Ellen Maurine Creath Mortimore entered this life May 12, 1935, in Cantril, Iowa, the youngest daughter of Chauncy L. and Bessie (McLeland) Creath. Her siblings said she sang almost before she talked. She was raised and educated in southeastern Iowa, and attended Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, where she met her future husband, Clark Mortimore. The first time she met Clark, he said to her, “Did they not tell you when I enter the room you are to stand and salute?” Which she promptly did.
On December 21, 1956, Clark and Ellen were married at the College Chapel in Fairfield, Iowa. Ellen graduated with an Elementary Teacher’s Degree, teaching first grade for two years. She and Clark then moved to his hometown in Thermopolis, Wyoming. They lived in San Francisco, California for 10 months, while Clark attended the School of Mortuary Science. While in San Francisco, she was a secretary and substitute teacher in a private school and continued to study voice.
The Mortimores returned to Wyoming as a family of three with their first son, Michael. Son, Mark, was born 3 years later in Thermopolis. Many evenings in the summer months, you would hear Ellen’s clear, melodious voice calling, “YoooooooHooooo!” and the boys knew it was time to return home after playing in the neighborhood with friends.
Ellen’s faith and her passion for music have been her mainstay throughout life. She continued as a substitute teacher in local schools and taught vocal lessons for many years. Ellen began directing the Community Church Choir in 1960. As a member of Thermopolis Music Study Club she acted, directed music and assisted in writing musical presentations. An advocate of ecumenism, she directed the musical group, “The Holy Cats,” for 15 years, and continued with many other ecumenical musical presentations. She was a former member of ESA Sorority; a charter member of Thermopolis Music Study Club; Hospital Auxiliary; a church board member of the Community Federated Church and a library volunteer. In 1985, she was honored as Citizen of the Year. Ellen enjoyed music, sewing, reading, church and music workshops.
In addition to her many interests and talents, Ellen was owner/secretary/treasurer of Mortimore Funeral Home assisting her two sons until September of 2024 at the age of 89.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clark; beloved daughter-in-law, Becky Mortimore; her parents; two brothers, Joe and John and their wives; her sister, Naomi “Nikki” Lash, or “Sis,” and her husband, Newell; and a grandson, Brady Andrew Mortimore.
Survivors include her sons, Michael (Dorothy) Mortimore and Mark Mortimore of Thermopolis; 5 grandchildren, Jason Mortimore, Matthew (Macey) Mortimore, Megan Mortimore, Brenon Mortimore, and Tiffany Mortimore; 4 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-granddaughter, numerous nieces and nephews and precious great nephews and nieces, and extended family members whom she loved very much!
Ellen entered eternal life February 21, 2025. There will be a Service of Celebration and Joy for her on Friday, February 28, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Community Federated Church in Thermopolis, WY. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., at Mortimore Funeral Home. Burial will be at Monument Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider purchasing flowers for your loved ones from The Shoppe in Thermopolis or make a donation to the Hot Springs County Library.
Mortimore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.