Blanche Viola (Redden) Brown

Blanche Viola (Redden) Brown, age 80 of Eckley, Colorado was born at home on January 21, 1932 in Haigler, Nebraska to George and Jane Emma D. (Underhill) Redden. She left us unexpectedly and was called home to our heavenly Father March 4, 2012 in Wray, Colorado at Hillcrest Care Center.

She was baptized in the Methodist Church as a small child and attended Sunday school faithfully. She completed her school years in Haigler, finishing the ninth grade. As a young lady Blanche enjoyed working at the bowling alley setting pins, waiting tables and washing dishes. She had fun and fond memories of going to the movies, dances and riding the train from Haigler to Wray.

On May 17, 1948, Blanche was united in marriage to Thomas Calep Ellis in St. Francis, Kansas. To this union six children were born: Benjamin, Roger, Rodney, George, Cindy and Connie. Most of their married life was spent working on various farms and ranches. In later years the marriage was dissolved.

July 30, 1974 Blanche united in marriage to Thomas Floyd Brown in Oberlin, Kansas and moved to Eckley, Colorado. Tom and she worked at the Yuma Sale Barn for a number of years. She was also employed as a waitress at various restaurants in the area for several years until her health was failing, she then was forced to retire.

Blanche took being wife and mother to heart. She was always busy cooking, cleaning and working in her big yard, taking great pride in her flowers, rose, lilac bushes, and iris always looking forward to the springtime to small the wonderful fragrance of her lilacs.

She dearly loved her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren; they gave her great joy. She was always there with motherly advice and was happy to help. She was willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Blanche’s hobbies and interests were: Reading, playing bingo, cards, Wii bowling, working puzzles, word searches, gardening house plants, cooking, embroidery, crocheting and enjoying her pets. Blanche was a thoughtful, compasssionate and caring lady. She was a friend to many and will be truly missed.

Blanche was preceded in death by her father, George Redden, mother, Jane Emma D. (Underhill) Redden, beloved daughter, Cindy Lou Ellis, husband Thomas Floyd Brown, brothers, Bill (William) Redden, Leonard Redden, Pete (Peter) Redden, sisters, Ida Sass, Rosie Trembath, Grace Cox, Martha Andrews and Betty Neitz.

Left to mourn are her sons, Benjamin Ellis (Eckley, CO), Roger Ellis (Indianola, NE), Rodney Ellis (Indianola, NE), George (Emily) Ellis (Vernon, CO) and Rob Tinker (Longmont, CO) daughter, Connie El Abridi (Eckley, CO), brothers, Harry Redden (Stratton, NE), Frank Redden (Indianola, NE).

Grandchildren, Angela Paine (Jerod) of Latimer, IA, John (Cindy) Trejo of Benkelman, NE, Aida (Adam) Dietz of Lakewood, CO, Aileen (Josh) Chadwick of Yuma, CO, Jessica Ellis of Denver, CO, Alec and Hanna Ellis of Vernon, CO, Dean Ellis of Billings, MO, Benjamin Ellis of Beaver City, NE, Teresa Ellis of Beaver City, NE, Annette Allen of Loveland, CO, 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and friends. You are forever in our hearts, mother.

Funeral services were held Friday, March 9, 2012, 2:00 p.m. at Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Norman Stott officiating. Interment was held in the Eckley Cemetery in Eckley, Colorado. Memorials may be made to the Blanche Brown Memorial Fund. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.