Ellen Roberts

Ellen was born to Frank and Wilma Hill in Fresno, Calif. on Aug. 26, 1940. She grew up on a farm in the San Joaquin Valley and later moved to San Jose, Calif., where she became an accomplished athlete and won gold medals as a sprinter in the US Junior Olympics. She then moved to San Francisco where she graduated from Galileo High School in 1959.

After high school she went to work for Bell Telephone. During that time, she met William Roberts where they were attendants at a friend’s wedding. They were married July 23, 1960, at the Post Chapel at The Presidio of San Francisco, where Bill was enlisted in the Army. After his discharge, they moved their lives and baby girl to Michigan Technological University. This was the first time Ellen had ever stepped out of the state of California or experienced falling snow.

During their time in Houghton they welcomed a son, before moving to Monroe for Bill’s first job. While in Monroe, their third child, a daughter, was born. In 1967 the Roberts family returned to the area, where they remained for 55 years. They spent seven years in Niagara Wis., two years in Ishpeming, and from 1976 to present in Norway.

In 1976 Ellen took up golf and utilized her natural athletic talent to quickly become one of the area’s best golfers. She won the Oak Crest women’s championship in 1988. Ellen played league volleyball across northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan for many years, her team winning many championships. She was an avid skier and regular fixture at Norway Mountain and later Pine Mountain up to the age of 78. Her love for skiing propelled her expertise in the boot department at the Pine Mountain Sport Shop where she enjoyed working with friends for 20 years.

In retirement, Ellen and Bill traveled with a group of cherished friends called the “Ward Travelers.” The family lovingly referred to this as “Bill and Ellen take their show on the road.” Their travels took them to the northernmost point of Scandinavia to see the northern lights and to the mountain ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru. They cruised the Rhine and also saw the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. Ellen and Bill also enjoyed 20 years of getting out of the snow by traveling to Palm Springs Calif., and creating memorable adventures with Neal and Emily Johns.

“Elly” is best known for her joy and laughter, her sense of humor and love for everyone she meets.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bill Roberts; her children, Karen (Mike) Burritt of Channing, James (Paula) Roberts of Duncanville Texas, and Kathleen (Lonnie) Wilson of Norway. She is also survived by her treasured grandchildren, Annie Burritt (Colin Cox), Sonya Swab, Sarah (David) Bowman, Jared Roberts, Daniel (Chelsea) Roberts, Benjamin (Abigail) Roberts, Joel (Mary) Roberts, Nathaniel Wilson, Samantha Wilson, Laura (Jordan) Pardee, Drew Wilson, Olivia (Andrew) Johnson, Micah Wilson, Aiden Wilson, Ellie Wilson; and 25 cherished great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Wilma Hodnett Costello; father, Frank Hill; sister, Dorothy Wilson; brother, Dallas Hill; and mother-in-law, Marjorie Roberts.

The family would like to extend the grateful thanks to the staff at Maryhill Manor for their exceptional care of Ellen.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Norway; and again from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, with Pastor Jim Danielson, officiating.

Interment will follow at the Norway Township Cemetery.

A Memorial will be established in Ellen’s name to the local Salvation Army or Moving Mountains Adaptive Ski Program.

Condolences to the family of Ellen may be expressed online at www.ortmanfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements announced by the Ortman Funeral Home in Norway.