Ellen Bateman

ELLEN A. (ROSS) BATEMAN

Marion

Ellen A Bateman, 91, of Marion, passed away Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, following a brief illness. Services: 10 a.m. Thursday, March 3, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Robert A. Kunz. Internment will follow the service at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, one hour before the service.

Ellen, the daughter of William H. Ross and Alice M. Bruce, was born Nov. 26, 1924, at home in Waubeek, Iowa. Ellen grew up in and around Waubeek, beginning her education in Waubeek's one-room schoolhouse and continuing at McKinley High School in Cedar Rapids, graduating in 1944. Ellen continued her education at Paris Academy, graduating in 1946. Ellen and her siblings grew up during the height of the Grant Wood Artist Colony, just down the road in Stone City. They spent summers playing and fishing on the banks of the Wapsie River, along with their cousin, Jay Sigmund (who later became Iowa Poet Laureate). Summers would sometimes find Ellen's family hosting the traveling carnival, providing space in the shade under the gigantic old oak trees for the elephant, giraffe, other animals and entertainers. Ellen was a 64-year member of Marion Christian Church.

Ellen married Fritz (Frederick E.) Bateman in a double ceremony with Fritz's brother, Donald, and Adella Williams Caraway, on Aug. 14, 1948, in Vinton. Ellen and Fritz had two children, twin daughters Sue E. Pehkonen (Robert) and Sara A. Bateman.

Ellen, a lifelong learner, continued her education in library science, first at Kirkwood, then at Iowa State while working for the Marion Library and Linn-Mar schools. Ellen returned to Kirkwood to pursue a degree in creative writing and literature, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree in literature and English.

Ellen continued to pursue creative writing, family genealogy (she loved the mystery of tracing her Scottish lineage, some say to "Braveheart" or William, the Bruce). She loved reading, listening to music, bird watching and volunteering at church and St. Luke's (UnityPoint). Ellen looked forward to travel, visiting friends and family far and near. She enjoyed bike riding and walking and despite health issues (rheumatoid arthritis), Ellen looked forward to her 19 years of daily morning walks with close friend, Odette Welton.

Ellen loved and cherished her family. She and Fritz enjoyed attending or hosting family events. She especially loved spending time with her grand and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed adventures visiting local parks, the zoo, the duck pond and preparing their favorite chocolate chip cookies.

Ellen was predeceased in death by her husband of 59 years; her grandparents and parents; her siblings, Wallace (Sam) Ross, Faye (Tag) Ross, Lucille (Sally) Ross, Meryl Ross, Marvin Ross and Meryl Ross (in infancy); and stepgrandson, Robert J. Pehkonen.

Those left to cherish Ellen's memory, in addition to friends, are her daughters; grandchildren, Adriane E. (Michael J.) Miller of Marion, Aaron D. Hartmann (Jen Hudson) of Bend, Ore., and Jennifer L. (Jeffrey) Driscol of Robins; and stepgrandchildren, James Pehkonen (Leanne Seckinger) of Salt Lake City, Kathyrn Smith (Scott Donovan) of Parker, Colo., and Melissa (Steven) Walpole of Scotts Valley, Calif. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Connor (Sara), Courteney, Michala, Mackenzie and Alyssa Mille and Jaaron Hartmann and Mabel Driscol; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Sawyer, Ryan and Sadie Pehkonen, Sierra and Haley Smith, Steven and Toban Walpole and Natalie and Rachael Seckinger. She also is survived by sisters, Bernita Jacobs of Marion and Ruth King of Blue Grass.

Ellen's family would like to thank her team of health care providers and the staff of UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's ER, 5th Floor and the Ed and Joan Hemphill Hospice Unit for their cherished care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Camp Courageous or The Arthritis Foundation.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.