Ella Florence Gran
October 19, 1923 - February 5, 2018
Obituary
Ella F. Gran, a long-time resident of the Seattle area and formerly of Billings and Miles City,
Montana, passed away the fifth of February of natural causes at age 94.
Ella was the first-born child of Herbert and Blanche (Hewett) Neumann in Ismay, Montana, a
farming community in Eastern Montana, on October 19,1923.
Ella attended country schools until 1937 when her family moved to Miles City, Montana. She
graduated with honors from Custer County High School, where she had been an accomplished
business student, in 1942.
Ella lovingly dedicated her life to Henry Gran whom she married in 1942 and to their two
children: a son, Gordon Paul, 1946, and Joyce Kaye, 1950.
Ella and Henry came to Seattle the first time to contribute to their country’s defense during
World War II. Ella was an executive secretary at the Boeing Aircraft Company until 1944.
As the war began winding down, Ella and Henry left Seattle in 1944 and settled in Billings,
Montana. There she devoted her time to her family, many church activities and ministries at
American Lutheran Church, serving in various civic organizations, and volunteering in the
community.
Ella and Henry moved back to the Seattle area in 1971. Soon after, Ella became the Grace
Lutheran Church secretary in Des Moines, Washington, a position she held for 15 years. She
thoroughly loved the work and staff. Before and after retiring from Grace, she was actively
involved in many of Grace’s church ministries like quilting and community service such as the
local food bank.
Ella was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, four brothers and one sister.
Ella is survived by her daughter, Joyce; two sisters, Edna Mendenhall, Marjorie (Don) Pontius;
two grandchildren, Herb (Janelle) Gran, Risa (Darrell) Nodland; daughter-in-law, Carol Gran; six
great grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews.
A gravesite service will be held at the Custer County Cemetery on February 24, 2018, at 11:30
a.m.
Her Celebration of Life will be March 9, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 22975
24th Ave. S., Des Moines, WA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
Grace Lutheran Church, 22975 24th Ave. S., Des Moines, WA 98198
ELCA World Hunger c/o Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, P. O.Box 1809, Merrifield,
Virginia, 22116-8809
or any charity of your choosing.
Ella will be missed by her niece and her family. Ella enjoyed
her family and friends.
After moving from Federal Way to Surprise,I loved keeping track of Ella via Computer and she always responded to my notes..She will be so missed by many as she was actively involved, especially at Grace Lutheran..A top notch Secretary at the church and a friend to many..Now she rests In peace with
her heavenly Father who dearly loved her and whom she dearly loved..