Ellen was born on Aug. 12, 1920, in rural Gladbrook, the daughter of Orla and Lula (Freet) Cooper.
She graduated from Toledo High School in 1937.
On Feb. 23, 1941, she was united in marriage to Murel McCreary at her parent’s home in Crystal Township. Ellen taught country school and later worked at Cronan’s Variety Store in Toledo. She then worked at Sears Catalog Store in Tama from 1965-1976. She faithfully took care of her father-in-law, John McCreary from 1976-1983. Ellen was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Christ United Methodist Church. She enjoyed sewing, gardening and was an avid bowler in her younger years. She and Murel enjoyed traveling and spent many winters in Texas.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her sister, Eva Stamp; and two brothers, Kenneth and Roland Cooper.
Survivors include her husband of seventy years, Murel of Toledo, her adopted children, Sandra Mullin of Toledo and Bruce McCreary of Colorado; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two sisters, Verna Stamp of Garwin and Marilou (Gene) Schreck of Loveland, CO; two brothers, Merle (Marlene) Cooper of Cedar Rapids and Wilmer (Darlene) Cooper of DeWitt; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial fund has been established.
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