Ellen K. Dunham

Ellen Katherine Dunham, age 86, passed away peacefully at Avanti Health and Rehabilitation Center in Minocqua, WI on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. She was born on July 9, 1933 in Richmond, VA to Norman and Sallie Wells. Ellen worked for many years as an airline stewardess for Eastern Airlines. It was during that time she met and later married Howard M. Dunham on July 26, 1969 and moved to the family tree farm in Lake Tomahawk. Much to her credit she ultimately pursued a second career and went back to school and became a registered nurse and worked for Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff on the rehabilitation center until her retirement.

Ellen was a quiet and reserved person who had many varied interests. She enjoyed nature and helped maintain and harvest a large vegetable garden and loved dogs and horses which her and Howard kept over the years on the farm. She was an avid reader and was adapt at playing the guitar and the piano. Later in life she developed an interest in golf and was a continuing member of a local women’s and couples league at Wildwood Golf course in Minocqua. Further, she enjoyed traveling in her and Howard’s large travel trailer and spending winters in the Tampa Bay area and baking her homemade pies for various social fund raisers at Lake Tomahawk’s park pavilion. Finally, in spite of her courageous battle with cancer, she still was able to maintain her fight without complaint and her resilient sense of humor.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, her parents and a brother. She is survived by five step children: Howard Steven (Jamie) Dunham, Deborah Ann Al, Diane Elizabeth (Brad) Ward, Martin Alan (Sharon) Dunham and Carolyn Denise Albertson.

A short service was held at Nimsgern Funeral and Cremation Services in Woodruff, WI on Sunday, July 21st, followed by burial at Wilderness Rest Cemetery in Lake Tomahawk, WI.

The family wishes to thank Nimsgern Funeral Home for their services provided and to Avanti Health and Ascension Dr. Kate Hospice care they extended to make her stay as comfortable as possible.

“Perhaps passing through the gates of death is like passing quietly through the gate in a pasture fence. On the other side, you keep walking, without the need to look back. No shock, no drama, just the lifting of a plank or two in a simple wooden gate in a clearing. Neither pain or floods of light, nor great voices, but just the silent crossing of a meadow.” Rest in Peace.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com

NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES OF WOODRUFF, WI IS SERVING THE FAMILY.