On a beautiful warm afternoon, September 30th, amidst the display of Fall colors and a sky full of billowing white clouds, Jean Marie (Berg) Ellison (96) slipped peacefully from her life here on earth to join her many family members and friends in their heavenly home. Jean had been a resident at the Spring Creek Inn Community in Bozeman for the past month.
She was surrounded by family members and Spring Creek staff members keeping a vigil over her this past week. Jean was a long-time resident of White Sulphur Springs, MT
Jean was the first born child to Helmar J. and Josephine (Haugan) Berg on November 8, 1919, in the small community of Martinsdale, MT. A few years later, two siblings joined her – Dorothy and Harry. A foster sister Lillian Kyppen was also part of the Haugan/Berg family throughout the years. Jean attended her first four grades of elementary school in Martinsdale before the family moved into White Sulphur Springs in 1928.
Her father owned and operated the Berg Garage/General Motors dealership. Jean graduated as Valedictorian of her high school class in 1937.
Jean proceeded on to Northfield, MN, to attend St. Olaf College. While there, Jean was a member of the renowned St. Olaf Choir under the director, composer and musician – F. Melius Christiansen. She graduated in 1941 with a degree in English and Music. That same year, Jean along with three other ladies including her mother, Josie, sang in a quartette from Montana. Their quartette won first place honors at the National Convention of the American Legion and Auxiliary in Milwaukee, WI.
Following graduation from St. Olaf, Jean went to teach music for three years at the high school in Amery, Wisconsin, before going to Big Timber, MT, where she taught high school band & chorus. While Jean was teaching in Big Timber, she met William (Bill) Ellison, and they were married on October 17, 1947. In 1950, Jean and Bill moved to White Sulphur Springs. Four children were born to Jean and Bill during those early years – Becky, Rick, and twins Kristin and Kathryn.
Music has been the “core” of Jean for her entire life. She began taking piano lessons at the age of 5 years old. At a young age, she was teaching piano which became a major part of her life for over 80 years. She also played the piano and organ for church services, funeral services, weddings and other community festivities. She was 92 years old when she retired from playing the organ at the Lutheran/ Presbyterian Yoked Parish in White Sulphur.
Jean was Meagher County Superintendent of Schools for nearly 25 years. During that time, she was state president for the state of Montana County Superintendents. Jean was a member of the American Lutheran Church (Yoked Parish), WELCA, American Legion Auxiliary, and Hobby Club. She was an active volunteer in many ways throughout her life.
A couple of the highlights in Jean’s travels were visiting her family’s native country of Norway in 1989 with her daughter Becky Johnston and granddaughters Libby and Mari. She was able to accompany her son Rick to her 70th Class Reunion in 2011 at St. Olaf College.
Preceding Jean in death were her parents Helmar and Josie Berg, sister Dorothy (Bill) Fallis, brother Harry, foster sister Lillian Roe Richardson, daughter Kathryn (Bridges), son-in-law Don Johnston, and former husband Bill Ellison. Surviving Jean are her children Becky Johnston, Rick (Connie Mangas), and Kris (Howie) Nydam, six grandchildren – Brett (Stacey) Ellison, Erica (Dustin) Strayer, Libby, (Ty Wells), Mari (Tyler) Hamm, Randi Nydam, Alysha Bridges, seven great granddaughters, and several close extended family members.
Viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6th and Friday, October 7th at Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 103 E. Garfield Street, White Sulphur Springs.
A service celebrating Jean’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 5th at The Yoked Parish of First Presbyterian and American Lutheran Churches, 411 E. Jefferson Street in White Sulphur Springs.
A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church.
A private family graveside service will be held at the Mayn Cemetery at a later time.
Memorial donations may be made to the Lutheran/Presbyterian Yoked Parish, Meagher County Library Foundation, the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lennep, MT, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Wilke Stevenson Funeral Home Obituary 10/03/2016
She was surrounded by family members and Spring Creek staff members keeping a vigil over her this past week. Jean was a long-time resident of White Sulphur Springs, MT
Jean was the first born child to Helmar J. and Josephine (Haugan) Berg on November 8, 1919, in the small community of Martinsdale, MT. A few years later, two siblings joined her – Dorothy and Harry. A foster sister Lillian Kyppen was also part of the Haugan/Berg family throughout the years. Jean attended her first four grades of elementary school in Martinsdale before the family moved into White Sulphur Springs in 1928.
Her father owned and operated the Berg Garage/General Motors dealership. Jean graduated as Valedictorian of her high school class in 1937.
Jean proceeded on to Northfield, MN, to attend St. Olaf College. While there, Jean was a member of the renowned St. Olaf Choir under the director, composer and musician – F. Melius Christiansen. She graduated in 1941 with a degree in English and Music. That same year, Jean along with three other ladies including her mother, Josie, sang in a quartette from Montana. Their quartette won first place honors at the National Convention of the American Legion and Auxiliary in Milwaukee, WI.
