Ellen Stephens

Ellen M. Stephens, 90, went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 4, 2022.

Ellen was born on Christmas Eve in 1931 to Mabel Weickert Milton and Fred Milton in La Cygne, Kansas. Her mother, Mabel, died of Tuberculosis when she was 3 months old.  She and her brother, Brice, and sister, Rosie, were raised my their Aunt May in La Cygne on the family farm.  After graduating high school, she moved to Kansas City to live with Rosie and began working for Old American Insurance. Ellen’s father, Fred Milton, operated a gas station in Paola, Kansas where Wayne Stephens was a customer.  One weekend, Fred asked Wayne if he would mind giving his daughters a ride back to Kansas City.  Of course, Wayne said “sure” and that’s how he met Ellen and the two were married on June 25, 1950.  They lived in Kansas City, Kansas for a few years before moving to Gladstone, Missouri.  Ellen spent most of her years as a homemaker but worked for North Kansas City School District in food service when her children were older.  She was a longtime church member of Faubion UMC.  She was an avid animal lover and especially enjoyed caring for her pets and feeding and watching birds from her kitchen window.

Ellen is preceded in death by her parents and siblings and husband, F. Wayne Stephens, and her beloved cat, Taz.  She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her children, Karen Lane(Glen Whitten),Francy Stephens(Bill Cantrell),and Gary Stephens(Betty).  Grandchildren Jason Lane (Leah), Garett Stephens (Laurie), Michelle Stults(Ryan), Amber Lane(Bonnie).  Great grandchildren Caiden, Kylie, and Eliza.

Funeral services will be held at Faubion United Methodist Church on Friday, January 7th, with the visitation from 10:00am to 11:00am, followed by the funeral service, and burial at Terrace Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gladstone Animal Shelter.