Ellen Viola Easudes, age 86, died peacefully on Wednesday morning, December 16, 2009 at her home in the company of her daughter-in-law and youngest son. She was born March 24, 1923 in Lodi Township, the daughter of Aaron and Bertha (Finkbeiner) Feldkamp. Mrs. Easudes had worked as a nurse in her youth. Her husband, Albert F. Easudes, was a friend of her brother Leon, but she first met Albert when he was brought in on a stretcher as a patient. Their flirtation and companionship during Albert's hospital stay led to marriage on July 21, 1945, after which she ceased working as a nurse and devoted her life to home and family. Those lucky enough to be close to her knew that her no-nonsense manner masked a tender heart. She and Albert raised three sons, taking them camping and fishing and giving them what her eldest son Steve described as an "idyllic" childhood. Their grandson Jesse feels equally lucky to have been able to spend many wonderful summers with Ellen and Albert while growing up. At Albert's parents' farm, where they lived after his retirement from Ford, Ellen loved watching the wildlife and the changing seasons and feeding the many lucky birds, including her favorites, hummingbirds. She enjoyed planting flowers and making flower arrangements using beautiful wild-flowers and lovely blooming weeds. She was very social, enjoying Sunday dinners at the farm with family and friends and Christmas festivities with her sons, grandson, siblings and all their families, and remaining active in her church, Zion Lutheran, for as long as she was able. For many decades Ellen kept meticulous diaries and photo albums documenting her life and the lives of family and friends. Ellen's dear husband Albert preceded her in death on September 10, 2007. She was also preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Waldo and Willard Feldkamp. Survivors include three sons, Steve (Anna) Easudes of Chelsea; Tom (Lorrie) Easudes of Pittsburgh, PA; Jeff Easudes of Sharon Township; beloved grandson, Jesse (Eliza Hall) Easudes of Pittsburgh, PA, and his mother Jeannie Koda; and Ellen's siblings, Leon (Lois) Feldkamp, Marian Allmand, and Sylvia Kalm-bach. The family will receive friends at the Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea on Saturday, December 19 from 2-5 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.