Elnora Ryen

Elnora “Ellie” May Ryen was born January 21, 1926 in Ferry, Michigan. She peacefully passed away at Hospice House on October 10, 2016. She was the daughter of Sibyl (Stever) and Luther Rollins, she lived her early years in Ludington, Michigan. In 1943, she moved to Anacortes, WA where she worked at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. From 1944-1955 she was married to Eldridge Hollis and had three children. From 1956-1969, she was married to Ralph Best. In 1969, she married the love of her life, Chester “Chet” Ryen. Chet and Ellie spent most of their 41 years in the home they built on Nettleton Gulch Road. Their home was open to all and she became known as “Grama” to many.

Ellie was a member of the Coeur d’ Alene Seventh Day Adventist Church in which she spent 35 years as the leader of the Community Service Center. She spent her time quilting, cooking, camping, playing the piano and guitar, drawing, decorating wedding cakes and doing embroidery. She quilted for over 60 years providing blankets to all of her family and countless people in the community.

She is survived by her children Kathleen Montee (Dave) of Rathdrum, Hazel Nicholson, step-children Sandi Kukkola (Gary), Mike Ryen (Beth) and Robin Douglas (Ron). Ellie has 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Ida Rollins, her husband Chet Ryen, her son Earl Hollis, her grandson James Neal, 2 great-granddaughters Sydney Grebe and Kimiko Neal.

Viewing will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday October 13, 2016, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. 4th St., Coeur d’ Alene. The funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 14, 2016, at Coeur d’ Alene Seventh Day Adventist Church, 111 Locust Ave, with graveside services immediately following at Coeur d’ Alene Memorial Gardens. To be followed by a potluck celebration back at the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellie’s memory can be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835 or Union Gospel Mission of Coeur d’ Alene (Women and Children’s Shelter).