Lorraine Ellis

Livestream of Lorraine Ellis Service

Lorraine Ellis, 93 of Sioux Center, Iowa, formerly of Sheldon, Iowa, died Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Friendly Horizons in Sioux Center. 

There will be a memorial service at 11 AM, Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the American Reformed Church in Hull, Iowa with Reverend Mark Cercone officiating. Interment will follow at a later date in Eastview Cemetery in Allen, Nebraska. 

There will be a lunch and fellowship visitation following the service in the church fellowship hall. 

The Ellis family prefers memorials be directed to Friendly Horizons in Sioux Center. 

Lorraine was born on May 26, 1933, in Allen, Nebraska, to Arthur and Florence (Noe) Malcom. She graduated from Allen High School in 1951 and, on June 1 of that same year, married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Jack Lee Ellis. Together they shared 65 years of marriage, a partnership built on unwavering devotion, hard work, and quiet faithfulness. They were rarely apart, sharing life’s work, adventures, and simple joys side by side.

Lorraine and Jack began their married life in Allen, Nebraska, before making their home in Homer, Nebraska, where they started raising their family. After Jack made a career change, they moved north to Sioux Center, Iowa, where they continued raising their children. His work later took them to Storm Lake and Sioux City, before they eventually settled on an acreage east of Sheldon, Iowa, where they filled their home with family, laughter, and lifelong memories.

Lorraine worked tirelessly caring for her family while also working outside the home at different times. She believed in hard work; she was dependable, wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, and had a toughness that carried her through life’s challenges. She wasn’t one to fuss over fancy things or use flowery words—she appreciated a simple life built around family and making the most of every day.

Lorraine and Jack loved spending time outdoors together, especially fishing, gardening, golfing and attending grandkids' extracurricular activities. Some of her grandchildren’s favorite memories were camping trips to Okoboji, days spent fishing with Grandma and Grandpa, snapping beans on the porch and simply being together. She loved playing cards, especially pinochle and bridge, cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and never missed an episode of Wheel of Fortune or Shark Tank.

Family was always at the center of Lorraine’s life. There was always a pot of coffee brewing, and no one left hungry. She was known for her homemade macaroni and cheese, pies, goulash, chocolate cake with homemade frosting, and countless family meals shared around her table. All 19 grandchildren also received a handmade Christmas stocking stitched with love— a treasure they all hold dear.

Perhaps the memory her family will cherish most happened every time they left her home. Lorraine and Jack would stand together on the front porch, waving until the car disappeared down the driveway. Before they went back inside, they would raise their hands and sign, “I love you.” It was a simple tradition, but one that perfectly reflected the quiet, steadfast love they shared with their family.

After Jack passed away, Lorraine was blessed by many caring friends and helpers who faithfully visited her and assisted her around the home. In March 2026, she became a resident of Friendly Horizons Dementia Care Center in Sioux Center. Her family is deeply grateful for the exceptional care and compassion shown to Lorraine by the staff, whose kindness brought comfort to both Lorraine and those who loved her.

Lorraine leaves behind a legacy of strength, resilience, unwavering love for her family, and traditions that will continue for generations.

Lorraine is survived by her sons Douglas and Joanne (Harskamp) of Wausau, Wisconsin; Dan and Jean (Gant) of Sioux Center, Iowa; and Dexter of Sioux Center; and by her daughters Donna and Merlyn Sandbulte of Rock Valley, Iowa; and Debbie and Mark Hooyer of Sioux Center. She is also survived by her sister, Eleanor Jones of Emerson, Nebraska; her brother-in-law, Cal Ellis of Larkspur, Colorado; her sisters-in-law: Joyce Edler of Yakima, Washington, Nancy (Merlin) Schulz of Green Valley, Arizona, Fern Ellis of Alta Loma, CA, Dorothy Ellis of Englewood, CO and Twila Ellis of Littleton, CO.

In addition, Lorraine is survived by her 19 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Lee Ellis; her son, Dennis Ellis and his wife Jane; her daughter-in-law, Eve Ellis, wife of Dexter; her brothers: Clarence, Harold, Ivan, and her sister, JoAnn Ozanich.