Ellyson, Catherine 'Kaye' Murphy

Catherine “Kaye” Murphy Ellyson, 85, of West Branch, passed away early Tuesday morning, Nov. 23, 2010, in the company of her family at Mercy Iowa City.

Services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City, with Reverend Richard Paulus officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial is in West Branch Cemetery.

She was born October 16, 1925 in Johnson County, the daughter of Raymond Joseph and Catherine (Murphy) Kabela. Catherine grew up on the family farm and started her schooling in a one-room schoolhouse two miles west of West Branch. After graduating from West Branch High School, Catherine traveled to New Orleans to train as a stewardess at Eastern Airlines. However, since she did not meet the height regulations at the time, she began an office career working in reservations.

Catherine was married to her devoted husband of 62 years, Ronald Mervin Ellyson of West Branch, July 22, 1948, after his return from the Navy serving on the USS Hornet during World War II. They lived in the West Branch area most of their married life except for a few years in the 1950s when they moved to Redondo Beach, California.

After returning to West Branch, Catherine worked at Owens Brush Company in the data processing department and later at both Crestview Care Center and Cookson Home in West Branch. She retired in 1998 but continued to volunteer at both care facilities. She also served as a Girl Scout leader and was a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Her favorite pastimes were cooking, reading and music.

Catherine is survived by her husband, Ron; daughter, Pam Long of Ankeny, Iowa; son, Greg Ellyson and his wife Kathy of Iowa City; grandson, Thad Long and wife Martha of Bondurant, Iowa; granddaughter, Catherine Downing and husband Jason of Des Moines; and four great-grandchildren, Ellyson “Elly”, Louis and Simon Long, and Jace Downing.

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents and Ron's parents, Austin and Ina Ellyson, with whom she was very close.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Catherine Ellyson Memorial Fund.

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