Lou Ellen Rodgers

Ellen was born in Okeana, Ohio to William and Evelyn Bolser on November 21, 1933. She went to school at Ross High School in Hamilton, Ohio. She eloped with Orville Hendrixson in 1954 and was married for 33 years. They have five daughters – Valerie Lalka, Sonya Parrott (Keith), Ronda Garrett (Jeff), Lisa Carter (Greg) and Carmen Hendrixson. She remarried in 1986 to Raymond Rodgers. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Oakland City College & Ball State University in 1976 and a Masters in Education from Butler University in 1982. She interned at Central Western and at Brookville Elementary. She taught second grade at Mary Evelyn Castle School in Lawrence Township for fourteen years. Ellen was involved in the Indiana Teachers Organization and Ball State and Butler Alumni Associations. As a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and as a pastor’s wife, she served in many roles – church secretary, choir member, bells ministry, women’s ministry, and Sunday school teacher. She had a passion for missions with a focus on Haiti. Post-retirement, Ellen enjoyed being a mentor to second grade children in Venice, Florida. She enjoyed tennis, golf, playing games and dancing. She was blessed to dance with her son-in-law, Keith Parrott, on her 80th birthday in Aruba. Ellen loved to travel and enjoyed numerous adventures in Europe, Hawaii, South Pacific, and Africa. Ellen’s safari to Africa at the age of 75 was self-reportedly her favorite trip. Blessed with artistic abilities, she always provided arts and crafts as an opportunity for all of her grandchildren to express themselves during family vacations.

Ellen was a teacher in and out of the classroom. She didn’t limit her instruction to the workplace, as she always found opportunities to encourage others to learn.

Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, William and Evelyn Bolser, her siblings - Billy Bolser, Doris Starr, Josephine Shaw, Russell Bolser, and Virgil (Pete) Bolser, her husband Orville Hendrixson, her grandson – Jacob Warren Carter, and her beloved fur babies – Sir Winston of Cordry Lake and Mia.

Ellen is survived by her ex-husband, Ray Rodgers, her five daughters, her brother Alvin Bolser (Sharon) 18 Grandchildren and 26 great-Grandchildren.

Ellen’s services will be held on Thursday, October 27th, 2022, at Crown Hill Mortuary. Visitation will be from 10 am – 1 pm with the funeral following, Pastor Michelle Knight of Calvary United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment and repast will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Calvary United Methodist Church of Brownsburg, 575 W. Northfield Drive, Brownsburg, IN 46112.

The family of Ellen Rodgers wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Life’s Journey Hospice - Tiffany, Visiting Angels - Elaine, Rose Hill, and her beloved pen pal, Bonnie Storen. Special thanks to her daughter, Sonya Parrott, and her son-in-law, Keith Parrott for providing loving hospice care.

Ellen’s Life Lessons:

• Always do your personal best

• Know yourself and trust in God

• Success is…loving, being loved and doing something for others to make the world a better place to live.

• Be kind to everyone you meet

In honor of our sweet Momma, our family asks for each of you to complete one random act of kindness today.

Please share your acts of kindness (no matter how small) on Ellen’s Acts of Kindness Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538750649896444/?ref=share

Ellen’s favorite scripture: Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.