Family Update

Some people have inquired how David and the boys are doing. Well, I'm just one observer, but I think they are doing good considering the circumstances of missing their wife and mom. They are all back in school and establishing new routines. David is doing awesome adjusting his work schedule to work at home and around the boy's schedules. Each afternoon a member of the Ellis family is there when the boys return home from school (me on Mondays, Aunt Laurie on Tuesdays, Grandma and Grandpa Ellis on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and Uncle Greg on Fridays). We all know being a parent is hard enough, but being a single grieving parent is much harder, so we are doing our best to support David and the boys and respecting the things they are used to doing, as routine is so important in times like this. (Jonny informed me tuna sandwiches are disgusting, by the way. Glad he was with me when I went grocery shopping!)

My close friend lost her husband in August and observing her grief was painful. She has been helpful in givng me suggestions on what others can do for a newly widowed parent such as providing meals, inviting the family over for family night or dinner, offering to run an errand, or just a simple phone call or visit. Thank you to the friends and neighbors who have done this already. David mentions how nice it has been and how it gives his family something to look forward to.

On a side note, Brenton is in a school play The Wizard of Oz next week. It is $2.00 in advance, $3.00 at the door, and he is performing on Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 28 at 1:00 p.m. at Lincoln Academy, 1582 W 3300 N, Pleasant Grove. E-mail David for more information if needed. Go Brenton! -Jennie Kilstrom

Funeral Program

Below is the funeral program. A neighbor in their ward sketched the photo of Christ for Emilee and her family. I will find out the name to give proper credit soon. I'm going down to help out tomorrow to make sure David and the boys are fed well and have clean laundry :-). Coming soon will be an audio file of the funeral and various slideshows on the right hand side of this column. -Jennie Kilstrom

Funeral

Photos and the funeral program will be posted soon. Sorry to make those of you wait who were not able to attend. It's been a week of grieving and catching up on rest since the funeral. -Jennie Kilstrom

Obituary

Lovingly looking back at her dear husband and children, Emilee Dolberg Ellis passed from this life on March 4, 2009 after a courageous six-year battle with cancer. With great faith and brightness of hope she was encircled with the love of Heavenly Father and loved ones as she was greeted in the hereafter forever free of her suffering.

Emilee was born on January 15, 1972, in Davis, California. She married David L. Ellis in the Oakland, California LDS Temple in 1992. Always bright and inquisitive she was an excellent student, and was an exchange student in Germany. She got only A grades in high school and was co--valedictorian of her class at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, CA where she received her AA Degree. She received BA and MA degrees in German at Brigham Young University, teaching German as a grad student. Emilee was a gifted pianist and singer and shared her talents as an accompanist for choirs in her church as well as a teacher of piano. Emilee most recently worked with students at her children’s school, The Lincoln Academy, in Cedar Hills as a Music Specialist.

Emilee was a world traveler, and with her parents, husband and children, saw Europe, China, Hong Kong, Alaska and traveled across the U.S. Just a month ago she enjoyed a trip with her family to San Diego. She was an avid reader and has always loved literature and languages. She enjoyed keeping a journal and was a devoted scrap booker and left her family volumes of treasures of photos and journaling that will be cherished. Emilee was cheerful, optimistic, friendly and an adventurer and gave inspiration to those to persevere through trials with faith.

Emilee’s greatest joy was her family and she participated in every activity she possibly could with them. She is survived by her loving husband, David, sons Brenton, Jonathan, and Nathan; parents Glen and Bonnie Baer Dolberg of Stockton, CA; brothers Daniel (Meggin), David, Paul (Felisa), Peter; and many nieces and nephews and David’s extended family.

A viewing will be held Sunday, March 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the LDS Stake Center at 3950 W. Cedar Hills, Drive, Cedar Hills, UT. The funeral will be on Monday, March 9, 10:00 a.m. at the same location. Viewing time will be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. that morning prior to services. Internment will be at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. The family would like to thank the Cedar Hills First Ward, Dr. Shehedah and Dr. Garner, Intermountain Health Care Hospice, and the staff at the Daily Herald who have been so caring.

Donations are gratefully accepted at Emilee’s medical account at US Bank 210 E. 700 S., Pleasant Grove, UT, 84062. Flowers may be sent to SereniCare Funeral Home, 12278 S. Lone Peak Parkway #103, Draper, UT 84020. Emilee wished for all to visit her blog and you can send condolences to www.emilee-ellis.blogspot.com.

