Ellen was in Alter Guild and the Bell Choir at St. Paul Lutheran Church. She also was a member of the Bluewater Bay Ladies Golf Association.
In 2012, the couple moved to Aspen Pointe in Bozeman, Mont., where they continued an active life and met many new friends.
Ellen was a 71-year member of P.E.O., belonging to Chapters in Iowa, Florida and Bozeman. She loved to play golf, achieving a hole-in-one in 1988. She was an avid bridge player and reader and enjoyed having a “splosh” of Scotch.
Ellen is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Robert) Martin; grandchildren, Matthew (Traci) Martin, Emily (Todd Cohan) Martin, Megan (Alan) Barker and Jonathan (Sarah) Peterson; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret “Pud” Wood; brother, General Charles (Mary Jo) Horner; son-in-law, Jim (Joan) Peterson; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John; daughter, Margy; her parents; sister, MaryLouise (Bill) Kendall and family; and grandson, Andrew Martin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Encompass Hospice, 3686 Washington Pkwy., Idaho Falls, ID 83404, or to the MSU Foundation (Margy Burgess Peterson Nursing Scholarship) P.O. Box 172750, Bozeman, MT 59717-2750.