Following graduation from St. Olaf, Jean went to teach music for three years at the high school in Amery, Wisconsin, before going to Big Timber, MT, where she taught high school band & chorus. While Jean was teaching in Big Timber, she met William (Bill) Ellison, and they were married on October 17, 1947. In 1950, Jean and Bill moved to White Sulphur Springs. Four children were born to Jean and Bill during those early years – Becky, Rick, and twins Kristin and Kathryn.
Music has been the “core” of Jean for her entire life. She began taking piano lessons at the age of 5 years old. At a young age, she was teaching piano which became a major part of her life for over 80 years. She also played the piano and organ for church services, funeral services, weddings and other community festivities. She was 92 years old when she retired from playing the organ at the Lutheran/ Presbyterian Yoked Parish in White Sulphur.
Jean was Meagher County Superintendent of Schools for nearly 25 years. During that time, she was state president for the state of Montana County Superintendents. Jean was a member of the American Lutheran Church (Yoked Parish), WELCA, American Legion Auxiliary, and Hobby Club. She was an active volunteer in many ways throughout her life.
A couple of the highlights in Jean’s travels were visiting her family’s native country of Norway in 1989 with her daughter Becky Johnston and granddaughters Libby and Mari. She was able to accompany her son Rick to her 70th Class Reunion in 2011 at St. Olaf College.
Preceding Jean in death were her parents Helmar and Josie Berg, sister Dorothy (Bill) Fallis, brother Harry, foster sister Lillian Roe Richardson, daughter Kathryn (Bridges), son-in-law Don Johnston, and former husband Bill Ellison. Surviving Jean are her children Becky Johnston, Rick (Connie Mangas), and Kris (Howie) Nydam, six grandchildren – Brett (Stacey) Ellison, Erica (Dustin) Strayer, Libby, (Ty Wells), Mari (Tyler) Hamm, Randi Nydam, Alysha Bridges, seven great granddaughters, and several close extended family members.
Viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6th and Friday, October 7th at Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 103 E. Garfield Street, White Sulphur Springs.
A service celebrating Jean’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 5th at The Yoked Parish of First Presbyterian and American Lutheran Churches, 411 E. Jefferson Street in White Sulphur Springs.
A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church.
A private family graveside service will be held at the Mayn Cemetery at a later time.
Memorial donations may be made to the Lutheran/Presbyterian Yoked Parish, Meagher County Library Foundation, the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lennep, MT, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Wilke Stevenson Funeral Home Obituary 10/03/2016
On a beautiful warm afternoon, September 30th, amidst the display of Fall colors and a sky full of billowing white clouds, Jean Marie (Berg) Ellison (96) slipped peacefully from her life here on earth to join her many family members and friends in their heavenly home. Jean had been a resident at the Spring Creek Inn Community in Bozeman for the past month.
She was surrounded by family members and Spring Creek staff members keeping a vigil over her this past week. Jean was a long-time resident of White Sulphur Springs, MT
Jean was the first born child to Helmar J. and Josephine (Haugan) Berg on November 8, 1919, in the small community of Martinsdale, MT. A few years later, two siblings joined her – Dorothy and Harry. A foster sister Lillian Kyppen was also part of the Haugan/Berg family throughout the years. Jean attended her first four grades of elementary school in Martinsdale before the family moved into White Sulphur Springs in 1928.
Her father owned and operated the Berg Garage/General Motors dealership. Jean graduated as Valedictorian of her high school class in 1937.
Jean proceeded on to Northfield, MN, to attend St. Olaf College. While there, Jean was a member of the renowned St. Olaf Choir under the director, composer and musician – F. Melius Christiansen. She graduated in 1941 with a degree in English and Music. That same year, Jean along with three other ladies including her mother, Josie, sang in a quartette from Montana. Their quartette won first place honors at the National Convention of the American Legion and Auxiliary in Milwaukee, WI.
Following graduation from St. Olaf, Jean went to teach music for three years at the high school in Amery, Wisconsin, before going to Big Timber, MT, where she taught high school band & chorus. While Jean was teaching in Big Timber, she met William (Bill) Ellison, and they were married on October 17, 1947. In 1950, Jean and Bill moved to White Sulphur Springs. Four children were born to Jean and Bill during those early years – Becky, Rick, and twins Kristin and Kathryn.
Music has been the “core” of Jean for her entire life. She began taking piano lessons at the age of 5 years old. At a young age, she was teaching piano which became a major part of her life for over 80 years. She also played the piano and organ for church services, funeral services, weddings and other community festivities. She was 92 years old when she retired from playing the organ at the Lutheran/ Presbyterian Yoked Parish in White Sulphur.
Jean was Meagher County Superintendent of Schools for nearly 25 years. During that time, she was state president for the state of Montana County Superintendents. Jean was a member of the American Lutheran Church (Yoked Parish), WELCA, American Legion Auxiliary, and Hobby Club. She was an active volunteer in many ways throughout her life.
