Ellen E. Maj. Riley

Ellen was born in Great Falls, Montana to Elvira and William Riley on January 19, 1940 and raised in Stephen, Minnesota. Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Dr. Andrew Riley also of Stephen, Minnesota.

Ellen was an exceptional student at Stephen High School where she graduated in 1958 at the top of her class serving as Valedictorian. Following high school Ellen attended The Sisters of Saint Joseph School of Nursing in North Dakota where she attained her Nursing Diploma in 1961. She completed the course as Marshall County scholarship winner. The scholarship carried complete financing for the full three years training. In 1963, Ellen received her professional Registered Nurse license from the state of Minnesota.

During her stunning career in the Army, Ellen was awarded several medals, among which are:

Army Commendation medal (first oak cluster), for sustained excellent performance.

National Defense Service medal for military service to the Nation during time of great conflict.

Vietnam Service medal for her service in Vietnam.

Vietnam Campaign medal for her service, not just in Vietnam, but all service in that country during wartime.

Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm for recognition of being assigned to a unit that performed with valor while in combat.

Army Service medal for successfully completing her initial training as an office and Army nurse.

Overseas Service ribbon for her service overseas.

She spent 20 years, 6 months in the Army, with 6 of those years overseas during time of war.

Ellen achieved 1st Lieutenant, Captain and Major during her decorated career, all the while being recognized for her meritorious service record.

During the period of 1969 – 1972, Ellen served at Fort Dix, New Jersey as Staff Nurse and Head Nurse on a male surgical and prisoner ward. Following Ft. Dix., she served at Butzbach Health Clinic, Frankfurt, Germany until 1978. She was then assigned to Company A of the Troop Command at Brooke Army Medical Center until she retired in 1987.

Ellen ordered her life in a simple, but profound way; her Lord, soldiers, orphans and cats.

Ellen is greatly loved, admired and respected. She is survived by her brother, Dr. John Riley; sister-in-law, Carol Riley; nephew, Thomas Riley, (Donna); AJ Riley, (Cathy); niece, Karin Danganan (Clyde); niece, Kathy Lyons (Steve); nephew, Dan Riley and niece, Jana Kraulik, (Nathan). She also leaves several grandnieces and grandnephews.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 13. 2017 at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

MEMORIAL PRAYER SERVICE

THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

7:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2017

11:30 A.M.

FT. SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

In lieu of flowers, donations can be offered to:

the Cystinosis Research Foundation, https://www.cystinosisresearch.org/

or Gigi's Playhouse Tampa for Kids with Down Syndrome, https://gigisplayhouse.org/tampa