Ellen W. Stroebe

Ellen Wipf Stroebe, 87, died peacefully in Everett, Wash., on July 2, 2006.
Ellen was born on Sept. 14, 1918, in Bozeman, to Dr. Jacob David Conrad and Alberta Wipf. Her childhood years were spent on the family ranch in the Gallatin Valley. She received a home economics teaching degree at Montana State College and later taught school in Parkston, S.D., and Conrad. It was at Montana State that she met Francis G. "Frank" Stroebe. They were married on June 11, 1942. After Frank's service in the Pacific during World War II, his architectural practice took them to Billings, where they raised their six children. They enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage until Frank's death in 2002.
Besides being a homemaker, Ellen was active in many other areas. She was a member of St. Patrick's Parish and St. Monica's Circle for over 60 years. She was very active in school activities when her children were growing up, including being a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She loved to attend her children's and grandchildren's athletic events. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and a volunteer at St. Vincent's Hospital gift shop and soda fountain. Ellen was a competitive card player with some of her favorite times spent with her Monday Night Bridge Club. She and Frank very much enjoyed square dancing. Ellen also taught play school out of the family home.
Words cannot easily describe a woman so petite in size yet so huge spiritually and in generosity and communication. Most important to Ellen was her family. She cared for her mother and Frank's mother for many years. She wrote faithfully to her children and never forgot a birthday or anniversary. She cherished her time with each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and loved to organize family gatherings. She loved to knit and do craft projects. Her favorite color was pink and her favorite flowers were yellow roses. The cookie jar at her Pine Street home was always full of chocolate chip cookies.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank; her sister and brother-in-law, Elise Thomas and Bernard Thomas; her granddaughter, Marion Stroebe; and son-in-law Bill Johnson.
She is survived by her children, Susan Johnson of Laramie, Wyo., Mary (Jack) O'Donnell of Everett, Wash., Conrad (Teresa Dahl) of Billings, Marlise (David) Stroebe-Zine of Amboy, Wash., Fran (Harold) Gold of Parker, Colo., and Tim (Vonnie Trusler) of Colstrip; her grandchildren, Travis (Kristi), Jeremy and Sarah Johnson, Jeff (Shawna), Cathy and Tim O'Donnell, Marie Taylor, Raymond (Anne), Elizabeth, Emily, Frank, Genny, Hannah, Chalice and Xavier Stroebe, Robert (Amelia), Tara (Will) Carrington, Matthew, Casey and Katie Gold, Shane and Kevyn Stroebe; her great-grandchildren, Timothy and Kimberly Johnson, River and Cash Taylor, Brianna, Erica, James and Spencer Stroebe and Alexandra Carrington; her nieces and nephews, David Thomas, Anne (Lee) Kilcup, Bill Thomas, John Thomas, Jim Thomas, Chris (Vicki) Thomas and their children Alison, Kerri and Kyle.
Visitation for Ellen will be from 1 to 9 p.m. with a Vigil at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 6, at the Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings. Funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Friday, July 7, at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral. Committal will be 3 p.m. Friday, in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman.
Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul, 2610 Montana Ave., Billings, MT 59101, St. Patrick's Building or Park Fund, 215 N. 31st St., Billings, MT 59101, or The Marion Rose Stroebe Scholarship Fund (BACET), Box 31158, Billings, MT 59107.