Ellen Jane Graham

Ellen, the third of four children born to Sharon and Martha Ayers, was born on October 16, 1931 in Pueblo County. She graduated from Fowler High School in 1949 and went on to complete a business program at Blair Business School in Colorado Springs.

On June 19, 1955 she married Earl (Sonny) Graham, Jr. “I don’t remember a time when I didn’t love him”, Ellen told her daughters. To this union four children were born--Curt, Carl, Corinne and Christy. The couple lived in Fowler for a short time before the family moved to the Bethune area, and then settled in Stratton, CO.

Throughout their marriage, Ellen worked alongside Sonny in the family business “Graham’s Trenching” until he retired. She also worked in the community as a clerk at JC Penny’s in Fowler, bookkeeper at the Fowler Creamery, cook at Bethune School, baker at the Burlington Donut Shop and clerk at Gambles in Stratton. Ellen ended her working career as the bookkeeper for Colorado East Community Action Agency in Stratton where she served senior citizens throughout Lincoln, Elbert, Cheyenne and Kit Carson Counties for almost 20 years.

Ellen had many talents and skills. She taught cake decorating and was well known in the community for her beautiful and delicious creations. She also taught candy making classes with her daughter Corinne and made Christmas candy every year with her daughter Christy. She made cakes for all the families’ special events, including weddings, birthdays and graduations.

Ellen moved from Stratton and took up residence in Colorado Springs with her daughter Christy and granddaughter Anna-Ellen, where they shared a home for the last 6 years. This three generation home brought many priceless experiences, and was a popular place for friends and family to gather for special occasions. She also had the opportunity to enjoy watching her grandchildren participate in many school events and sport activities.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Sonny, her sister Shirley (Ayers) Lewis, and her brothers Dale and Wes Ayers. She is survived by her children Curt and Shari of Buena Vista, Carl and Shannon of Colorado Springs, Corinne and LeRoy of Colorado Springs, and Christy also of Colorado Springs She loved and thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren Brad (Jena), Jeff (Kelly), Milo, Colt, Dillon, Wyatt, Casey, Evan and Anna-Ellen and great granddaughter Piper. She was also blessed to have a “sister of the heart” in Sonny’s sister, Lois Buse, of Broomfield, and Sonny’s brother and sister in law Jim and Janet Graham of Fowler.

At Ellen’s request, she was cremated and the family will host a Graveside Celebration of Life in Fowler on May 16 at 11 a.m. Memorial gifts may be made in Ellen’s name to Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care at 2550 Tenderfoot Hill St., Colorado Springs, CO 80906 or Fowler Historical Museum and Society at 114 S. Main St., Fowler, CO 81039.