Frances H. Ellis

IRONWOOD, Mich. — Frances H. Ellis, 86, of Garden Estates, Hurley, Wis., died Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013, in Ironwood, with her loved ones by her side. 

She was born April 28, 1927, in Anvil Location, Bessemer Township, to the late Boris and Mary (Plese) Mladenoff, attended Puritan School, and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer in 1945.

Frances was employed for two years at the St. James Hotel in Ironwood, for 10 years at the Four Seasons Motel in Hurley, retiring as a sales clerk at the Ben Franklin Store in downtown Ironwood after 21 years of service in 1998. 

She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hurley, the Auxiliary to Hurley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1580, AARP, and SNPJ (Slovenian National Benefit Society.) She enjoyed baking and reading.

Frances was married to Wilfred G. “Buddy” Ellis on Aug. 2, 1947, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Ironwood, by the late Msgr. J.B. Moriarity. Buddy survives.

Also surviving are a son, Thomas (Paula), Woodbury, Minn .; daughter, Joan, Hurley; grandchildren, Ryan (Erin) Ellis and Lil Miss on the way, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Michael Ellis (Meghan Carey), Denver, Colo.; great-grandson, Avery Ellis; sister, Mary Ann Ransanici, Hurley; sisters-in-law, Mary Madden (Richard) Bland, Atherton, Calif., Lois (Bob) Symons, Bessemer, and Grace Cvengros, Ironwood; brothers-in-law, Jack Ellis (Roxie Westforth), Minocqua, Wis., and Marvin (Helen) Kangas, Bessemer; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Besides her parents, Frances was preceded in death by brothers, John and Samuel Mladenoff, and Clifford Madden; a sister, Patricia Olson; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Mladenoff, Elaine and Bob Fingeroos, Don Cvengros, and Beverly Kangas.

Per Frances’ wishes, cremation has taken place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hurley, with the Rev. Frank Kordek OFM, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hurley.

Luncheon will be served in the parish hall immediately upon return from the cemetery.

To view Frances’ obituary online, sign her guestbook or express condolences, please visit mckevittpatricfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.