Mary Ellen Silliman

Mary Ellen Silliman, age 93, a longtime resident of the Winterset and Lorimor communities passed away on April 4, 2025 in Columbia, Missouri, where she lived with family since 2021.

Ellen spent countless hours shuttling kids, in bleachers and school gyms for ball games, concerts, musicals, school plays. She traveled to attend grandchildren’s school activities, concerts, ball games and sheep shows. More recently, she adapted to live streaming great-grandchildren’s dance competitions, concerts, and ball games. A constant source of loving support, she was always there.

Ellen was happiest among her gathered family. She delighted in preparing home cooked meals and baking. Her handwritten recipe cards are scattered throughout many kitchens. Ellen loved Christmas — the lights, baking, decorating, candy making and the joy of being together.

Adept in texting and Facebook messenger, Ellen still preferred to mail cards often for no greater occasion than to brighten a recipient’s day. Notes written in her elegant penmanship were received by many.

Ellen was admired for her devotion to family and friends, generosity, warm smile, keen intellect and selflessness. She always placed others first. A quiet faith guided her. She was a good neighbor who loved unconditionally.

Born September 22, 1931 in Tooele, Utah to Wayne and Rose Mary Harris, Ellen came to Earlham, IA at age 1 and 1/2 to live with grandparents, Lee and Pearl Harris. Ellen attended Earlham Consolidated Schools, graduating with the class of 1949.

Following graduation, Ellen worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Des Moines until her marriage to Robert “Bob” Silliman on Dec. 3, 1950. An only child, Ellen gained seven siblings through marriage. She cherished the role of sister and aunt.

Bob and Ellen farmed near Centerville, IA from 1951 until 1964 when they moved to a farm near Lorimor, IA. In 1979, Ellen and Bob moved to Winterset, IA where she worked as a bookkeeper at Farm and Home until her retirement in 2010.

Wherever she went, Ellen’s flower beds flourished. Some perennials moved from place to place with Ellen for more than 70 years. She tended to the friends she gathered along the way with the same care and nurturing. During the past year, Ellen persevered with her characteristic good nature even in the daunting face of her declining health. Every day, she chose joy and kindness and remained the heart of her family.

Ellen is survived by daughters Nancy (Gary) Schwartzhoff of Eau Claire, WI, Kris Livingston (David Johnson) of Columbia, MO; son Rick (Angie) Silliman of Fremont, IA; grandchildren Rebecca (Andy) Johnson of Eau Claire, WI, Jenifer (Jerry) Morgan, of Eagan, MN, Cooper (Bronwyn) Livingston of Columbia, MO Kylee (Devin) Fisher of Wilder, ID; great-grandchildren Brady, Alex and Anna Johnson, Emma and Clare Morgan, Graham Fisher, Cirdan Livingston; sisters-in-law Mae Newton, Marge Gale, Phyllis Crandall; brother-in-law Chuck (Dianne) Silliman; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, in 1988; her son-in-law, Malcom Livingston, in 1993; brothers/sisters-in-law Gene Newton, Bob Gale, Ward Crandall, Jo and Bill Bell, Lois and Bill Rieckhoff, Ron and Treasa Silliman.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Winterset Chapel. Family will receive friends prior to the service, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Interment will be in the Winterset Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations designated in memory of Ellen Silliman may be directed to the Winterset Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 44 or Friends of the Library, c/o Winterset Public Library, 123 N 2nd Street, Winterset, IA 50273.