Lenore Lucille Ellis

Lenore Ellis, age 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 25, 2021, at Valley View Village in Des Moines. Lenore was born the daughter of Francisco and Helen (Rivas) Ortiz on November 20, 1930, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Lenore met the love of her life in elementary school when she noticed a new blonde hair, blue-eyed boy at school. After years of dating, she later married Harold, and they shared many years of happiness together.

She was a proud graduate from East High School with the Class of 1949. Lenore worked for the Des Moines Public Schools at Dunlap Elementary School, Stowe Elementary School, and Goodrell Middle School.

Lenore loved to cook and bake for her family. She was known for her tortillas, enchiladas, tostadas, ribs, rolls, apple pie, carrot cake, and cranberry salad. She enjoyed having overnight visits from the grandkids and loved to serve up bacon, eggs, and French toast the next morning. She loved coffee fiercely and even shared it with the grandkids when breakfast was served.

Lenore was special. People were drawn to her because of her genuine kindness and sense of humor. She was a good listener, and people felt blessed to know her. Many considered Lenore a second mom or grandma because she was so kindhearted and welcoming of others. Lenore was incredibly proud of her family and adored her two daughters and all her grandchildren. She always asked about each family member and included everyone in her daily prayers. She was the absolute best mom and grandmother ever.

She was a woman of strong faith and was a longtime member of her home church, Central Bible Church Assembly of God. Lenore cherished her role as wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family time was a priority and she was always there when you needed her. Lenore will be remembered and will live on through the hearts and lives that she has touched in her lifetime. She was loved by many.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Sheila (Greg) Wilson and Brenda (Curtis) Forney; grandchildren, Todd (Jolene) Wilson, Melissa (Kevin) Davidson, Alyssa (Rob Long) Wilson, Adam (Natasha) Forney, Amanda (Hugo) Bravo Cardona, and Aaron Forney; great-grandchildren, Brooke, Jasper, Spencer, Eric, Isaac, Benjamin, Junior, Samuel, Jonathan, and Emmaline; siblings, Theresa Anderson, Richard (Julie) Ortiz, Mary Gomez, and David Ortiz; and a host of extended loving family members and friends.

Lenore was preceded in death by her parents; and beloved husband, Harold Junior Ellis in 1998.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 29, 2021 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Glad Tidings Assembly of God, 314 E. Army Post Rd., Des Moines, followed by burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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