Helen Ann Ellis

Helen Ellis, age 74, passed away April 14, 2013 in Grand Rapids. She was the beloved mother of Howard Ellis, Ainar "Joe" (Lori) Ellis, Jr., Becky (Ken) Bivens, and Cheryl (Bill) Dudgeon and the devoted grandmother to Gordy (Chelsa) Bivens, Matthew (Diana) Ellis, Nichole (Jake) Heuss, Melissa (Todd) Dykstra, Tricia (Matt) Eggleston, William Dudgeon III, and Anna Ellis and sixteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters: Linda McNeal, Delores Slaktowski, Walter Smedberg, Fred Lehtonen, Jr., Hilma Lehtonen, Carol Lehtonen, and Arlene Tervo and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Ainar Ellis, Sr., her brother Ken Niva, her parents Walter Smedberg and Anna (Mannisto) Lehtonen, and her step-father Fred Lehtonen, Sr. Helen married Ainar Ellis, Sr. on January 17, 1955. She moved to the Dorr area in 1967 and was a member of the Allegan Seventh Day Adventist Church. Helen enjoyed her neighbors at Coventry Woods in Walker. The funeral service will be held 4:00 PM Wednesday at the Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, 18th Street, Dorr, MI with Pastor Frank Lugo officiating. The family will meet with relatives and friends on Tuesday from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at the Dorr Chapel of Kubiak-Cook Funeral Services. Memorial contributions may be made to the family to assist with expenses. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.kubiakcook.com.