Dorothy M. Ellis

Dorothy M. (Dottie) Ellis, 93, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho on Friday, February 28, 2014. Family memorial services will be held later this spring. Dottie was born in Sandpoint, Idaho on May 20, 1920, the daughter of LaVern (Pappy) and Harriet Sammons. She attended local schools, graduating from Sandpoint High School in 1938. During WW II she lived in Seattle and became a staff car driver for the US Army. She enjoyed her experience in Seattle and continued driving (with her lead foot) until the age of 93. In 1942 she married Andrew Sedar and became a mother to JoAnn (Sedar) VanStone. Andrew preceded her in death In 1980 she and Oliver Ellis were married and lived in Hope, Idaho. Ollie and Dottie were active in the Shrine with Ollie holding the degree of White Hat Shriner and Dottie becoming a Lady Shriner. Together thy sponsored many children to the Shriner’s Children Hospital, in Spokane, where Dottie also volunteered. She is survived by her daughter JoAnn (Dale) VanStone, grandchildren Major Kevin VanStone with the US Air Force; granddaughters Sara “VanStone” (and Chris) Meyer; great grandsons Jameson and Jasper; and niece Leah Sammons. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Ed Sammons, and her husbands Andrew Sedar and Oliver Ellis. She continued to live in Hope, seeing her family every day. She enjoyed a great sense of humor and was known as a connoisseur of fine wine.