Ellen was born at home February 6, 1918 in Wausa, Nebraska, the oldest of three children of Walter and Ida Osberg. She was confirmed in 1932 at the Tabor Lutheran church in Wausa and graduated from Osmond High School in 1936.
She wanted to attend college and study mathematics or business, but money was scarce in farming communities in 1936. With few opportunities available near her home she moved to Omaha where she joined a number of new friends who were employed by wealthy families to assist with child care and household chores.
While in Omaha she met Donn Jones. They were good ballroom dancers and spent many evenings at Peony Park and other Iowa and Nebraska dance ballrooms that were popular at that time. Ellen and Donn were married in Omaha in 1939 and spent the next 67 years on the Jones family farm near Missouri Valley, Iowa. In the early years drought was a problem. To bring in additional income they developed one of the largest private dairy operations in Southwest Iowa. A dairy operation is a seven day a week labor intensive operation and took a physical toll without the help of modern equipment.
To ease the physical burden after rebuilding financial resources Donn, Ellen and their only child left the farm in 1948 for two years. They owned and operated a Gambles general merchandise store in Tekamah, Nebraska. They retained ownership of the farm, and returned to manage and operate the farm in 1950. They operated the farm until 1981 when Donn retired and leased the farm ground. They continued to live on the farm in the home built by Donn’s grandfather Will Allen Jones.
Donn passed away in 2006. Ellen remained on the farm living by herself until 2010 when she moved to assisted living at the Longview Home in Missouri Valley. She continued to drive her car until age 95 but limited her travel to visits to the farm home and essential shopping. She moved on to the Ridgewood Retirement Community in Bennington, Nebraska in 2013 to bring her closer to her son and daughter-in-law and to provide additional support for her memory loss.
Ellen and Donn were active in the First Presbyterian Church. Ellen was an active Sunday school teacher, Circle leader and women’s association moderator. Along with a veteran team at the Church she organized events and receptions and served meals on dozens of occasions.
Ellen was an active volunteer at the Community Memorial Hospital and the Harrison County Museum serving in a variety of posts. She was first and foremost a life long companion and in later years caregiver for her husband Donn. She was also a very proud grandparent for her three grandchildren. They each spent many active and enjoyable days at the farm.
Ellen is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Donn and Tana Jones from Elkhorn, Ne, granddaughter Susan, husband Roger Lewis and son Noah from Lee’s Summit, MO, granddaughter Shelly and partner Chris Webster and son Lorenzo and daughter Tessa from Pasadena, CA and grandson Neal, wife Angelica and daughter Lilah from LaBarra, Oaxaca, Mexico. Preceded in death were Ellen’s parents Walter and Ida Osberg, sister Marjorie and brother Melvin.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 25, 2017, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Missouri Valley, Iowa.
Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Missouri Valley, Iowa.
The family would like to invite everyone to a time of lunch and fellowship at the church immediately following the service.
In Loving Memory Of
Ellen Jones
Born
February 6, 1918 Wausa, Nebraska
Entered Into Rest
March 21, 2017 Missouri Valley, Iowa
Visitation
9:30-11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2017
First Presbyterian Church
Missouri Valley, Iowa
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2017
First Presbyterian Church
Missouri Valley, Iowa
Lunch
The family would like to invite everyone to a time of lunch and fellowship immediately following the service
Burial
2:00 p.m. Saturday March 25, 2017
Oak Grove Cemetery
Missouri Valley, Iowa
Officiating Rev. Dr. Redwin G. Steinmetz
Honorary Bearers
S.J. Acrea Kenneth Kline
Kenny Kline Lynn Kline
Jim Divelbess Steve Wertzberger
Casket Bearers
Nyle Kline Jerome Kline
Austin Kline Adam Kline
At times like these
Man is helpless
It is only God
Who can speak the words
That calm the sea,
Still the wind,
And ease the pain..
So lean on Him
And you will never
Walk alone.
Helen Steiner Rice
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