Ellen Theresa Kepros Gonzalez of East Lansing, Michigan, died November 28, 2018 at the age of 90. Ellen was born on March 5, 1928 in Marion, Iowa. Her parents, Frank Kepros and Zofia Novak, immigrated to the United States from Greece and Poland. Ellen was the eldest of nine children, always the big sister. She remembers working in the family garden, canning food, and helping in her father's shoe shop in her childhood during the Depression. She attended Marion public schools and later the University of Iowa, after working for seven years as a legal secretary in Cedar Rapids to pay the costs of her BA degree.
Ellen met her husband, Richard Florenz Gonzalez, on a blind date in 1955. They were married five months later, and by the time Dick received his PhD and Ellen her BA in Microbiology, they had moved to East Lansing, Michigan and started their family. Ellen and Dick raised six children, three daughters and three sons. While primarily a stay at home mom, Ellen was generous with her time as a volunteer in the schools and charitable organizations such as Haven House. She took a job outside the home in the early 70's, working as an office manager for medical and dental practices. She 'retired' in 1989.
Ellen loved to travel, garden, and sew, making most of her children's clothing in the early years. She later learned to knit, crochet, and quilt and made dozens of unique and beautiful quilts, sewing even in her final year of life. She and Dick traveled extensively and Ellen particularly enjoyed hunting for souvenir cat figurines to add to her diverse collection. She kept pet cats throughout her adult life. She was an avid sports fan, attending the Lansing Lugnuts baseball games and MSU hockey games, and watching televised events each evening when her health kept her housebound. On the last night of her life, she watched the MSU basketball team lose to Louisville.
Most of all, Ellen loved her family. She doted on her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always remembered birthdays and anniversaries, and was happiest when surrounded by her extended family.
Ellen is survived by her six children: Mary Alexis (Jon) Elliott, of Ypsilanti MI, and their daughters Jennifer (John) Kelleher and Melissa (Alex) Hardecki; Therese Aimee, of Zion, Illinois; Hilary Gonzalez (Todd and children Abigail and Daniel) Morrison of Falmouth, Massachusetts; Timothy Mark (Karla and daughters Laine and Elizabeth) of Carmel, Indiana, Richard John (Shannon and children Olivia and Benjamin) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Matthew James (Colleen and daughter Aimee) of Westfield, Indiana. Also surviving are Ellen's brothers Stanley, Michael, and Francis Kepros and sisters Sr. Mary Julia Kepros and Katherine Pryst. She lived to see the birth of two great-grandchildren, Amelia Mae Kelleher and Jack Orion Hardecki.
Dick's self-written obituary lovingly described Ellen as "the heart and soul of the family". She will be remembered for her quirky humor, generosity to those in need, and unwavering faith.
The family will receive friends at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Chapel on Sunday, December 2nd from 3:00-4:30 pm with the Rosary prayed at 4:00. The Funeral Mass will be said on Monday, December 3rd at 10:00 am at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing. The Rite of Committal will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.
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