Dolley, Ellen A.

Ellen A. Dolley, 95, a resident of Crestview Acres, Marion, died there Monday, April 2, 2012. Graveside service: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at Evergreen Cemetery, Delhi, Iowa. Visitation will be from 4. to 7 p.m. Friday, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion.

Survivors include her sons, Gordon (Jean) Dolley of Apache Junction, Ariz., and Walter Dolley of Cedar Rapids; stepson, Cloyd (Inez) Dolley of Decorah; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Hazel Cambell of Marion.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; her parents; a special friend, Russ; brothers, Benjamin and Norman Whitmore; and four sisters, Mabel Keller, Lora Kessel, Erma Jenkins and Mary Valandinghal.

Ellen was born March 11, 1917, in Baker, Mont., the daughter of Gordon and Emma (Bolson) Whitmore. She married Frank H. Dolley on April 12, 1938. Frank died Dec. 24, 1984, in Bella Vista, Ark., where he and Ellen lived for some time during their retirement. Ellen was a homemaker while her children were growing up, when the children were grown she and Frank went on to own and operate a restaurant in Delhi, and later a tavern in Monticello. She also worked at Wilson's Meat Packing. Ellen was a member of Antioch Christian Church in Marion. She enjoyed her work, her church, her flowers and life in general. Ellen especially loved her family.

A special thank you to Jewel Dolley for all of her loving care and support throughout the years. Also, a special thanks to Crestview Acres and all the nursing staff there and to Ken and Careece Thompson.

Please sign the online guest book for Ellen at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette April 4, 2012.