Ellen Ruth Carlson

Ellen Ruth Fiddler Carlson, was born November 29, 1927, to Toley (Tony) and Alberta Fondren Fiddler, in Jinny Lind, Arkansas. Ellen also had a beloved older sister, Mildred Newquest, who preceded her in death.

She grew up in the hill country during the depression, hunting, fishing, and helping train working dogs with her father. From her mother, Ellen learned to sew and eventually took tailoring classes. She shared her skills and knowledge with her niece, Faye, “Aunt Ellen was always so precise!”

Ellen made a difficult choice to leave high school at 17, making the bus ride, daily, to a job in Fort Smith, AK to support her critically ill father and her care giver mother. She did enjoy learning merchandising and modeled pretty clothes that she copied and sewed for herself. Ellen had a love of all aspects of textiles: sewing, knitting, weaving, and macramé. She was a talented artist and teacher of landscapes and Tole painting. Education was important to Ellen. She later resumed her studies and received her GED and became a licensed cosmetologist.

Ellen met Dale Carlson through a neighbor while Dale was stationed at Camp Chaffee, the Army post near Fort Smith, after WWII. They married May 28, 1948 and moved to Dale’s home town, Kinsley, Kansas. Dale was a craftsman by trade, and started a construction company and farmed near their community. Daughter Toni was born May 3, 1950. They enjoyed a wonderful 26 years together surrounded by brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and many good friends. Julia Rissoe, a close, dear friend, was a second mother to Ellen and Joyce Habiger, a very special friend. Dale passed September 12, 1974 when his private plane crashed.

After Dale passed, Ellen moved to Fort Collins, CO to be near her daughter, Toni and her husband Larry Bailey. Soon she became a grandmother to Brice Michael and Shala Dale. Her greatest joys! She was very much involved with her family, friends, and activities in Fort Collins. She enjoyed playing bridge as well as working with and supporting the Fort Collins Senior Center, the Larimer County Humane Society, Northern Colorado Weavers Guild and the Timnath Presbyterian Church.

Ellen died peacefully on February 13, 2018, at home with her loving family and Jaz, her calico cat, by her side.

The family would like to recognize Pathways Hospice for their incredible assistance and care.

Interment, at a later date, at Hillside Cemetery, Kinsley, KS, with Dale.