VETERAN – Ellen Gronewold, 101, of Veteran passed away October 22, 2024, at an Alzheimer care center in Round Rock, Texas. Ellen Elizabeth Ritter was born to Lebaron Bradford Prince Ritter and Christie Alena Ritter in Lingle, on April 22, 1923. She was welcomed by sister Marge and brothers Lester and Walt.
Ellen went to school at Veteran and told stories about riding horse to school at times. After high school she attended the University of Wyoming to be a teacher and while there she had a job babysitting the basketball coaches’ kids. The coach was Irv Shelton, the only Wyoming basketball coach to win a national championship. She knew all the basketball players because the coach would have one of the players walk her back to the dorms after practice. She knew Kenny Sailers who was on the team and was recognized as the inventor of the jump shot. He did this in order to shoot over his taller brother.
After college while teaching, Ellen met Don Gronewold from Yoder. They hit it off and were married July 10, 1946. They farmed in the Veteran area for 75 years and raised their children, Sally, Lynda, and Brad. Ellen was involved in her community and helped with elections, she was involved with 4-H, and her dedication to the Goshen County Nursing Home board.
Preceding Ellen in death were her parents, her siblings, her husband, and her daughter Lynda. She is survived by son in law Ron Wood of Georgetown, Texas, daughter Dr. Sally and Dr. John Steadman, of Spanish Fort, Alabama, son Brad and Jo Gronewold of Saint Maries, Idaho, grandchildren Mark Steadman, Jerri and Chuck Koeber, Alena and Kenny Andersen, and Cody Gronewold.
