Elnora “Ellie” May Ryen was born Jan. 21, 1926, in Ferry, Mich. She peacefully passed away at Hospice House on Oct. 10, 2016. She was the daughter of Sibyl (Stever) and Luther Rollins. She lived her early years in Ludington, Mich.

In 1943, she moved to Anacortes, Wash., where she worked at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. From 1944-1955, she was married to Eldridge Hollis and had three children. From 1956-1969, she was married to Ralph Best. In 1969, she married the love of her life, Chester “Chet” Ryen. Chet and Ellie spent most of their 41 years in the home they built on Nettleton Gulch Road. Their home was open to all and she became known as “Grama” to many.

Ellie was a member of the Coeur d’Alene Seventh-day Adventist Church in which she spent 35 years as the leader of the Community Service Center. She spent her time quilting, cooking, camping, playing the piano and guitar, drawing, decorating wedding cakes and doing embroidery. She quilted for more than 60 years providing blankets to all of her family and countless people in the community.

She is survived by her children, Kathleen Montee (Dave) of Rathdrum and Hazel Nicholson; and step-children Sandi Kukkola (Gary), Mike Ryen (Beth) and Robin Douglas (Ron). Ellie has 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Ida Rollins; her husband, Chet Ryen; her son, Earl Hollis; her grandson, James Neal; and two great-granddaughters, Sydney Grebe and Kimiko Neal.

Viewing will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. The funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, at Coeur d’Alene Seventh-day Adventist Church, 111 Locust Ave., with graveside services immediately following at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens. To be followed by a potluck celebration back at the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellie’s memory can be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835 or Union Gospel Mission of Coeur d’Alene (Women and Children’s Shelter).

Visit Ellie’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.