Mary Ellis

Mary Jo Ellis, 80, of Merriman, NE died Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Bennett County Hospital in Martin, S.D.
She was born November 17, 1935 near Purdin, MO to Roy and Lula Lamme where she joined her two sisters, Sue Belle and Lou Jean. She graduated from Linneus, MO and then attended Chadron State College. She graduated from CSC with her teaching degree in 1957. While attending college she met Larry Ellis.
Mary Jo and Larry were married on June 7, 1959 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Rapid City, S.D.
They raised their 3 children, Lonna Jo, Paul David and Pamela Sue in Merriman.
Mary Jo taught school at Bennett County High School and then was a teacher and principal at Merriman Grade School until 1974. She continued her interest in education by serving on the School Board for many years.
Mary Jo and Larry began running the Sand Bar and through the next 42 years she made many, many friends, jk. She enjoyed people and always loved a good joke.
She loved reading, doing crafts, and Nebraska football. She and Larry had a love of travel, together they travelled to all 50 states, except Alaska, Canada and Mexico. She especially enjoyed the beauty of Banff and the Oregon Coast.
Most importantly, she loved her family. She spent endless hours playing games of all kinds with her children and grandchildren. She taught many of them to play cribbage.
Mary Jo is preceded in death by her son, Paul; parents, Roy and Lula Lamme; and sister, Sue McQueen.
Survivors include her husband Larry, Merriman; two daughters, Lonna (Jeff) Johnson, Vetal, SD, and Pam (Randy) Young, Treynor, IA; sister, Jean (George) Calvert, Canton, MO. Grandchildren: Trenton (Ashley) Belsky, Janessa (Brandon) Pinney, Bo Johnson, Annie Johnson, Kyle Young, and Seth Young. Great Granddaughter: Josslyn Belsky. And many other loved family and friends.

Visitation will be held at Bennett County Funeral Services from 5-7pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 and funeral services will be held at the American Legion Post #240 at 10:30AM, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Martin. Luncheon will follow service, and burial services will be at the Merriman Memorial Cemetery. Memorials can be directed to the Merriman Cemetery.

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