Thursday, March 5

Thank you reporters Ashley Franscell, Ace Stryker, and The Daily Herald.

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/302055/17/

March 4, 2009

Our sweet Emilee passed away this morning around 8:00 a.m. We rejoice she is relieved from pain and is in the arms of those who went before her who are welcoming her and watching over her. It is a comfort she passed on March 4th, as she has always “marched forth” through life's adventures and through her cancer journey. Now she is marching forth to her calling in heaven.

UPDATE: A viewing will be on Sunday, March 8, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Stake Center building on the corner of Cedar Hills Drive and Canyon Road at 3950 W Cedar Hills Drive.

The funeral will be on Monday, March 9, 10:00 a.m. at the Stake Center building on the corner of Cedar Hills Drive and Canyon Road at 3950 W Cedar Hills Drive. Viewing time will be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. that morning as well.

David thanks everyone for their comments. If you feel more comfortable sending condolences directly to him, they can be e-mailed to david@bmcfunding.com.

I will post the obituary when it comes available. -Jennie Kilstrom

Tuesday, March 3

Emilee was given a morphine pump accessed through her port on Monday night. Members of the family press the pump every 20 minutes round the clock to administer pain relief. The hospice care nurse and doctor do not think she will be with us much longer -just a day or so.

Thank you again for your prayers and sweet messages posted. Lots of emotions are going around at this "fever pitch" moment of transition watching beloved Emilee pass from this life to the next. Your words in e-mails and comments keep us spiritually grounded and they are appreciated. -Jennie Kilstrom

Monday, March 2

Emilee was unresponsive today (except for two “uh-uhs” when she didn’t want something). She is slipping away rather quickly. Most the day was a mixture of tears with small moments of laughter as we as family members worked together and embraced the sweet spirit in her room.

The hospice nurses and health aides have been stopping in and working to keep Emilee comfortable. She mostly communicates that she is in pain and we are working hard to relieve that. Please keep praying for pain relief for her.

In case you didn’t know, Emilee is an incredible scrap booker. Her mother got her on a good path by keeping memory books since she was born. Emilee has stayed in the habit and has left over 20 big thick books of scrapbooking memories of her and her family. Your comments, memories, and favorite stories will continue in one of her scrapbooks to be kept for her children and grandchildren to see. Please keep the messages coming for David and the boys and share any experiences or stories you would like to. Emilee’s parents express thanks for the kind messages, flowers, meals, etc. that have been coming it. It has really touched them.

I’m putting together a memory video with photos of Emilee through her lifetime. If you have any photos of Emilee you would like to submit, please send them to jkilstrom@gmail.com. I can’t guarantee they will get in the video, but I will try. --Jennie Kilstrom

Comments

I will be printing off and reading the comments and e-mails left for Emilee to her. She may not respond, but I know she is aware part of the time of those around her and the comments left for her will be heard. So, please keep writing any memories, thoughts, etc. for her and her family and they will be read. Thanks!
-Jennie Kilstrom

Sunday, March 1

Hi, it's Jennie again. Emilee is still having a hard time and under a lot of pain medication. It's been difficult to watch her suddenly struggle so much. For those who visited 7 or 8 days ago, you know she was able to receive visitors and talk for a long time. I was sharing a Barbacoa chicken wrap and folding laundry with her 9 days ago and talking about life, family, etc. for hours. But the past few days she is really struggling and is resting a lot. Thank you to those who are fasting and praying for her and her family today.

On a brighter note, David told me she craved her favorite Roxberry Mango Madness smoothie on Saturday and was able to have a little that.

The family has expressed a few things that neighbors, ward members, and extended relatives can help out with. Call the Ellis home to make arrangements. Here are a few ideas:
-Invite the boys over after school to play games, hang out, go on a activity, etc.
-Invite the boys over after school and help them out with homework.
-The boys have membership to the American Fork recreation center and could use a ride over and supervision while they participate in activities there.

For those of you who like to cook, here are some food suggestions:
-After school type snacks or quick breakfast type things you can grab and go like healthy muffins, banana bread, pumpkin bread, or really anything you make and want to share extra with (especially something that can be freezed and used later). The family really has enjoyed the desserts but their waistlines have suggested perhaps something a little healthier if possible. :-)

Your words of support through posting on this blog, writing a note, sending a e-mail, or talking to David, Brenton, Jonny, and Nathan really help them feel loved. Keep it up and thank you again for it.