In Memory of Ellen Pfleeger

Ellen Pfleeger, age 74, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on October 4, 2020, at her residence of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 9, 2020, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, October 08, 2020, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.   The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Born June 3, 1946, in Ida Grove, Iowa, Ellen Louise was the daughter of Henry and Emily (Bauer) Renze. 

Ellen grew up near Arthur, Iowa and attended school in Odebolt, graduating with the Odebolt-Arthur class of 1964.  Following graduation, Ellen attended Iowa School of Beauty in Sioux City, Iowa, and became a licensed cosmetologist. 

On May 23, 1970, Ellen was united in marriage to Eldon Pfleeger in Ida Grove.  They were blessed with two children, John and June.

Ellen worked for the Curley Q Beauty Shop before she became a stay-at-home mom to raise her two children.  When John and June were older, Ellen returned to the work force at the Ida County Courier and Midwest Industries.  After some years in retirement, Ellen found herself being beckoned to the OABCIG schools where she was most recently working in the school kitchens.

Ellen had a passion for quilting and if you were lucky enough to receive one of her amazing quilts, you knew it was made with love.  She also enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers, whipping up something special in the kitchen, and always looked forward to her morning coffee visits.  Ellen was also known for hosting wonderful meals for her family of neighbors.  Ellen’s grandchildren were her pride and joy.  Numerous games of Bingo (with prizes!) were played with them over the years. 

Left to cherish Ellen’s memories include her two children, John (Kim) Pfleeger of Lake Villa, Illinois, and June (Tracy) Hammond of Cherokee, Iowa; four grandchildren, Greta and Gage Pfleeger of Lake Villa, Illinois, and Alex (Alissa) and Arika Hammond of Cherokee, Iowa; one great-granddaughter, Alivia Hammond of Cherokee, Iowa; siblings, Floyd (Arlis) Renze, Fred (JoAnn) Renze, Mary (Charlie) Holthus, Shirley (Pat) Scanlan, Pat (Ray) Coenen, and Pete (Vickie) Renze; brother-in-law, Roger (Karen) Pfleeger; and sisters-in-law, Barb Pfleeger, Gwen Pfleeger, and Connie Pfleeger; as well as many nieces, nephews, and neighbors who were like family.

Ellen was proceeded in death by her husband, Eldon, in 2013; parents; father-in-law and mother-in law, Earl and Arvilla Pfleeger; and brothers-in-law, Gary Pfleeger, Lyle Pfleeger, and Richard Pfleeger.

Memorials can be directed to the Pfleeger/Hammond family at 1072 540^th Street, Cherokee, Iowa 51012.