Karen Joy (Ness) Ellis died Sunday February 10, 2019 following a very long illness. She was born June 1 1943 in Sturgis South Dakota to Cecil and Delma Ness. Karen married the love off her live, Tommy Floyd Ellis, December 27, 1961 in Rapid City, SD. They moved to Upton WY in June 1962 and then to Casper in 1965. Karen earned her cosmetology certification in 1961. She worked at various hair salons around Casper until she retired in 2009 to care for her ailing husband. She still continued to do hair at home until recently.

Karen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She loved to travel, especially in the motor home with family and various travel clubs. She loved to spend time at the lake and even though she couldn’t swim and was terrified of deep water she still learned to water ski at 40 and continued until she was 65. She loved spending time with her grand kids and was able to meet her 3 great grandkids. She loved cooking Wednesday night dinners for her sons and her daughter when she was in town. She was an extremely caring and loving person. She will be missed by many but not forgotten.

She is survived by her daughter, Bonita (Kevin) McPherren, sons Tommy (Kelly) Ellis and Jeff Ellis, her 4 grandkids Andrew (Maria) Whitney, Stephanie (Michael) Todaro, Nickolas (Kirsten) Ellis and Samantha (Karl) Kraus, and 3 great grandchildren James Todaro, Zelda Wren Todaro, and Hutton Ellis.
Karen has 3 surviving sisters Viola Barry, Delila Shoun and Debra Ness and two brothers, Gary Ness and Ronald Ness.

Her husband, parents and one brother preceded her in death.

Memorial service will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home, Saturday February 16, 2019 at 10:00 am. A reception will immediately follow the service at the VFW.

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