Ursula Erika Ellis of Alvarado, TX, age 93, was called to God’s heavenly house on Sunday, October 14, 2018 in Cleburne, TX. Ursula was born on October 21, 1924 in Berlin, Germany, the daughter of Luzia Krakow Merz and Gottlieb Zuschneiders Merz. After completing her education, she worked as a telephone operator for the German government before and during World War II.
She met Donald (Don) M. Ellis of Orlando, FL while he was part of the Army Occupation Force in Berlin after the war. After a long period of convincing Ursula’s father of his intentions and a lot of U.S. government red tape, Ursula and Don were married on March 22, 1952. After completing all the requirements to bring a war bride home, Ursula and Don settled in California where Don left the military following the end of his enlistment.
They spent a year trying to make a living working in Don’s father’s upholstery business when he decided to re-enter the Army. During the next twenty-one years, Don and Ursula were stationed in Camp Chaffee, AR; Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Karlsruhe, Germany; Heidelberg, Germany and Heilbronn, Germany. While stationed at Camp Chaffee, on January 10, 1956, Ursula became a citizen of the United States in naturalization ceremonies held in federal court in Fort Smith, AR.
Additionally, Don was assigned to the Korean Conflict and the Viet Nam War during which time Ursula raised their three sons and managed the home front while Don was gone. After his retirement from the Army in July 1969, Don and Ursula settled in Dallas, TX while he looked for a job. Four months later they bought a house in Mesquite, TX.
After the two older sons graduated from Mesquite High School, they moved to Arlington, TX. After the youngest son’s graduation from Lamar High School, they settled in Fort Worth, TX where they started their own business, U&D Enterprises, Incorporated. Don was the salesman and Ursula was the book keeper.
In March 1997 their oldest son came to work in the business and after thirty years, both Don and Ursula retired and left the business to him. Don and Ursula loved their trips to Las Vegas, Nevada and WinStar Casino in Oklahoma where they visited frequently as they earned rewards for free nights and specials at the hotels. This all came to an abrupt halt when Don died unexpectedly on December 7, 2012.
Following his death, Ursula moved in with her oldest son’s family in Alvarado, TX. Shortly thereafter she moved into Santa Fe Assisted Living and Memory Care in Cleburne, TX where she lived for over five years. She made her final move to Heartis Assisted Living and Memory Care in Cleburne, TX where she lived until her passing.
Ursula was predeceased by her parents and her husband. Children surviving her include: son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth D. Ellis and Susan E. Ellis of Alvarado; son and daughter-in-law, Glenn A. Ellis and Stacey L. Ellis of Southlake, TX; and son and daughter-in-law Jeffery G. Ellis and Kimberly M. Ellis of Suwanee, GA. Grandchildren surviving include: Jennifer K. Lehtinen and husband Jay R. Lehtinen of Alvarado; Technical Sergeant Christopher G. Ellis, United States Air Force Reserve, of Fort Worth; Connar M. Ellis and Cooper L. Ellis of Suwanee, GA.
Great Grandchildren surviving include: Ian M. Lehtinen and Ansa K. Lehtinen of Alvarado. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in the name of Ursula Ellis be made to First Christian Church Permanent Fund, 200 South Nolan River Road, Cleburne, Texas 76033.
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