Ellen Lea (Downs) Singleton was born April 1, 1937, to James and Dorotha (Sudduth) Downs in Weeping Water.
The family moved to Lincoln four years later. The Downs family were members of the old Havelock Christian Church. Ellen attended Lincoln Northeast High School, graduating in 1955. She then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Ellen met the love of her life, Paul Frances Singleton, in 1956 at a dance at Pla Mor. Paul and Ellen were married Aug. 10, 1957, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lincoln. They were blessed with three children – Christine Ann, Kathleen Marie and John Paul. They lived in the Lincoln area for several years and then several other towns in Nebraska due to Paul’s 45 years with the Lincoln Telephone Company.
Ellen enjoyed helping the kids with 4-H and FFA projects, such as raising Suffolk sheep and cattle. Over the years, Ellen was a secretary and bookkeeper. She was a secretary for the director of the counseling and testing department at Concordia University in Seward for nine years and enjoyed her time there. In her free time, Ellen loved her vegetable and flower gardens, and baking and cooking family favorites. She especially enjoyed family gatherings and researching family history.
Ellen liked to knit, crochet and do sewing projects including quilting. She was a member of the Blue Valley Quilt Guild since its founding in Seward. Ellen passed away March 19, 2024, at her home in Seward.
She is survived by her husband, Paul Singleton of Seward; daughters, Christine Monk of Eagle and Kathleen (Monte) Grossnicklaus of Wisconsin; son, John (Susan) Singleton of Seward; grandchildren, Jeremy (Carie) Bruss of Bennett, Kyle (Beth) Bruss of Bennett, Kristen (Donato) Lipari of Dillon, Colorado, Katie (Andrew) Steele of Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, Andrew Singleton of Fairbury, and Justin (Amanda) Singleton of Staplehurst; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Helen (Roger) Huls of Beatrice; brother, Robert (Shirlee) Downs of Arizona; sisters-in-law, Laverna Singleton, and Erma (Arthur) Claycomb, both of Lincoln; numerous other friends and relatives. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, James and Dorotha Downs; son-in-law, Kevin Kempkes; and parents-in-law, Lester and Francis Singleton.
The funeral mass was March 23 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward with committal at the Seward Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the Singleton family. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
