Ellen Spellman

Ellen Ann Spellman passed away early January 27, 2022 at the age of 89 in Arvada, CO. Born to Elmer and Emma Schmoker on May 14, 1932 in the small rural town of Dickey, ND. The family briefly moved to Los Angeles in 1936 where Elmer worked in the movie industry and Emma as a seamstress. They then moved to Cheyenne, WY in 1939 for work in the oil and gas industry. Ellen’s sister Eva Jean passed away in 1943 at the age of 13 and brother Noel was born later the same year. In 1945, the family purchased a farm and moved back to Dickey. During high school, Ellen cared for her grandmother in the nearby town of LaMoure. Through that experience she became a compassionate caregiver to others, and thus after high school graduation in 1950 from Dickey School she attended Sisters of St. Francis School of Nursing in Minot, ND. She graduated as an RN and subsequently accepted a position at Galen State Hospital in Anaconda, MT. There she met Eugene (Gene) Spellman and they were married in Dickey in 1954. They relocated to Denver and started a family before settling in Arvada in 1960. A licensed RN, she worked for St. Anthony Hospital, Arvada Health Center, and Colorado Lutheran Home in Arvada until she retired in 1997.

Ellen was a faithful member of the Shrine of St. Anne Catholic Church, Arvada, a member of St. Anne’s Alter and Rosary Society, and later an active member of the Young at Heart group at Spirit of Christ Catholic Church, Arvada. She was an avid Denver Broncos fan and season ticket holder whose all-time favorite player was #87 Eddie Mac. She enjoyed regular bingo sessions and jaunts up to Blackhawk, CO to test her luck. Ellen loved going on fishing trips with friends and family and hosted fish fries to share their bounty. Many fishing stories were shared between her fishing buddies Wendy, Glo and Betty. A devoted mother and homemaker, grandmother and great-grandmother, career caregiver, cherished by all and will be deeply missed.

The family extends warm and tremendous gratitude to the staff of MorningStar Senior Living of Arvada and Elevation Hospice for their care.

Ellen was preceded in death by husband Gene, her parents, sister Eva Jean and a granddaughter. She is survived by brother Noel of Dickey, ND and children James (Virginia), Gene (Jennifer), Sheryl King (Frank), Teresa Shibao (Michael), Ron (Dana) and Anita Falicia (Dave). Proud grandmother of 16 and great-grandmother of 16 along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022 From 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM at Shrine of Saint Anne Catholic Church, 7555 Grant Place, Arvada, Colorado 80002.

Please join the family following the Funeral Mass for a Reception at the Church.

Memorial Donations May be made to; Shrine of Saint Anne Catholic Parish, 7555 Grant Place, Arvada, CO 80002, (303) 420-1280, www.shrineofstanne.org or to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org/donate

If you are unable to attend the service in person here is the live stream link to be able to see the service online https://bxcited.com/ellen-spellman/