Obituary for Robert V. Ellis
Garden City- Robert V. Ellis, 91, died on Sunday, April 17, 2022 at Life Care Center of Westminister in Westminister, Colorado. He was born on January 28, 1931 at Garden City the son of Raymond Francis & Stella (Crofton) Ellis. He married Karen Butt in 1957 at Garden City. He later married Delores “Dee” Chance Kells on June 9, 1972 at Garden City. She died on August 17, 1995. He was a companion to Martha Savolt for 9 years and later Odella Wasinger for 5 years.
Robert attended Garden City schools. In 1948 he moved to Colorado to farm with his Uncle until 1952 when he entered the United States Army and was stationed in France. He was honorably discharged in 1954 as a Sergeant. He returned to Garden City and completed his High School Education and graduated in 1956. He ran the Texaco Station for 3 years and then worked for Graves Truck Line for 8 years. He moved to Walsenburg, Colorado where he bought a bowling alley. He moved back to Garden City in 1972 and managed the EFD Freight Co. until the late 70’s when he started Ellis Ditching Company where he buried cable for Southwestern Bell Telephone and the Cable TV. He later finished his working career in maintenance at Monfort Beef.
He was a member of the Eagles Lodge and actively involved at the Finney County Senior Center. He enjoyed dancing, bowling, golfing, playing pool, dominos, cards, watching sports and visiting casinos on his many travels. After retiring he spent several winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.
He is survived by his Children- Sondra & Lester Nichols of Canon City, Colorado, Jenise Regan of Garden City, Diana & Gilbert Sanford of Garden City, Sheila Witman & Mike Irwin of Garden City, Scott & Sheila Kells of Garden City, Kenneth & Laurie Ellis of Commerce City, Colorado and Bradd Kells of Garden City, 3 Sisters- Maybelle Bowen of Garden City, Jane O’Brien of Hutchinson and Rosie Palkowitsh of Burlington, Colorado, 23 Grandchildren, 48 Great-Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great-Granddaughter.
He is preceded in death by his Parents, Wife, 2 Sons- Randall Ellis and Colin Kells, Son-in-Law Shawn Regan, 2 Brothers- Raymond Ellis and Ronald Ellis, Sister- Josephine Coerber and 3 Great-Grandchildren.
Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM Friday at Bible Christian Church in Garden City with Pastor Chad Ulrich officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Garden with military honors by Kansas Army National Guard Honor Guard and American Legion District 8 Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to the Robert Ellis Memorial Fund or Finney County Senior Center in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 PM Thursday with family present from6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com
Robert attended Garden City schools. In 1948 he moved to Colorado to farm with his Uncle until 1952 when he entered the United States Army and was stationed in France. He was honorably discharged in 1954 as a Sergeant. He returned to Garden City and completed his High School Education and graduated in 1956. He ran the Texaco Station for 3 years and then worked for Graves Truck Line for 8 years. He moved to Walsenburg, Colorado where he bought a bowling alley. He moved back to Garden City in 1972 and managed the EFD Freight Co. until the late 70’s when he started Ellis Ditching Company where he buried cable for Southwestern Bell Telephone and the Cable TV. He later finished his working career in maintenance at Monfort Beef.
He was a member of the Eagles Lodge and actively involved at the Finney County Senior Center. He enjoyed dancing, bowling, golfing, playing pool, dominos, cards, watching sports and visiting casinos on his many travels. After retiring he spent several winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.
He is survived by his Children- Sondra & Lester Nichols of Canon City, Colorado, Jenise Regan of Garden City, Diana & Gilbert Sanford of Garden City, Sheila Witman & Mike Irwin of Garden City, Scott & Sheila Kells of Garden City, Kenneth & Laurie Ellis of Commerce City, Colorado and Bradd Kells of Garden City, 3 Sisters- Maybelle Bowen of Garden City, Jane O’Brien of Hutchinson and Rosie Palkowitsh of Burlington, Colorado, 23 Grandchildren, 48 Great-Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great-Granddaughter.
He is preceded in death by his Parents, Wife, 2 Sons- Randall Ellis and Colin Kells, Son-in-Law Shawn Regan, 2 Brothers- Raymond Ellis and Ronald Ellis, Sister- Josephine Coerber and 3 Great-Grandchildren.
Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM Friday at Bible Christian Church in Garden City with Pastor Chad Ulrich officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Garden with military honors by Kansas Army National Guard Honor Guard and American Legion District 8 Honor Guard. Memorials are suggested to the Robert Ellis Memorial Fund or Finney County Senior Center in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 PM Thursday with family present from6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com