Ellen Bane Root

Ellen Bane Root, 94, of Winterset, Iowa died November 24, 2005 at the Winterset Care Center South. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands; a brother, John Atkins, a sister, Hazel Phearman; a step-daughter, Shirley Jurgensen; one grandchild and four great-grandchildren. Ellen was born November 5, 1911 on a farm near Adel in Colfax Township, Dallas County, Iowa, the daughter of John R. and Gertrude E. (Wright) Atkins. She graduated from Adel High School in 1930 and on October 8, 1931 she married Neal D. Bane and taught in the rural schools in Dallas and Madison County. She later married Lester O. Root on May 23, 1965. Ellen was an area resident for most of her life. She was an active member of the Winterset First United Methodist Church. She retired from Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1972 and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, the Fideles Sunday school Class, Iris Club, Tops Club and Democrat Club. Ellen is survived by three children, a son, Jerry Bane (Wanda) of Urbandale; two daughters, Mary Louise DeVault (Richard) of Winterset; Barbara Bodwell (Rev. S.D. ‘Winky’) of Ewing, MO; four step-children, Naoma Hill, Lois Priest, Leslie Root, Carol Barnes; two sisters, Maxine Handel of Mt. Vernon, IN; Martha Hartmann (Herb) of Bend, OR; ten grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; 20 step-grandchildren and 44 step-great grandchildren. Visitation: 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday where family will be present to receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. November 27, 2005 at Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare in Winterset. Service: 11:00 a.m. Monday November 28, 2005 at First United Methodist Church in Winterset. Memorial: Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 28, 2005 at the First United Methodist Church in Winterset. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, November 27, 2005 at Ochiltree Funeral Service, where the family will be present to receive friends 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Burial will be at the Winterset Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the First United Methodist Church.