Ellie, as she liked being called, was raised in Manning, Iowa, by her parents Chris and Emma (Ross) Barten. After graduating from Manning high school in 1932 she made her way to Des Moines, Iowa, where she attended beauty school and became a talented hairdresser. Along the way she married and had four children - first born Marlene, Harold (Hal), Barten and lastly Sueanne (Sage). Eventually divorcing, (never to remarry) with courage and determination she raised her brood, by opening her own beauty shop.

Ellie excelled at golf - bringing along a son/daughter, the faithful Golden Retriever Candy and a six pack tucked away in the golf bag for a day of fun. 18 holes was just a warm up. She was a crack shot often enjoying a weekend of hunting with her sons and friends. She loved to dance - always the favorite partner at the weekly ballroom dances. Among her many talents was her beautiful singing voice, winning a contest or two in her early years on the farm.

Many of her life-long friends retired moving to Tucson, Arizona. Ellie followed in the early 1970s and The Birthday Club was born with twenty fun-loving ladies. Upon her passing she was the last of the birthday club in Tucson, except for twin sisters Marilyn and Marion who shared her mutual wicked sense of humor and kept in close touch when they moved to Florida. She also was blessed with her Tucson friend Rosemary, sharing jokes and laughter and who introduced Ellie to Beau her beloved snowy white cat (who will be buried with Ellie).

Ellie was blessed with a wicked sense of humor - her laugh showed off her mischievous smile and twinkling eyes. She loved a good joke, she loved to tease, she loved a round of golf; and a turn around the dance floor. The one thing she could not master was driving a car. Something about driving and talking with her hands at the same time or turning around at a distraction; forgetting she was driving. She didn't mind and thought calling a cab was just fine. Although, much to everyone's surprise she did drive her motorized wheelchair with aplomb.

Ellie was not without health problems, but she always bounced back with her steady determination to live on her own (as she did until July 2007) at the age of 92. In July, she had a stroke and had to be taken to a nursing home. She fought to recover and return to her apartment and cat, but that did not happen. Her 93rd birthday party was at the nursing home. Champagne toasts - lots of presents and balloons. Her daughter Sage was there with several other friends; including handsome Casey who gave her so much. A wrong number phone call June 2006 united Ellie and Casey forming a great friendship (soul mates). A younger (86 years old) boyfriend at the tender age of 92. That's our Mother!

Our Mother held on as only she could. She loved a full moon (Luna girl) and was not disappointed. As she passed, the moon was full, bright and directly over the hospital. We like to think she was beamed up to the heavens. Sage was with her for her last days of battling pneumonia. Her other children were able to say goodbye by phone. She has joined her parents Chris and Emma, her Uncle Herman and others she held dear.

Ellie is survived by her four children and their families Marlene B. Dunn, her husband Carl and their three children, Stacy Dunn - her husband Todd and daughter Ellen; Jennifer Grilliot, her husband Allen and daughter Helena; Christy Corzine, her husband Mark and son Joseph; and Marlene's stepsons Michael and Steven. Harold "Hal" G. Kinney Jr., his daughters Monica and Cindy, and grandchild Druid. Barten T. Kinney, his wife Dianne and daughters Dawn Hawbaker - her husband Layne and two sons Gage and Ian. Robin Knoll - her husband Michael and daughter Kaelee, and son Jacob. Sueanne Sage Johnson.

The children certainly miss their nana very much. Ellie loved their drawings - cards - phone calls and every day held them all close to her heart.

A graveside service will be held at 1PM at the Manning Cemetery on June 20 2008. Please join us for a toast.
She wasn't perfect - she was stubborn - she was determined. She Lived Life Her Way. She was our Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother and we loved her.