Florence Irene Ellis

Florence Irene Roe Goodwin Ellis died September 22 at Mantey Heights in Grand Junction. Born April 25th, 1922 in Dilworth Minnesota to Jess and Ida Roe, Florence was the 5th of 6 children, all of whom preceded her in death. She married James Luther Goodwin on September 2, 1941. They had two children, Twila Jane and James Ronald, and helped raise her nieces, Frances Collins Norlin and Dolly Collins Forillo.

Florence was widowed in 1956 at age 33. She remained alone to care for her children until 1966, when she married Adolph “Bud” Ellis. She worked very hard running the Buck Head Café in Grand Valley, where they met. They were active in the Good Sam’s Club, and officers for the state. In 1980, Florence and Bud retired to Grand Junction, where they became active in charity work, including Meals on Wheels and hosting dinners to raise money for the Salvation Army. They were happily married for 25 years, until Bud passed in August 1992. After Bud’s death, Florence attended Orchard Avenue Community Church for many years. She loved crafts, which she often contributed to the church for fund raising, and made many Christmas gifts.

Florence is survived by her daughter Twila Grinstead of Grand Junction, her son James Goodwin, wife Judy, of Havre, Montana, and niece Frances Norlin, husband Lloyd, of Clifton, Colorado. She was preceded in death by her niece Dolly, and is survived by both nieces’ children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had four grandchildren, Rick Frisbie of Grand Junction, Tamara Barthel and husband Don of El Dorado Hills, California, Denice Gass and husband Jerry of Ontario, California, and Lisa Montagino, and husband Matt, of Havre Montana as well as four great-grandchildren, Amber, Tyler, Nicholas, and Katelynn, one great-great-grandchild, DeSean as well as many friends who went before her. She loved babies and animals, and spoiled many over the years!

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12noon on Wednesday September 27 at the Callahan-Edfast Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, Florence would have preferred donations to the Salvation Army or the Roice-Hurst Humane Society.