MAPLETON — Ellen Van Rossum of Mapleton passed away peacefully at the  home of her daughter, Margaret, outside of Tenino, Wash., on Dec. 26, 2009, at 91 years old.

Ellen was born to Albert and Eda (Widiger) Lehman, the youngest of seven children, in Prairie City, Missouri, on Oct. 22, 1918.

Ellen served in World War II as a member of the Womens Army Corps.

On Aug. 22, 1946, Ellen married Edward C. Van Rossum. In between raising four children and being a homemaker, she worked for several area businesses. She was a member of the Mapleton VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the Royal Neighbors.

Ellen enjoyed gardening, traveling, fishing and cooking for family and friends. She also enjoyed visiting and spending time with friends and family.

Ellen is survived by her four children: Edward Van Rossum of Mapleton, Eileen Ono and husband, Alfred, of Portland, Ore.; Margaret Van Rossum and friend, Eileen Blake, of Tenino, Wash., and Tony Van Rossum of New Ulm; two grandchildren: Sara Ono and special friend, Orion Meyer, of Iowa City, Iowa, Alistair Ono and wife, Lea, of Hercules, Calif.; sisters-in-law Daisy Bach of Minnesota Lake and Joan Van Rossum of Mapleton; and many nieces and nephews and their children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; her parents; and her brothers and sisters.

She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service is being planned in early June.