Elnora C. Engels

Elnora "Ellie" Engels, 94, peacefully passed from this life on April 15, 2019 at Pathways Hospice. She was born in Rutland, Iowa on July 4, 1924, to Alfred and Agnes Jensen. She grew up in Humboldt, Iowa, and graduated from high school in 1942. Ellie met Darrel Engels the summer after graduation and they married on August 20, 1944.
Ellie and Darrel moved to Denver, Colorado shortly after they married and were residents there for over 40 years. Ellie was a homemaker until 1961 when she began her 25 year career with the Denver Public Schools as a clerk-secretary. Ellie took courses at Emily Griffith Opportunity School to improve her secretarial skills in order to improve her job opportunities. She had a variety of positions within the school system: first as a clerk in an elementary school, next as the attendance clerk in a junior high, later in library services, and her last position being in the Employee Benefits office. After retiring, Ellie and Darrel wintered in Arizona where it was warm, and spent the summers in Ft. Collins to be near family. They traveled in their motorhome all over the U.S. on their way to and from their Arizona homes, the first being for four years in Tucson and the remainder of their years in Arizona in Mesa. In Arizona, Ellie truly enjoyed square and round dancing with Darrel and made many beautiful square dancing outfits. She also made many friends in Arizona that they visited in their homes even as far as Canada and had visits from those friends in Colorado. She enjoyed short hikes, traveling, shopping, and reading. Family was very treasured and important to her. With each new challenge Ellie faced with her health, she maintained her sweet, caring, and kind nature.

Ellie is survived by her two children, Barb Blomberg (Dave) of Ft. Collins and Linda Kelley of Denver; three grandchildren, Ken Blomberg (Brenda) of Ft. Collins, Cindy Kelley and Jenny Stebritz (Zach) of Denver; four great grandchildren, Emily Blomberg, Alyssa Blomberg, Aryana Stebritz, Addison Stebritz, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and seven siblings.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Pathways Hospice, the American Lung Association, the Alzheimer's Association, or a charity of choice in care of the Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 West Olive Street, Fort Collins, CO, 80524. A memorial service will be held at the Bohlender Funeral Chapel on Friday, April 26, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with a reception to follow.