Ellen Pauline (Craft) Brown
Ellen Pauline (Craft) Brown passed away Thursday October 21, 2021 at Asante Three Rivers Hospital, Grants Pass, Oregon.
Ellen was born November 14, 1947 in Hot Springs, South Dakota to Clifford and Claire Craft. She spent her early childhood years in Chamberlin, South Dakota until her family moved to Ashland, Oregon.
Ellen graduated from Ashland High School in 1966 and attended Southern Oregon University where she met the love of her life Kirk Brown. They were married on St. Patrick’s Day in 1968 and spent over 53 years together not only as husband and wife, but also as best friends. They have been blessed with two children: Angela and Matthew.
Ellen worked for the County of Del Norte in various capacities including Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and Administrative Assistant/Clerk of the Del Norte Solid Waste Authority. Ellen retired in 2009 after more than 33 years of service.
Ellen served her community as the Crisis Hotline coordinator for several years. She was past president of the Del Norte County Easter Seals Society and produced the Silver Ball auction booklet for over 25 years. She also coordinated the registration and tabulation of the ballets for the Sea Cruise Classic Car Show. She was an honorary member the Del Norte Sunrise Rotary Club and assisted Kirk when he was Rotary District Governor. She also volunteered at the Crescent Elks Lodge where she was affectionally known as “Ritual Mom”.
Ellen enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge with the “Bridge Ladies”; Monday night bingo and pai gow poker. She loved travelling to Europe; Australia, New Zealand; and Mexico. She really enjoyed spending the summers in their RV on the Rogue River in Grants Pass.
Ellen’s hobby was crocheting baby blankets and giving them away to friends and anyone who was having a baby or knew of someone who was having one. She also crocheted and donated lap blankets for disabled veterans and afghans to local homeless veterans.
After Kirk retired, they moved to Grants Pass, Oregon where they enjoyed their new home and friends
Ellen was preceded in death by her mother Claire and father Clifford.
She is survived by her husband, Kirk; daughter Angela; son Matthew (Valerie); grandson Clay; brothers Steven Craft (Vicci) and Ronald Craft (Linda); and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be held 1 pm March 26 at the Crescent City Elks Lodge, 359 H Street, Crescent City, CA. Please join our family in celebration of our beloved Ellen.
