Achen, Ellen Marie (Sheridan) -- 1926 - 2008

SHERIDAN, ACHEN, HUGHES, GARCIA, HOUDEK

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 8/18/2008 at 12:56:46

Ellen Marie Achen, 82 of Washington, died Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008, at Halcyon House in Washington following declining health.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008 at St. James Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Paul Appel officiating. Committal and interment was at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery at Waucoma. The visitation was Aug. 13 at Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. A prayer service was held at the funeral home.

Memorials in the name of Ellen M. Achen may be designated to St. James Catholic Church or the St. James School. Online condolences may be expressed at www.beattyfh.com .

Ellen Marie Sheridan Achen was born Feb. 17, 1926 in New Hampton, the daughter of John and Stella Gorman Sheridan. She graduated from Lawler High School in 1943 and Hamilton Business School in 1945. On June 12, 1947 she was united in marriage to Nicholas Achen at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Lawler.

The couple farmed in the Jackson Junction area until moving with the family to Crawfordsville in 1968. Ellen was a homemaker, and worked as a Tax Preparer for H & R Block for 21 years, retiring in 1989. She was a member of the St. James Catholic Church and the Altar and Rosary Society. Ellen was a charter member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americans, Court of Queenship of Mary, and the Wednesday Study Club. She worked as a volunteer for Earthly Blessings for nine years. Ellen enjoyed being with her family and grandchildren, also reading, gardening, traveling, piecing lap quilts and playing cards with her family and friends.

She is survived by her five children; Barbara Hughes of Salina, Calif., Kathryn Garcia of Concord, Mass., Tom and wife Sherri Achen of Lawler, Robert and wife Vickie Achen of Wayland, Craig and wife Cindy Achen of Sauk Center, Minn.; 25 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and by one sister Ann Houdek of Deceorah.

Preceding Ellen in death were her parents, husband Nick, two daughters; Rosemary Eblen and Rita Tucci, and one brother Francis Sheridan.

Published: August 14, 2008 The Decorah Newspapers