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BORN
1941
DIED
2022
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Ellen Waldner Obituary
Ellen Jane (Dunn) Waldner
RAPID CITY - Ellen Jane (Dunn) Waldner, 80, passed away on August 10, 2022, surrounded by family. Ellen was born on September 2, 1941, to Frank and Virginia (Benson) Dunn in Denver, CO. Ellen married her high school sweetheart, Charles Waldner, on February 27, 1959 and celebrated 63 years of loving marriage. In 1985, she fulfilled a childhood dream and graduated from the Rapid City Regional Nursing School. She loved children and enjoyed a career as a certified pediatric nurse at Rapid City Regional Hospital until 2011.
Ellen was very involved in her community, serving as a member of the Make a Wish Foundation and the local cancer support group. She loved making special cards for friends and family and playing bridge with her local bridge club. She was the Queen of her Red Hat group, the Rockin' Roustabouts, and made a point to celebrate others at every opportunity.
Ellen will forever be in the hearts of her family, husband, Charles; Sons, Dale, Jay, and Todd; daughters-in-law, Ginger, Shanon, and Janice; grandchildren, Leah, Beth, Charles, and Kaila; their spouses, Wes and Shyla; great-grandchildren, Arbor, Bexley, and Wade; sister-in-law Louise, and several nieces and nephews. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Virginia and her sister Terry. Ellen's beautiful smile and generosity for others will always be remembered by those she encountered.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Storybook Island to support a memorial bench in her honor. Services will be held on August 26, 2022, at 12:30 pm, at Black Hills National Cemetery. A reception will follow at 3:00 pm at Zymurcracy Beer Company, in Rapid City. Kirk Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Memories and Condolences
for Ellen Waldner
Sponsored by Kirk Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
3 Entries
Connie Roberson
August 23, 2022
My message got cut off early. Ellen was my best friend. She will be remembered by many as a compassionate kind person. She loved her family. May you find peace that your mom was loved by so many. She will always be in my heart.
Connie Roberson
August 23, 2022
I loved my friend Ellen. She was probably the most empathetic and kind person. We supported each other in Nursing school and after. I will miss her dearly.
steve Young
August 18, 2022
The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences on your loss. We see from the obituary that Mr. Waldner retired from the Air Force. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693 or [email protected]. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO
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