Ellen L. Adams passed away on June 30, 2023 at the age of 83. Everyone who knew her is acutely aware of the void that has been created by her departure.

Ellen was born on October 28, 1939 to LeRoy Raymond Hamp and Alwine Elisabeth Hamp (Spooner) at Champaign, IL. She grew up at 620 Union Street, Champaign with siblings, Maribe, Priscilla, Judith and John, and graduated from Uni High School of Urbana, IL in 1956. While attending college at the University of Illinois, she met John Robert Adams, originally of Arlington, SD. John and Ellen were wed in Champaign on December 21, 1958. They subsequently relocated to Brookings, SD where John completed his college studies at South Dakota State University. During the early part of their life together, John and Ellen lived in Brookings, SD, Seattle, WA, Huntsville, AL and New Orleans, LA, before moving to Marion, IA in the fall of 1965.

They would call Marion home for the next 34 years, until John's retirement, but Ellen's

favorite place of all was Bear Lake in northern Michigan, where they had a summer home and would later retire. They would subsequently trade time between Bear Lake and Arlington, SD, where they had restored John's birth home. They had many friends and acquaintances in each place. The Bear Lake home was Ellen's happy space, and a regular gathering place for family get-togethers and vacations.

Ellen was an avid gardener, and her homes were always graced with an abundance of

plantings and flowers. She also loved dogs and developed a passion for raising Labrador Retrievers. This hobby ultimately spawned a small side business, South Shore Labradors. Her dog's puppies made their way into happy homes across the country, and many friendships were created in the process. Ellen's passion and enthusiasm extended to the world of sports, and she particularly enjoyed watching football, basketball, women's softball and the Little League World Series.

Ellen is survived by: her siblings, John, Maribe, Priscilla and Judith; daughter, Connie

(Steve) White of Franklin, TN; son, Rob (Kaleen) Adams of Ankeny, IA; son, Ken (Kelle) Adams of Madison, WI; daughter, Trish (Rick) Roth of Everett, WA; son, Tim (Anne) Adams of Seattle, WA; and son, Dave Adams of Scottville, MI; grandchildren, Jesse (Joshua), Shane (Amy), Lyndsay (Justin), Megan (Brady), Nicole (Dom), John (Sofia), Jack, Tim, Jordan, Ben, Sarah, Blake, Emma, Matthew; and great-grandchildren, River, Jackson and Mylah.

She was preceded in death by: her husband, John; and parents, LeRoy and Elisabeth.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM, on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at the Terwilliger Funeral Home, in Kaleva. Visitation will take place from 11:00 AM until the time of service at the Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at the Pleasanton Township Cemetery and a light luncheon for family and friends at 7063 South Shore Drive, Bear Lake.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials in Ellen's name may be directed to Interlochen Michigan Public Radio or the Munson Healthcare Hospice program.

The Terwilliger Funeral Home, in Kaleva, is in charge of arrangements.

www.terwilligerfuneralhome.com