Ellon M. Grunert, 64, Lowville

LOWVILLE, NY  –– Ellon M. Grunert, 64, of Erie Canal Road, Lowville, passed away Saturday morning, June 8, 2019, at her home, under the loving care of her husband, family and Lewis County Hospice.

A funeral Mass will be said 10 a.m. Thursday, June 13, 2019, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Croghan, with Rev. Donald Manfred, Pastor, officiating and Rev. Matthew Zehr, Abundant  Life Community Church. Burial will follow at St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Croghan. Calling hours will be 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., Lowville, NY.

Ellon was born Aug. 4, 1954, in Bath, NY, a daughter of the late Robert and Nancy Little Bailey.

On Aug. 14, 1971, she married L. Michael Grunert at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church with Rev. Anthony Moore, officiating. She graduated from Beaver River Central School in 1972. She raised her family and later attended Jefferson Community College, graduating with an associate’s degree in Human Services.

After college, she first worked at Lewis County Opportunities, then Mountain View Prevention, and most recently for Lewis County Public Health for many years, retiring in 2016. After her retirement, she was substitute teacher at Beaver River Central School. She also worked at the Lowville Producer’s Cheese Store.

Ellon was a member of the Board of Directors of Lewis County Head Start. She also was a past board member of Lowville Producer’s Dairy CO-OP. She was a Past Eastern Star Member.

Ellon loved her whole family and especially cherished spending time with her grandchildren. She had deep faith in Jesus. She also had a passion for cooking, and experimenting with food and enjoyed canning. She enjoyed gardening, camping, bird watching, her dogs, cats and goats. Ellon enjoyed life and loved to laugh. Ellon touched many people’s lives in the North Country through her compassion, assertiveness and strong leadership. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

Ellon is survived by her husband Michael, her children and their spouses, Todd and Karsten Grunert of Beaver Falls; Holly and Matthew Olmstead of Lowville ; her siblings and their spouses, Bonnie and John Kirch of Castorland; Warran Bailey of American Canyon, California; Willard and Rachel Bailey of Lowville;  six grandchildren MaKenna, Montana, Cade, Camden, Cana, and Cassle; an aunt and uncle, Carolyn and Doug Bailey of Livermore, CA; several nieces nephews and cousins and the entire Grunert family.

She was predeceased by her beloved niece, Mary Kirch.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Lewis County General Hospital Fund for Hope, 7785 N. State Street, Lowville, NY 13367 or Lewis County Humane Society, P.O. Box 682, Lowville, NY 13367, or Friends of Lewis County Hospice, P.O. Box 266, Lowville, NY 13367.

Condolences may be made online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com.