Ellen Mae Kertz entered our world on May 3, 1934. She was the oldest of 11 children born to Felix and Laura Kertz in Edinburg, North Dakota She passed into God’s loving arms the morning of June 19, 2021.
From a young age Ellen knew she wanted to become a nurse in order to help others. She graduated from Nursing School at the University of North Dakota in 1955 and, after training in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, began working at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Milwaukee. In the early 1980’s she continued her nursing education and became an Enterostomal Therapist. In Helena Ellen worked for Shodair Children’s Hospital, St. Peter’s Hospital, and Westmont Home Healthcare. Ellen married Robert Flanagan in 1956. Together they raised seven children. Their marriage ended in 1987 but they remained friends.
While she was attending the 1990 Program For Lay Ministry at Carroll College, she met a kind, handsome, Croatian gentleman – William “Bill” Mudro. Bill was born in Butte in 1935 and graduated from Carroll College in 1958. They were married in 1993 at St. Mary Church in Helena. They began a wonderful spiritual journey together, and were active members of St. Mary Parish.
Bill and Ellen loved to travel and see new places. They attended over 100 elder hostels. They also traveled to Rome, England, Ireland, Europe, Canada, and throughout the States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Often they travelled with Ellen’s sisters, and they also loved to visit family.
Few will understand how hard she worked to raise her children and help them through college and beyond. She was very proud of her children’s accomplishments, and she was even more proud of her 22 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She loved visiting them, talking on the phone, and writing and receiving cards from them.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Frannie and Terry, brother John, and grandchild Conor. She is survived by her sons Kevin (Bekki), Tim (Rene’), Mike (Anita), and Pat (Peggy), and daughters Maureen, Mary (Ron) Poe, and Kathy (Scott) McFarland and by her brothers Felix, Jim (Mary), Joe (Karen), Bob (Noela), and sisters Patty Toubbeh, Louise (Jack) Riphahn and Rosemary (Curtis) Danielson).
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 23 at 12:10 pm at St. Mary Church in Helena. There will be a viewing beginning 1 hour before Mass. A reception will follow at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in the Social Hall. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Spokane Shriners Children’s Hospital, God’s Love, Good Samaritan, or a charity of your choice.
After a lifetime of serving others and loving her family, may Ellen have everlasting peace and joy in Heaven.
Terry Wareham says
Mr. Mudro, although I never had the pleasure of meeting your wife, I can see she brought you much happiness. It is so nice to read of your travels, and that you had nearly 30 amazing years together. Her family must have been a wonderful addition to your life as well. She obviously made a good man even better. And it is a blessing to see that the two of you have God’s great promise of the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life together. My prayers are with you that you will be able to dwell little on the sorrow and more on the wonderful memories. My condolences, Terry Ross Wareham
Rev. Richard Francesco says
The parishioners of Saint Mary Catholic Community will remember Ellen as a devoted steward of God’s blessings. Well done, good and faithful servant. May Ellen rest in the peace of Christ.
Kevin Bartsch says
My Mom Noreen really enjoyed Ellen’s friendship and deep spiritual faith commitment over their years working together at WestMont and well beyond. Hope they are catching up with one another! Your family is in our thoughts during this time of loss.
Margaret A Kernan says
Ellen was a regular, familiar person at mass at St. Mary. And although I didn’t know her personally, her presence was always a reminder of the shared blessings of faith, and faithfulness. I will miss her presence, yet upon reading her obituary, I know that the blessings of her presence and caring have endured over a lifetime of deep, loving service to others. I trust that her loving, caring spirit will continue as we honor her place in the communion of saints.