Ella Mae Monroe

   Ella Mae (Janz) Monroe, daughter of Paul A. and Dorothy (Salter) Janz, was born September 15, 1932, in Garden City, Kansas. 

   In 1946 the family moved to Fairbury, Nebraska where Ella Mae attended Fairbury High School, graduating with the class of 1950. 

On January 4, 1953, she was united in marriage to William A. Monroe at the United Methodist Church in Fairbury, Nebraska.  They were blessed with three children, Mark, Lisa, and Matt. 

   Ella Mae took pride in being a homemaker and caring for their children while Bill was working for the Rock Island and Union Pacific Railroad.  In earlier years, Ella Mae was employed as a florist at Randall's Flower Shoppe and in the communication's department for the Rock Island Railroad.  Once their children were grown, Ella became employed at Elder Jewelry, where she helped Gene Elder run the store for over 20 years.

   She enjoyed participating in various organizations such as The Hospital Auxiliary, Eagles Auxiliary, and Methodist Women.  She was a member of the United Methodist Church and the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees, of which she was a charter member and helped organize the Fairbury Unit 174, where she served as secretary for 15 years. 

   Ella Mae enjoyed cooking, baking, shopping, going on walks, and spending time with her family.  Together Bill and Ella Mae loved to dance, travel, and attend their grandchildren's activities.  They were avid Husker football and Arizona Diamondback fans, making several trips to Arizona to watch them play.

   After a sudden decline in her health, Ella Mae passed away on November 18, 2023. 

   Ella Mae is survived by her sons Mark and Shirley Monroe of Fullerton, NE, Matt Monroe and partner Julie Sypherd of Hastings, NE, son-in-law Max Hasselbring of Johnson, NE.  Grandchildren Ryan (Ann) Monroe, Kendall (Dustin) Fencl, Kylie (Justin) Hochstein, Kelsey (Lance) Gulizia, Kaitlyn Monroe and (Zach Cambron), Kapri Monroe, Brytton Monroe (Brittany Jensen), step grandson Robby (Natalie) Marsh, 23 great grandchildren and her dear lifelong friend Geri Katz of Fairbury, NE. 

   Ella Mae is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Bill, daughter Lisa Hasselbring, and other family and friends.    

There will be a funeral service on Saturday, November 25, 11:00 a.m. at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn.  Graveside committal service will be Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the Fairbury Cemetery at Fairbury, Nebraska. 

View Ella Mae's funeral service via Livestream here.