Marilyn Carol Ellis

Marilyn Carol Brown Ellis, 77, passed quietly overnight in the comfort of her home on September 1, 2025. Marilyn leaves behind a very large family and many friends and neighbors that she was very close to. Marilyn was born in The Dalles, Oregon on Feb. 2, 1948 to James and Elizabeth (Betty) Brown and 4 siblings. As a young child the family moved to Haines, Oregon where she grew up and went to school. After graduating from High School, she moved to Boise, Idaho where she lived the remainder of her years.

Marilyn was an avid reader and had many hobbies, including gardening (vegetable and flower), cooking, canning, sewing, horseback riding, and needlework. As a teenager, she won awards for her sewing and two of those outfits are now on display at the University of Wyoming. She also loved being around friends and family and was known for her Christmas parties, family dinners and barbecues.

She had a relationship with Oscar and had two babies that she released for adoption. After years of searching she located her daughter, Kay, when Kay was 21, and established a relationship with her.

Marilyn had a long career in the food and beverage industry, which is where she met her lifelong partner, Jack Ellis. She accepted Jack’s entire family as her own. Eventually she worked alongside Jack as co-owner and office manager at Ellis Glass until they retired in 2013. Marilyn had a large personality and was known and loved by many people, family, friends, and customers alike.

Jack and Marilyn traveled as Jack competed in Field Trials and Marilyn always had one of her trusty miniature Schnauzers with her on those trips and in the office as she worked. She was very organized and kept things running before, during, and after the Trials.

Marilyn was a care giver and cared for her long-time friend, Billie, for several years and then Jack as he battled cancer and the effects of radiation for the last 12 years of his life.

Today, we celebrate the life of Marilyn Carol Brown Ellis, who now resides in heaven. May our decisions bring us all together again, in eternity.

Marilyn was preceded in death by the love of her life, Jack, her siblings, Betty Lou and James (Jim), and her parents. She leaves behind her daughter, 4 step-sons, 5 daughters-in-law, 15 grandchildren, 7 grandchildren-in-laws, 11 great-grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren-in-laws, 2 great-great-grandchildren, her 2 sisters, and several nieces and nephews.