Eleanor Ellbogen

Mass of Christian Burial for Eleanor Rose "Ellie" Ellbogen, 73, will be celebrated on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at St. Anthony Church at 2:00 P.M., with Father Michael Carr officiating along with concelebrants Monsignor James O'Neill, Father Lucas Simango, and Deacon Don Stewart. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, with a reception immediately afterwards at The Jazz Spot. A Rosary Service will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. at Newcomer Family Funeral Home. Public visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday at Newcomer's.
She died peacefully at her home on Sunday, February 18, 2007, encircled by all her children and with her devoted husband holding her hand by her side. She died five months after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of thyroid cancer.
She was born on January 30, 1934, at the home on her grandparent's farm near Rockwell City, Iowa, the daughter of Joe and Marie Lynch. She grew up on her parent's farm and attended St. Francis of Assisi School and later Rockwell City High School, where she played basketball and was elected Homecoming Queen and Band Queen. For as long as she could remember, she wanted to be a nurse. This ambition took her to Omaha, Nebraska, where she completed her nursing training at Creighton University and St. Joseph Hospital.
She met her husband, Martin H. Ellbogen, a medical student at Creighton, in the spring of 1955 during her obstetrics rotation. They were married October 20, 1956, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. They lived in various communities in California while her husband completed his medical training and fulfilled his service to the Navy before settling in Casper in 1962.
She devoted the next 25 years of her life to raising her seven children. During this time she made many lifetime friends and enjoyed a variety of pursuits, but family was always her priority. After the last of her children went to college, she returned to nursing and helped pioneer the hospice program in Casper. As a hospice nurse, her radiant smile and warmhearted hugs enabled her to bring comfort to many patients and families coping with terminal illness. There are many who still recite testimonials of her dedication and gentle kindness to their loved ones.
As her family continued to multiply, she retired from nursing and spent her last and best years primarily as "Grammie," showering love and attention on her flock of adoring grandchildren. It is in this role that she will be most missed.
She will be remembered for her engaging sense of humor, her marvelous ability to relate to others, her faith and courage, and her boundless capacity to love.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years; their children, Beth Robitaille and her husband John of Casper; Steve Ellbogen and his wife Shelley of Casper; Nancy Nease and her husband Phil of Ft Collins, Colorado; Dave Ellbogen and his wife Karen of Casper; Paul Ellbogen and his wife Audrey of Lake Tahoe, Nevada; Lisa Buck and her husband Bob of Reno, Nevada; and Marty Ellbogen Jr. and his wife Crue of Casper; and, of course, her 19 grandchildren, so dear to her heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, and her husband's brother and sister.
At her request, memorials may be made to St. Anthony Church, the Holy Cross Center, or St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store.