Helen D. Ellison

Helen D. Ellison, 71 , of Holden, MO, formerly of Washington, passed away on November 25, 2021. Mrs. Ellison, daughter of the late Claude Brunk Sr. and Anna Mae nee Mullen, was born on October 24, 1950 in St. Louis. On February 14, 1974, she was united in marriage to Stewart Ellison Jr. in Yuma, AZ.  A diamond ring hidden as a prize in a cracker jack box lead to a love affair spanning almost 50 years with her beloved husband, Stew.

Mrs. Ellison  was a proud Marine Corps wife serving alongside Stew.

She enjoyed being Grandma Helen and Gigi to their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Because they loved their kids and family, they would travel hours just to see them. As sight-seeing was part of the journey, Stew always lovingly referred to Helen as his GPS and Officer Helen for her input on his driving.

She shared many joys in life with Stew.  They were both competitive and enjoyed winning.  She loved to laugh while telling stories about their mishaps and adventures and shared a joy for the creative arts.

She enjoyed watching various crime drama shows and her favorite soap The Young and the Restless; She enjoyed making ornaments for everyone in the family for Christmas and holidays, or simply making something for a friend. She was also an avid reader and could always be seen with a romance novel in her hand.

She loved her pets too, even taking care of a few strays along the way. Her current fur baby, Meg, brought her lots of joy and laughs, as well as 9 puppies last year.

Since Stew loved owls and collected them, Helen included them in their home. Stew said that owls represented to him "Only with Love," which is how both of them lived their lives: only with love for their family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Larry Brunk, Claude Brunk Jr., and Fred Brunk; niece, Denise Brunk and sister-in-law, Vicki Ellison.

Among her survivors are three children, Michele Waters and husband Patrick of Mechanicsville, MD, Darin Ellison and wife Audra of Pleasant Hill, MO, and Stacey Walsh of Sarasota, FL; two brothers, Gene Brunk and wife Sandy of Cuba and Melvin Brunk and wife Vanessa of Independence, MO; grandchildren, Joshua and Sarah Waters, Jessica Peraud, Amanda Reinhardt, Virginia Smith, Rebekah Mohart, Ashley Smith, Jessica Smith, Taylor Smith, Brittani Scott, and Marissa Walsh; eighteen great-grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 10, 2021, from 10-11 a.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the Brush Creek Cemetery in Gray Summit. Memorial donations can be made to the Disabled Veterans National Foundation or charity of your choice.

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