Obituary: Ellison, Jeanette R.
Age 74
ELLISON, Jeanette R.
Jeanette R. (Jan) Ellison went to be home with the Lord on July 20, 2012 at Sunshine Gardens Nursing Home.
The staff there cared for her with the skill and compassion that anyone would want for their mother.
She was born in Appleton, WI on December 20, 1937.
She graduated from Winneconne High School in 1956.
Her love of being a student took her to Wisconsin State College, Stevens Point, where she graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education in math with double minors in chemistry and English.
She then taught high school math in Kenosha, WI from 1960-1963.
In 1963 Jan married Elwyn (Al) George Ellison and moved to Missoula, MT from 1963-1970, and then moved to Spokane.
She considered her three children to be her finest accomplishments.
She would proudly say that all three of her kids also have college degrees.
Following her divorce in 1980 she went on to work at Gonzaga University in the Crosby Library until poor health forced an early retirement in 1994.
Her love of studies in high school took on many facets; member of the National Honor Society, freshman class VP, junior class secretary, senior class president including valedictorian, attended public speaking contests for four years including two of them to state, outstanding senior musician, solo and ensemble contests playing the flute for four years, again including two state contests.
During most of her life she was an ardent student and teacher of the Bible.
She loved to play the piano, even if there was not one there.
Mom loved to garden, read, and attend lectures on personal growth and holistic health.
Her favorite sport was college basketball and her favorite team was of course the ZAGS.
You didn’t dare to call her during a game.
She is survived by her son Bruce Ellison and his wife Mindy of Spokane Valley along with their daughter Rochelle Ellison (granddaughter) and great-grandson Colton Shain McGuire; son Brian Ellison of Portland OR; and daughter Tamara Collins of Portland OR and grandson Keiran Collins; daughter in love Tamera Newman and granddaughter in love Kasandra Newman; four god children Sharon Hockers, Jeff Schabel, Laura Nissen, and Lisa Deming; her brother Richard Gauerke of Bismarck ND and sister Mary Cooke of Appleton, WI; numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother Margaret Gauerke and her beloved sister Joanne Schabel.
Memorial gifts can be made to the YWCA and the Homeless Children’s Education Center.
A Memorial will be held at Valley Assembly of God at 15618 E Broadway, Spokane Valley, in the Chapel, on August 5th, at 3pm.
A reception will immediately follow the service at the Chapel.