Nanette Catherine Ellis

Nanette Catherine Ellis, 80, of Holts Summit, passed away Friday, March 1, 2024, at her residence surrounded by her family.

She was born August 1, 1943, in Georgetown, Texas, the oldest of 6 children born to Ernest Nelson and Gladys Beatrice (Anderson) Johnson.  She was baptized at Palm Valley Lutheran Church in Round Rock, Texas on September 12, 1943, and later confirmed on Palm Sunday, 1957.  She grew up with many chores on the family farm.

On July 18, 1970, Nanette was united in marriage to Howard Norman Ellis at Zion Lutheran Church in Galveston, Texas.

Nanette graduated from Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas in 1961 as Valedictorian of her class and from Texas Lutheran University (Magna Cum Laude) in 1965 with a B.S. in Biology and Government.   Nanette received her Teacher’s Certification from Ft. Hays State University in 1983.  She completed a Master’s degree program in Education in Guidance and Counseling in 1990 at Lincoln University.  Nanette also completed a 3-year program and was certified as a Parish Ministry Associate in 1995.  Nanette had a semester of credit from Wartburg Seminary while her husband was a student there, and she completed 2 units of rural Clinical Pastoral Education while living in Illinois.

Nanette worked in several areas in her lifetime which included a medical research technician at the University of Texas Medical Branch, where she co-authored three published articles; Family Planning Director of Galveston County with the Office of Economic Opportunity’s anti-poverty program; the in-school suspension program at Dubuque Senior High School; Science Teacher at Jefferson City High School; School Counselor at Russellville; and Home Based Specialist with Lutheran Child and Family services in Southern Illinois.

Nanette served as a supply preacher in many churches in Central Missouri and Southern Illinois.  In addition, she was on staff at Peace Lutheran in Steelville, IL and she was the synodically authorized minister at Immanuel Lutheran in Cairo, IL.   She served on synod committees and was elected and served on the Discipline Committee of the ELCA.   Nanette was very ecumenical and preached supply in the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church, and the United Church of Christ in Southern Illinois.  She was also an associate with the School Sisters of Notre Dame.  In retirement, she was active in lay ministries at Grace Episcopal.

Nanette was a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan her whole life, enjoyed going to yard sales in retirement, and enjoyed music.   She wrote music published in Central States Synod-ELCA songbook.

Survivors include her husband, Rev. Howard Ellis (retired), Holts Summit; two daughters, Heidi (Shain) Bunz, Roseville, CA; Kirsten (Keith) Kempker, Holts Summit; her mother, Gladys Johnson, Thorndale, TX; son-in-law, Bill Grimsman, Seattle, WA; four grandchildren, Hannah (fiancé Brandon), Ali, Grace, Matthew; five siblings, Harvey (Phyllis) Jonson, Taylor, TX; Nelson (Marilyn) Johnson, Thorndale, TX; Ann Paulsen, Buckholts, TX; Jayne Baxter, Hutto, TX; Pam (Gary) Dishberger, Bellingham, MA; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, and her son, Jay Ellis.

Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2024, at Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City.

Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Grace Episcopal Church in Jefferson City with Rev. Bill Nesbit officiating.  The service will be livestreamed on the Grace Episcopal Church Facebook page.

Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Russellville with Rev. Ed Merckel officiating.

Memorials are suggested to Grace Episcopal Church – Jefferson City, Trinity Lutheran Church – Russellville, or School Sisters of Notre Dame.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com