Obituary For Ellyn Otterson
November 6, 1940 – December 1, 2020
80 Years
Our hearts ache deeply at the loss of Ellyn Otterson, beloved mother, sister, aunt and wonderful friend of so many who knew her. She slipped peacefully away in her sleep the afternoon of December 1, 2020 at the QEII hospital in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
Born in Blair, Wisconsin, Ellyn was raised with older brothers Ort and Hank and older sisters Sharon and Dottie. Ellyn grew up in Wisconsin and at an early age seemed destined to have a life in music. She took to the piano at an early age and never stopped her passion for music. After receiving a Bachelor of Music at the University of Wisconsin and studying at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Ellyn found her way north to Lethbridge, Alberta. There she excelled at the highest level by engaging in the musical theatre scene at the Yates Theatre. In the early years, she met her future husband Dick Mells and together they produced wonderful works of musical theatre from the 60’s to the late 70’s. Ellyn’s youthful beauty and grace was recognized while in Wisconsin as she received Miss Madison First Runner-up and Miss Congeniality in 1961.
Ellyn and Dick parted ways and she settled back to Colorado for a couple of years before heading to Fort McMurray, AB to teach in the elementary schools and music which she loved so deeply. After losing her daughter Sally tragically in 1983, Ellyn eventually settled in the rural Peace Country area where she would travel on the road to different schools to teach kids. This love of teaching grew fonder and she ended up teaching privately out of her little, cozy, loving house for many decades in Grande Prairie. Countless young students were taught by Ellyn in her home – music, voice, musical theatre and opera. So many of these young people were so deeply loved and changed in a positive way from the unconditional love and commitment from her teaching. The highest levels of achievement came from Ellyn’s instruction as countless awards and top achievements in voice and musical theatre were awarded locally and provincially.
Ellyn founded the GPRC conservatory choir, she has had students leave Grande Prairie and find success at the top level in music and opera in Canada and the USA. Ellyn grew a massive, dedicated following and this produced countless inspired, loved students who still remember the wonderful years spent with her. Her teaching was at the pinnacle – the highest level, this was always the only result she expected and was achieved. She did this gracefully, with mutual respect and the confidence she instilled in these students made her so unique. When teaching, the kids loved the cats as Ellyn was known as having the most loving and affectionate cats, she cared so very deeply for them.
Ellyn will be forever in the hearts of her sons Rory and Warrick – who Ellyn raised in Lethbridge for several years. Also survived by her sister Sharon O’Keefe and nephews and nieces in the United States.
She was pre-deceased by her daughter Sally Mells, ex-husband Dick Mells of New Zealand, her parents Oscar and Stella Otterson of Wisconsin, her sister Dottie Krauser of Durango, Colorado, and her brothers Hank and Ort of Wisconsin.
There will be a private funeral service for Ellyn Otterson held on Sunday December 13th, 2020 at 1pm by invitation. For those unable to attend, her service will be livestreamed at the link at the bottom of her obituary here. By RSVP, you are also invited to Ellyn’s visitation on Saturday December 12th, 2020 from 2pm-4pm. Due to COVID restrictions, please call Bear Creek Funeral Home to schedule a time between 2-4pm for visitation.
If desired, donations would be greatly appreciated to help financially with my Mom’s funeral service. E-transfer may be accepted at rorymells@hotmail.com or call in a credit card number to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-830-7742. Any donations offered would be greatly appreciated at this time, thank you so much.
Flowers, if desired, may be sent to Bear Creek Funeral Home 11802 99 Avenue, Grande Prairie.
“Words cannot describe such sadness to lose such an immensely loving, kind, forever young soul as my mom.” – Rory Mells
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com
Livestream Link
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ellyn Otterson 06/11/1940 01/12/2020..
Death notice for the town of: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta