Irene Ellison Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Geneva. Visitation from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva. Burial in the Geneva Public Cemetery. Memorials to the church in lieu of flowers. Irene was born July 4, 1922 on the family farm in Fillmore County near Sutton, Nebraska to Gustave and Johanna (Fehr) Zimbelmann. She was 1 of 5 children, all of whom are deceased: Viola Benson, Tilma Gladden, Hilmer and Gilbert Zimbelmann. She was baptized on September 3, 1922 at the Hope Reformed Church in Sutton and her first communion was on June 5, 1938. She attended school at District 66, kindergarten through 8th grade and 4 years of high school in Sutton. She worked for NYA in Sutton during the 30's making uniforms for lady prisoners. Irene married Orval Ellison on January 20, 1943, while he was on furlough from the Army, in the parsonage of the Methodist Church in Geneva. They were married for 69 years. She went with him as far as Kansas City where she stayed with her sister, Viola, working at the Cowden Shirt Factory until June 1943 when she went to Washington D,C. to be with Orval until August 1944. She worked at Chestnut Farms Dairy as a Route Secretary. Irene and Orval came back to Geneva in August 1944 when Orval was to go overseas. She stayed with her sister, Viola for a short time before coming home. She joined the Methodist Church in 1944. She belonged to Mirium Dorcus Circle and was a circle chairman in earlier years. She also sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. She had a strong faith in GOD. Irene belonged to the Geneva Mothers Club and looked forward to both the monthly Circle and Mothers Club meetings. Irene babysat in her home for many years while raising 4 kids. Irene was employed at Heritage of Geneva from before they opened for business in 1967 and was very proud of her housekeeping position until she retired in 1988. She had a green thumb and raised beautiful African violets. She enjoyed her flower gardens and vegetable gardens, canning and freezing vegetables and fruits. She embroidered many, many quilts and enjoyed various crafts. Irene also collected many dolls. She was also a cub scout leader for several years. Orval and Irene spent many summers camping in their 5th wheel and part of the winters in Texas. They also took trips to Israel, Germany and Hawaii. Irene took great pride in her grandkids and great-grandkids, going to as many of their school functions as she could. She was preceded in death by: her parents, Gustave & Johanna Zimbelmann; sisters, Tilma Gladden, Viola Benson, brothers, Hilmer and Gilbert Zimbelmann; daughter-in-law Rose Ann Ellison; son-in-law Patrick Carlson and grandson Brian Scott Ellison. Surviving her are husband, Orval Ellison of Geneva, children, Richard Ellison & wife Vera of Geneva, Nancy Domling, Geneva & husband Galen of Fairmont, Judy Smith of Noblesville, Indiana & husband Chuck of Ashland, Nebraska, Virginia Carlson of Sutton; sisters-in-law Mildred Bettger of Portland, Oregon, Darlene Ellison of Lincoln, Nebraska and Velma Zimbelmann of Sutton. Also surviving are 9 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and extended family and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at the United Methodist Church with Rev. Ron Harris officiating. Sondra Myers accompanied Delwin Myers who sang “Old Rugged Cross” and “In The Garden”. The congregational hymn was “Amazing Grace”. Casket bearers were John & Cory Ellison, Jerrett and Jason Domling, John Schurman, Nick Staab and Ky Ragsdale. Interment was in the Geneva Public Cemetery with Farmer & Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Memorials are directed to the United Methodist Church in Geneva.

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Irene Ellison

July 4, 1922 - March 17, 2012