Ellen J. (Spowart) Cairns (1981)

CAIRNS, SPOWART, VAN ELSEN, SMITH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 12/15/2008 at 13:44:30

Earlham Echo – March 19, 1981

Ellen J. Cairns, the daughter of William and Margaret Bryceland Spowart, was born August 18, 1912 in Des Moines, Iowa. She passed away March 12, 1981 at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center where she had been a patient for several weeks.

Ellen grew up in Des Moines and attended Visitation Church School and St. Joseph’s Academy.

For the past 20 years Ellen made her home in Earlham and Dexter communities. She owned and operated the Earlham Tavern for 16 years.

Survivors include her husband, Al; son, Ron Van Elsen of Des Moines; five stepchildren; 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Ann Smith of Earlham and one brother, Sam Spowart of Des Moines.

Services were held at the McKee Funeral Home in Earlham March 14 at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Bernard Zylstra officiating.

Casket bearers were Rick Arnburg, Albert Fagen, Charles Jurgensen, Ray Lenocker, Rick Rilea and Kenneth Summy.

Interment was in the Colfax Cemetery, Colfax, Iowa.

Professional services by McKee Funeral Homes of Earlham and Dexter.