Bonnie Ellis

Our sweet and gentle wife, mother, and grandmother, Bonnie May Wanlass Ellis, 86, of Idaho Falls, passed away April 6, 2013, at her home, surrounded by her loved ones. She was under the care of her family and Aspen Home Health & Hospice. Bonnie was born September 13, 1926, in Chapin, Teton County, Idaho, to Reuben Wanlass and Clennie May Cover Wanlass. She grew up and attended school in Driggs, where she graduated from high school. In the summer of 1946, while working in a small grocery store at Mack’s Inn, she met Donald Ellis, who convinced her to leave the area and spend her remaining years with him. On January 1, 1947, they married in Teton, Idaho. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Don and Bonnie lived briefly in Mud Lake, then moved to Idaho Falls, where they raised their five children, Shannon, Shawn, Cary, Wendy, and Kitt. Bonnie was a kind and devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bonnie served in many and various capacities over the years and especially enjoyed callings in music. She was a connoisseur of gracious living, gentility, and the pursuit of knowledge, and had a great capacity for listening and understanding. Bonnie loved music, cooking, sewing, and motherhood. She committed all of her efforts to caring for her family and home and loved being an interested supporter of each family member. We are grateful that she is now at rest and reunited with many of the loved ones she has missed. She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Don Ellis of Idaho Falls, Son, Shawn Ellis of Idaho Falls, ID; Son, Cary (Kelly) Ellis of Idaho Falls, ID; Daughter, Wendy (Blake) Maxfield of Idaho Falls, ID; Daughter, Kitt (Jeff) West of Littleton, CO. 14 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Shannon (Joe) Stewart, two grandsons, Cody West and Phillip Wellman, and four siblings. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at the Idaho Falls LDS Mountain View Ward, 1450 Mountain View Lane, with Dr. J. D. Drake, First Counselor in the Bishopric, officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery.

Funeral Services -- Wednesday

11:00 a.m. ,Wednesday, April 10, 2013 Idaho Falls LDS Mountain View Ward 1450 Mountain View Lane Idaho Falls, ID 83402 Notes: The family will visit with friends from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery.