Obituaries

Janice R. Ellis, 86 of St,. Charles passed away peacefully Friday, February 16, 2024 surrounded by her family.

She was born February 14, 1938 at Colonial Hospital in St. Charles and was a life long resident of St. Charles as well as life long member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles. She was a 3rd generation St. Charles native and was very proud of her Danish heritage. She was the daughter of Marie and Igel Rasmussen of St. Charles. She has one brother, Don Rasmussen of DeKalb.

She graduated St. Charles High School and post High School attended Interior Design school. On September 30, 1961 she married Kenneth A. Ellis of South Portland, ME at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles, IL and celebrated 58 years of marriage.

She was a stay at home housewife and focused on raising her three girls. She loved music and sang in the church choir as well as performed as a soloist for several community events as well as played the piano with effortless ease. She was very creative and had many hidden talents. She had a keen eye for interior design as well as painting landscapes, and was known for her beautiful Scandinavian sweaters that she knitted for family. She worked several part time jobs while raising her family including coordinator for the Park District’s Golden Agers program, cashier for the Blue Goose Supermarket and Office Manager for a local Medical office for over 10 years. When she became a Grandma, she quit her full time job to care for her grandchildren and enjoyed reading them books, baking cookies, and planning family vacations. In retirement, she and Ken enjoyed traveling including trips to Denmark, Hawaii, Alaska and many trips to Maine.

She is survived by her daughters Julie (Bob) Van Gyseghem of St. Charles; Sheri Ellis of North Aurora; and Kristi Ellis of St. Charles; 4 Grandchildren Matthew (Amanda) Van Gyseghem of North Aurora; Tyler Van Gyseghem of DeKalb; Destiny Ellis of Fort Smith Arkansas; and TJ Ellis of St. Charles; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ken; parents Marie and Igel Rasmussen, sister-in- law Janet (nee Bolin) Rasmussen; and nephew Peter Rasmussen.

Memorial visitation will be held Wednesday, February 21 from 12-2:00 P.M  at Yurs Funeral Home in St. Charles. Memorial service will be held Wednesday, February 21 from 2:00 P.M  at Yurs Funeral Home in St. Charles. followed by burial at Union Cemetery in St. Charles.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Illinois Alzheimer’s Association in her memory.

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