Ellen was born January 24, 1929, in Evanston, Illinois. She grew up in Lake Bluff, Illinois, a small village on the shore of Lake Michigan, where her father, Victor Sleeter, was a dentist and her mother, Matilda “Dolly” Sleeter, was a homemaker.
From her father, she acquired an inquiring mind and a passion for discussing books and ideas. From her mother, she gained a sense of beauty and a talent for creating a lovely home as well as practical skills such as sewing and refinishing furniture. She began studying piano at an early age and developed a life-long love of classical music.
After graduating from Lake Forest High School in 1946, Ellen attended Marianopolis College in Quebec and then studied English and Music at Rosary College (now Dominican University) in River Forest, Illinois, graduating in 1950. Her life took an unexpected turn when she visited San Antonio for the wedding of her childhood friend from Lake Bluff, Nancy Snell Mead. She had so much fun, she decided to move here. In 1953, Ellen married Albert G. Engelke. They built a house in Terrell Hills where they raised their three children.
Ellen was a long-time member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. She especially enjoyed participating in the life of the parish through a weekday Bible Study, Sunday morning News and Reviews class and the Wednesday evening Inklings book study. She was a dependable member of the “Stuffers” who gathered in the church office to get the Sunday bulletins and Tidings newsletters ready.
Ellen was very pragmatic and honest, a woman of energy and quiet tenacity. She was a loyal friend, a loving mother and the life of the party at family Christmas gatherings. She would not want us to grieve for her passing, but we do and miss her greatly.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Thomas and her husband, Albert George Engelke Jr.
She is survived by her children, Thomas Terrell Engelke and spouse Patti, Elizabeth Ann Engelke, & Emilie Marion Engelke; grandson Dylan Phillips and spouse Marie; and her beloved nieces and nephews, Rebecca Sanchez and spouse Rudy of San Antonio, Katharine Grevera and spouse John of Austin, Dr. Richard S. Rowland and spouse Melissa of Hondo, Sara Denecke and spouse Johan of Solana Beach, CA, Dr. Alexander S. Rowland and spouse Monica of San Antonio; as well as her cousin Lawrence Falvey and spouse Annie of Scottsdale, AZ.
A memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where a reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church or to the San Antonio Philharmonic.
