Ellen Thompson

Oskaloosa. Ellen Thompson, 82, of Oskaloosa died Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. She was born November 23, 1943, in Carthage, Missouri, the daughter of Gentry "Jiggs" and Rosemary Evans McMillian. She attended school in Beacon through 8th grade and went on to graduate from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1963. She started her career as a Candy Striper while in high school and continued after high school. On August 22, 1964, she was united in marriage to Howard C. Thompson at the Beacon United Methodist Church. To this union three children were born Michael, Michele, and Melinda. Following their marriage, they moved to Silvis, Illinois, and Ellen worked as a nurse's aide. The family later moved back to Oskaloosa and Ellen worked various places including: Big Smith, Pella Products, various local nursing homes, and did in-home childcare. In 1989, she went to work at Pella Corporation and retired from there in 2009. She enjoyed attending the New Hope Free Methodist Church in Oskaloosa and while her children were young the family was very active at the First Church of the Nazarene. Ellen served the church in many capacities; her favorite was caring for the children in the nursery. She was an avid bowler and bowled on several leagues over the years. She enjoyed being social and always looked forward to getting together with the Red Hat Hotties, her Beacon School classmates, and multiple card clubs. Ellen enjoyed arts and crafts as well, she was a talented painter and enjoyed working on adult coloring books. She enjoyed traveling and always looked forward to trips to the beach, especially Sunset Beach in North Carolina, and trips to Missouri to visit family. She loved being with her family and playing games. It was very important to her that all her children tried both sports and arts as they were growing up. She had an eye for bargains and loved to go to craft shows and yard sales to see what kind of treasure she could find.

Her family includes her three children, Michael Thompson of Des Moines, Michele Thompson of Oskaloosa, and Melinda Barnes of Des Moines; a brother and his wife, Charlie and Bert McMillian of New Sharon; and many nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband Howard Thompson on December 24, 2022; her parents; a brother, Terry McMillian; and a sister, Rita Voss.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Charlie McMillian officiating. As was Ellen's wish her body will be cremated following the funeral ceremony. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation with the family present will be held on Sunday afternoon, January 25, 2026, from 1:00 -3:00. Memorial may be made to the Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter.