Ellen Arlene Bullard, 89, died on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. She was born on Sept. 16, 1919, at Pleasanton, Kan., the daughter of Thomas and Ethel (Troy) Davison. She attended schools in Kansas and Missouri and graduated from Ottawa High School in Ottawa, Ill.

Ellen married Albin Sheme on Jan. 18, 1941, and they had three children, Richard, Sherry and Thomas. They relocated to Hayden, Colo., in 1949 and they owned and operated Hayden Lumber for 12 years. Al passed away on Oct. 3, 1969.

She later met and married Eugene Bullard on Nov. 29, 1974, and Eugene passed away on March 5, 1995.

Ellen was employed at the Yampa Valley National Bank, until her retirement in 1984.

She was a member of the United Church of Christ and the Order of Eastern Star. Following her retirement, she was a volunteer at The Haven, an assisted living community.

Ellen lived with her daughter in Kalispell for the past two years.

She was preceded in death by her husbands; and a son, Thomas.

She is survived by her son, Richard Sheme, and his wife, Stephanie, of Castle Rock, Colo.; and daughter, Sherry Sheme, of Kalispell; two grandchildren, Rhiannon and Quenton Sheme; two stepchildren, Calvin Bullard, his wife, Denise, and Marilyn Long, all of Utah; and six stepgrandchildren; Josh and Evan Bullard, Jeff and Greg Carter, Jada Stubbs and Sara Johnson.

A memorial service for Ellen will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Hayden.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home in Kalispell is caring for Ellen's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Ellen's guest book.