Ellen Isabel (Vincelette) Keele

UPDATE: Recording of the Service is now available to watch by clicking on the link found at the bottom of this obituary page. Thank you to Trinity United Church for providing this recording.

Ellen passed away suddenly on Sunday, February 27th, 2022 at the age of sixty-eight. She is lovingly remembered by her sons Jeff (Carla) and Chris; grandsons Grady and Declan; siblings Gayla (Alan), Fred, and Jo-Anne; cousin Gordon; Sisters in-law Beatrice (Verne) and Hazel (Ron); nephew Chance (Kassy) and niece Whitney (Cam); nephews Jason and John; and a number of other nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Harvey; parents Hubert and Jean Vincelette and in-laws Iven and Evelyn Keele.

Ellen was born in Portage la Prairie on May 27th, 1953. Raised in Portage, she attended both Portage Collegiate Institute and Arthur Meighen High School. She worked at Portage District General Hospital in the early 1970’s and then went to work at Woolco when the mall opened in 1979. She was the longest serving employee at the store and was still working at WalMart (Woolco) at the time of her death. Many friends and family who ran into her there were likely greeted with a big hug.

She married Harvey in 1973 and they had two sons Jeff (1974) and Chris (1976). Ellen stayed home with her boys during their preschool years. As her sons grew up, she enjoyed watching them participate in sports like baseball, hockey, and judo. During those years she was also active in sports, including baseball, bowling, and curling, and liked watching sports on TV, in particular tennis and curling. Ellen also enjoyed yard work, and later in life crossword and jigsaw puzzles.

Family was very important to Ellen. She loved when everyone gathered at her mother’s house. She looked forward to trips to Winnipeg to see her grandsons, and spending time at the farm with her sister Gayla and her family. On the farm, she would visit with her great nieces and nephews, and check on the horses and dogs.

The Funeral Service for Ellen will be held on Thursday, March 24th, 2022 at 1:30 PM, at Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper St. S. in Portage la Prairie, MB, with the Reverend Julie Baker officiating. All are welcome to attend. It is asked that you please kindly wear a mask to attend the service. Burial will take place at Hillside Cemetery immediately following the service. 

Pallbearers are Chance Murray, Whitney Zilkey, Kyle Klyne, Jeff Kitching, Cam McGregor, and Ed Davidson.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ronald Moffit Memorial Services. To leave messages of condolence for Ellen’s family, please visit our website at www.ronaldmoffitmemorialservices.com

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