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Ellen Jane Waldner

1941 - 2022

Ellen Jane Waldner obituary, 1941-2022, Durango, CO

BORN

1941

DIED

2022

FUNERAL HOME

Kirk Funeral Home & Cremation Services

1051 E MINNESOTA ST.

Rapid City, South Dakota

Ellen Waldner Obituary

Ellen Jane (Dunn) Waldner, 80, passed away on August 10, 2022 surrounded by family. Ellen was born on September 2, 1941 to Frank and Virginia (Benson) Dunn in Denver, CO. Ellen grew up in Durango, Colorado and graduated from Durango High School in 1959. She married her high school sweetheart, Charles Waldner, on February 27, 1959 and celebrated 63 years of loving marriage. After Charles' retirement from the Air Force, Ellen and Charles settled in Rapid City, South Dakota and raised three sons. In 1985, she fulfilled a childhood dream and graduated from the Rapid City Regional Nursing School. She loved children and enjoyed a career as a certified pediatric nurse at Rapid City Regional Hospital until retirement in 2011.

Ellen was very involved in her community, serving as a member of the Make a Wish Foundation and the local cancer support group. She loved making special cards for friends and family and playing bridge with her local bridge club. She was the Queen of her Red Hat group, the Rockin' Roustabouts, and made a point to celebrate others at every opportunity.



Ellen will forever be in the hearts of her family; husband, Charles; sons, Dale (Ginger), Jay (Shanon), and Todd (Janice); grandchildren, Leah, Beth (Wes), Charles (Shyla), and Kaila; great-grandchildren, Arbor, Bexley, and Wade; sister-in-law Louise Luther, and several nieces and nephews to include Louise's children Alvin, Mike and Linda. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Virginia, her sister Terry and niece Diane. Ellen's beautiful smile and generosity for others will always be remembered by those she encountered.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Durango Herald on Aug. 18, 2022.

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3 Entries

Connie Roberson

August 23, 2022

My message got cut off early. Ellen was my best friend. She will be remembered by many as a compassionate kind person. She loved her family. May you find peace that your mom was loved by so many. She will always be in my heart.

Connie Roberson

August 23, 2022

I loved my friend Ellen. She was probably the most empathetic and kind person. We supported each other in Nursing school and after. I will miss her dearly.

steve Young

August 18, 2022

The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences on your loss. We see from the obituary that Mr. Waldner retired from the Air Force. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693 or [email protected]. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.

Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO

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Memorial Events
for Ellen Waldner

Aug

26

Service

12:30 p.m.

Black Hills National Cemetery

SD

Funeral services provided by:

Kirk Funeral Home & Cremation Services

1051 E MINNESOTA ST., Rapid City, SD 57701

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