Ellen Ardean Conklin
Ellen Ardean Conklin nee Malone passed away peacefully Nov. 25, 2023, at the age of 92. She was born in Wenatchee, Wash., on Aug. 1, 1931, to Alice Malone nee Preston and William Malone, being the second child having been preceded by her brother, Pat.
Ellen grew up on the family’s wheat ranch in Eastern Washington. She attended school in a one-room schoolhouse with the other local farm children. She graduated from Wenatchee High School.
Ellen went to work for the phone company as an operator and was soon selected for additional training as a teletype operator. However, this training was interrupted when she met a young Air Force man, Richard Conklin. They were married in November 1952 and their union lasted 61 years until Richard’s passing in 2014.
In November 1953 their son, Joseph Eric, was born. After Richard was honorably discharged from the Air Force, they moved around. First to Michigan, and then to Arizona, where in November of 1959 their daughter, Kathy Lynn, was born. Richard became employed as an adjustor with AAA Insurance Company. He worked there until his retirement in 1981.
The family later moved to California. These were busy years for Ellen as the family frequently moved due to transfers and promotions. Ellen was busy raising her two children and caring for her family. She was actively involved in the PTA and served as both a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s troops.
Ellen was very proud of her family and her home. She was always welcoming to guests, and no one ever left hungry.
Upon Richard’s retirement, the family moved to Mt. Vernon, Wash., where they were active in the Elk’s Club. Ellen loved the view of the Skagit Valley tulip fields, as tulips were her favorite flower.
Ellen and Richard both loved to travel. At one point they sold their house, bought a fifth wheel and went off on their grand journey to travel around the United States. For two years, they wandered all over the U.S. as the mood took them, seeing the fall colors in New England, visiting New Orleans, fishing in Galveston, Texas, and watching Old Faithful erupt, among many other wonderful memories.
When they decided to settle down again, Ellen wanted to return to her roots in Eastern Washington. They built a home in Coulee City with a beautiful view of the lake. Ellen loved to sit with her morning coffee and watch the birds on the lake.
After a few years, they chose to leave the small town of Coulee City for the bright lights of Moses Lake. During her years in Moses Lake, Ellen was an avid bridge player and was active with several bridge groups until COVID-19 halted such activities.
The move to Moses Lake also brought her closer to friends and relatives. She especially enjoyed the company of Patty Craig and her family.
Ellen, always an independent and intelligent spirit, was interested in sports, politics and word games. She loved to talk about her favorite sporting teams and current politics. She adored animals and usually had pets in her life, a favorite cat or dog. Ellen was a loving and wonderful mother and leaves behind her son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Kim Conklin, and her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Danny Kane. Always a bright and happy light in the lives of all who knew her. Ellen will be well remembered and truly missed.
A celebration of life to share memories and stories of Ellen will be held July 9, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Moses Lake Grange, 14724 Road 3 SE, Moses Lake, Wash.
Ellen Conklin was a devoted wife and mother who took great pride in caring for her home and family.