Ellis, Viola Marie

Viola Marie Ellis, 80, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at her home. Services will be 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Burial will follow in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids.

Viola was born March 6, 1931, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Leonard and Erna (Dittberner) Petsel. She married Charles Ellis on March 7, 1949. Viola enjoyed bowling at May City Lanes, gardening, baby-sitting her grandchildren and spending time with her family. She was involved as a Good Samaritan and with Bible study at Trinity Lutheran Church.

The family will miss her saying “Leave it Alone.”

Viola is survived by her daughter, Cindy McGowan; sons, David Ellis and Melvin (Sue) Ellis; grandchildren, Chrissy Ellis, Michele McGowan, Roxanne Ellis and Eric McGowan; great-grandchildren, Raven, Maddie, Taylor and Miya; great-great-grandson, DeVasier; a brother, Carl (Pauline) Petsel; and her sisters, Delores (Chuck) Thomas, Nancy (Carl) Morning and Mary (Earl) Starling.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her son, Kenny, a granddaughter, Tayah Mease; and a sister, Lillian King.

Memorials may be expressed to the family.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Mercy for their love and care for Viola.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at .

Published in The Gazette Jan. 29, 2012