Ellen Louise (Gillespie) Hallberg passed away peacefully on October 16, 2016,in Helena. She was 77 years old.
Ellen was born on October 11, 1939, Helena to Lawrence and Ellen Gillespie. She was the second of three daughters, along with three brothers. In 1941, Ellen moved to Iowa with her family, and then they all moved back to Helena, Montana in 1953.
Ellen married Frank “Pat” Hallberg in 1955. Ellen and Pat enjoyed fishing, hunting camping, and gold panning and digging for old bottles together and with their family. She was also an avid bowler.Her latest interest included jewelry making, of which she shared with her many family members.
Ellen worked for the State of Montana Unemployment Insurance Division, Department of Labor and Industry from 1972 until her passing. She was employed as a supervisor, an adjudicator, a network administrator and as a management analyst. Additionally, Pat and Ellen operated Pat’s Auto Repair in Helena from 1978 until late 1990 when Pat retired.
Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Pat, and her son, Ben Hallberg; an infant brother, Larry Gillespie; her sister Dorothy Horne, and her parents. She is survived by daughters Roberta (Hallberg) Arnold and Karen Hallberg; grandson, Frank Wesley Hallberg. She is also survived by brothers Raymond (Yvonne) Gillespie and Roger (Leanne) Gillespie, sister Anna Mae,and her sister-in-law Jean Anderson of Oregon, and several nieces and nephews.The family wishes to thank AppleRehab Cooney and Hospice for their kindness and loving care during her last month.
Ellen has dedicated this passage to her many friends and loved ones from a poem she wrote in 2003.
We’ve shared our lives, dear ones, and now
Has come my time to leave.
That I can go and you must stay
For this alone, I grieve.
Soul is not confined to this world,
Nor by its borders bound.
My death is just a passage to
Another, more profound.
I must go, my friends, where love awaits,
Know with you stays my heart.
Please do not weep; in our true home
Friends never are apart.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Helena, MT. 59602. A reception will immediately follow her service in the funeral home. Charitable donations can be made in Ellen’s honor to the organization of the donor’s choice. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share to a memory of Ellen.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Thursday October 27, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Thursday October 27, 2016
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Thursday October 27, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Thursday October 27, 2016
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
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B J says
Ellen was a sweet and loving person. One time she loaned me her sewing machine for the whole summer so I could make school clothes for my kids.
Dee Stofko says
Ellen often frequented my bead shop in town and designed beautiful jewelry. Her passion for jewelry never diminished. We became friends and when I visited her in her last days, even then she had to see the jewelry I wore. I will miss you so much my friend…
Kimberly (Kimmy Smith) Davis says
Ellen was my neighbor growing up, she was always kind & sweet. She would help me with my math homework if I needed it. When my brother died. she was there to help my family & we will all be forever grateful, She will be missed!
Grant Snyder says
Though I knew her quite briefly my time with Ellen was always well spent.
Please accept my most humble of condolences. She was truly a great lady.