A couple of the highlights in Jean’s travels were visiting her family’s native country of Norway in 1989 with her daughter Becky Johnston and granddaughters Libby and Mari. She was able to accompany her son Rick to her 70th Class Reunion in 2011 at St. Olaf College.
Preceding Jean in death were her parents Helmar and Josie Berg, sister Dorothy (Bill) Fallis, brother Harry, foster sister Lillian Roe Richardson, daughter Kathryn (Bridges), son-in-law Don Johnston, and former husband Bill Ellison. Surviving Jean are her children Becky Johnston, Rick (Connie Mangas), and Kris (Howie) Nydam, six grandchildren – Brett (Stacey) Ellison, Erica (Dustin) Strayer, Libby, (Ty Wells), Mari (Tyler) Hamm, Randi Nydam, Alysha Bridges, seven great granddaughters, and several close extended family members.
Viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6th and Friday, October 7th at Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 103 E. Garfield Street, White Sulphur Springs.
A service celebrating Jean’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 5th at The Yoked Parish of First Presbyterian and American Lutheran Churches, 411 E. Jefferson Street in White Sulphur Springs.
A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church.
A private family graveside service will be held at the Mayn Cemetery at a later time.
Memorial donations may be made to the Lutheran/Presbyterian Yoked Parish, Meagher County Library Foundation, the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lennep, MT, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Wilke Stevenson Funeral Home Obituary 10/03/2016
She was surrounded by family members and Spring Creek staff members keeping a vigil over her this past week. Jean was a long-time resident of White Sulphur Springs, MT
Jean was the first born child to Helmar J. and Josephine (Haugan) Berg on November 8, 1919, in the small community of Martinsdale, MT. A few years later, two siblings joined her – Dorothy and Harry. A foster sister Lillian Kyppen was also part of the Haugan/Berg family throughout the years. Jean attended her first four grades of elementary school in Martinsdale before the family moved into White Sulphur Springs in 1928.
Her father owned and operated the Berg Garage/General Motors dealership. Jean graduated as Valedictorian of her high school class in 1937.
Jean proceeded on to Northfield, MN, to attend St. Olaf College. While there, Jean was a member of the renowned St. Olaf Choir under the director, composer and musician – F. Melius Christiansen. She graduated in 1941 with a degree in English and Music. That same year, Jean along with three other ladies including her mother, Josie, sang in a quartette from Montana. Their quartette won first place honors at the National Convention of the American Legion and Auxiliary in Milwaukee, WI.
Following graduation from St. Olaf, Jean went to teach music for three years at the high school in Amery, Wisconsin, before going to Big Timber, MT, where she taught high school band & chorus. While Jean was teaching in Big Timber, she met William (Bill) Ellison, and they were married on October 17, 1947. In 1950, Jean and Bill moved to White Sulphur Springs. Four children were born to Jean and Bill during those early years – Becky, Rick, and twins Kristin and Kathryn.
Music has been the “core” of Jean for her entire life. She began taking piano lessons at the age of 5 years old. At a young age, she was teaching piano which became a major part of her life for over 80 years. She also played the piano and organ for church services, funeral services, weddings and other community festivities. She was 92 years old when she retired from playing the organ at the Lutheran/ Presbyterian Yoked Parish in White Sulphur.
Jean was Meagher County Superintendent of Schools for nearly 25 years. During that time, she was state president for the state of Montana County Superintendents. Jean was a member of the American Lutheran Church (Yoked Parish), WELCA, American Legion Auxiliary, and Hobby Club. She was an active volunteer in many ways throughout her life.
A couple of the highlights in Jean’s travels were visiting her family’s native country of Norway in 1989 with her daughter Becky Johnston and granddaughters Libby and Mari. She was able to accompany her son Rick to her 70th Class Reunion in 2011 at St. Olaf College.
Preceding Jean in death were her parents Helmar and Josie Berg, sister Dorothy (Bill) Fallis, brother Harry, foster sister Lillian Roe Richardson, daughter Kathryn (Bridges), son-in-law Don Johnston, and former husband Bill Ellison. Surviving Jean are her children Becky Johnston, Rick (Connie Mangas), and Kris (Howie) Nydam, six grandchildren – Brett (Stacey) Ellison, Erica (Dustin) Strayer, Libby, (Ty Wells), Mari (Tyler) Hamm, Randi Nydam, Alysha Bridges, seven great granddaughters, and several close extended family members.
Viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6th and Friday, October 7th at Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 103 E. Garfield Street, White Sulphur Springs.
A service celebrating Jean’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 5th at The Yoked Parish of First Presbyterian and American Lutheran Churches, 411 E. Jefferson Street in White Sulphur Springs.
A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church.
A private family graveside service will be held at the Mayn Cemetery at a later time.
Memorial donations may be made to the Lutheran/Presbyterian Yoked Parish, Meagher County Library Foundation, the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lennep, MT, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Wilke Stevenson Funeral Home Obituary 10/03/2016
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