Ellen Marie Dibler

Ellen Marie (Nelson) Dibler passed away peacefully in her sleep, with her husband Larry by her side, as she “tiptoed to heaven”, on November 8, 2022. A celebration of her life is scheduled for November 17, 2022 10:00 a.m., at Hillside Community Church in Keller, TX. Ellen will be laid to rest at 2:30 p.m. at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, TX.

Ellen was born in Cordell, Oklahoma on April 4, 1941.

The daughter of Herbert and Minnie Nelson, Ellen was born with the birth defect, Spina Bifida, which left her mostly paralyzed from the waist down.

Ellen became a Christian when she was 7 years old. The Lords strength helped her to overcome the odds of multiple surgeries during her childhood and young adulthood. She graduated from Cordell High School in 1959. She then attended Southwestern State College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1964.

On September 24, 1964, Ellen married Larry Irven Dibler. They just celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this past September.Ellen remained behind earning her Medical Technology License from the University of Oklahoma, while Larry shipped to Naples, Italy with the United States Navy.

During this time, Ellen flourished. She held multiple leadership roles within many Collegiate and Community organizations. She worked hard developing her skills by overcoming her challenges in people perception and hone her gift of serving others.

Ellen joined Larry in Naples, Italy, where she served as an AF South NATO Base Kindergarten Teacher, until a job became available at the U.S. Naval Hospital as a Technologist in Hematology and Microbiology.

In late 1966, Larry deployed to Vietnam, and Ellen returned to Weatherford, OK, where she served as Chief Tech/And Laboratory Director at Southwestern Memorial Hospital upon Larry’s discharge in 1968, and his enrollment in Pharmacy School.

Her most precious accomplishments during this time were the miracles that she gave birth to. Scott was born in 1968 and Alan soon followed in 1971.

Ellen and Larry moved to the DFW metroplex in January of 1972.

Ellen was simultaneously the Chief Admin Tech at Arlington Community Hospital and Great Southwest General Hospital, and the supervisor of the SMA lab at the American Airlines Flight Academy from 1972-1973.

She opened H.E.B. Hospital as Director and Chief Technologist of the Laboratory in 1973.

In 1980, while Ellen became a supervisor for Pathology Associates of Texas,

She and Larry decided to dedicate their lives to serving families with disabilities. Ellen was soon elected to the board of directors of the National Spina Bifida Association of America, where she served from 1980-1990. She was Vice President eight of those years.During this time, they were able to influence change, and bring hope to people’s lives by showing what is possible to people born with Spina Bifida.

On their 25th Anniversary, the National Spina Bifida Association named Ellen their Outstanding Person of the Year. This was an honor that she was never quite comfortable with.

Later in Washington, D.C., Ellen lobbied for, and then attended the signing of, the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 which established equality of employment and accessibility to all facilities nationwide. While the ADA was important, her influential service also led to advancements in the treatments of Spina Bifida. With the adoption of an intrauterine prenatal surgery for infants who were diagnosed with Spina Bifida which allowed the decreased risk of death or a need for a shunt placement in the brain, as well as improved mental and motor function for the babies. Furthermore, with the introduction of folic acid to be taken during pregnancy which could help prevent the disease entirely.

Ellen promoted increased education loans, while her legacy encouraged people with Spina Bifida, with thoughts of marriage, to ability to have children and the ability to live a life full of normal pursuits.

Not stopping there, Ellen joined Joni and Friends Ministries (JAF), after short tenure, selected to the Joni and Friends of Dallas Board of Directors. With the skills she cultured from The Spina Bifida Association, she and Larry were instrumental in the fellowship with Family Retreats for all disabilities as well as the Wounded Warrior Family retreats. By encouraging faith, loyalty, and positive American values, she proved with every step that life does not end with a disability. They showed and lived this possibility every day. Simultaneously, she was active ministering with similar “handi-capable” (Ellen’s words) organizations such as Access Life and Victory Flows.

After retirement, Ellen decided she and Larry had more to give so they shared their gifts with Artisan Center Theater. When she joined Artisans Board of Directors, this became an opportunity to continue to minister people. This fellowship became the center point where they shared their celebrations, of birthdays and anniversaries.

They enjoyed fellowship in 3 churches. United Methodist Church in Grand Prairie for 5 years, was a member of Mid-Cities Bible Church, where her and Larry served for over 37 years, then after closure, became members of Hillside Community Church for the last 12 years, where she served faithfully hosting bible studies, leading the moms of preschoolers MOPS meetings, and serving within the women’s groups, and advocating for there to be groups for people and families with special needs until the Lord called her home. She was unstoppable.

Proceeding her in death were her parents, Herbert and Minnie Nelson. Brother-in-law, Bill Brewster.

Ellen is survived by husband, Larry; her son Scott Irven and wife Gina of Forney, TX; son William Alan and wife Heather of Bedford, TX; and mother of five of the grandchildren Brandi Dibler.

Ellen had 8 Grandchildren, Deborah Bree-Ann Vaughan, Hannah Marie Cunningham, Tate Alan Dibler, Benjamin Cole Dibler, Rhett Gray Dibler, Rebekah Bryan Dibler, Channing Irene Dibler, Seth Cade Dibler; and 3 Great Grandchildren, Emerson Michael Cunningham, Scarlett Elaine Cunningham, Victor Wade Dibler.

Her sister Sue Brewster of Marietta, OK; brother Bud Nelson and wife Linda of Cordell, OK.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to: www.joniandfriends.org/texas

Direct link: https://secure.joniandfriends.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app20060a?df_id=3748&3748.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&NONCE_TOKEN=3562BE2B492FE1379B6E2BE1713C881F