Ellen Lindsay Dern, aged 93, passed away peacefully at her home in Fort Collins, Colorado on April 5th, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born on February 24th, 1931, in Decatur, Illinois, she was the daughter of Edward Emerson Lindsay and Ellen Voorhies Lindsay. Her parents preceded her in death as well as her sister, Ann Lindsay Gardner and her grandson, Adam Samuel Dern.
Ellen was a graduate of the Madeira School in 1949. She went on to attend Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and studied medical illustration.
On June 10th, 1951 she married the love of her life, Robert R. Dern, in Decatur, Illinois. They spent their lifetime together raising 5 children while moving throughout the Rocky Mountains and finally retiring in their favorite place - Estes Park, Colorado.
Ellen devoted her days to service and volunteer work. She was an essential asset to the Children’s Hospital Burn Camp, at Cheley Colorado Camps. She worked tirelessly with physically disabled children and served those in hospice care. She also spent many years as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. Ellen dedicated her time to the Red Cross, Stephen Ministry, the Caring Pregnancy Center and the Altar and Rosary Society. She was a friend to the friendless and a caring support to anyone who was alone. Her beautiful example of dedication to others will live on in the countless lives she touched.
She was a lifelong artist, painting and sketching countless landscapes, animals and outdoor scenes. She passed on her love of the mountains, art and nature to her family, and she never stopped teaching those she loved.
Ellen’s Catholic faith was the center of her existence. She led her life with unwavering conviction which guided her days and contributed to every congregation where she was a member. She left an imprint on all who met her.
Ellen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She leaves behind a legacy of love, survived by her husband of 72 years, Robert R. Dern, her children, Ann (Paul) Rudge, Jane Dern, Robert (Cathy) Dern Jr., Martha Moffitt, William (Deanna) Dern, brother in law John Gardner, her grandchildren, Jennifer (Kyle) Germer, Michael (Robyn) Rudge, Christine Dern, Marissa (Kevin) Foster, Daniel (Jessi) Moffitt, Lindsay (Rob) Naughton, Laresa Dern, Autumn (John) Matsutani, Emma Dern, and her great-grandchildren, Hadley, Presley, Dylan, Ryan, Cole, Asher, Andrea, Nina, Morgan, Remy, Hazel, Easton, and Baker.
A private graveside service will be held at Estes Valley Memorial Gardens in Estes Park, Colorado. In honor of Ellen’s legacy of charity, the family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Building fund, the Dominican Sisters Charity in Denver (who run the home for retired priests,and care for the poor and elderly), or to your local food bank.
Please visit www.allnuttestespark.com to leave a message for the family.
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