Margaret Ellman, 87

Margaret Ellman, 87, “came to the end of her journey here on earth,” Jan. 1, 2012, at North Valley Hospital.

She was born April 1, 1924, to Eli and Alice Balich in Roundup. She was the ninth child of a family of 12 children. She grew up in a household full of spirit and rich in love.

Margaret embarked on a career of teaching soon out of high school, as there was a shortage of teachers due to the advent of World War II. She continued on this path, all the while going to school herself, to obtain her teaching degree. This calling brought her to the Flathead Valley. While teaching at Kila, Margaret met James ElIman. The writing was on the chalkboard and they were wed Aug. 28, 1948.

Margaret continued to teach until the birth of Dug, the first of her four children. Then she took a seven-year leave from teaching. During this time Concetta, Dennis and Greg were born.

Margaret taught in various schools throughout the Flathead Valley, including a stint as teacher of grades 1 to 8, principal and janitor at Half Moon School. She also taught at Deer Park, Swan River, Foys Lake, ending her career at Columbia Falls Elementary in 1984.

She remained active in her church, helping with the family buffet at St. Richard’s Catholic Church, until her health would no longer permit it.

She was a spirited individual who loved God, family and friends. She enjoyed swimming, traveling, golf, camping, playing cards and dice. She loved to entertain and was known to be “the hostess with the mostest.”

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Nick, Eli, Max, Paul and George; her sisters, Mary, Helen, Annie, Donna and Angeline; her husband, James; and their sons, Dug and Greg.

She is survived by her sister, Patricia, and husband, Robert Southern; her daughter, Concetta, and husband, Rocky Ramey; her son, Dennis Ellman, and his fiancee, Yvonne Hall; grandsons, Josh Ramey, Matt and Ryan Ellman; granddaughters, Mandy Ramey, Jessica and husband Brandon Rice, and Amy ElIman; great-granddaughter, Cassandra Herman; great-grandson, Trey Rice; and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7, at St. Richard’s Catholic Church.

“We loved and will miss her dearly, but know she is at last at peace. Heaven gained an angel, so don't be sad it's over, be happy that it happened.”

Arrangements are entrusted to Columbia Mortuary. You are invited to go to www.columbiamortuary.com to offer condolences and view Margaret’s Tribute Wall.