Theresa Lorene Ellis

Theresa Lorene Ellis, 94 of Meridian, Idaho peacefully went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, January 26, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Theresa was born in Fruitland, Idaho, July 14, 1931, to Gus Anderson Sr. and Iona Anderson (Johnson). She was one of three children. The story has it that she was born on the back porch of her Grand-parent Johnson’s home which still stands today. She was raised in the south area of Boise where her parents bought a home and lived their entire lives. She attended Whitney Elementary School, which was conveniently across the street from her home. Later she attended North Junior High School, where she joined Jobs Daughters because her father was a Shriner and then graduated from Boise High School in 1950.

She loved going to dances and sporting events during her High School years, afterwords, her friends would spend time together at Murray’s Drive-in off 8th street in Boise. It was there that a group of “farm boys” from Franklin High School showed up. One of the boys stood out from the others and caught her eye, Kenneth C. Ellis, he would pursue her, even going by the Pinney Theater where she worked to honk and wave as he drove by. Kenneth joined the Air Force and after boot camp, he came back to Boise to propose to her. They were later married on April 27, 1951 and started their family, Charlotte in 1952 and Terry in 1954 in Tucson Arizona at the Davis Monthan Air Force Base where they lived while Kenneth was in the service. They returned to Boise in 1955 to buy their first home on Curtis Rd. and soon after Kristi was born in 1956. They eventually bought their dream home and property in 1971 on Franklin Rd in Meridian near the time the children were graduating from high school, they lived there for their entire lives.

Theresa had worked at the Pinney Theater, SunRay Dairies stores in the Treasure Valley, Hallmark store in the Hillcrest Shopping Center, Big Bun Drive-in and eventually working for Kenneth in their business, Ellis Equipment and Parts Co. She also was involved with the Whitney Methodist Church where she taught in the children’s church school. Theresa loved the outdoors where she made many trips with her husband fishing, hunting or just a getaway. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren and would babysit for the family when needed, she also had several dogs and cats that were special in her life too.

As Theresa’s family, we know she had the courage to face life challenges, sorrow, and diversity, with her beliefs in God, Mom knew she had a co-pilot that she could trust to get her through. She had a heart of gold and was not stingy to share her love with anyone. Mom accomplished all her tasks here on earth and then went to sleep in peace – she knew that that God was waiting for her and all her angels too, (pets included) and she would be in a well-deserved place. Mathew 25:23, “well done, good and faithful servant”.

She is survived by her children, Charlotte (Ron) White, Terry (Linda) Ellis and Kristi (Kenny) Bowers. Grandchildren, Trevor (Heather) Brown, Ian (Jaime) Brown, Jeff (Julie) Sorenson, Jason Ellis, Justin (Kasey) Ellis, Chelsea (Adam) Risko, Brandon (Amanda) Honstein and Zac (Natalie) Honstein and 12 Great grandchildren.

She is proceeded in death by her husband Kenneth Ellis, her parents, her brother and sister, and in-laws.

The family would like to acknowledge all the doctors that helped our mother through the years of her life. We also thank all the personnel from First Choice Home Health & Hospice that were with her until the end of her time here on earth.