Memorial

Ellen A Bateman, 91, of Marion, passed away Friday, 26, 2016 at Unity Point (St. Luke’s Hospital), Cedar Rapids, following a brief illness. Services: 10 a.m. Thursday, March 3, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories by Rev. Robert A. Kunz. Internment will follow the service at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.  Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, one hour before the service.

Ellen, the daughter of William H. Ross and Alice M. Bruce, was born November 26, 1924, at home in Waubeek, IA. Ellen grew up in and around Waubeek, beginning her education in Waubeek’s one room school house and continuing at McKinley High School in Cedar Rapids, graduating in 1944. Ellen continued her education at Paris Academy, graduating in 1946. Ellen and her siblings grew up during the height of the Grant Wood Artist Colony just down the road in Stone City. They spent summers playing and fishing on the banks of the Wapsie River, along with their cousin, Jay Sigmund (who later became Iowa Poet Laureate). Summers would sometimes find Ellen’s family hosting the traveling carnival, providing space in the shade under the gigantic old oak trees for the elephant, giraffe, other animals and entertainers. Ellen was a 64 year member of Marion Christian Church.

Ellen married Fritz (Frederick E.) Bateman in a double ceremony with Fritz’s brother Donald and Adella Williams Caraway on August 14, 1948 in Vinton, IA. Ellen and Fritz had 2 children, twin daughters:  Sue E. Pehkonen (Robert) and Sara A. Bateman.

Ellen, a lifelong learner, continued her education in library science, first at Kirkwood, then at Iowa State while working for the Marion Library and Linn-Mar Schools. Ellen returned to Kirkwood to pursue a degree in creative writing and literature, graduating with an Associate of Arts in Literature and English.

Ellen continued to pursue creative writing, family genealogy (she loved the mystery of tracing her Scottish lineage, some say to “Braveheart” or William, the Bruce). She loved reading, listening to music, bird watching and volunteering at church and St. Luke’s (Unity Point). Ellen looked forward to travel, visiting friends and family far and near. She enjoyed bike riding and walking and despite health issues (Rheumatoid Arthritis) Ellen looked forward to her 19 years of daily morning walks with close friend, Odette Welton.

Ellen loved and cherished her family. She and Fritz enjoyed attending or hosting family events. She especially loved spending time with her grand and great-grandchildren. Enjoying adventures visiting local parks, the zoo, the duck pond and preparing their favorite chocolate chip cookies. 

Ellen was predeceased in death by her husband of 59 years, her grandparents and parents: her siblings: Wallace (Sam) Ross, Faye (Tag) Ross, Lucille (Sally) Ross, Meryl Ross, Marvin Ross, Meryl Ross (in infancy), and step-grandson Robert J. Pehkonen.

Those left to cherish Ellen’s memory in addition to friends are her daughters; grandchildren
Adriane E. (Michael J.) Miller, of Marion; Aaron D. Hartmann (Jen Hudson) of Bend, OR; and Jennifer L. (Jeffrey) Driscol of Robins; step-grandchildren James Pehkonen (Leanne Seckinger), Salt Lake City, UT; Kathyrn Smith (Scott Donovan), Parker, CO; and Melissa (Steven) Walpole, Scotts Valley, CA. Also surviving are great grandchildren Connor (Sara), Courteney, Michala, Mackenzie, Alyssa Miller; Jaaron Hartmann and Mabel Driscol. Step great grandchildren Sawyer, Ryan, Sadie Pehkonen; Sierra, Haley Smith; Steven, Toban Walpole; and Natalie, Rachael Seckinger. She is also survived by sisters Bernita Jacobs of Marion, and Ruth King of Blue Grass, IA.

Ellen’s family would like to thank her team of health care providers, and the staff of Unity Point St Luke’s ER, 5th Floor and the Ed and Joan Hemphill Hospice Unit for their cherished care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Camp Courageous or The Arthritis Foundation.