Ellen Jean Westenbarger

Ellen Jean Westenbarger, residing at 3207 Colonial Drive, Helena Montana passed away at her home in the presence of loving family on April 17, 2024. She had 87 wonder filled years.

Ellen’s ashes will be interred with her husband’s during a private ceremony at Fort Harrison. A public celebration of Ellen’s life will be April 26, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 at The Residence Inn, 2500 Custer Ave Helena MT. Cake, punch and light Hors d’Oeuvers will be provided by the family to those wanting to pay their respects and learn more about Ellen’s remarkable life and legacy.

Ellen was born on November 24, 1936 in Cleveland Ohio to Donald and Grace Bell. Ellen was raised primarily in the small community of Wooster, Ohio where her father was employed at the Experiment Station of Ohio State in Wooster. The family raised border collies at their home and as a result, Ellen loved all dogs but border collies always had a special place in her heart. The day before being diagnosed with the infection, which led to her passing, she was blessed to have a border collie be part of her occupational therapy. She passed away one week later.

In 1957, Ellen met David (Jerry) Westenbarger at Ohio State University. They met while she was on a blind with another fellow, which she had no interest in. When her roommate asked what type of man did interest her and she immediately stated the man she just met … Jerry who was a ROTC candidate destined to become a pilot in the Air Force.

The romance blossomed and in December of that year the two were married. After a brief period in flight school, they were off to the see the world.

Ellen was a very devoted military wife, especially during the war in Vietnam. When David (Jerry) was stationed at Clark AFB in the Philippines, she and her son (Kurt) who was just two months old, flew to join him there. When Ellen was seven months pregnant with daughter (Carol), Ellen and Kurt flew back to the states for Carol to be born. A couple years later the family flew to Naha AFB in Okinawa. Ellen used her Elementary Education Degree from Ohio State University to influence young minds in such diverse places as the Philippines, Okinawa and Ohio.

They returned to Ohio several years later where Ellen taught kindergarten in Shade, Ohio and her beloved spouse was a ROTC instructor at Ohio University in Athens. Ellen single-parented again while David (Jerry) was on remote assignment in Greenland. Upon his return they decided he would no longer be a rescue pilot and instead be retrained and stationed at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Montana. They loved Montana so much he retired instead of transferring elsewhere. Ellen was happy to support him as her greatest joy was her family.

While in Montana Ellen volunteered as a Family Service Counselor on base and later as a hospital volunteer in Great Falls. Ellen also owned several successful home

businesses including Sarah Coventry Jewelry, a preschool/daycare and Creative Knits - selling knitting machines, kitting supplies, finished goods and offering lessons.

Outdoor recreation played a role throughout Ellen and Dave’s married life and they brought up their two children to enjoy the same. The entire family can recall a fun-filled and often challenging multi-day (some of them wet days) canoe trip through the Missouri River’s White Cliffs. Or driving from Ohio to California then up to Montana, a family of four, with dog, visiting Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier as well as several more obscure roadside attractions. These family stories abound and most, if not all of them, involve Ellen, her wonderful smile and her never-ending patience.

Ellen had a passion for children and reveled in watching her two grandkids and one great-grandson over the years. The three of them brought so much joy into her life as she watched the grandkids develop into adults. Her great grandson’s little boy antics lit up her world and she shared stories about him to anyone who would listen.

David (Jerry passed away in November of 2021. Ellen is survived by her brother Donald Bell; her children - son Kurt (wife Eve); her daughter Carol Westenbarger Carpenter (husband Marvin); grandchildren- Nicole and Drew (wife Lexsey) and by her only great grandchild, Lochlan (child of Drew/Lexsey). Ellen is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family looks forward to receiving family and friends April 26, 2024. The family requests anyone wanting to memorize Ellen’s passing to make donations to The Lewis and Clark Human Society, PO Box 4455 Helena MT 59604. Thank you.

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