Ellen Irene Keith

Ellen was born September 18th, 1930 to John and Bessie (Stiverson) Dyson in Natoma, Kansas. Shortly after, the family moved to Hill City, Kansas. In Hill City, Ellen attended school and was a member of the Hill City Methodist Church. At this time, Ellen’s father was a section foreman for Union Pacific Railroad. The company-provided house she grew up in was two railroad boxcars placed side by side with a breezeway containing the kitchen connecting them. Ellen and her sisters spent many days playing in the creek next to the house and collecting coal for the family stove from the railroad tracks. Being on the edge of town, Ellen and her sisters literally did walk a mile uphill to the school each day. Throughout her teen years, Ellen worked as a waitress at many of the smaller restaurants in Hill City, and helped her mom with many of Bessie’s side jobs such as hanging wallpaper, painting, and cleaning for local businesses. It was while working as a waitress that she met Arthur when she was 15. Although Art was immediately smitten and wanted to get married after a few months of courtship, Ellen insisted that she would finish high school first. Ellen graduated from Hill City High School on Thursday, May 14th, 1948. Two days later, on Saturday, May 16th, 1948, Ellen and Art were married in a civil service in Hill City.

Soon after getting married, Art’s employment as a ranch foreman moved them to Sharon Springs, Kansas. While living there, Jack joined the family in 1949, and Joyce in 1952.

The ranch life suited them well at the time. Ellen was usually busy making a rough little house into a home, and keeping the kids corralled to the area of the house and yard. This proved to be a challenge sometimes, as one day she found Jack at the top of the windmill exclaiming how he could see everything from that high. After a couple of years, a new job opportunity moved the family to Colorado. They first resided on a ranch outside of Colorado Springs, which is now part of Peterson Air Force Base. Eventually the family settled in Commerce City in 1954, purchasing their first home. They resided in this house for a few years, and then moved into a larger house across the street, where they would reside until 1998. It was at this home that Chris and Jay joined the family. Ellen raised her family here, was active in Adams City Baptist Church, and formed friendships that would last her entire lifetime. In 1998, Ellen and Art moved to Watkins, Colorado, and resided there until moving into long-term care.

Throughout her life, Ellen wore many hats and held many roles. Most important was taking care of and being involved with her family and friends. She selflessly gave herself to ensure everyone was taken care of before taking care of her own needs. During the 1960’s, she and Art fostered children, with their son Chris joining the family as a tiny baby, staying with them until being united with his biological family in Puerto Rico. Ellen occasionally worked part time jobs ranging from waitressing at the Stock Show, to cleaning and making repairs to FHA houses, to purchasing houses to renovate and resell. She and Art also owned a rental property and a portion of an independent trucking company. In the early 1970’s Ellen earned a degree in Interior Design from the Emily Griffith School. Later, in 1978, she went back to work full time and put this degree to use. She first worked as a seamstress making curtains for Lance Campers. She then worked for Montgomery Wards assisting customers with custom curtain and blind design. Later, she worked as a laborer for Bill Walters, providing final cleans and repairs for newly constructed commercial properties. At 62, she hung up her tool belt, parked her cleaning cart for one last time, and retired.

Retirement allowed her to pursue one of her greatest passions in life sewing. For years, Ellen had honed her craft and became what was considered an extremely talented seamstress. She had always sewn clothes for herself and her family. Upon retirement, she pursued her passion of quilt making, with much of her inspiration coming from her annual trips to the Houston Quilt Show. These trips were the highlight of her year, and she would return from these armed with a refreshed passion and plan. Many quilts and blankets were made and gifted over her lifetime. Retirement freed Ellen and Art to start camping, and allowed them to visit many families and friends near and far. Her favorite thing to do for family was to plan and orchestrate the tri-annual Keith Family Reunion. Her dedication to planning and executing these events provided many wonderful memories for family over several decades. These reunions were one of the highlights of life she so looked forward to.

The cornerstone of Ellen’s life was her conviction in her faith. Ellen actively served for decades at Adams City Baptist Church and School in many roles varying from cleaning to teaching Sunday school, and later at Bennett Baptist Church. She was present for most events anytime the doors were open. In worship, she built on her already solid faith and convictions, and formed several friendships that lasted throughout her lifetime. She was strong in her faith, and lived by these attributes. Ellen and Art were very generous in their time, money and love. There was not a time that she did not offer help to anyone in need. This help took on many forms, and could range from just providing an ear to listen, an encouraging word to cheer someone up, helping those with their day-to-day needs and care, or providing a loving word of wisdom. Her strength to overcome any hardship and buoyance in life was in the assurance of God’s Word and her promised eternal salvation. She never wavered, never doubted, and was grateful for any blessing bestowed upon her. If asked, she would say her greatest blessing was her faith in Jesus.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband Arthur, her parents John and Bessie, and her sisters Aletha and Gladys. She is survived by her son Jack Keith and his wife Kathy of Houston, Texas; her daughter Joyce Keith of Arvada, Colorado; her son Chris and his wife Socorro Salaz of Danbury, Connecticut; son Jay Keith and his wife Lisa of Watkins, Colorado; grandchildren Julie Keith and David and Alyssa Keith of Houston Texas; Jerrod and Maggie Keith, Kelsey Keith and Courtney Keith of Watkins, Colorado; and two great grandchildren, Declan and Theodore. Upon Art’s death in 2014, they had celebrated 66 years of marriage.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 at 10:00 am at Olinger Hampden Mortuary 8600 East Hampden Avenue, with graveside interment following. A luncheon will be held at Jay and Lisa Keith’s home following services.