Montrose - Daily Press

Leader, Teacher & Mentor To Many

Feb. 23, 1933 — June 14, 2009

MONTROSE — Marion “Ellouise” Sanburg passed away Sunday, June 14, 2009 at her home in Montrose. Ellouise was born Feb. 23, 1933 to Clyde Jonas and Bonita Marie (Lange) AuMiller.

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Her parents lived in Piceance Creek, in a remote dugout home north of Rifle at the time of her birth. Clyde took Marie by sled to Rifle, 30 days before Ellouise’s birth not knowing when delivery would be. He returned to Rifle a month later taking Marie and Ellouise by sled back to their home. Ellouise was a very small but healthy infant and they kept her bundled in blankets and a shoe box. On the trip to their home they would stop at the ranches along the way and warm her near old cookstoves until they made it home. Her childhood would be spent on the Western Slope, Grand Junction, Ouray, Telluride, Silverton, Durango and Canon City. Her father went to Indiana and worked for an extended amount of time, wherever work could be found and help was needed.

Ellouise attended high school in Ouray and graduated from Montrose High School in 1951 and married Milton Stockton Sanburg June 3, 1951, at the United Methodist Church in Montrose. She and Milton were soul mates from that moment on. They worked side by side and ranched for many years to come. Milton was very supportive of her endeavors and her many hours of dedication and teaching in the community. They continued to reside in Montrose and raise their family. Milton preceded her in death on Sept. 9, 1995, in Montrose.

Ellouise was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. A homemaker in every aspect, Ellouise took her job very seriously and enjoyed every minute of it. She loved the ranch life, homemaking, the outdoors, sewing, cooking, canning foods and her prosperous flower garden. Ellouise was a very generous person who enjoyed teaching and giving of her time to so many young people in the Montrose Community. She was a 4-H Leader for 32 years and demonstrated to young girls, “Life Skills.” Ellouise was very involved with the Cowbells and judged many county fairs throughout the area. She loved working with the youth and was a member of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. Ellouise loved her family and leaves her imprint on all those she influenced while she fulfilled her special place in this world. She will be deeply missed by her family and all the lives she had touched over the years.

Survivors include her mother, Marie Aumiller, of Montrose; daughters, Susan Humphrey and husband Dan of Olathe, Colleen Muhr and husband Brad of Tucson, Ariz., Kama Clarke and husband Scott of Montrose, son, Kurt Milton Sanburg and wife Gretchen of Bostwick Park; grandchildren, Megan Humphrey Snyder and husband Dave of Montrose, Sarah Muhr of Des Moines, Iowa, Allison Muhr of Tucson, Ariz., Caitlin Sanburg, Emily Sanburg, Grace Sanburg, Annabelle Sanburg and Sebastian Clarke, all of Montrose. Ellouise was preceded in death by her father, Clyde; husband, Milton; granddaughters, Dana Humphrey and Tanya Sanburg; and grandson, Levi Clarke Sanburg.

A memorial service in celebration of Ellouise’s life will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2009, at 2 p.m., at the Montrose Christian Church. The service will conclude at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Montrose 4-H Foundation, In memory of Ellouise Sanburg, 101 North 2nd St., Montrose, CO 81401. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.      

Comments

Loretta Casler wrote on Jun 18, 2009 10:36 AM:

" I feel honored to have known Ellouise. She was a
delightful and positive lady. I will always remember her with fondness. "




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Kim McCorkle-Harbath wrote on Jun 17, 2009 8:23 AM:

" I'm sending the Sandburg family healing thoughts today....I always appreciated Ellouise's passion for living and her upbeat, happy spirit. Have many good memories of being "Neighbors" on Bostwick Park...
Thinking of you all today....
Kim "




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