Ellen D. Carlson
Early Christmas morning Ellen D. Carlson passed peacefully, entering Heaven on the biggest and best birthday celebration of all. She was born in Billings on February 10th, 1931, to Daniel E. Nelson and Ellen D. Nelson (Flynn). She was the second youngest of 7 siblings. She graduated from Billings Central Catholic High School in 1949 and shortly thereafter married Hans Carlson in August of 1949. They were married for 61 years. From this reunion a daughter, Christina Lynn, was born, and later a granddaughter, Jena, and then two great grandchildren Ellen and Rylan. She was proud to have her great granddaughter carry on her name and was excited to finally have a boy born into the family, Rylan.
Ellen worked for Huntley Project Schools in the cafeteria for 32 years and spent many summers working the migrant program. She retired in 1995 to take care of her great granddaughter Elle and later Rylan. Ellen’s faith was very important to her and she was able to share that with her family. Elle and Rylan spent many Sundays at church with Grandma. She enjoyed oil painting and most importantly spending time with family. She would always say my family is small, but it is great!
She is survived by her daughter Christy (Alvin), her granddaughter Jena and husband George DeVries, great granddaughter Elle and her husband Ryan Absher, great grandson Rylan DeVries, brother Jim Nelson and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Hans Carlson, brothers Jack, Lawrence and David and sisters Anita and Lura.
Services will be held on Friday, January 3rd, 11am at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Ballantine, MT., followed by internment at Pleasantview Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the caring and compassionate staff at Billings Clinic and Compassus Hospice for the wonderful care she received her final few days here on earth. Memorials in Ellen’s name may be sent to St. Cyril and Methodius Church or Compassus Hospice Care.
